VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System

Reviews 4

ST

Steven Bedgood

To Whom it may concern, As a veteran, I recently had to have a couple surgeries at the VA hospital. I confess, I was somewhat concerned about how things would go. My concern was, of course, first for how I would recover and then how I would be treated. I was pleasantly surprised. From the time I was diagnosed, through the time I was released and even when I went back for my follow-up, My treatment was top-notch. Dr. Jonathon Warner explained what the procedure would be. I would need two surgeries. I needed some pre cancerous cells removed from my skin and then, in a few days I had to have a skin graft by the plastic surgery team. All together, I spent 12 days in the VA hospital in Ann Arbor in room B528 The surgical staff did a great job. They explained what would happen and when I woke up it was done. They and the doctors came up to see and follow up with me. They stayed long enough to have real conversations with me. They asked me if I had any other questions. I realize that they have rules and procedures to help them make sure they see all their patients. However, when they were in, talking with me, they didnt rush on to the next patient too quickly. As for the kitchen staff, they were outstanding. In addition to being friendly, they looked after me and honored my requests for extra coffee from time to time. I could not believe the high level of professionalism of the nurses, nurses aids and interns. My surgery was embarrassing have and to talk about. The nurses helped reassure me that it was “just part of their job.” None of them were ever inappropriate or unprofessional. They took excellent care of me. I was very impressed with how soon they would come in if I hit the nurse button. I didnt have much pain, But when I did, and I called them, they did all they could to help me. I always felt that they wanted to be there. They never made me feel like I was a burden or wasting their time. Dr. Ranganathan came in and checked on me daily I believe. In addition to dressing my skin graft, she was also very pleasant and professional. Dr. Conkle was also very helpful and informative. Ive spoke to a lot of doctors over the years. The bedside manner of the doctors in Ann Arbor is second to none. I filled out many of the forms to say how much I appreciated a good number of the nursing staff individually but Im sure I missed some people. Im sorry I couldnt remember all of their names. I am a student of leadership and I saw evidence of it throughout my stay at the V.A. Hospital in Ann Arbor. I can not say enough good things about the way I was treated. Thank you all very much for everything you all did for me. Most sincerely, Steven A. Bedgood

---

AL

Alan Rooney

Bit of a strenuous experience Ive had with the VA the past 5 years. During my time in service I was experiencing issues with my back, and found myself discharged in 2011. After which, I visited the Ann Arbor VA ER for further problems with my back and right arm; the result of this was a recommendation for my wife to massage my back. After seeing my newly assigned primary care physician and being told nearly the same thing, I found myself discouraged from this health care system and would not find myself back into their care for this issue (which I had learned to tolerate) until September of 2015 after a rather nasty car accident. I had been diagnosed with whiplash, and underwent physical therapy which did little good in remedying the more intense and bothersome pain, which was an intensified type of the one I had felt for the past 4 years at the time. The doctor was concretely opposed to running the proper imaging tests, even after the physical therapy had ended. After this, they found it suitable to run an EKG/EEG on my legs, although the nerve pain was primarily in my arms. Luckily, I found myself in the care of a recently transferred doctor in the past few weeks, and was more than glad to help figure out why I was in pain, not stick to a diagnosis; its only because of her fresh status that I feel I got the care I deserve and can possibly be on the road to recovery, if the damage hasnt already been done. Its for this, and only this reason, I cannot in good faith give a 1 star status, because with perseverance you can get the healthcare you deserve through the Ann Arbor VA. If you are a new patient to this hospital, expect to be: suspected of drug seeking; treated both poorly and condescendingly; lengthy, tedious, and impertinent tests. Furthermore, expect to see the current failures of the American Healthcare system on show in a grand fashion.

---

JO

John Smith

Why are there only outstanding reviews about the VA? Reality is the VA is a failed system costing our nation over $150 Billion annually where the VA uses those resources protecting their funding and influence. With over ten years trapped inside the VA system bogged down by court appointed financial and medical conditions pushed on me by the VA, repeatedly the VA medical leadership I experienced did not understand Post 9/11 american special operations warriors. Fearing our training and experience, they failed to understand the reality of our plight with being associated with fighting extreme Islamic fundamentalism and public awareness. Meaning the mental health costs of Post 9/11 are not the same as previous wars. With that heightened sense of urgency returning home from war, failed efforts with the VA only complicated matters with my mental health. Worse, the VA was given full authority and influence on my future and care to include how my financial benefits were distributed. As if being a 42 year old Post 9/11 repeated combat volunteer was not enough to prove my maturity. The VA got away with dictating how my life was managed. It took me fighting in court to push away from the VA. Do not prop up this failed idea costing us crucial lives in American volunteers (Formerly known as veterans) and vital federal funding best used elsewhere. SOLUTION: Abolish the VA replace minimum with private healthcare options funded NOT MANAGED by the Federal Government. If you want to continue resting at peace every night fully confident we continue to volunteer protecting you, if we fight for the federal government, they have an obligation to fully fund post war healthcare for those who fight. Volunteers are not free.

---

SA

Sally Arroyo

Its was my first time being a visitor for 2 days at the Veterans hospital in Ann Arbor. It was unpleasant, unwelcome, humiliated, threatened, emotionally abused, unfairly mistreated, terrible experience especially with the one hostile nurse Linda Garver on the 5th floor ICU. Nurse Linda Garver focus on her Victims on visitors, family members and even employee. Nurse Linda Garver had her nerve to intimidate and threaten me in the middle of the hallway in the ICU by starting me down ugly (ghetto style). My cousin almost died 2 times in the ICU and its a damn shame I drove 41 miles just to be with my cousin and I had to which my back for that hostile nurse Linda Garver was trying her best to intimidate me for 2 days. You dont know how hard it was for me to control myself in getting really mad before this issue turned into something worse. So therefore, before you ring the buzzer to get into the ICU on 5th floor, be very careful for the hostile nurse Linda Garver. File your complaints. The veterans hospital in Ann Arbor has anti-harassment policy for visitors and family members and employee. [email protected] Office of discrimination complaints. [email protected]

---

---