We have always received high quality care from a very caring staff. Our only complaints are from some of the strange rules that make providing care a bigger challenge for the folks who are just trying their best to serve us. Next time you visit, make sure to smile and thank someone who is helping you. I don't think they get enough appreciation.

Filled with people collecting paychecks . They don't understand why they even have that job they hate. Pharmacy is a joke where you can wait an hour to find out someone prescribed a flagged medicine and then you leave without any meds at all. G.I department is poorly run by more paycheck collectors . V.S.O . Guy there couple days a week appears to take two hour lunches while there. Doesn't care you've been waiting just says I'll be back in two hours after trying to lie about how your 5 minute procedure will take 30 mins. Doctors don't talk to each other and your treatment is all over the map and wasted days/weeks sometimes. Advocates office doesnt respond to phone either. Place should be closed down and care privatised.

Was very good service. Was able to see doc get labs or xrays done. Now see doc and waste a couple of more sick days to get labs and xrays done. Complete waste of time. They believe that once we retire from the service that we are permanently retired. The patient is not priority #1. I guess ill pay that extra money to go get decent medical care.

First, I certainly appreciate the teams and professionals that work here. However, let's talk 'right of first refusal'. This is when this center executes a legal ability to redirect care in their favor. Here's the impact - having to drive over 2 hours (through Chicago, which is never fun) and losing a good portion of my work day when I could quite literally travel a block for the exact same or better service is frustrating. Each time they have done this it is 5-6 hours of my day as opposed to 30-45 minutes. There needs to be a balance here and as Veterans we should at least have a voice in this.

Usually have a good experience at this VA location. Last week I had a terrible experience. Was there at 1:50 for a 2 PM appointment. Sat there until a little after 3 PM and never got to see my doctor. At least 3 people who checked in after me were seen by the doctor before I ever got in.

I used to travel to get to this VA used to be the best VA in the state. 8 years of Obama by the end they changed how you get prescriptions more federal jobs to inform you of what your doctor already told you. Basically adds 3 hours to visit. Used to be able to put your order in then finish what you there for now you have to wait. Then Biden sends all the doctors to the border. Now you have to wait 8 hours for 15 minutes with the doctor. They see you last hour they are open doctors getting there bonus for amount of patients they see but can't get anything done here. Stop electing democrats.

Where do I even start? I have issues every time I go here. I saw my doctor for TERRIBLE crippling cramps and he just wrote it off as normal womanly cramps even though I repeatedly told him that something was not right. He prescribed me some Advil and sent me on my way. When I came back and asked him to get a referral to Woman's Health, he said he would put one in but never did. I had to call him back and wait to have it put in. After weeks of this persistent issue, I finally got into Woman's Health and found out that I had issues in my Fallopian tube! This same doctor also denied me a choice in birth control options and I was desperate so I went to Planned Parenthood for it instead. Recently I went to the doctor for another issue which had to be checked IMMEDIATELY. I scheduled the appointment the day of and the receptionist told me the appointment was at 1330... so 1:30. I repeated it back to her and even put it in my calendar as we were speaking. I showed up for my appointment at 1:15 and was told "Sorry ma'am, your appointment was at 1:10 so you will have to reschedule. The doctor has other important things to do." Like excuse me??? I told them my appointment was confirmed for 1:30. Besides I was there at 1:15... 5 minutes late and I get booted??? Mind you, I live an hour away so I drove two hours for absolutely nothing. I had to see the doctor for my issue but now I have to wait an entire weekend before I can be seen. Finally... Mental Health... What a joke. I was seeing a therapist for about a year because I was severely depressed and she really was not empathetic at all. I felt like she was there for her paycheck and not to really want to help her patients. She actually LAUGHED at me when I was telling her about my insecurities! That's when I knew I had to go elsewhere. I am looking into paying for my own insurance now because I consistently receive poor service. I get better service paying for care nearby.

Be aware ! If trying to get a referral, LT White is not on the side of the person needing help, she has no compassion for the needs of the service member and is heartless with no real concern for your wellbeing. Very long story - short version. Had been seen for over 2 years for shoulder and knee pain, I was tired of it ask for a referral, they tried to send me 1:30 minutes away to WI, I looked and found a fantastic place called NorthShore just 10 minutes away, within 2 visits they found a torn rotator cuff that was hanging on by a thread and was in need of surgery, and PT for my knees! Real Doctors. Everything going better, surgery set up, then bam no approval the place who didn’t and couldn’t find my problems said I needed to have them do it. What a joke. I may have to change my insurance just to get proper care. I have a list of wrongdoing there like being stabbed 3 times to get blood drawn, hell I could have done better. BE AWARE of LT White. What’s even worse is the thought of poor care for people who are dependent upon them more so than I.

