Upmc/South Hills Health System

Pros

• The staff are very helpful and pleasant.
• The location is convenient and easy to reach with short wait times.
• Suite 500 staff provided great care.
• All the doctors at this facility are highly regarded.
• The ultrasound and imaging staff were fabulous.
• The MRI technician Dave was amazing and the entire procedure was efficient.
• The facility is super clean and comfortable.
• The staff were friendly, courteous, and professional from start to discharge.
• The nurses Ally and Kristen were friendly and efficient; the anesthesia team explained the procedure.
• The facility and staff are phenomenal.

Cons

• The roads to reach the facility are in poor condition, making travel risky.
• Imaging results can take up to two weeks to be read, delaying treatment.
• Communication problems led to lost paperwork or delays, requiring multiple trips.
• Patients report long waits, including waiting over two hours for an x-ray or being skipped in favor of walk-ins.
• Front-line staff are described as impatient, rude, or condescending toward patients.
• Some staff issues include disorganization and unprofessional behavior in the waiting area.
• Hours for Quest and related services are inconvenient, with early closing and no weekend openings.
• Some patients feel like mere tasks rather than patients due to impersonal interactions.

Review

This collection of experiences paints a picture of a medical facility that many local patients choose for its convenience, caring staff, and broad range of services, while also revealing several recurring frustrations that can color a visit. Across the board, people repeatedly highlight the appeal of a location that's close to home for tests, blood draws, X-rays, ultrasounds, and other procedures. The sense of ease and accessibility stands out: patients say the site is easy to reach, easy to check in, and quick to get in and out for routine imaging and diagnostics, a welcome contrast to longer drives to more distant campuses.

A consistent thread of praise centers on the quality of people working at certain parts of the facility, especially Suite 500. Multiple reviewers describe this area as a beacon of helpfulness and professionalism. They note that staff there - front desk personnel, medical assistants, nurses, and some doctors - create a calm, reassuring environment that helps patients relax before procedures. In particular, several patients sing the praises of the OB/GYN team and the doctors they trust, with some names appearing repeatedly: the OB/GYN team in general for their care, and specific mentions of doctors like Claire Steiner who inspire confidence. The MRI and ultrasound experiences were described as smooth and compassionate in many cases, with technicians like Dave earning recognition for their skill and bedside manner. In one striking example, a patient highlighted checking in quickly, being called back promptly, and receiving an outcome of "in and out" in under an hour, with results arriving at home shortly after.

Alongside the positive experiences, many reviewers emphasize the high level of compassion and attentiveness that accompanies medical care here. People recount nurses and doctors being patient, answering questions thoroughly, and providing care materials to minimize the burden of going home after a procedure. Even when the procedure goes smoothly, patients sometimes note the importance of staff who go the extra mile to make the experience less stressful - whether through clear communication, a friendly bedside manner, or efficient transitions from one step of care to the next. In several accounts, the presence of compassionate caregivers helps offset anxiety about imaging or surgical procedures.

On the flip side, there are persistent concerns that color several visits and weighs on overall impressions. A number of patients point to the physical logistics of the area - particularly the roads surrounding the town - as a downside, citing rough driving conditions and the frustration of navigating a route that can feel perilous or unreliable. At least one reviewer even recounted a tire being blown on the way out, underscoring how local infrastructure can impact a patient's experience, even though the hospital itself remains separate from road conditions. GPS confusion also comes up, with some patients finding that directions lead to "UPMC on Lebanon Church" and suggesting that travelers double-check the route to avoid delays.

Timeliness emerges as another major area of concern, especially regarding radiology. Several reviewers report that imaging results can take a very long time to be read, with explicit mentions of waiting up to two weeks or around ten days for a turnaround. The frustration is palpable: patients want to know results promptly so they can begin appropriate treatment, and warnings about long delays can undermine the perceived value of paying for imaging services. Some patients also describe communication gaps - tests requested by outside specialists that require transferring images or reports, only to encounter issues with receiving or reading the files, which can force extra trips, duplicative efforts, or repeated requests.

