Dee-Maret Care Ctr

Pros

• The nurse was very attentive.
• Dr. Brown was wonderful and took time to understand patients' medical history.
• Dr. Brown is thorough and listens to patients.
• The staff were cordial and punctual.
• The office is nice and clean.
• The staff are attentive and patient.
• Dr. Suttles is patient and explains things clearly; the staff are friendly and professional.

Cons

• One reviewer labeled the office as one of the most unprofessional medical offices they've visited.
• They described the primary physician Dr. S as lazy, with tasks passed to staff and follow-up that often arrived weeks later.
• Several reviewers criticized the receptionists as rude and unprofessional.
• A patient called the service horrible and the overall experience unprofessional, citing long delays and failed call-backs.
• They felt doctors rushed patients and did not take time to listen or address concerns.
• They alleged racism and prejudiced, unkind treatment by some doctors, with unhelpful responses.
• A reviewer complained of being talked over, misinformed, treated rudely, and rushed out, leaving them feeling unheard and not helped.

Review

Over a long period, this Summa Health network has left some patients with very different impressions, depending on location, staff, and the provider they happened to see. For many years, Akron residents have trusted Summa with their primary care, and several reviews highlight standout providers who earned loyalty through genuine listening, thorough exams, and a sense that someone truly cared about their whole history. In particular, Dr. Justin Brown at the Hawkins Avenue site and Dr. Suttles in the same or nearby locations repeatedly appear as the kind of clinicians who take time, explain things clearly, and establish a thoughtful connection with their patients. A number of patients described short wait times, clean facilities, and crews that were professional and courteous, with nurses who were attentive and doctors who asked for questions and ensured patients understood their plans.

The praise isn't universal, though. Dr. Brown is often described as excellent - easygoing, thorough, and respectful, with some patients noting a handshake greeting that meant a lot to them and a general sense that he took their medical history seriously. The positive experiences extend beyond the physician to other staff: the equity center staff were called kind, professional, and helpful, and many patients felt the whole visit - from check-in to vitals taken by a nurse - to be conducted with care. There are also reports of efficient service times and facilities that left patients with a positive impression of cleanliness and organization. A few reviewers singled out the receptionist and other team members as friendly and supportive, reinforcing the sense of a well-functioning care team when things went smoothly.

Yet there is a strong and persistent counter-narrative among several patients. Some describe Dr. S as competent but overly occupied or even "lazy" in the sense that certain tasks were handed off to staff who were slow to follow through, leaving patients wondering when - if ever - the promised follow-up would occur. Other patients express deep dissatisfaction with the overall experience at Summa, feeling unheard or rushed, and noting a pattern of communication gaps that led to frustration and a sense of being treated like a number rather than a person with a story. The tension is compounded by reports of rescheduling on the day of appointments without adequate notice or follow-up, prolonged attempts to reach the clinic by phone with little success, and receptionists who seemed unwelcoming or curt, which can color the entire visit even when the medical care is solid.

The emotional core of some reviews centers on family health experiences and the impact of care decisions during particularly difficult times. One patient describes the loss of a parent during the COVID era, attributing the outcome in part to a failure to diagnose properly or listen fully to concerns. That same reviewer reflects on how another physician at Summa - Dr. Pankey - provided attentive care and listened in a way that their mother felt supported and cared for, contrasting sharply with later experiences that felt rushed or misinformed. These memories underscore the real human stakes involved in primary care and the importance of continuity, thoughtful listening, and a care team that acts with empathy, especially for families navigating serious illness and uncertainty.

Several reviewers voice concern about the overall culture at Summa Health, with comments that racism - perceived or real - has overshadowed patient trust. A handful of accounts recount experiences of being talked over, dismissed, or subjected to prejudicial treatment, and some describe feeling unsafe or unheard in a system that should be designed to protect all patients. The seriousness of these claims is not lost on readers who value compassionate care, and the feedback suggests that beyond individual interactions, there are systemic issues that managers and frontline staff alike need to address to restore confidence. While some patients explicitly defend certain clinicians or locations, others insist that the institution as a whole must do more to ensure respectful, equitable treatment for every patient, every time.

Taken together, these reviews paint a nuanced portrait of Summa Health's primary care experience in Akron. There are clearly moments of excellence - doctors who listen, teams that communicate well, and facilities that feel welcoming and clean. There are also repeated concerns about follow-through, scheduling reliability, perceived staff attitudes, and deeper questions about racism and patient trust. For patients weighing where to seek care, the message is not simple: some encounters will feel like they were handled with attentiveness and respect, while others may leave you feeling unheard or rushed. The most constructive path forward, as suggested by the patterns in these accounts, would be a focus on consistent communication, reliable follow-up, staff training in patient-centered care, and a renewed emphasis on building trust through every touchpoint in the patient journey.

This part of Akron, Ohio is a well-connected and convenient area for senior living, with pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS nearby for easy access to medications. There are also several reputable physicians' offices in the vicinity, including Neurology & Neuroscience Associates and Internal Medicine Center of Akron, making healthcare services easily accessible. In terms of leisure activities, there are beautiful parks like Summit Lake Park within a short distance for outdoor enjoyment. Additionally, there are cozy cafes like Nervous Dog Coffee Bar and restaurants offering a variety of dining options such as Swenson's Drive In Restaurants and Spaghetti Warehouse. For medical emergencies, Akron Children's Hospital is located just 2.3 miles away, providing peace of mind for seniors in need of specialized care. Overall, this part of Akron offers a blend of convenience, amenities, and healthcare services suitable for senior living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (4 miles)

Physicians

• Neurology & Neuroscience Associates (1.6 miles)
• Digestive Health Center (1.8 miles)
• Internal Medicine Center of Akron (1.9 miles)
• Dylan R Childs, MD (2 miles)
• Akron General Hematology & Oncology (2.2 miles)
• Pediatrics of Akron (2.4 miles)
• Hofacker (3 miles)

Parks

• Summit Lake Park (2 miles)
• Mountain Bike Area (5.1 miles)

Cafes

• Nervous Dog Coffee Bar (2 miles)
• Biggby Coffee (2.8 miles)
• Cafe Arnone (3.8 miles)
• Molly Brown Cafe (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Frank's Place On Market (2.1 miles)
• Swenson's Drive In Restaurants (2.1 miles)
• Spaghetti Warehouse (2.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.5 miles)
• The Game Grill & Bar (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Akron Children's Hospital (2.3 miles)
• Summa Akron City Hospital (3.7 miles)
• Summa Western Reserve Hospital (4.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Grace Church (5.6 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Cuyahoga Falls And Xd (6 miles)