Pender Community Hospital

Pros

• The staff across all areas are described as wonderful.
• Maternity care is praised for excellent nurses and doctors and supportive breastfeeding education.
• The birth experience is described as amazing, with nurses and clinicians who are awesome and attentive.
• The nursing staff is second to none, with doctors described as among the best.
• The hospital is noted for its kind, accommodating, and thorough staff.
• The facility is described as beautiful, with friendly and welcoming personnel.

Cons

• The provider asked the 6-year-old if she smokes, which was described as rude and discriminatory toward Native Americans.
• Two physicians did not introduce themselves and were rude, unprofessional, and showed a lack of patient care.
• The reviewer planned to contact the OIG, accusing the hospital of abusing the system and discrimination.
• The hospital was described as the worst the reviewer had ever been to, with repeated needle sticks, medicines that caused bleeding and chest pain, and being rushed out in severe pain.
• The reviewer claimed they did not receive adequate care for a potential miscarriage and dehydration, and that staff did not care about them or their unborn child.
• The billing process was criticized, including unresolved insurance coverage, delays, and a large bill.

Review

The collection of experiences shared about this regional hospital paints a picture of a facility that can deliver outstanding, life-affirming care in some contexts while leaving patients frustrated and hurt in others. One early encounter stands out for its troubling tone: an ER visit where a provider asked a six-year-old if she smokes, an interaction described as unusual and rude and tied to a sense of discrimination toward Native American families. The child's parent reported that the first two physicians did not introduce themselves, and the subsequent assessment - an ear exam that found nothing wrong - felt insufficient after the parent had cleaned blood and asked questions about pain and tenderness. The experience led to feelings of being treated without respect and without a sense of proper patient care, culminating in a decision to contact the Office of the Inspector General and to avoid returning to that facility. It's a stark counterpoint to other reviews that emphasize courtesy and professionalism, underscoring how a single encounter can color a family's view of a hospital.

In contrast, other reviews celebrate the hospital's strengths, particularly in maternity care. A parent who delivered her second daughter at the facility described an induction that went smoothly and praised the nurses and the doctor as "the best." The experience extended beyond the immediate birth: the hospital even allowed an extra day so she could be taught how to breastfeed, which she valued highly, noting a small-town atmosphere and strong, supportive staff. This same sense of warmth and competence resurfaces in another maternity account, where a second baby delivery was described as "AMAZING." The nurses across shifts - day and night - were lauded, along with respiratory therapists and CNAs, and the care extended to the operating room staff and even the cleaning crew. The reviewer singled out Dr. Felber as a standout physician, illustrating how comprehensive, compassionate care can leave lasting positive impressions during a pivotal life event.

Care outside the maternity ward also received favorable remarks. One reviewer recounted a minor injury - slicing a thumb open - and described quick, reassuring care: nurses and doctors were kind, and the wound was stitched efficiently. The broader experience within the facility was described as pleasant, with even the petty details of hospital life - a fianc? welcoming twins, a patient's positive experience across departments, and admiration for Dr. Reha - contributing to a sense of coordinated, respectful care. A separate note highlighted the staff's willingness to go above and beyond in obtaining time-sensitive medical records quickly, signaling a culture of helpful, responsive service. The facility's beauty and overall atmosphere were also praised by another reviewer, reinforcing the perception that, when well-executed, the hospital can be a welcoming, well-functioning place for healing.

There are clear elements of pride in the hospital's infrastructure and culture expressed by several reviewers as well. A patient described the facility as a "beautiful" place with staff who are "great and thorough," and another review used superlatives to express deep satisfaction, calling it the best hospital experience they've ever had. The sentiment extended to everyday interactions - the locals in the hallways, the cafeteria staff, and the entire hospital ecosystem - from whom the reviewer felt consistently welcoming, attentive, and efficient. A positive comparison to other hospitals in the region - citing Sioux City, Rochester, and Pender - further framed this facility as a source of regional pride, a place where the nursing staff stood out as exceptional and where the overall care, including the medical team, was repeatedly praised as "second to none."