I will literally not get my prescriptions just because it takes so long. Going on 45 minutes and I haven’t even been called up to the window the first time! And I’m in uniform, I can’t imagine how long all the vets have to wait for!!! The pharmacy needs some serious help!!!

They have gone down in most of the services. Not gotten better, a CT scan took me a half hour yesterday, then over an hour and lodging a complaint waiting for the hip x-ray. As well, the PHarmacy department now takes an hour before your number is called just to explain what medications you need to pick up. The whole process takes a minimum of two hours. I have to plan on the whole day each month to pick up medications after my primary visit.

There seems to be alot of underlying issues here with SOME of the staff that they choose to let work as BOTH administration and providers at this facility. And after looking at all of the 1 star ratings almost out numbering the 4 star questionable ratings, i see why after having come here to get care in person commuting from chicago. So in short i will be brief and to the point with my answer.. IF YOU want a health care provider from the DOD side in internal medicine (Patrick Phohae) to have his staff pre add weight numbers to your scale when weighing you about having weight loss concerns, or tell you that he will put a specialty care referral in (oncology) but there is no guarantee that they will call you, or a va side provider named (sara syeda) (gold team) to prescribe you an overdose of a combination water pill medicine in which you did not ask for: (hctz/triamterene 50/75) then cancel the prescription after it was delivered thru the mail and you find this out on myhealthevet, Also tell you "if you do not like what i am telling you then you can change your provider" ( after waiting for 1 hour past the original appointment to see her) And worse, seeing the Advocates about these provider issues and request that change with someone wonderful as (christina) who addresses these concerns then comming back to thank her and meeting someone like (kim) who will talk to you about irrelevant issues like you tube videos and her estranged family and falsely telling you your provider has been changed in one phone call only to find out 2 weeks later, they want you as a patient to come in and drive 1hr from your residence to a 30 min. meeting and that the matter still hasnt been resolved and you have that same provider and yet even worse she tells you that "you're not unique" after expressing for 20 mins about your concerns on how the matter is not being handled to expectation but getting no where still THEN THIS PLACE IS FOR YOU.. Ret usn.

This hospital is my lifesaver! I've been a patient there for 8 years and I receive the best care there. I have experience from almost all the clinics except dermatology. I had major and minor surgeries performed, numerous procedures, tests, labs, you name it. They have state of the art technology, diagnostic equipment, and referrals to non-VA hospitals for nuclear medicine. I currently see several doctors on a regular basis, and they all know exactly what I'm dealing with. They are extremely knowledgeable, experienced, and think outside the box. They emphasize whole patient care, body, mind, spirit, nutrition, exercise, etc. One time, during my surgery, there were unexpected complications and a second pair of hands was needed. My surgeon called the other surgeon who was on leave and she came to assist immediately. I stayed there for a week after the surgery, which was successful and they saved my life. My current primary doctor is phenomenal! Other specialists and therapists as well. I had great experiences with physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy (individual and group) and supporting staff. I am able to reach the doctors very easy through secure messaging and they respond if not the same day then definitely the next. Some of the doctors I can reach directly by phone to report serious adverse events due to my illness or medications. MyHealtheVet is an excellent tool to order your prescriptions, access your health records, appointments, and contact the doctors and their staff. FHCC communicates with other VA and non-VA hospitals very well. When I was going through a cancer scare, the entire diagnostic process took only six weeks from my initial visit to their ER on June 30 to final diagnosis on August 13. This process involved lab tests, bronchoscopy, attempted biopsy (however, there was no safe access to the area), PET-CT scan (at Highland Park), and finally exploratory surgery with overnight stay at Zablocki VA in Milwaukee. It was an ordeal because of unknown, but the diagnostic process was perfect. For two years now since the diagnosis I'm treated, have constantly updated and regulated medications, labs, and scans and everything is synchronized perfectly. I still have to visit the ER sometimes, but I'm treated there with dignity and respect. Yes, I have to wait, like everywhere else. However, when I showed up with chest pain, I was seen immediately. If I was unhappy about some customer service issue, I went to Patient Advocates who are very helpful, compassionate and act immediately. I usually get a call back from the clinic the next day that issue was resolved. As they say, as a patient you are your best advocate. If there is a problem, address it with proper personnel and it will be fixed.

