Veterans Affairs Miami Medical Ctr – Miami

Number one on south Florida.

I had a procedure with an ablation of the heart and I could have cried because from the reception to after my surgery they were amazing. I thank God for blessing me with such an amazing team.

This review is not about performance metrics, quality measures, or CAHPS/SHEP data. It is entirely about the profound, human impact of Keiondra Arnetress in Patient Advocacy. It takes a lot for me to sit down and write… a review, but her intervention left such a lasting mark that I had to personally acknowledge her through the lens of the VA's core values. *INTEGRITY* From the very first moment, Keiondra operated with a deep sense of honesty and moral principle. She didn't just process a ticket; she took the time to genuinely hear me and understand the root of why I was reaching out, setting a foundation of absolute trust. *COMMITMENT* Her dedication to the VA's mission to serve Veterans was undeniable. I want to express my deepest gratitude for her proactive assistance, which included not only responding to my immediate needs but taking the initiative to submit the PATS report on my behalf. *ADVOCACY* Before we spoke, I felt completely broken and sick with fear over the unknown regarding my service-connected conditions. True advocacy is about fully considering and advancing the interests of the Veteran, and Keiondra did exactly that. The magic of her approach was how beautifully she de-escalated my frustration. She understood my unique situation and provided an outstanding, actionable treatment plan recommendation that actually works. *RESPECT* Keiondra treated me with immense dignity. She talked to me like a human being rather than a case number. She gave me the encouraging words I desperately needed, reminded me that she was proud of me, and guided me on how to handle my situation. Her sincerity in thanking me for my service meant the absolute world to me. *EXCELLENCE* The true measure of excellence is the lasting impact left on a Veteran's life. After our conversation, something inside me completely shifted. I gained profound resilience against my triggers. I told myself, “It’s going to be okay.” I gave myself the grace she encouraged, wiped my tears, smiled, and actually got out of bed to have an amazing day. Keiondra embodies *Integrity, *Commitment, *Advocacy, *Respect, and *Excellence. She is a patient advocate who truly listens, deeply cares, and reminds Veterans that even when fear breaks you down, you can still find the strength to stand again. She is an absolute credit to the Veteran’s Experience Office at the Miami VA Healthcare System and the very definition of an I CARE Award recipient. From Veteran Tabris W. Sanders

I’m not somebody who just hates on the VA, I’ve actually only ever had positive experiences at other locations. However this is such a different story, it’s easily the worst VA I’ve ever been to, at least for primary… care. Seems like not a single normal, polite professional person works here. Nobody knows where anything is or how to do anything and everybody is just rude and unprofessional.

Exceptional opthalmologist and staff!

This experience started in the emergency department. I walk up to the reception and stand there not being noticed while the person working the desk is scrolling on their phone. Someone else had to speak up and say did… you need something. Um yeah I do.. I saw a doctor for 30 seconds after sitting for 3 hours in excruciating pain. He referred me to a surgeon and sent me on my way. 3 weeks later I get an appointment with surgery for a consult after going through excruciating pain during that waiting period and having to cancel work. My appointment for the surgery consult 3 weeks later is at 1:00 p.m. I arrive at 12:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. still sitting and waiting to see the doctor and I finally left on August 11th without seeing a doctor for the surgical consult. Not to mention when they called me for the appointment and I didn't answer because I was working they only called once. I called back 3 minutes later ofcourse could not get through and the receptionist already seen the letter was being sent out that they tried to reach me but couldn't. This is the standard of care? The lady at the desk says yeah Wednesdays are slow around here. This is beyond slow. That's an indication something's really wrong. By the way I'm a researcher in the topic of my research is often the health and wellness of medical providers but whoever is managing the system is not doing a good job. I'm sure plenty of your providers are on the verge of complete burnout some providers just suck but others I'm sure are close to burnout and the patients get the brunch of bath too.

