Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals - St. Joseph Hospital — Local services in Saint Joseph

A dad's perspective on choosing a birthplace.

Understanding that the birthing experience can evoke a wide range of emotions for mothers, it’s essential to present an unbiased viewpoint from someone who has not experienced the physical aspects of childbirth. After reading through some of the previous comments, I felt compelled to share my experience. This message is intended for all parents considering their options for childbirth, and I hope it provides valuable insight.

I was born at Lakeland(now Corewell) Hospital in St. Joseph many years ago, and while I cannot comment on that experience, I can tell you I'm still alive today 😃 My wife and I have welcomed our two children at Corewell between 2015 and 2024, and both experiences were exceptional.

Prior to our first child's birth, dedicated nurses offered their personal time to conduct a series of informative classes for new parents. These sessions equipped us with essential knowledge, helping both my wife and I feel more prepared for this significant life event.

Our first child was born before the COVID-19 pandemic. My wife, a strong individual, waited at home as long as possible before we arrived at the hospital. Upon arrival, we were promptly given a room, and the anesthesiologist was friendly and informative throughout the epidural process. The nursing staff consistently checked in on us, providing excellent support. The birth proceeded smoothly, with the doctor and nurses readily available to address our questions and concerns. Postpartum care was outstanding, with nurses ensuring our comfort as we adjusted to life as new parents. The nursery staff was instrumental in teaching us how to give our baby a bath, sharing their knowledge as many were parents themselves.

In terms of facilities, the rooms we occupied were modern and impeccably clean. While the on-site food may not be gourmet, it was adequate and satisfying. For those concerned about hospital food, delivery options are readily available in the area.

For our second child, born during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we faced some complications, but the quality of care remained consistent. The nursing staff was exceptional, and the anesthesiologist, along with the doctors, provided us with the necessary support. Although visitors were restricted due to COVID-19, we found this to be beneficial, allowing us to bond as a family without distractions. I felt safe in the hospital, which had implemented effective measures to manage COVID-19 cases.

Regarding billing, it’s important to acknowledge that having a baby can be expensive, and insurance may not cover all costs. However, the care we received made it worthwhile. The hospital worked diligently with our insurance provider, and we established a manageable payment plan for any remaining balance. It’s crucial to have realistic expectations regarding costs; if one is seeking a completely free experience, a hospital setting may not be appropriate.

My experiences have solely been with Corewell in St. Joseph. While there may be other excellent hospitals, I firmly believe we received top-tier care during both of our childbirth experiences and would gladly return for a third. Observing how my wife was treated reinforced my confidence in this facility and their staff. Our experiences at Corewell have consistently reflected professionalism and compassion from the staff. Everyone from security, desk staff, doctors, nurses, and even janitorial made an impact on our stay.

I hope this information assists fellow parents in making an informed decision about where to welcome...

I went there about 6 months ago, I am a recovering herion/alcohol addict and I had been sober off herion since 2016 and still am sober,I had almost 12 years in for alcohol and I had relapsed I went by ambulance , and I begged for help to get past the withdrawal and, the Dr said he was admitting me and I was waiting for a room and they changed shifts and a white lady 40s with short black hair came in and once she knew why I was there, she went out the room came back in said they were releasing me , that they weren't going to admit me because I just drank too much and she has release papers and I'm like the Dr said he was admitting me and she was like NOPE, YOU ARE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE OF THE PIPER FOR HAVING TO MUCH TO DRINK, I told her I have seizures and and life threatening withdrawals, and she was like here gave me my paperwork and told me to hurry up and get out before she called the security and I had no shoes , no nothing I came by ambulance,one of the security officer's helped me thank God and couldn't believe how she was treating me, and later that day I had a seizure and, I couldn't walk or anything after that, I went to Borges in Kalamazoo and they thought at first it was more than just a seizure,that I may have had a stroke,but they got me through it and I went to rehab after and have been super ever since , when you work in that field you have to have compassion for everyone, not just hurt physically people but people that are broken due to addiction,it is a disease and she treated me like a waste of flesh ,I could have died and if she keeps doing this someone will on her watch because she has no clue how to treat people,ALL PEOPLE.....oh here is a great one to back in 2011 my daughter was 8 months old and had severe bronchitis, I had her in Kalamazoo and always took her there when anything was wrong but I was having transportation issues and I let her Dr at the time talk me into taking her to this hospital and we were there for 2 days and they were fixing to release her and said it was going to be awhile so we went to get something to eat and came right back and as soon as I got off the elevator they stopped me and said something happened while you were gone and,told me that while the nurse was removing her I.V she accidentally chopped the tip of her pinky off , I was like how the hell did that happen she said she did it with scissors,I was like why do you use scissors to take a i.v out so I go on the room and, they still had the same nurse taking care of my daughter,I was like if she doesn't get away from my child she is going out the f#cking window, they only had to say she is our go2 gal and I was like maybe it's time your go2 gal to retire or change carrers, and they were going to reattach it , and the surgeon that was going to do it ,whom also reconstructed my hand when I shattered it ,Dr.Berry was like I can do it no problem but because of how sick she was he said I think I will loose her on the operating table, but he was like it's your call,that is a Great Dr not putting how much money he could have made over taking the chance of my daughter dying,that is what a healthcare provider is supposed to act like, so I chose my daughter life over the tip of her pinky, she is now a beautiful 14 year old little lady, with her special pinky , but that's how terrible that hospital is ,or in 1999 when my dad walked in with a blue toe and never came home,his legs rotted off ,he died of septis and gangrene.... horrible carego else where if you can it's not worth...

This hospital is a hit and miss, with so many employees I'm sure a bad apple will arise. My experience comes from the ER. The doctors, and staff were very professional and understanding.The attending doctor that came to see me had a wonderful bedside manners, listen to my complaint and had my pain and nausea under control in a great response time. The nurse ( which didn't have a name tag ) name escapes me but, I think it was Breanne ? She made me feel very uncomfortable, why? She made smart remarks under her breath, slamming drawers around and when I would ask her a question she rolled her eyes and gasped. She NEVER asked me how was my pain or it's level, just plan nasty beside manner. When this nurse was about to give me my nausea and pain medicine I asked for half the dose for pain, this was due to my tolerance of pain medication because it will make me sick,, after telling her this she became aggravated, eyes rolling and the tone of her voice shifted. After 20 minutes when I saw her again, I asked for the rest of my pain medication because it was tolerable and didn't make me sick...she went into this spew about how she had to waste the medication and someone had to watch her dispense it...OK, but that's not my problem! I'm the one in pain and she treated me like "Your wasting my time" while she stomped out of the room she muttered "Now, I have to find the doctor and get another order, because you decided not to take the full dose!!! She returned within minutes with a Tylenol....how did I go from 20 minutes ago having my pain controlled to a Tylenol??? ( I came in the ER with a BP of 186/98 .. because of pain) .. but wait here is the kicker,.. This person ( and that's what I call her, a person!! because Nurses don't treat people like this) came into my room prematurely and asked if the doctor has been in to release me, when I said No, she slammed down the paperwork and mumbled something and left abrupt...after the doctor came and saw me and we discussed what steps to be taken next, " She returned, to find the doctor changed the orders and gave me some medicine to take home. This was upsetting to her and said out loud " Of course he changed the orders and gave you medicine....This person will never change her dimener, she is burnt out of this profession ( in my opinion) and shouldn't be working around people that come into the ER for understanding, comfort and direct need. Maybe a place where she doesn't have to talk with the...