Trying to get referrals for community care is a joke. Was told today I can not have a chiropractic referral and acupuncture. Most outside facilities do both and I had both in the past from VA Miami. Didn't President Bush 2 sign a law to make these services easier to obtain and after all these years they still do not have in-house Dr to perform these services. If you suffer from migraines and chronic back pain the ER is horrible. Had 10 out of 10 pain at 2am and left me in a ER room for 1.5 hours no meds. When i did get an IV line in my arm they just wanted to test me for illegal drug use WTH.... Thank goodness I have private insurance and took an uber to Libertyville treated within 20 minutes. Sent the VA the bill and they declined to pay... Hmm wonder why do so many vets hurt themselves in the parking lot from not getting care sad...... Do not even bother asking for a DBQ unless things changed. Was told they have an internal policy that prevents medical staff from completing these documents. Stupid your specials and Dr know you better than any of the C&P staff and they are more qualified. Guess they just want to keep the compensation approvals lower. Do not get me wrong. I do believe there are some good people that love taking care of vets. I think Dr. Gamboa eye clinc, Val and Dr Kruper are really good and fine people but are hindered by internal policy not found at other VAs.

I have to give 2 stars. Not for the doctors and nurses that work there, but the nasty and rude receptionist I dealt with when I was trying to leave a message for Dr. Maliks office. Dr. Malik and his nurse I give 5 stars to, but their receptionist or operator who ever I talked today was extremely rude. She interrupted me several times. Questioned why I was calling Dr. Malik for a medication I had asked previously once before since the mental health clinic could no longer see dependents. Sorry but last I checked you are to take messages, and not to question my health care decisions of whether I go to my PCP for this issue or not. That is for the doctor and nurse to discuss with me in private. I am really questioning about whether to even come back to this hospital in general or find a new provider just for this reason.

Lovell fhcc is a totally useless hospital. They removed all my medical prescriptions when I have a prescription for insulin for my diabetes they did this because they changed my doctor.

They almost killed me 3 times which I have proof of in recordings and emails Mis diagnosed me at least twice unfortunately the people work there don't care about vets all about the pay check

GREAT SERVICES BY THE VA...THE BEST VA IN THE USA!!!

As a military member, I would like to apologize to all service members and veterans for their deplorable experience. Among the chief target of complaints was John Pollock II- since his deployment on the Roosevelt in 2008, his performance has been completely inept and unequivocally stupid. Unfortunately, rather than address Pollock's poor performance, the military often simply "re assigns" their trouble makers. I would advise no veterans to use the VA services here. Edit: that's the post

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I have been going to this facility for not just my yearly physical health needs, but on October 29, 2012 I came here to get help with opioid addiction. They took me in with great care, understanding and support which I still stop down monthly for that reason. Their after care from my 6-week inpatient treatment has been nothing short of five star! I know a lot of VA hospitals and clinics get a bad name, but I have nothing, but the utmost respect and appreciation for the care this facility has shown me. I owe so much of what I am and my continued going on 8 year recovery to the Mental Health Care Clinic at Capt James Lovell Healthcare Center. Thank you so much!! Kudos indeed.

On Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" he would always ask someone in his audience to rate a particular song. I will give JLFHCC a 99 44/100 % rating. When I can walk into Primary Care and be instantly greeted with a "Hi Bob" it just makes my day that much better. The only thing I would like to see improved upon is the adjusting of the eye glasses frame. I have to long of bows and they do not carry a shorter version so I had to go to an outside clinic to get them fixed. I was very impressed with the level of the equipment used to check out these tired eyes of mine and the level of professionalism displayed. I would like to say thank you to all of the personnel at this facility for their caring and being there for all of us. On a separate note, in all my travels on this campus, I have never seen anything prominently displayed that draws attention to the Merchant Marine veterans. They deserve as much praise and admiration as we do. I will look forward to that prominent change as soon as possible this year.

Not helpful they don't really want to help I feel. I asked could I get a referral to be seen out and they told me I had to be seen by them. Put me back on birth control I need a endocrinologist asap and they could care less.

