John D. Dingell VA Medical Center Reviews

A veteran friend just had surgery at your facility. We were so impressed with the services provided and of the people at and around the medical center. Everyone was very helpful and greetings from staff and other patients were amazing. It was so very nice to be in such a peaceful, helpful, and hopeful place. Thank you for a great experience.

I've been coming to this VA for almost 25 years and don't understand what all the complaints are about. The staff is competent and I've always received timely care. There is no such thing as perfect. All over the VA I constantly hear other vets complaining. End the pitty party and be grateful

Everything I hear about the VA makes me very upset, I have been going there for the past 6 years, the care, the follow up treatments have been nothing short of incredible
I am so thankful I have the VA to turn to, I have been diagnosed with lung cancer the doctors, nurses, even the janitors have been very supportive and helpful, I dont know how I'll make out but I know the VA will make every effort to fix me

Had cancer surgery in March and the VA surgical team did an awesome job. Back for radiation consult to get the rest. Thank you Metro Detroit VA.

It really aggravates me how dishonorably veterans are treated by the command staff of this hospital.

I can't imagine how many veterans are in need of care but forego a visit to this VA center because they don't want to be treated like animals who are wasting the VA's precious time. The command staff here should be embarrassed.

I went to the Detroit Va Hosp. for a hearing aid and to register for a Va Id.
It took many trips but I finally got my hearing aid. Unfortunately they are almost unuseable (way to much back ground noise). My aid came with a TV adapter which did not work out of the box. I sent it in for repair in Feb. and have not heard back. While down at the hosp. I filled out all necessary
paperwork for my Va Id card. Have not received the card(been over 3 months). My last point is the Va Reps. For the most part they were nice but
there were a few with an obvious attitude problem.

You go to check in and they are on their cell phones and they tell you to wait until they're done.instead of taking care of you the patient. they want to put me to sleep for a simple operation which takes 10 minutes and it scares me they they don't speak English and like one guy said they are washed out from some no name school that's why they're at the VA. Its like they put you to sleep so you cant see their mistakes. I have had this Surgery before that's how I know the procedure. Plus I have to drag someone with me to drive back. Its bullshit! To make it short "Detroit V.A. sucks!"

I made a appt in June for July with primary doctor. It disappeared. Again I made a appt for August in July one month to the day. Received mail notice appt.cancelled. I complain, I send message thru unhealthy vet system. They message back appt back on. Now I know they have doubled booked. I tell clerks supervisor he stated she's great employee. My PTSD went off. Friday, trying to rest they call me at 4 pm can u come at 230pm instead cause the schedule heavy. I wish I couI'd sue them cause now I'm stressed to the max. I will never go in there ever again.

10/29/2018
Evening shift in the ER is just horrible 1 doctor on staff

The Detroit VA is a life saving facility, many patients, and probably understaffed. I commend the hard work and dedication to us Vets ......on the other hand , workers that come in just to earn a pay check, with little to no concern for these Veterans need to be evaluated and reprimanded to the extent of being replaced. I am very fortunate to have a Doctor who is Amazing. My stress seems to lower just to see her . God Bless you , Sally .....

This place really does not know how to take care of their veterans. I arrived 20 minutes before 6pm and still have not been seen. The young lady nurse or aide is seeing other patients before me. I do not know the route cause of my injuries and have been sitting for hours. It is now almost 9pm and no one has helped me. I am over coming to the VA this is the reason many vets don t like coming here

What an awful VA hospital. Everything they say about the VA on the media is true. They dont give a dam about Veterans.

My dad currently attends this hospital. It just seems like they can't get anything right. He had gotten measured for a knee brace, and was told it would be coming in the mail. It never came. He followed up and they said they would take care of it. They never did. Followed up on the knee brace for the 3rd time, and the hospital said that all the measurements had to be retaken. I had requested some copies of MRI and X-Ray reports via fax, and they never completed my request. Tried calling to get through to a rep, and no one has answered my call.
I'm highly, HIGHLY disappointed with the way this "hospital" runs.

The worst VA medical facility in Michigan. Go to Ann Arbor instead.

I think they are great! I've been there on several occasions and was treated well by all the staff. Well, except one time. One doctor but he was the exception - not the rule. I'm proud of this VA hospital.

Told to come in and sign a form so they could refill my medications I asked if I needed an appointment the nurse said no been waiting 2 hours just to sign a form meanwhile all the workers are laughing and talking to eachother. Everytime I have ever had to come here even for the smallest thing it turns into an all day event because the staff is trained poorly in time management. This VA is Awful and a disgrace to our vets if you have a choice to go to a different VA I strongly recommend it.

