Blue Island Nursing Home

Pros

• The medical team is described as excellent and patient, with care as usual.
• The ambience is great, the facility is clean, and visits feel relaxing.
• Receptionists and nurses are consistently friendly and professional.
• Dr O is knowledgeable, upfront, and attentive to patients' health needs.
• Dr Matera is praised for professionalism, compassion, and thoroughness.
• The overall care from doctors, nurses, and drivers is courteous and efficient.
• The facility is clean, well-organized, and comfortable for patients.
• Transportation support, including drivers, is helpful and appreciated.
• Patients feel seen, heard, and taken seriously during appointments.
• Many patients would recommend Oak Street Health to friends and family.

Cons

• One reviewer states Oak Street Health did not respond to three messages over three days and never provided the prescribed asthma medications, calling the staff incompetent.
• A long-time patient claims they have endured unacceptable, incompetent care for years and may inform Medicare, suggesting Oak Street Health should lose its Medicare relationship.
• A comment calls the office terrible, describes turning away a family member with a serious illness, and accuses the office manager of lacking compassion.
• A reviewer complains about response time, giving zero stars for response time.
• Another reviewer reports being hung up on three times when trying to schedule an appointment.
• A patient notes waiting 35 minutes past the appointment time with no apology.
• A reviewer complains that they were told they would see a MD but ended up with a PA, and that their concerns were not discussed.
• A critic worries Medicare patients are not treated properly and says they will inform Medicare.

Review

Oak Street Health receives a broad mix of reflections from patients, spanning years of loyalty to recent, pointed criticisms. Across the many reviews, a common thread is a deep appreciation for the core idea of the practice: patient-centered care delivered by attentive doctors, nurses, and staff in a clean, welcoming environment. For some, the experience has been consistently positive. They praise the ambience, the professionalism of clinicians, and the practical support that helps keep care moving smoothly. One patient who has been with Oak Street Health for nearly a decade notes a strong sense of trust built over many visits, underscoring that the team is friendly, knowledgeable, and capable - especially when it comes to listening and addressing concerns. In these accounts, the doctors - named in several reviews as Dr. O and Dr. Matera - are repeatedly described as attentive, thorough, and compassionate, with patients feeling they are seen and heard. The nursing staff and medical assistants are praised for their courtesy, expertise, and patience, and the overall atmosphere is described as professional, welcoming, and efficient.

Alongside these consistently favorable notes, there is a substantial body of feedback detailing significant operational frustrations that undermine otherwise positive clinical impressions. A recurring issue centers on communication and timely follow-up. In one long-form critique, a patient who had asthma during an August 2025 visit describes the ideal scenario - an effective medical team prescribing relief - colliding with a breakdown in the system when the prescription never reaches the pharmacy. Despite leaving three messages over several days, there was no response from Oak Street Health staff, and the patient ultimately went without the needed inhaler. This experience sparks a broader complaint about responsiveness and accountability: promises to have someone reach out after a prior review have not materialized for weeks or even months, leaving patients feeling ignored and, in some cases, compelled to seek care elsewhere. The frustration isn't isolated to a single location but echoes in multiple reviews where patients express concern about delays in communication and a sense that urgent issues are not being escalated promptly.

Another set of reviews highlights problems with follow-through and accessibility, including the challenges of scheduling follow-up appointments or getting timely help when it's most needed. One reviewer who has been with Oak Street Health for nearly ten years voices an ongoing struggle to secure a follow-up appointment, saying that after half a year of attempts, there has been little to no resolution, and implying that the practice's responsiveness has diminished over time. There are also pointed concerns about Medicare relationships and eligibility, with some patients implying that the clinic's handling of Medicare-related matters is problematic enough to threaten ongoing care. The sentiment in these posts ranges from wary to accusatory, including a harsh warning about potential consequences if Medicare oversight is not addressed, illustrating how critical administrative failures can feel to patients who rely on a steady, dependable primary care relationship.

The spectrum of experiences also includes outright negative episodes that some readers will find shocking. A handful of reviews describe situations where patients or their family members faced abrupt or unsympathetic treatment, especially in urgent or elder-care scenarios. One account recounts that a mother with a serious illness was turned away at the office, accompanied by a lack of compassion from the office management. Others describe delayed or misscheduled appointments, long wait times, and communication gaps that lead to perceptions of disorganization. A particularly stark note recounts a caregiver's experience with a relative who had fallen and sustained a broken shoulder, with the ER sending the patient home and urgent messages left unanswered for days; the reviewer characterizes this as totally unacceptable and even critical of the staff, culminating in a "Zero stars!" reaction from the author. There are also mentions of late arrivals to appointments, missing credentials, and inconsistent experiences with the level of care - ranging from frustrations about not seeing the physician they expected to be assigned to, to complaints about being told they would see a physician assistant rather than a doctor in some visits.

