Fairbanks Memorial Hospital

Pros

• The gift shop is filled with great, unique gift ideas and features nice volunteer cashiers.
• Teresa on the 3rd floor and Erleine in internal medicine are two wonderful nurses whose care and empathy epitomize excellent nursing.
• The labor and delivery staff are praised as caring and impressive, with Dr. Chalmers delivering the baby with attentive care.
• Fairbanks Memorial did a great job saving the patient's life.
• The pre-op staff was awesome, the surgeon is top-notch, the anesthesia team is highly regarded, and the OR nurses are excellent; overall, the patient felt well cared for.
• The Wound Care team treated the patient with respect and dignity and helped the wound heal.
• Aristotle in scheduling was personable and kind, making the mammogram scheduling a pleasant experience.
• Savanna, the nurse, elevated the experience with warmth, reassurance, and care.

Cons

• The doctor ignored the patient's reports that the anti-nausea medication didn't work.
• The patient was left crying in pain and vomiting in the ER because she couldn't keep any medicine down.
• Billing issues persisted for over a year, with insurance information not billed and bills sent to collections.
• The hospital was described as profit-driven and uncaring about patients' health.
• The ER was labeled the worst, with long waits and staff treating patients like drug addicts.
• Patients were left waiting or not called by name due to desk/computer issues and poor communication.
• Billing practices included duplicative bills and aggressive collection efforts, causing confusion and disputes.
• A nurse refused to help with basic needs, telling the patient to "figure it out" with cafeteria utensils.
• The quality of hospital food declined after a staff change, compared to the previous cook.
• After life-saving care, no one checked on the patient as promised, leaving them feeling neglected.
• Alaska's hospitals were described as among the worst by the reviewer.
• There was criticism of misdiagnosis or inadequate testing during pregnancy-related concerns.

Review

A sprawling set of patient voices from Fairbanks showcases a hospital system that can be both life-saving and deeply frustrating, sometimes in the same week. Across the reviews, readers encounter a hospital complex that includes a hospital campus, its labor and delivery units, wound care centers, a bustling ER, and a billing department that seems to operate on its own timetable. Amid praise for caring individuals and hard-working staff, there are persistent complaints about billing practices, inconsistent clinical care, and long waits. A single throughline emerges: when care is consistent, attentive, and empathetic - often thanks to a few standout nurses or doctors - the experience can be dramatically different from encounters where communication collapses, pain and nausea aren't adequately managed, or patients feel unseen.

Many readers describe an initial ER visit where pain and nausea were not managed effectively, and where a doctor appeared to dismiss patient concerns about anti-nausea medications. In these accounts, a patient's ovarian cyst rupture and severe vomiting were met with reassurance that "it will work," followed by little in the way of relief or discharge with little guidance. The situation improved on a subsequent return to the ER, where a different doctor prescribed a working anti-nausea medication via shot and IV pain relief, allowing pain to be controlled enough to proceed with care plans such as the eventual cyst surgery two weeks later. These contrasts emphasize how variable the ER's response can feel to a patient who is desperately unwell and asking to be believed.

Billing and insurance woes run as a persistent thread through the narratives. In several reviews, patients describe a breakdown in administrative communication: the hospital supposedly did not bill the patient's insurer correctly, resulting in bills that went to collections and a fight that persisted well over a year. Complaints point to hospital billing departments that were "never remotely helpful," duplicative or confusing bills, and pressure to blindly pay amounts without clear explanations of what was owed or why. The sentiment expressed is that these practices feel unethical or profit-driven, especially in a town with limited healthcare options. The financial stress compounds medical distress, creating a sense that the patient's health is overshadowed by the hospital's administrative labyrinth.

Despite the grim picture, the accounts include bright spots - threads of humanity and competence that stand in sharp relief against the broader criticisms. Two younger staff members - Teresa on the third floor and Erleine in internal medicine and senior care - are repeatedly highlighted for their "care, empathy, and genuine wonderfulness." Reviewers describe Teresa as caring and charismatic, and Erleine as a shining example of nursing - worthy of scholarships to advance her career. These appreciations reflect a belief that exceptional bedside manner and sustained, compassionate attention can redefine a patient's experience, even within a system that's otherwise seen as flawed.

The labor and delivery experiences add another layer of nuance. One reviewer describes delivering a baby at FMH with an extraordinary commitment to pain management, praising Dr. Chalmers for delivering their child less than a week prior and noting that they had never gone without an epidural or pain medication in previous births. Yet elsewhere, the hospital's maternity care is celebrated by others who have had similarly positive experiences with the labor and delivery staff, underscoring that for many families, the obstetric and neonatal teams can be a high point in a difficult time. These accounts illustrate how specialized units can deliver comfort, technical skill, and reassurance when it matters most.

