Munson Care Ctr

Pros

• The ER was clean and quiet, and the staff were kind, calming, and caring.
• Dr. Cole and PAC Marissa Fischer make a good team in this small community.
• The hospital and attached doctor offices have the nicest people.
• Every staff member who attended to the patient was kind, professional, and explained everything clearly, leaving them confident in their care.
• Shirley triaged them with friendliness and got them back to their room quickly.
• Nurse Jennifer was absolutely wonderful and treated the child very well.
• PA Kali was fabulous and provided treatment options, ensuring the child felt comfortable and not in pain.
• The staff turned a nerve-wracking experience into a positive and calm one.

Cons

• The admin is rude and extremely unhelpful.
• Nurses don't ask questions or gather correct information.
• Doctors spend only 5-10 minutes with patients, just enough to read the reason for visit and ask a couple questions.
• PA Craig labels discharge papers with "pain seeking behaviors" when patients report ongoing pain.
• Staff label patients as drug-seekers if pain persists.
• Front desk staff are sarcastic and condescending, undermining communication.
• The nursing supervisor is condescending and unprofessional.
• They discharge elderly patients to the waiting room, delaying care.
• A wrong blood draw was performed, forcing a repeat visit.
• Lab/check-in conversations include hate speech about transgender and gay people, which is unprofessional.
• Doctors dismiss relatives' calls and imply families are wasting resources, focusing on money.
• The overall experience is seriously awful and something to avoid in emergencies.

Review

Across a range of experiences at Munson Kalkaska and nearby emergency care facilities, patients and families depict a landscape of extreme highs and lows. Some visitors walked away feeling profoundly helped by kind, thoughtful teams who took the time to explain, comfort, and advocate for their loved ones. Others left frustrated and disheartened by what they perceived as rushed visits, dismissive attitudes, and administrative or communication gaps that complicated what should have been straightforward care. The stories span single-visit encounters and ongoing concerns, painting a nuanced picture of quality, consistency, and bedside manner in these emergency settings.

Several reviews highlight moments of exceptional care and professionalism. In particular, there are accounts of staff who were described as "amazing," "professional and supportive," and "kind, calming, and caring." Families praised triage nurses who put children at ease, nurses who treated patients with genuine concern, and PAs and doctors who offered clear explanations and a range of treatment options. One note celebrated a patient's daughter who was guided smoothly to the right place by staff, and another described a PA who made sure a child felt comfortable and not in pain during a procedure. A patient who recently visited Kalkaska for a potential heart attack experienced a level of care that left them "confident" and appreciative of the staff's explanations and demeanor. Several reviews also highlighted positive experiences during difficult moments, such as when staff worked to keep a needed pharmacy open late or when clinicians demonstrated thoughtful and thorough attention to a patient's condition and safety.

Conversely, a substantial portion of the feedback centers on negative interactions and systemic frustrations. A recurring theme is perceived indifference or rudeness from administrative staff and front-desk personnel, with several patients recounting condescending attitudes, sarcasm, eye-rolling, or a sense that their concerns were minimized before care was even delivered. In one instance, a family described being told by a nurse that only one family member could accompany a patient after the doctor had allowed both, creating a tense moment in an already stressful situation. The sense of being treated as an inconvenience rather than as someone needing help permeates many accounts, including stories of patients waiting uncomfortably in rooms or waiting rooms for extended periods while staff seemingly moved slowly or appeared distracted.

Issues around the approach to pain and medication appear in multiple reviews. Some reviewers allege that pain management was not adequately addressed, and in a few cases there are accusations that discharge notes contained language implying "pain-seeking behaviors." One family described a discharge scenario where a patient's ongoing pain and the limited effectiveness of prescribed medications were dismissed, prompting talk of legal avenues. The tension between ensuring compassionate care and adhering to pain management protocols appears to be a source of conflict for some families, especially when emotions run high during a loved one's illness or recovery.

