Sherman AFCH in Oak Park, MI

Pros

• The staff and service are good.
• The staff in the doctor's office are very nice.
• The experience was wonderful; everyone was professional and kind.
• Patients are encouraged to come to Ascension Medical Group Oak Park.
• The medical group provides respectful treatment to patients.
• Dr. Israel is positive, encouraging, and caring; the staff are pleasant and professional.
• Dr. Israel is an excellent doctor.
• The office personnel are efficient and professional regarding insurance information, and patients do not have to wait long.
• Dr. Israel and her staff provide excellent care and support; she is highly recommended as a primary care physician.
• Dr. Thwainey is amazing and cares for his patients; the staff are amazing and kind.
• Everything is smooth and simple with Dr. Thwainey and his staff; he is great and attentive.
• The care and service are always wonderful.

Cons

• The staff were totally incompetent and didn’t answer their phones.
• An older staff member had no idea what a referral was and was incredibly rude during the interaction.
• They barely pick up calls, and patients have to repeatedly call to get someone to answer.
• The genetic referral was mishandled, with a referral for a pediatrician who had been retired for years.
• They failed to approve the referral for three days and could not be reached by phone.
• The visit notes and the list of open issues were unsatisfactory.
• They lost a urine sample and billed over $150 per visit.
• The reviewer noticed multiple staff members without masks in a small space and stated they would not be returning.

Review

Sherman AFCH in Oak Park, MI is best suited for adults who want a primary care home built around relationship-based care. The community shines when patients seek doctors who listen, explain, and tailor care to their individual needs, with a particular emphasis on continuity with a small, trusted medical team. In this setting, Dr. Israel and Dr. Thwainey stand out as stable anchors, caregivers who are praised for attentiveness, clarity, and a thoughtful approach to diagnosis and treatment. For seniors who value a personal touch, straightforward communication, and a practice that takes the time to understand concerns, Sherman AFCH delivers consistently substantial value.

Those weighing alternatives should consider options if administrative reliability is non-negotiable. A recurring theme in the feedback is inconsistent phone responsiveness and administrative friction, from calls that go unanswered to referrals that stall or arrive incorrectly. For patients who rely on prompt, friction-free scheduling, accurate insurance handling, and guaranteed follow-through on tests and referrals, these hiccups can become a meaningful nuisance. In short, the clinical strength is clear, but the front-end and back-end operations can undermine convenience and confidence for some residents.

The strongest pros center on the physicians and the patient experience they foster. Dr. Israel is repeatedly described as skillful, detailed, and genuinely caring, with patients feeling heard and supported in their health decisions. The care from Dr. Thwainey is equally lauded for taking time with patients, listening carefully, and coordinating a thoughtful plan. The overall office atmosphere, courteous staff, efficient interactions, and a workflow that many describe as smooth and professional, supports reliable access to care. When the doctors are at the center of the experience, the value of this clinic compounds: patients feel seen, informed, and included in their own health trajectories.

Yet the main drawbacks cannot be dismissed. Specific staff lapses in communication and referral handling have caused frustration, and there are mentions of unhelpful or rude interactions at the front desk or during phone exchanges. A few notes point to inconsistent visit documentation and open-issue lists, which can erode confidence if a patient expects meticulous record-keeping. While these issues may not define the entire experience, they do create real friction that can spill over into how smoothly care progresses, especially for those juggling multiple appointments or complex care needs.

Taken together, the balance tilts heavily toward a positive, decision-supportable profile for Sherman AFCH. The high-caliber physicians, the emphasis on listening and thorough explanations, and the generally professional team create a foundation that offset many administrative imperfections. For patients who prioritize quality medical judgment and a caregiver relationship that feels personalized, the clinic offers a dependable core of primary care that can meaningfully improve everyday health management and long-term outcomes.

The bottom-line recommendation is clear: Sherman AFCH is an excellent fit for adults and especially seniors who want a family-like medical home with physicians who truly listen and invest in their patients. If the driving needs are access to highly capable clinicians, consistent follow-through on medical questions, and comfort with a welcoming staff, this is a strong choice. Those who cannot tolerate recurring phone bottlenecks, inconsistent referrals, or persistent gaps in administrative responsiveness may want to explore other options within the Ascension network or nearby practices with a sharper focus on front-desk reliability and streamlined care coordination. In either case, requesting visits with Dr. Israel or Dr. Thwainey frequently yields the strongest overall experience and the clearest path to proactive, engaged health management.

This part of Oak Park, Michigan offers a range of amenities that could be attractive for senior living. There are multiple pharmacies in the vicinity, making it convenient to access medications and healthcare supplies. In terms of dining options, there are diverse choices ranging from casual fast food restaurants like McDonald's to more upscale establishments like Urbanrest Brewing Company. Additionally, the presence of various medical facilities such as Royal Oak Pediatrics PC and Be Well Medical Center ensures easy access to healthcare services. The area also boasts several parks for recreational activities and relaxation. For entertainment, there are theaters like Emagine Royal Oak nearby. Overall, this location provides a mix of essential services and leisure options that may cater to the needs and interests of seniors looking for a comfortable living environment with convenient amenities close by.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)

Cafes

• Ferndale Project (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.8 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Urbanrest Brewing Company (1.5 miles)
• Rock On 3rd (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• National Coney Island (2.8 miles)
• Alex's of Berkley (3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.8 miles)
• Brown Iron Brewhouse Royal Oak (3.9 miles)

Physicians

• Royal Oak Pediatrics PC (1.5 miles)
• Be Well Medical Center (1.9 miles)
• Beverly Hills Orthopedists (5.7 miles)
• Troy Orthopedics Associates (6.3 miles)
• Troy Medical Center (6.5 miles)
• Metro Medical Practice (6.8 miles)
• Sterling Physicians (7.2 miles)

Parks

• Harding Park (1.5 miles)
• Scout Park (3.1 miles)
• Starr Jaycee Park (3.6 miles)
• Palmer Park (3.6 miles)
• Clawson Park (5.3 miles)
• Shain Park (6.3 miles)
• Center Line Memorial Park (6.4 miles)

Theaters

• Emagine Royal Oak (1.9 miles)
• AMC Star John R 15 (5.1 miles)
• MJR Troy Grand Digital Cinema 16 (5.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Park Geriatric Village (5.1 miles)
• Henry Ford Hospital (7.7 miles)
• Henry Ford Health System (7.7 miles)
• Hfhs - Main - F4 (7.8 miles)
• St John Macomb-Oakland Hospital Warren Emergency Care (8.2 miles)
• St John Macomb Hospital (8.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Big Beaver United Methodist Church (7.9 miles)