Broader critiques of the ER and hospital culture frequently center on perception and behavior - patients feeling dismissed, waiting for care, or being treated as "drug addicts" rather than as people in pain. There are several vivid stories of patients sitting in the emergency department for hours, only to find that their names weren't even entered into the system properly, leading to missed calls and miscommunications about when they would be seen. The frustration grows when patients encounter nurses who, in the reviewer's view, lacked empathy or failed to communicate the rationale behind discharge decisions. These experiences contribute to a sense that the hospital's mission to heal is undermined by systemic inefficiencies and staff burnout.

Yet even within these criticisms, there are recognitions of improvement and resilience. The wound care program at FMH earns praise for patient-centered care, with a patient acknowledging that, despite other frustrations, the staff's approach to treating wound healing and their supportive attitudes made a meaningful difference. Positive recollections extend to scheduling and pre-operative staff who conveyed competence and care in the critical lead-up to procedures, including a staff member named Aristotle who helped schedule mammograms in a courteous and reassuring way, and Zach, who impressed during pre-op steps. The operating room team - Dr. Conley, Dr. Willet (anesthesia), and nurse Penny - are cited for their professionalism and the calm confidence they brought to the surgical experience. In sum, the hospital is portrayed as a place of both deep caring and significant systemic friction.

Ultimately, the collection of reviews sketches a hospital system that is deeply human - capable of extraordinary care and kindness from individual staff members - while wrestling with administrative challenges, inconsistent clinical experiences, and the burden of complex billing practices. The most compelling threads are the stories of nurses and doctors who go above and beyond to soothe fear, explain options clearly, and treat patients with dignity, alongside the poignant reminders that poor communication and financial stress can undermine even the best medical efforts. The overall impression is not a single verdict but a mosaic: a facility capable of saving lives, comforting families, and delivering moments of genuine compassion, shadowed by ongoing struggles with billing, ER efficiency, and the variability of clinician responses.

This area of Fairbanks, Alaska, is conveniently located near several medical facilities, pharmacies, and physicians offices, making it an ideal location for seniors who prioritize easy access to healthcare services. The hospitals in the area include Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and its various departments such as the maternity ward and outpatient center. There are also several pharmacies nearby for convenient medication management. In addition, the area offers a variety of dining options ranging from fast food to sit-down restaurants, as well as cafes for a leisurely coffee or snack. For recreational activities, there are parks within walking distance where seniors can enjoy outdoor activities. Transportation options are also readily available with a train station and local cab services nearby for added convenience. Overall, this neighborhood offers a range of amenities that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and accessible living environment in Fairbanks.

Hospitals

• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital 2 South (0.1 miles)
• Fairbanks Imaging Center (0.1 miles)
• Banner Fairbanks Memorial Hospital (0.1 miles)
• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Maternity Ward (0.1 miles)
• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Out Patient (0.1 miles)
• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Satellite Radiology / Lab (0.1 miles)
• FMH Outpatient & Heart Center (0.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Prescription Center (0.1 miles)
• Alaska Family Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Medical Center Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Professional Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Alaska Family Pharmacy (1 miles)

Physicians

• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Wound Care (0.1 miles)
• ENT Audiology Clinic (0.1 miles)
• North Star Oral And Fa (0.1 miles)
• Aurora Plastic Surgery (0.2 miles)
• Ear Nose & Throat Clinic (0.2 miles)
• Sam Y Kim (0.2 miles)
• Interior Women's Health (0.2 miles)

Parks

• Fairbanks Sunrisers Rotary Playground (0.6 miles)
• Weeks Field Community Park (0.6 miles)
• Kiwanis Park (1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Harvest Church (0.6 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (0.9 miles)
• Frontier Baptist (0.9 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (1 miles)
• St Matthew's Episcopal Church (1.1 miles)
• Church Of The Redeemer (1.1 miles)
• Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (1.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Wendy's (0.6 miles)
• Hometown Restaurant (0.8 miles)
• McCoy's On 28th (0.9 miles)
• Roundup Steakhouse (1 miles)
• Bobby's Downtown (1 miles)
• Noodle House (1 miles)
• Salty S On 2nd (1 miles)

Cafes

• The Crepery (1.1 miles)
• Cafe de Stir It Up (1.6 miles)
• Mojo To Go (1.6 miles)
• Sunrise Bagel & Espresso (1.8 miles)
• Fairbanks Espresso (1.8 miles)

Transportation

• Tanana Valley Railroad Museum Fairbanks (1.2 miles)
• Wright Air Service (1.3 miles)
• Fairbanks Train Depot Station (1.5 miles)
• King Cab Alaska Cab (1.9 miles)