Gave it 4 stars for the small percentage that are qualified and do a heck of a job. (also the volunteers).. for the rest 2 or 3 stars at best. underqualified, including the lack of people skills.

Some of the people there can be really rude....and when they are I report them. If you don't like working with people then leave the hospital. My only really complaint is it takes so long to get something done...

As a relatively new patient of the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, I was reluctant to visit because of so many poor reviews; however, after making several personal visits, I am encouraged as this was not the case during my visits. Hopefully, one day all patients will feel comfortable with this facility and reviews will improve over time. With that being said, my experiences were definitely far better than most I've read here. With the exception of one staff person, all were kind, courteous, and professional. Follow-up appointments and prescriptions are timely and results are concise. I will definitely return and plan to register my son soon.

Systemic issues throughout, and dreadful to visit. Within the slew of problems and bad attitudes are handfuls of GREAT men and women that work there. I never thought combat veterans would have to go through these kinds of hoops and treatments to receive care. Hopeful that communicating these problems with policy makers can create a better environment for my brothers and sisters I served with.

I edited my review because I had started to finally see changes at the VA in 8 years.

The pharmacy people had always been rude and disrespectful and downright disgusting when it came to handling Veterans. Especially the elderly.

The pharmacy has gotten better with speed and efficiency of placing orders. Which had always been a sore spot at the VA.

The parking garage is a mess. People speeding, driving the wrong direction, parking in two spots, and almost hitting people.

**I had made comments prior about the VA ratings board, which is a major sore spot for the entire Veterans Administration. However, I think a lot of the problems resides within the lack of treatment and misdiagnosis.

It took me six months and costed me thousands of dollars to seek private medical physicians to finally get proper diagnosis. Which had been ignored in the dozens of exams and visits at the Detroit VAMC, leading to misdiagnosis and lack of service connected ratings.

You might want to try Ann Arbor. You earned your benefits, so don't settle.

OUTSTANDING EXPERIENCE! - 10 JAN 2017

I am pleased and proud to say that I had an excellent experience during my first visit to this VA Hospital (John D Dingell VA Medical Center - Detroit) on 10 JAN 2017. I was seen by Dr. Chitturi in the DET C&P GULLAPALLI wing for an injury claim evaluation and medical exam. Based upon my veteran peers' reviews, I was, frankly, prepared for the worst and to be treated poorly.

To start with, I found the center well marked and the front desk staff polite and helpful, on two separate floors. Then, I was actually seen 22-minutes [earlier!] then my originally scheduled appointment start time of 2:30 pm. Dr. Chitturi greeted me in the waiting area, she was very patient, thorough, and managed to make a somewhat anxiety-filled experience, very relaxing and not hurried. Overall, the entire staff that I had come into contact with were cordial and courteous. Again, I did not expect that; hence, the reason I felt it fair and appropriate to post a current review.

Finally, as a 26-year+ U.S. Navy veteran (still serving), it was a re-assuring experience to be in the company of so many fellow Veterans. There was a unique kind of patient camaraderie there, whether I was in the elevator, waiting room, or just observing the tributes on the walls to our Veterans. We all had a common bond.

So, excellent overall experience,. My thanks to the staff who chose to serve Veterans and are doing it well.

Go Navy! // MCPO JSN

I've had 2 visits to the ER here. Both time treated well, quickly and correctly.

All for the veterans , service is great they are doing so much to resolve my situation, can not thank them enough

This review is about a phone call only. The operator was rude, he transferred me without saying anything. The call was hello and after I asked I heard ringing but it was the wrong department.

The people that work here are RUDE and about as UNPROFESSIONAL as can be. I have NEVER been so offended or treated so horribly as I have been here. This place is a COMPLETE DISGRACE to the MEN AND WOMEN who fought for this great nation

Registration to get a VA Health card has appalling customer service. Diabled and elderly veterans are made to stand in line out front to check. I personally saw a man with a cane wait over twenty minutes to check in. You could tell he was hurting just standing there. At least you could have a number system. Once you check in the service is unbelievably slow I waited for an hour last week then I gave up to go to my appt Today it also took over an hour and I only needed a picture for an ID and I was second in lin

Great service friendly people and very very active hospital

I brought my father through the door fighting for what would be his last breath in A wheel chair he was sliding out of , I ask the person at the desk to help me call someone , he casually walked us back to the ER the long way slow as hell , my father had stopped breathing twice on the walk. we get to the ER and he stops at the admission desk to say we have a Veteran here , the guy steps out and ask him why didn't he call for help h His response was "Oh I cant lift anyone " My father passed I am sad . But happy he doesn't have to return there ever again ,These Veterans serve this country and at this VA are hospital treated like this , No More I reported this to 2 Patient advocates , Changes need to be made here and bad before someone else has to bring there vet to endure what I had to
there needs to be better customer service and response from the staff, Thank God I never have to make another trip here Its sad . Like a Ghost town after hours no one to assist you and the people there no compassion. I am angry and I hope this matter and others like it are cleared up .

