Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Hospital - Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

Lakia Brown

If I could give 0 stars I truly would. For almost an entire year, this clinic misdiagnosed me. I kept advocating for myself indicating what I was being diagnosed with wasn't the full story of what was happening in my reproductive system, but they chalked it up to be being obese and unclean. I was constantly told to lose weight and keep the area clean and dry. I was given two different topical medications and oral antibiotics on a loop over and over again. I became pregnant they took me off of the topical treatment and did not do anything to follow up with me. I called the clinic crying and begging to be seen earlier due to this, and they wouldn't oblige. I came in for a standard checkup during the pregnancy, the nurse I was seeing was adamant about doing an ultrasound, it was not supposed to be done at the time, but she wanted it done. At that appointment I was told there was no longer a heartbeat. I begged for a D&C because it was my first miscarriage, and they told me no, the OR was booked, and made me pass an 11 week fetus at home. I never knew why I miscarried. Post miscarriage my symptoms continued, they put me back on a topical treatment with no changes. My family changed duty stations. I see women's health one time at the new base, and they tell me it is abnormal to keep testing the way I have and to have the symptoms I've had. They take the initiative to do more in depth testing, and we find the answer in one week. Upgrade your insurance and go off base. ESPECIALLY if you're fat and black. They won't listen to a word you say.

B

I have only had 2 providers do their job like they should. I work in healthcare and know what should be done and asked. They will gaslight you and not run the proper tests unless pushed to do so.

In 2021 I had a colonoscopy and was not given enough medication. I was awake for the majority of the probing. It felt like I was being assaulted. I had to have another colonoscopy 2 months ago and it was as it should have been. I went to sleep and woke up without feeling a thing. Advocate for yourself because these providers dont know much.... I even had a Dr tell me that the heart rate couldnt get above 150. I told him I work in healthcare and knew that he was inaccurate and I wanted to see a cardiologist, he told me that he wasnt going to do it and that he was the one that submits the referrals. My husband heard the conversation (telehealth) and yelled at him and 1hr later I had a referral. He looked like he was no older than mid-late 20s.

Just dont go to this hospital. From one spouse to another or anyone. Be see n off base.

Alex Tanner

Carful with the GI docs. I was lied to about the side affects of biologics, treated like an idiot and told repeatedly by a certain GI doc, " I'm a good doctor, if you don't listen to me you're going to die". That encounter really solidified my notion that he wasn't the right doc for me, if anyone.

I set out to find another way. My career was cut short, health was in shambles and I was passing blood 3-5 times a day. Retirement was a miserable existance to say the least.

I did not take his recommendation and instead changed to a low fodmap, gluten free diet, tried LOW DOSE NALTREXONE and QUING DAI. For the first time in 3 years im not passing blood! And whole heartedly believe I can beat this UC.

You all deserve better
RLTW

Koko “Cortney” Irish

DEAR AIRMAN BROWN at women's health is awesome. I confessed that I wasn't able to make it in ahead of time to fill out some paperwork but she was so kind and didn't pressure me about it. It took me a while to fill out all the paperwork and she was very conscientious and attentive during that time. She understands that EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT, AND therefore still offered me a first time parent packet knowing I have 2 kids already. It will be nice to have this packet of resources to have someone come to my house to check in and go over milestones every so often. I wish I had this with my first 2 kids because EVERY CHILD HITS MILESTONES DIFFERENTLY. IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT ANYONE *THINKS* THEY KNOW ALREADY, each child is an individual. She knows that YOU DON'T HAVE TO FEEL BAD FOR WANTING ASSISTANCE. There is no number of kids you can have that will give you a badge to say that you know it all.

She understands this and I am so grateful for her recommendation! If you know her and you see this, please share this with her ?

Tangent: I don't know why so many reviews are about the busy and delayed experience here, rather than about the person helping them through it. It's silly, life is full of disappointments. Get over it and start appreciating the people working for you. They probably want to be there just as much as you do at YOUR job.

Be a nice human.

Royal Perona

I have to give 3 stars. The pain management team is amazing and wonderful. They are caring and friendly and have been more helpful than any other group of people on base. The rest? I will say that this hospital works worse than a 3 wheel semi. They don't communicate and will approve, then deny surgery's. The numbers don't work, and their "computer system" is 2 cans on a string. I have no medical experience, and I'm sure I could fix at least 60% of the issues in their work structure.

Keathen Cox

I did everything right and how they want it done. I made an appointment two months ago and waited respectfully. I arrive 10 minutes before my appointment. I then waited forty minutes IN THE WAITING AREA located right in front of their office, right next to the entrance into the clinic where they call your name, not a single time was my name called for my appointment, I noticed something was wrong, so I asked if I'm at the wrong location and the actual answer was "she said she called your name and moved on, she doesn't have time for your appointment now and you have to reschedule." In simple terms, I got screwed out of my two month wait appointment. I can not explain in words how frustrating this medical facility is. This is the third incident I've had with these people. They have a reputation, and they exceed it! STAY AWAY, fight for your referral, or they will walk all over you.

Franki King

Drive towards the back end of the JBER Hospital as listed on google. You’ll past the Fisher House and what looks like a heliopad. Just follow the signs after and you’re golden. One of our TDY airmen got bite as he went on a hike. We came to the ER and was seen and treated. Total time was about 40 minutes. Thankfully his bite was superficial and he didn’t need any shots! Just a cleaning.

DISCLAIMER:
If you’re a pet owner & your pet should be on a leash place them on a leash. Not trying to belittle anyone but come on—where is the common sense! You could/should be sued for being a negligent individual as you do not know how your pet will interact with anyone.

Multi Miscellaneous

I had a long overdue physical exam five months ago. Dr. H (who looks like he just graduated from medical school) did not manually examine any part of me that had always been examined manually in every other physical exam I have ever had. (neck, abdomen, knee reflex, etc.). By this I mean, I sat fully clothed in a chair and he stood in front of his computer for the entire "exam". Later I injured my neck and back while shoveling snow. Once again, I sat in a chair and he stood at his computer for the entire very brief appointment. During his typing, he failed to include an important outside referral. After I discovered his errors while at a different medical facility, I returned before close of business to ask him to correct the omissions in my chart/referral. However, he had already gone for the day. It appears the admin people did not relay to him that he needed to correct the record the next day; they too are very unhelpful. If you are given an appointment with young Dr. H., I recommend that you cancel it. He is very uninterested in patient care, draws the same salary if he is helpful or not, and will not attempt to resolve any of your concerns.