Staff consistency appears to be a mixed bag. While many reviewers praise the friendly, professional demeanor of the majority of the staff, others recount experiences that fall short of expectations. Instances cited include long wait times in the lobby and back areas, disorganized check-ins, and interactions with some clinicians or front-d desk staff that felt rushed or less empathetic. There are notes about one or two nurses or front-desk personnel seeming stressed or abrupt, and a few patients describe feeling talked down to or treated as mere "tasks" rather than as people with questions. Yet even within these criticisms, there are countervailing narratives of staff members who went above and beyond to fix problems and advocate for patients, highlighting the variability that can occur across shifts, departments, and particular caregivers.

Outside the core imaging and urgent care experiences, other logistical aspects shape the overall impression. Some patients mention inconvenient hours for related services such as Quest labs, noting early closures (around 3:30 pm) and weekend unavailability, which complicates scheduling for families and working individuals. There are also anecdotes about miscommunications involving records, faxes, and the transfer of results to external doctors, with some patients needing to take matters into their own hands to obtain or deliver copies. Despite these challenges, several patients still emphasize that when things go smoothly - when check-in is efficient, suites like 500 run well, and care teams communicate effectively - the experience can be excellent and worth the visit.

In sum, the reviews reflect a facility that many locals rely on for its proximity, comprehensive services, and generally warm, capable staff. Positive experiences often center around the people and the environment - Suite 500 in particular, the OB/GYN team, MRI and ultrasound staff, and compassionate care from nurses and doctors - creating an overall sense of trust and competence. Yet the same collection of opinions makes clear that substantial gaps remain in areas like imaging turnaround times, patient flow during busy periods, consistent staff demeanor, and logistical alignments such as hours for ancillary services and reliable transfer of records. For patients weighing a visit, the facility offers strong positives in personal care and accessibility, tempered by practical reminders to plan for potential delays and to confirm routes, appointment times, and result turnaround with the care team ahead of time.

This area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania offers a variety of amenities that may be appealing to seniors looking for a convenient and vibrant community. With several popular restaurants such as Watami Hibachi Steakhouse and Chili's Grill & Bar within close proximity, there are plenty of dining options to enjoy. Additionally, there are pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS nearby for easy access to healthcare needs. The presence of cafes like Starbucks provides a comfortable setting for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. For medical services, there are physicians' offices like Jefferson Internal Medicine and orthopedic centers like Steel Valley Orthopedic Associates PC in the vicinity. Places of worship such as Saint Patrick Church cater to spiritual needs, while parks like South Park Dog Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation. The presence of theaters like AMC Waterfront 22 and hospitals like UPMC South Hills ensures access to entertainment and medical care within a reasonable distance. Overall, this area combines convenience with a range of amenities that may make it an attractive option for seniors considering senior living in Pittsburgh.

Restaurants

• Watami Hibachi Steakhouse (0.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.3 miles)
• Panda Express (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (0.5 miles)
• Denny's (0.5 miles)
• Pleasant Bar (0.8 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage of Pleasant Hills (0.7 miles)
• South Hills Village Trolley Stop (5.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• De Lallo's Fort Couch Cafe (5.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.2 miles)
• Parkside Cafe (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)

Physicians

• Jefferson Internal Medicine (2.2 miles)
• Jefferson Surgery Center (2.3 miles)
• Steel Valley Orthopedic Associates PC (2.3 miles)
• CCP - South Hills Pediatric Associates, Jefferson Hills Office (4.4 miles)
• Community Family Practice (5.6 miles)
• Charles Robert Brown (6.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Kingdom Hall Of Jehovahs Witnesses (3.4 miles)
• Saint Patrick Church (5.9 miles)

Parks

• South Park Dog Park (3.5 miles)
• Village Green Park (4.8 miles)
• Evans Fields (4.9 miles)
• Tepes Park (5.2 miles)
• Mt. Lebanon Park (5.7 miles)
• Frick Park Blue Slide Playground (6.1 miles)
• Schenley Park (6.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Waterfront 22 (4.5 miles)

Hospitals

• UPMC South Hills (5 miles)
• UPMC McKeesport (5.5 miles)