My ankle has been swollen from an injury two months ago. I suspect that it will just not "go away". I went to the Emergency Room. There were two men in line in front of me (one was only accompanying the other). From behind the counter, a lady looked at me and says: "Who's Next?" When I turned to ask the accompanying man if he was in line, the lady behind the counter immediately went back to her desk and ignored me. I stood there a minute then left the Emergency Room and limped back to my vehicle and went home. I mistakenly assumed they were there for me, not the other way around. I won't make that mistake again!

have been using the Dingle VA medical center for years
love it am treated better here than other hospitals ive been to

This place is batting zeros in my book. I have had 4 appointments here and only 1 I was actually seen. They canceled on me three times.
And the one appointment that I did get was 2 hours late, the doc forgot to even put in the refferals I needed so I had to call 3 times to get them to put it in.

Very dissatisfied. Terrible service.

My Dad's 2 separate appointments went smoothly, we were in and out ahead of schedule. Friendly helpful staff.

Nobody ever calls back, even when they specifically say they will. Dr. Smith might as well be dubbed "Dr. No". The most chaotic hospital I've ever seen. Screaming TVs in every room. If you're rated 100% P&T, we've found the staff has little to no idea what benefits you and your spouse qualify for.

DO NOT BRING YOUR LOVED ONES HERE.
For two years, this hospital has been preforming tests on my father to see why he'd been losing so much weight. For two years these people could not find the issue. A few months ago my father switched to a civilian doctor and within two weeks they found that my father had cancer. Had we switched to a civilian doctor sooner, he would had been treated a lot sooner and properly for his condition. It hurts to know that the VA couldn't provide enough care in finding the issue for this long. It was a waste of time. I would never write a bad review to hurt anyone but they simply lack to provide proper care because this is a government based facility and citizens can not sue their government. I would suggest to immediately switch hospitals if you want your loved ones to get the care they need quickly and properly!

I have a doctor not from this country and she refuse to let them look at my lower back had to come back to Dallas tx , because doctor said , at age 43 i was to young to have back trouble even though my mos was 11B. Dallas va done mrI and cat scan , i have bugled disc L-3 -L6. im now lost feeling in legs and feet. The worker talk to you like Dog and only care about how much money can be taken from the Va. My Dad died at the Va. they gave information to someone who said was the grand son .The man took all of dad money off his bank card at dad had died.

Had a appt on the 3rd of August travel reimbursement was rude and unprofessional. If I ran my business like Detroit travel I would be out of business, total incompetence.

Debbie Dingell needs to fix this place, but there isn't a Congress person or senator that actually cares about veterans. We already did what they needed us to.

Excellent service, generally speaking. The staff has always been good, I noticed the improvements. Above all I know that they mean well and they attempt to do a good job.

I have a thorough Doctor. Been going to VA for heath care for over 20 years.

I have had good experiences during my visits, the staff and doctors have taken good care of my needs, wait times could be better but overall no complaints.

What a disappointment. Our vets rely on this place to take care of them. The hospital is dirty, the staff is lazy, rude, and many seem less educated than they should be. Appalled at the disservice witnessed to someone who was in the service.

the most unorganized and unprofessional
organization dont care about veterans very rude and disrespectful , absolutely the worst healthcare provider. good luck getting any real help here

Fast service with fast track friendly helpful staff

When I come for an orthopedic appointment, the doctor has already reviewed my records before I get there and knows why I'm there.. taken care of and on my way in fifteen minutes, fifteen minutes before my appointment.

I have always received very good health care at this VA MEDICAL CENTER. I was diagnosed with terminal Lung Cancer and received excellent compassionate care from top notch
Nurses and a Great Thoracic Surgery team headed by Dr. HARVEY PASS THEY literally saved my life.

I have also received great orthopedic surgical
Care from Dr. P.J. Harris and his compassionate staff of Dr's, Nurses and Physical Therapist.

I'm VERY PLEASED with the compassionate, professional services I receive here. I truly believe I would be on the other side of the grass without the Detroit VA Medical Center.