GOD BLESS the "Veteran Justice Outreach Social worker" and all VA employees at FHCC. This worker has really been a beacon of Gods amazing grace. I was so lost and this employee found me in my darkest moment. I was given an iphone, homeless shelter housing info, uber/lyft rides for important appointments, clothes, new slippers, new socks, walmart gift cards for clothes, & an optometry appointment within less then a week. My hat is forever off to you. However, I feel bad because it would be filled with tears of joy over how much you continue to sacrifice for veterans. To all VETS, you are not alone and if you ever find yourself trully lost, remember the "Veteran Justice Social Worker" is here to help. Thank you all so much for your service.

Health

My father and I are both patients at the North Chicago and McHenry VA facilities. We have had nothing short of excellent care every time we visit.

The doctors are great. Easy to access the hospital. Covid screening at every appointment.

Appointment waits for appointments for some areas like podiatry sucks. Some of The operators when you call to be connected to a department have unwelcoming tones. The front desk staff are pleasant in-person and respect my right to have my service dog with me.

What an outstanding medical facility, I have been going to the N. Chicago VA since 1977, and I need can tell you that the transformation since then has been nothing short of spectacular. Since then it has improved 300%, I go nowhere else for my medical needs.

Most departments here are just sort of ok. Really bad experiences with audiology and orthopedics though. Both of these departments were very dismissive with orthopedics standing out as being almost uncaring. Overall extremely disappointed with this VA facility.

The best service ! My Dad would not want to be at no other Hospital when he is i’ll! They are prompt caring and responsive! I am so grateful!!

Always have had quality care…. No complaints in a one-stop-shop. All under one roof. Ortho dept is great. 👍🏻⚓️🇺🇸

Very rude to recruits, woman pulled my arm very hard, slammed supplies on table and yelled at me. When I asked for another nurse to draw my blood she insulted me and slammed the door. I left more stressed out then I was in boot camp.

I simply cannot say enough good about this entire facility. My significant other has been treated here for many different situations. The staff is simply fantastic, attentive and the physicians are all fabulous. Everything from immediate care to follow up care, phone answering , and promptness. You’re not going to find this attention anywhere near this. I’m sorry I’m not a vet , because I’d want to be treated here over anywhere else.

John in the Lab under the Pharmacy is the best blood drawer you have at FHCC. He is professional and personable. He shares a short story with you while he draws your blood to distract you incase you have anxiety, makes you smile and wishes you well if you might be worried about your results of your bloodwork. He is the type of employee every employer should want and definitely want to retain.

My wife started going here and she loves it. She says the doctors are friendly and the commute from our house is 5 min or less.

Worst experience of my life.While homeless this multi-million dollar facility wouldn’t let me take a simple shower or brush my teeth in their state of the art facility.Doctors wouldn’t give me my blood type,not even a simple aspirin.They wanted to force me to take TYLENOL even though I told them it upsets my stomach.Waste of taxpayers money.The homeless program is JUNK and serves only as a great big money pit.This government needs to do better .

Patient advocacy is a joke. They push you back and forth between doctors because no one wants to take accountability or help. Dr. Mohammad Malik has to be the most unprofessional of them all. This man has no business being a doctor. Sharon his nurse is just as terrible. If you can seek help outside of here. This is insanity. I’ve never seen such rude people or had to wait days to get an answer only to go up there and you see they are doing not much at all. Lazy.

Great care and excellent service for all veterans! The hospital is great and the er is open to the public now. They have a great drug and achlol rehab program, homeless program, and top notch PTSD program in the US!

Always great care. My only issue at all is not in care but in administrative support. Some of the admin people can be quite rude but my care has always been top notch. I go to the clinic in Kenosha for most if my care, my primary and mental health care, my eye Dr. is in N. Chicago. The eye clinic has been superb. I have also been to radiology, womens health, and surgery and all have been attentive and respectful in N. Chicago.

I went there in 1986 for alcohol treatment, it was my stepping Stone to recovery, still grateful.

Simply Wonderful Professional Caring Staff, a credit to the Medical Profession The Military and the Veterans Health Care System 🇺🇸

To whom it may concern; I try to avoid bringing small issues to my PCP at the facility to not over whelm the clinic, but when I do have an issue that is in need of addressing, it is super disappointing to know that I cannot just head to the VA (FHCC) to have these concerns addressed. Case in point, today I called and was unable to obtain an appointment with my provider, but was told to come into the walk-in clinic. I did just that, only to be told 2 hrs later by the Triage RN that they actually don’t really have a walk-in clinic and that I needed to have my issue addressed by the ER. Poor service!