Amid the less favorable notes, there are still instances that illustrate how Oak Street Health can excel in care coordination and patient support. Several reviews recount occasions when staff went above simply treating a medical issue to address broader logistical needs - such as arranging rides to and from appointments, providing clear instructions and take-home summaries, or ensuring that patients felt supported throughout their visits. For example, a patient speaks highly of the overall experience, citing punctual scheduling, the courtesy of receptionists, and an efficient checkout process that included ride arrangements for future appointments. There are also comments about specific personnel who stood out in a positive way, including praise for the thoroughness and clarity of explanations given by Doris and the thoughtful, patient-focused care delivered by Dr. Aguinaldo. These notes suggest that when the system works, patients feel empowered, informed, and well cared for.

In the end, the reviews paint a nuanced portrait of Oak Street Health: a network with demonstrated strengths in clinical care, empathy, and a welcoming environment, supported by individuals who are genuinely committed to patients' well-being. Yet the same collection of stories makes clear that administrative reliability - timely communication, consistent prescription processing, and dependable follow-up - remains a critical area for improvement. The most vocal critics point to inconsistent responsiveness, delays, and, in some cases, care gaps that put patients at risk or erode trust. Inside this tension lies a central truth about patient care in a modern primary care practice: excellent medical skill and compassionate bedside manner are indispensable, but they must be matched by reliable systems and proactive, transparent communication. For many patients, Oak Street Health continues to be a place of strong clinical value and warmth, while for others it has become a source of frustration that prompts consideration of alternatives or escalation to oversight. The experiences collectively reflect a community of patients who value attentive doctors and a patient-first approach, yet urgently seek steadier, more dependable administrative support and follow-through.

Located in Blue Island, Illinois, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to a comfortable and convenient lifestyle for seniors. With several restaurants nearby such as Dillingers Drive-In and Buona Restaurant & Catering, residents can enjoy delicious meals without having to travel far. In terms of healthcare, there are multiple pharmacies, physicians' offices, and hospitals within a few miles radius to ensure easy access to medical care. Additionally, the presence of places of worship like Holy Name Of Mary Church and Beth Eden Baptist Church provides spiritual support for those who value their faith. For leisure activities, there are cafes like Panera Bread and Starbucks where seniors can socialize or relax with a cup of coffee. The parks in the area such as Harr Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood in Blue Island is a well-rounded community that offers everything seniors may need for a comfortable and fulfilling retirement living experience.

Restaurants

• Dillingers Drive-In (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Buona Restaurant & Catering (2.6 miles)
• Firewater Saloon - Mount Greenwood (2.8 miles)
• Horse Thief Hollow (2.9 miles)
• Portillo's Hot Dogs (3.1 miles)
• The Brazen Head (3.2 miles)

Transportation

• Metra - Morgan Park / 115th Street (1.6 miles)
• Metra - 107th Street (4.4 miles)
• Metra (5.7 miles)
• Metra/Amtrak (6.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Holy Name Of Mary Church (2.3 miles)
• Beth Eden Baptist Church (2.4 miles)
• Palos Islamic Center (7 miles)
• Christ Community Church (7.1 miles)
• Mosque Foundation (7.5 miles)

Physicians

• Family Christian Health Center (3.9 miles)
• United Pain Services (6.5 miles)
• Dr Uppuluri, Dr Patel, Dr Chavin Urology (6.7 miles)
• Advocate South Suburban Hospital: Smith Sharon C MD (6.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Ingalls Memorial (4 miles)
• Little Company of Mary Hospital (4.1 miles)
• Advocate Christ Outpatient Pavilion (4.8 miles)
• Advocate Children Hospital-Hope Pavilion (5 miles)
• South Suburban Hospital (6.7 miles)
• Palos Community Hospital (6.8 miles)
• Advocate Trinity Hospital (7.4 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (4.5 miles)
• Corner Bakery Cafe (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.6 miles)
• Starbucks (7 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)
• Starbucks (7.2 miles)

Parks

• Harr Park (6.4 miles)
• Maicach Park (6.5 miles)