Sgt James Pitts

Came in the middle of the night after being advised to by the hotline nurse. Everyone I worked with was very friendly and the room I was in was very clean.

I have always been treated well by my various doctors and nurses, my only complaint is they often don't get my name right.

They allways treat me well here.Dr.Shapiro is a great doctor.

In 2008 I walked in to see my 1st out of 3 primary care physicians. Because I had a slight pain on my right hip and knee. In 2020 12 years later I can barely walk. I had to buy my own handicap scooter and scooter lift. I have been lied to, screamed at and the primary doctors I went through don't care about Veteran Health. John Dingell is a socialist hospital because there is no acountibility for any physicians lack of care there. My wife just had breast cancer and had to pay medical bills on her. Also went to Ann Arbor V.A. Hospital. Nicer people there then Detroit V.A. But is basically the same practice as John Dingell Hospital. The head administrator at John Dingell ( Pamela J Reeves ) came from Ann Arbor V.A. and I written letters to her for help. Never got any help. I actually have to read up on my conditions and ask for treatment to my primary care physician and I still get road blocked. Now I have to sell my home because neither can I physically take care of it nor can I afford my home any more. Because of what my 3 primary physicians didnt do for me. I even went through the chain of command. But no one cared to help me. 2 primary care physician at V.A. Hospital I have used are Muhammad Ifran in firm D and Ramachandra in Firm A. The primary physician at Ann Arbor V.A. Hospital was Christopher Smith. All 3 are not physicians. They just take up space. Private care if you can afford it. Is the best way to go. V.A. Hospitals rely on our tax payers money and don't have to be accountable for their lack of care. Because they still get paid every 2 week regardless what they do. Private care physicians depend on patient money. If the patient doesn't like the private care doctor. The doctor office will close do to lack of funds from patients. There is a lot more I could say about the 12 yrs at the nightmare at the John Dingell Veterinarian Hospital. But it would take me to write a book about my true experience. I almost lost my legs because I had cellulitis and both feet where turning black. Had to fight to get and have vain surgery. If I hadn't read about how to fix my feet I surely would of lost my legs. I had vain alcers coming out of my legs. I couldnt even wears socks.... my feet was hurting so bad. Thank you for reading this true story. P.S I AM WILLING TO TAKE A POLYGRAPH IF THE 3 PRIMARY PHYSICIANS WILL DO THE SAME. FIND OUT WHO IS LYING. THOUSANDS OF VETERANS HAVE DIED DUE TO THE LACK OF CARE AT A VETERAN HOSPITALS.

I have always received good service and care at the Detroit VA hospital. I have been going to the Detroit VA since 2010. I find the staff very professional and friendly.

Poor customer service, lazy providers, always another hoop to jump through or approval needed for even the most routine procedures.

As far as VA facilities are concerned, this place looks nice. Some of the other veterans complaining about the facility itself should visit Battle Creek, NYC (Manhattan), Lansing CBOC, or Albuquerque and then they might be more appreciative.The hospital could be cleaner.

My appointment was late by 20 minutes. I don't understand why VA clinics cannot maintain their schedules. Completely unacceptable. The staff in orthopedics was vey helpful.

Radiology was helpful, but very slow.

I will update my review over time if I ever return to this facility. 10/2016. OEF & OIF Veteran

The medical care as a whole is still sub par compared to the private sector. I received both great care and horrible care at this facility. It is my dream to work here to provide the best possible care to our veterans. They need good people to work here instead of just local people.

FOR ME DOCTORS AND THERPIST THAT WORK THERE ARE ALL GOOD.

Appt too far apart. Can't get my appt close enough together for my work schedule but the care is good considering the price.

I've been going for 16 years now and have 1 doctor thats been great, all the others are the worst 3. Appointments r always months away, wait for an hour and get in there and rushed out within 5 minutes, reorder prescriptions 10 days in advance and it still takes over 2 weeks to get them 3 days past when you're supposed to get them, so you have to suffer until they come in, I could tell you even more, but I don't have enough room, they really suck and don't care! !

I am a Retired Disabled Veteran and been going there since they opened the doors and have always been treated with nothing but respect from Drs and employees!!!

Appointment was at 10:20 am. For the RA doctor. It a now 11:57 am and still not in to see him. Problem is the lady at the desk didn't check me in ( how is that possible I was sitting right in front of her giving my information to her in order to be checked in) so thanks to the lady NOT doing her job I've had to sit here and wait!! Amazing!!