Yet, not all stories align with this glowing portrait. One reviewer called the hospital "simply the worst hospital" they had ever experienced, recounting a pregnancy-related crisis in which they felt repeatedly mishandled: being stuck with needles multiple times, receiving medications that worsened bleeding, experiencing chest pain, and being rushed out without the level of care they believed was warranted. The reviewer described driving themselves to another hospital in escalating pain and danger, only to face a billing dispute and fragmented communication about coverage. The financial consequences - an unexpected two-thousand-dollar bill after attempts to resolve insurance issues - were cited as further proof of systemic shortcomings. This narrative starkly contrasts with the other glimmers of excellence and underscores how serious gaps in care coordination, communication, and financial transparency can leave lasting scars on patient trust.

Taken together, the reviews portray a hospital that can deliver extraordinary, patient-centered care in many contexts - especially in maternity services, acute care, and routine procedures - while simultaneously showing crackling fault lines in ER interactions, cultural sensitivity, patient introductions, and billing processes. The consistently positive themes emphasize dedicated nurses, skilled doctors, clean and comfortable facilities, and a responsiveness to patients' personal and practical needs. The more critical accounts underscore the need for improved staff training in bedside manner, clear communication, respect for cultural differences, and transparent, proactive billing practices. For families navigating care in this community, the hospital represents both a beacon of high-quality medical care and a reminder that excellence in medicine must always be paired with empathy, courtesy, and reliable administrative support.

Located in Pender, Nebraska, this area offers a variety of amenities that may be attractive to seniors looking for a peaceful and convenient place to live. With several hospitals and medical clinics nearby, access to healthcare services is easily accessible. Places of worship such as Assembly of God Cornerstone Parsonage and St Mark's Lutheran Church provide opportunities for spiritual engagement. A selection of restaurants like Popo's Drive Inn Restaurant and Rosey's Mexican Restaurant offer dining options close by. Pharmacies such as Apothecary Shop are also conveniently located for medication needs. For recreational activities, parks like Eaton Field and Wayne Bark Park provide outdoor spaces for leisurely walks or picnics. Overall, this part of Pender offers a blend of essential services and community amenities that could make it a comfortable place for senior living.

Hospitals

• Pender Community Hospital (0.1 miles)
• Pender Mercy Medical Clinic (0.3 miles)
• Pender Care Centre (0.3 miles)
• Bancroft Mercy Medical Clinic (9.5 miles)
• Emerson Mercy Medical Clinic (11.9 miles)
• Family Vision Center (13.3 miles)
• Ihs-Winnebago Indian Hospital (15.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Assembly of God Cornerstone Parsonage (0.1 miles)
• Cornerstone Assembly of God (0.1 miles)
• United Church of Pender (0.1 miles)
• St Mark's Lutheran Church (0.4 miles)
• St Mark's Lutheran Church (0.4 miles)
• St John's Catholic Church (0.6 miles)
• St Peters Lutheran Church (4.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Popo's Drive Inn Restaurant (0.2 miles)
• Subway (0.5 miles)
• Rosey's Mexican Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• Thurston Bar (4.9 miles)
• Main Street Tap (9.6 miles)
• Chester's (13.3 miles)
• County Line Lanes and Dining (13.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Apothecary Shop (0.3 miles)
• Wisner Pharmacy (13.3 miles)
• Wisner Apothecary (13.3 miles)
• Westholl (17.9 miles)
• Tom's Rexall Drug (18.4 miles)

Physicians

• Wisner Family Practice (13.1 miles)
• Lyons Medical Clinic (16.8 miles)

Parks

• Eaton Field (13.8 miles)
• Wayne Bark Park (17.3 miles)
• Wayne Rugby Park (17.4 miles)
• Sunnyview Park (17.7 miles)
• Viken Park (17.9 miles)
• Willow Bowl (18.1 miles)
• Memorial Stadium (18.2 miles)

Cafes

• Scotters Coffee (17.7 miles)
• Scooter s Coffeehouse (17.8 miles)
• Miss Molly's Coffee Co. (17.8 miles)

Theaters

• Majestic Theater (17.9 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul (18 miles)