The Lovell complex is the nation's only combined VA/DOD medical facility. I go there regularly and the care at this place definitely stacks up against your favorite outside medical facility/hospital. A great place with great people working there.

Yes. This place. I've never experienced such a plethoric display of sophisticated health care.

I called trying to get my medical records and Sandy in the records department was probably the rudest person I have ever spoken to in a medical setting. Immediately after stating that I was calling to obtain my medical records, she stated “What are you doing.” In a VERY rude tone. I stated, “I’m sorry?” And again she basically yelled into the phone “WHAT ARE YOU DOING.” I stated, again, that I needed my records for my primary care. The rest is irrelevant but seriously, this place needs to retrain their staff and maybe invest in some customer service classes.

Where I appreciate your attention to the current healthcare crisis and your willingness to hear the voice of your facilities patients, I am very concerned about the ongoing continuity of care issues I personally have been experiencing while in the care of your facility. I appreciate the ongoing invitations to participate in your "local town hall" phone conversations, however they very inconveniently occur during my work hours and I am unable to give my input where I feel it is very much needed as an example and a voice for others who can not reach out to you due to their current situations as well. Since January 2020 I have twice encountered acute health issues that a telehealth appointment could not address in it's entirety. The first was handled as well as could be expected due to the newness of the situation and where I was underwhelmed with the timeliness I was not disappointed in the care. It did however cause me to pause and wonder about elderly and chronic patients and the issues they would be experiencing as well. Now it is August and we are 7 months into the situation and given the veteran/military nature of your facility I feel that it should not only be setting the National Example but leading the way for the local healthcare facilities in how to progress until the "now norm" is more established. I am appalled that a petty officer answering the phones with an utter lack of knowledge of patient history is directed to tell someone to "go to the emergency room" where they are going to wait in a virus laden area prior to service. I refuse to believe that there is a lack of attendance to acute onset health issues outside a 1 to 2 week wait for a telehealth appointment that will not, can not, and does not address acute issues in a timely manor. Local urgent care visits are only covered for Tricare Prime patients up to 2 in a calendar year. This also is inefficient given the current healthcare climate. I am disappointed in the leadership and example being set by our federal health system in the Chicagoland and surrounding areas. The lack of continuity is blaring as the rural area facility I work at takes in patients so in need they expose themselves to the environment of the Emergency Room waiting area. I now wonder after my own experience how many of them have been sent there by direction of a phone answering petty officer directing them to seek services outside their PCM.

My Less than one month old son was having Acid Reflux, when my wife called the Pediatric Clinic they would not listen to her about the issue and made their own determination of what was wrong before even seeing him at nthe clinic. His appt was for 850 we showed up before that time and still had to wait 20 mins after. With people walking in, out, and around us, he doesn't even have his shots yet and is very can catch anything very easily. On top of that the people across from us in the waiting room were talking that they had previously been around someone that may have had COVID19 because one of the people they visited the night befores family member had caught it. So know you just put my family at risk. This is the worst Clinic I have ever been to.

Extremely rude receptionist, no manners, etiquette whatsoever, I called after 12pm today to leave a message for Dr. Malik with the number he provided me , and she was so rude demanding my social security number when I tried to provide My sponsor’s benefits number, isn't that the whole purpose of having one So we won’t have to give our social security number to some random person over the phone? This woman practically yelled at me and said no give me your social, so rude and unprofessional, she sounded annoyed to be there.

Another appointment, another doctor that hasn't reported for work. My appointment was made for 9am but it's 9:30 and my provider is still missing in action. Pulmonary clinic.

Great staff and doctors!

I have always received the best care in any of the clinics I have been in. Wonderful staff and caring doctors. Thank you for all you do!

Professional at all levels! Everyone I have met is patient, kind and understanding. So grateful this facility is available to veterans.

Professional Military styled Hospital environment!

Caring and helpful staff.

Mental health is worst. They refuse to their job, Dr. sarri and Dr Colbert refused to see my son when he has no other options:

Good VA Health Care Center.

Fast friendly service

Many interactions. Professional and helpful staff with only 1 exception (in optometry).

Great place to get medical treatment

We have always been treated with courtesy and respect. The staff has always provided professional service and made us feel safe.

Wonderful staff and personnel.