Great Directions to Hospital and looking forward to going to get help for my Husband who fought for our Country and suffers daily to live here where We have no conversation for our troops

Staff, patients n visitors are very nice! Very clean here too

Very slow to serve vets also not caring about serving bets

Since I have switched my hospital insurance to John Dingell I realized that it was the best decision that I had made in a long time. The Doctors and staff have treated me with such respect. The nurses have gone out of their way to be kind and considerate as well.

What a horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible experience! My father, who is a retired veteran First Lieutenant (1LT) US Army (1975-2005). Served in Italy, Persian Gulf and the Gulf War Operation Desert Shield. He is the most hard headed and stubborn person and bleeds Red, White and Blue and is an avid supporter of the VA Medical System, (especially John D Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, MI.)

I am a Physician Assistant in Florida and received the call that my father was in the hospital for kidney stones and high blood pressure. When I was told that he went to the VA, MY HEART SANK! I grew up in Metro Detroit and the VA in Detroit has never had a good, positive reputation and horrible sub-par care!

I immediately called the VA Hospital and was met with the rudest most unprofessional call center that told me on several occasions that my father was not in the hospital. This was told to me even after my mother (A Registered Nurse) just left him to go home and get him a change of clothes.

I was told that I had the wrong hospital and was hung up on. I called back to request the AOD and was hung up on again. Finally, I got to a Rochelle the AOD and she was very nice but still handcuffed by the out dated system and she also had trouble locating my father.

Finally, she finds him by calling to the ER to see if he was a patient. 10 minutes later she returns and asks me questions about a different patient!??? HIPPA, JCAHO!

I then had to swallow my frustration and anger and be very calm and patient. Swallow my dismay and calmly explain who I was and who I was looking for.

Rochelle the AOD was nice enough to apologize for the drama and personally found my father in the ER number 25 on the list. The patient tracking system is so archaic that you have to search for the patient! Micro-feech!

He will never go to the VA Again! 1 star is only for Rochelle the AOD!

I have never had a problem here. They have a food court, work out room, and they take good care of the vets.

I don t even understand how such incompetent people are allowed to practice medicine

Its the Veterans admin. Some employees care, others just there for a paycheck. If you are lucky, you get those that care.

Today, I had the worse experience with an operator from the transportation eligibility department. She was beyond rude, condescending and extremely unprofessional. She would not let me talk, she berated me because transportation did not pick up my handicapped brother from a rehab facility even though I was trying to explain to her that this problem has occurred twice. When I asked t speak to her supervisor twice, she ignored my request to continue to over talk me), she connected me with Mr. Dwayne Dye who identified himself as the lead in charge. When I asked him for a supervisor I was informed that I could not talk to a supervisor until I go through him first and that the supervisor may or may not call if it is not important!!! REALLY!!! Very poor customer service. However the saving grace was the transportation department called me and handled my request with professionalism and kindness!!! He changed all the information in the computer system and was gracious enough to give my brother another appointment. He restored my faith in good customer service at the VA.

i had an appointment on 1/14/16 in the ortho dept. everything was fine until the nurse who takes your weight, height, temperature and blood pressure came to get me from the waiting room. when she put that thermometer into my mouth there was an awful smell that smelled like death or human excrement. almost like that thermometer had just been pulled out of someones anus. it was either the temperature wand or her hands. It was so disgusting that as soon as they sent me back to the waiting area, i had to go puke in the rest room.
now im worried she gave me some deadly disgusting disease. People who work in that kind of business need to wash their hands. in all my experiences with the va this has never happened before. And you would think she would put gloves on. i am disgusted. Unfortunately they couldn't do anything to help with my shoulder pain.! will never ever go to this facility as long as they hire people like this.whoever is in charge of this hospital needs to address this issue as this is unacceptable. this is the following day and i have upchucked 3 times already because of this. I hope the top guy at this facility reads this. excuse me as i have to upchuck again.

If I could give zero stars I woulda the front desk guy wanted to be rude and belittle my elderly mother who was trying to get information to him. But he knew it all with out her even being able to speak he was so annoyed with coming to work today or something cause while trying to explain something simple to my mother he wanted to throw his pen and then have a tantrum when I asked his name. He got up like a bully to get his commander.. your wrong for acting like you just did. Your rude and have no empathy maybe should rethink your job!!! Also screamed down the hallways here s my commander I told him to have. A good day I don t deal with rude people. Especially one who isn t nice to veterans or their families!!!!

I can't get an appt. I can't change my provider. This is the epitome of the broken VA system. Employees who know they can't be fired and are not accountable to anyone. I am beyond frustrated with trying to get care here.

If you have an appointment at 8, juste show up at 9. Cause that's when you're getting in anyways.