MIdwest Foot And Ankle Clinics's Online Review Report Card

This unpleasant encounter reflects upon a recent office experience with the front desk assistants at the Chicago office of Midwest Foot and Ankle Clinic (Resurrection Medical Center Building on Talcott Avenue, Suite 515) and not the actual medical care I received. I had an odd injury to my foot that lingered for several years; the discomfort was (is) hard to describe and probably had to diagnose. I had x-rays taken (negative), I tried exercises, etc., but nothing seemed to work, so I reached to Midwest Foot and Ankle Clinic. Dr. Natalie Zemela was thorough, personable, knowledgeable and courteous. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the office assistants. During my first visit, I found the two assistants at the front desk somewhat disorganized and bored (with their work, and thus, with the patients) that day. Perhaps they were having a bad day, I thought. For my follow-up visit three weeks later, I made an 8am appointment on Saturday March 1st, the first one of the day. I arrived right at 8am since I knew the office didn't open until that time, and sat down, alone in an empty waiting room. No other patients were there and there was no one at the front desk. I could hear movement within the office, so I assumed the staff was getting things prepared for the day and would come and get me. I sat and waited. And waited. I waited, completely unattended, for 15 minutes. No one from the office came to the front desk and no one checked on the waiting room. As I sat quietly in an empty waiting room, I suddenly heard a voice somewhere in the office say, "Well, I guess the 8 o'clock appointment isn't showing up." Startled, I sat up in my chair. "Your 8'oclock appointment is here!!" I shouted back, to be heard. "And has been here since 8 o'clock!" Still, no one appeared at the front desk. Instead, the woman continued our conversation through the office. "Why didn't you say something?" I don't know how to answer this question. "I'm in the waiting room!! Who was I supposed to say something to? No one came up here, there's no bell, nothing." "We were here, you should have said something." she said, with no understanding, no urgency, and absolutely no sense of apology. I was speechless. Not only was I kept waiting - for no apparent reason, it seemed -- but then, I was made to feel like it was my fault that my appointment was delayed by 15 minutes! This was their medical office and I was their patient - had they forgotten our roles? Finally, the young assistant appeared at the front desk. She barely looked at me. She sat down in front of the computer and told me I had a $30 co-pay. Again, no apology, nothing, but yes, please, let our first face-to-face communication be for you to tell me that I owe money. Finally, I was led back to a room and the same assistant asked me what I am there for. I was stunned. I wasn't a new patient. Do they not have record of my previous visit? "It's a follow-up," I tell her. "I was here three weeks ago. You should have record of that." "Yeah, but what's the problem?" Do I have to tell the whole story of my foot again? It's hard to explain and I already did this last time (twice, as a matter of fact - to her and then the doctor). Do I have to tell the whole story twice - again? "Don't I have a chart? Isn't there a record of my previous visit? She looked at me stunned, as if my head had just spun around. "I have to write something down," she said. I looked at the woman, stood up and said, "Please consider this visit cancelled. And refund my co-pay since I never received medical care." This young woman was incompetent, disengaged, rude, and had a backwards idea of the office/patient relationship and responsibilities. I did not see Dr. Natalie Zemela for my follow-up that day. I am sure the actual medical care part of the visit would have been worthy of 5 stars. Unfortunately, a really bad assistant prevented that from happening.

They threw my shoe inserts I paid for in the trash. Lady at the front argued about it so I never felt good about going back.

I am updating my review regarding Dr. Choi. I ended up at a different foot and ankle specialist, and guess what? I had foot sx. I had 6 screws loose in my titanium plate, a spur removed from my toe next to the big toe and I had 1 out of 3 nerves wrapping around my heel spur, and because of that I was debilitated. How this clown of a Dr. didn't see that in my x-ray they took, it's beyond my knowledge. I am very happy with my new foot and ankle specialist. He explained everything that was going on with my foot and how sx, which truthfully was my only option. I'm now in a foot cast and on my road to recovery. :)

I had an amazing experience with Dr. Natalie Zemela! She performed a very comprehensive evaluation and expertly performed the necessary procedure. She was very warm and thorough and patiently answered all of my questions. She also made some smart recommendations. I highly recommend her expertise.

Dr Choi is a wonderful caring doctor. He takes his time and listens to all your issues. He has my complete trust I would highly recommend him for any issues with your feet. The best !!!

Dr. Kirchens has to be one of my favorite doctors. She is kind, listens to concerns, and addresses issues the same day. She came up with a plan that works best for me. Highly recommend her and her staff.

The staff is very friendly and helpful. I had severe pain in my heel the staff gave me shockwave treatment to reduce the pain. Dr Khalid Husain is amazing took time to explain my diagnosis and answer all my questions. They gave me Air heel insert to wear till my orthopedic insert would arrive. Very pleased with service and highly recommend them in future.

Dr. Choi is very gentle and even thou I had not been there in a couple of years until recent he has only improved with age. I would recommend him to anyone

All Doctors are exceptional here. At 78 years old & many foot surgeries, now podiatry, I should know. Had Dr. Kitchens yesterday who was kind enuff to take me with schedule confusion on my part. I arrived @ 10:00a. The real apt was 1:00p. Returning to see Dr. Kirchens, sure.

Dr. Kirchens is very thorough, professional and understanding. I can’t say enough of what an awesome doctor she is.