Discussions of specific experiences at the bedside reveal a mix of professional competence and occasional missteps. A patient who went to Kalkaska after a suspected heart attack spoke highly of the team's kindness and explanations, while others reported long lab wait times, disorganized check-in conversations, or lab missteps - such as a wrong blood draw requiring a repeat procedure and delayed access to portal results. One family even recounted a 3-hour wait in the lab while staff discussed politics and contentious topics, with some readers labeling the conversation as unprofessional and inappropriate to conduct in front of patients. The combination of personal warmth and professional capability with moments of perceived unprofessionalism and miscommunication creates a jagged overall impression for some readers.

Another thread running through several reviews concerns the care and treatment of elderly or critically ill patients. One account describes discharge from the emergency department to a waiting room, leaving a vulnerable elderly patient who had arrived by ambulance in a precarious position. The patient's family relayed frustration about rapid discharge decisions, the quick handoff to a waiting room, and an apparently disjointed process involving the pharmacy delivery timing. This contrasts with other stories where staff were praised for quick, attentive actions that helped a family manage a medical scare. The tension between efficient throughput and individualized, patient-centered care is clearly visible across these narratives, particularly when families are navigating complex medical needs and the emotional weight of a loved one's condition.

Several narratives touch on the broader context of travel and access, with people driving long distances to reach Kalkaska or to move between Kalkaska, Traverse City, and Gaylord for care. In some cases, patients reported feeling reassured by staff who went above and beyond - staying late to coordinate pharmacy access or to answer questions. In other stories, the distance traveled amplified the stress of a negative encounter, especially when time-sensitive or life-threatening symptoms were involved. These travel-related aspects underscore the critical role emergency departments play for rural communities, where the availability of responsive, empathetic care can shape a family's perception of the entire health system.

Overall, the collection of experiences reflects a facility that can deliver outstanding, compassionate care in certain moments while also revealing opportunities for improvement in others. Positive reviews emphasize patient-centered interactions, calm communication, and staff members who listen, explain, and advocate for patients and families. Negative reviews point to a need for stronger front-desk professionalism, more consistent triage and communication, and greater sensitivity to the concerns of patients and their families - especially around pain management, discharge planning, and the treatment of elderly patients. Taken together, the narratives suggest a health system that is capable of high-quality care but would benefit from continued attention to customer experience, staff development, and transparent communication across all levels of clinical and administrative teams.

Physicians

• Kalkaska Family Practice (0 miles)
• Boardman Family Practice (7.5 miles)
• Bruce D Lirones (10 miles)
• Mancelona Family Practice (13.1 miles)
• Meijer Optical (14.6 miles)
• Women's Health Pavilion (15.6 miles)
• Mark Saunders MD PC (15.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Kalkaska Memorial Health Center (0 miles)
• Munson Healthcare (0.1 miles)
• Elk Rapids Family Practice (15.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Coldsprings Christian Fellowship (0.3 miles)
• Calvary Baptist Church (0.4 miles)
• Kalkaska Church of Christ (0.5 miles)
• Kalkaska Seventh Day Adventist (0.6 miles)
• Kalkaska United Methodist Church (1.4 miles)
• Kalkaska Baptist Church (2.3 miles)
• Awana Northern Michigan (7.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Kal-Ho Lounge (0.3 miles)
• Breakfast & Burger Express (0.5 miles)
• Up North Grill (0.8 miles)
• Nico's Pizza & Grinders (0.8 miles)
• Burger King (0.9 miles)
• Subway (1 miles)
• Arby's (1 miles)

Parks

• Kalkaska County Parks & Rec (0.4 miles)
• Kalkaska County Soil Erosion (0.4 miles)
• Birch Street Playground (0.5 miles)
• Imagination Station (0.5 miles)
• Kalkaska County Parks & Rec (0.8 miles)
• Alden Park (10.4 miles)
• Whitewater Township Park (11.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Family Fare Supermarkets (0.7 miles)
• Family Fare Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• Quilters Clinic (13.4 miles)
• Glen's Markets (13.8 miles)
• Family Fare Supermarkets (13.8 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (14.7 miles)

Transportation

• Taxidermy Log Lake (1.7 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.8 miles)
• Mike's Taxidermy (14.8 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (16.5 miles)

Cafes

• Lakeside Dip (11.2 miles)
• Alden Muffin Tin (11.2 miles)