North Shore Medical Center — Local services in North Miami

I just had my son at the North Shore Maternity Center. My ob/gyn Dr. Gotlin HIGHLY recommended North Shore to my husband and I and he said there was no place like it.

Boy was he right. This is my fourth child and none of my previous experiences even come CLOSE to what I experienced at North Shore.

From the moment I checked in at 3:30 am with Jennifer and Crystal to the moment I checked out with Opal several days later and everyone one in between, including Iggy who counted down as I pushed my baby into the world and Jessica who cared for me until my discharge, I felt like I was so cared for and special to these amazing nurses.

In particular I would like to highlight Ms. Jennifer, who held my hand through a particularly long and arduous labor. This special lady went above and BEYOND to give me the most expert care, whether I needed pain medication, oxygen or just a pep talk when I was exhausted--her sweet words "Don't worry baby! I'm here to help and we will have this baby and it's all gonna be alright." Ms. Jennifer has a special place in my heart because not only did she give me the expert care and guidance I needed, her strength made me feel strong in moments I felt weak. She stayed after her shift to make sure I made it all the way to ten centimeters and if it wasn't for her knowledge I think I would have been wheeled away to c-section in any other hospital but nurse Jennifer guided me all the way so I could have my baby naturally. How could I ever repay her? She's an angel and North Shore is blessed to have such a professional on their team.

I would also like to mention nurse Iggy--sweet, excellent and lovely. She was the nurse who was in rotation when I finally was able to push. Her energy, positivity and care gave me the final push so I could give the final push. I was so amazed at her lovely disposition and her interactions with my family. I felt like I was at home in her care and I'm so honored that she was next to me as I received my son into this world.

In the after care, I spent the most time with Nurse Jessica. Humble, soft spoken, sweet and organized--what else could you want in recovery? We had many wonderful conversations and all I could think about was how well this hospital was staffed. They found the best and put them all in one place.

The facility was spotless and everyone who came into clean--so polite. Melissa delivered the most amazing food always on time and with a smile and definitely restaurant quality. The food was one of the highlights and I was so grateful for these delicious and well prepared dishes.

Jocelyn the lactation consultant was so knowledgeable, friendly and warm and a great asset to this team. She encouraged me and shared her knowledge with me during my stay.

My son had a circumcision on the day we were to go home by the excellent Dr. Rub and Nurse Opal lovingly held his little hand and ensured his care was of the best quality. He didn't even cry. She was so mother like and excellent it made the transition from hospital to home seamless.

She was the nurse who was last on rotation before I was wheeled off away from this lovely place. I was really honestly dreading my hospital stay--who likes hospitals? Not I. BUT North Shore--it felt like HOME. If only I would have known about it with my other children! But I pass on the knowledge and good news to YOU. If you are looking for a place that is clean, warm, loving and excellent--a place where people aren't pushy or cold but instead loving, knowledgeable and ready to care for you, head over now to North Shore Maternity--the absolute BEST South Florida...

I mean. The area itself, is inner city trashy. So needless to say, the quality of the people and the service you’ll get here is going to match it. This is the first time I’ve gone to any doctors office, they reject my ID which they could use to verify who I am….but then when I’m in the exam room waiting for the doc, here comes an MA or whoever she was, taking random guesses why I was there. “You’re here for your knees right?” Uh…no, knees are fine, this is for shoulder pain. “Ohh ok. And you’ve had surgery, right?” Ma’am, I’ve never had surgery in my life, where are your charts? Where’s your paperwork, your documentation, how are you an MA walking into a room with NOTHING and then taking random guesses as to why a patient is there?? Maybe if you’d collect and review ID cards, you wouldn’t have to guess, no?? When you lack common sense, and a proper process, we all suffer for it. So anyway, after I corrected her about what I was actually there for, she says “oh I forgot…” yea. Forgetting is a normal human thing, but that’s why you refer to a CHART so that you don’t have to guess. See my earlier point regarding common sense.

So after playing a guessing game with that MA, she left and never came back. Literally. For over an hour. So then I go up front to see what’s going on because at this point I have to leave, I’m on the clock. I go up to the front and lo and behold. 3 MAs all posted up chillin, hanging out behind the front desk. No one came to the back to provide simple basic customer service around providing an update after the unexpected game of “let’s guess what this patient is here for.” I saw a specialist, derm, a few months ago, waited only 20 minutes and she hurried in with apologies and pleasantries. But again, different area, better quality of people = better quality of service.

I work in HR, healthcare administration, and I lead the training dept so it blows my mind when people in a service-oriented role, where the people who walk into the doors are literally the reason you even have a job, fail to service the people. What’s your standard?? What are your core values? How are you illustrating it through the personnel that you employ? Waiting in doctors office is normal. Lacking customer service, in a DOCTOR’s office, is barbaric and the animal like behavior your MAs showcase is a colorful depiction of YOUR expectations as the people who employ them.

Healthcare is where compassion is needed the most and given the least. All THREE were hanging out behind the front desk with this one in the photo, the Guessing-Game-Host, nodding off. No care to use the time to provide some sort of an update to the patients after putting them in a room and walking away. Nicely done. I blame the PC for referring us to Miami to begin with, the area speaks for itself and here go the employees, living up to that...

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Michelle and I want to recognize someone in your ER. As someone with a medical background in leadership in Ohio,I believe this is in order. My brother passed away in your ER however, one of your nurses who I found out was your Director of ER is one of the most skilled and compassionate nurses I have seen and his impact will forever be remembered . My brother was exposed to asbestos at a young age and had damage lungs his whole life. He came to the ER unable to breathe and was placed on a breathing machine. We attempted to transfer him to Memorial for a lung transplant but it was too late. We were granted a visit in the ED and Michael was in the room directing and leading care with two other nurses and speaking with a handful of physicians. At the same time he was teaching them on higher levels of care and what to do in certain circumstances. I saw him add multiple IV medications and adjusting to make my brother comfortable and speaking with multiple physicians. I believe I counted 8 drips. and 2 blood transfusions. He saw us standing there and immediately acknowledged us and explained better than the two physicians we had spoke to what was going on including getting a translator for my mom and dad. This meant the world to them. Michael then went back to work helping my brother the best he could. His competence, confidence and demeanor allowed us to feel a sense of calm as my brother was losing his fight. My brothers heart stopped and Michael immediately directed staff and made the appropriate phone calls. We ultimately asked him if there was any chance. He said he was in the same situation with his mother and his family decided what she would want and the outcomes. Because of Michaels presence, we ultimately decided to let my brother be at peace. Michael got us chairs, waters and allowed us to visit and have our time. I noticed Michael then going back to his role as a leader. His passion, and drive can be seen and thought if he ever gets burned out. I ultimately did not believe any Director would ever do that for anyone. I envision a suit and tie, white collar type of person. I asked the staff about him and they spoke to his approval. This community does not receive the best care. As a poor, immigrant family, my brother also being HIV positive and transgender....to see a white male care for an at risk minority and make my family feel welcome is a blessing and comfort to so many in this community. I have sang praises within our neighborhood about the care my brother received despite our loss at North Shore. During this time, I believe those who make a difference should be recognized.

I hope this message finds you and yours well.

Kind...