Very nicely there and they genuinely seem to care about your health in one.Did you the best care that they can set up appointments quickly

The VA took good care of my husband and Dr Silva and his team took great care of him before, during and after his knee replacement.

2

I have accompanied my wife to appointments at this VA center for quite some time now, and unfortunately nearly every visit has been a frustrating experience. The wait times are excessive, communication between… departments is poor, and it often feels like no one is coordinating care properly to actually resolve medical issues in a timely manner. Several doctors we have dealt with have come across as dismissive and unwilling to fully explain concerns or treatment options to my wife. On top of that, trying to get approvals or assistance through Community Care has been extremely difficult, even when outside care would clearly provide faster and better treatment. Driving 30–40 minutes each way for consistently poor experiences only adds to the frustration. Veterans deserve compassionate, organized, and effective healthcare, and this facility has repeatedly failed to provide that. If you have other options available to you, I would strongly recommend considering them.

Love the Miami Va they’ve been doing good for me and I appreciate that

After an emergency surgery in a rural hospital in Costa Rica, the Miami VA welcomed my broken body and shattered mind. I've never been so grateful or so well cared for. I often think of the 250+ practitioners who've… entered notes in my mammoth medical record over the last seven years. As soon as I could travel, I flew to Miami, catheter in place, colostomy bag glued to me. Walked in to the ER. Surgery sent a Doctor down to see me and booked an appointment for consult. Urology did also and immediately wrote me scripts. Dr Bowles and his surgical team opened me up 3 times to reconnect my plumbing, and reconstruct my abdominal wall. Several other things arose from the Central American surgery, so they connected me with Mental health. I was introduced to my Wound care nurse who taught me how to care for my colostomy, and later monitored the healing and closure of the colostomy wound. My family history of heart failure finally manifested during the last surgery. Dr Rivener, my new cardiologist got my heart back on track. Pharmacy got me the supplies fitted by wound care, and all my new meds. Five stars are only a start. I've often said that if the country ever gets single payer, universal health care, the VA, and particularly, the teaching medical staff in Miami, should be the model.

Perfect in every sense of the world and in all the care that has ever been provided!

This is probably not due to local administration but the Trump admin. There is no parking, probably because everyone was forced back into the office so there's no Park for vets, the last row of parking spaces is… assigned to government vehicles only. I drove around for 20 mins and finally found someone parking and then another vet came and cut me off. They need to do something about the parking. I didn't find parking on near by streets outside the hospital either. I had to miss my appointment and then they are not giving out community appointments either, so there's no parking and you can get service somewhere close to home at convenient times. I have to request off from work for my appointments, something should be done, this Admin is supposed to be doing good but their wide-sweeping changes , not targeted, are causing issues for Veterans.

I'm not a protected veteran but God sent me to this hospital last Sunday when I was struggling with suicidal thoughs, and I was lost in the middle of the night looking for the mental crisis emergency entrance. Long… story short this hospital team saved my life and I will always appreciate that they did. Specially the brilliant psychiatrist resident Alexandra Coppa. She made me think about my wrong mindset and safe my life forever. Specially when I was at the Government center metrorail station with no place to go... Right now thanks to Los hermanos de la calle I'm save in Miami Beach and writing this review while I look at the sunset at the Marina and think of my coming challenges, and alive thanks to you. To your amazing team of people who took care of me last monday morning. And Dr Alexandra Coppa who I consider a genius of physiquiatrics. One more time thank you. I ❤️ U team! #SOSCuba

Great doctors and most of the time, I'm in and out.

Have not been theirbut trying to get an appointment

Had Back Surgery; for 27 years of horrible pain from an Army injury. I finally got to the point where I couldn't walk or used a walker to be able to get around. The surgical team: Dr. Graciolli and his team did the… surgery. Following the surgery that afternoon, I felt no pain, but that was the anesthesia. Finally after the anesthesia wore off, I felt some pain. It went from a 8-9 pain level where I couldn't sleep at night, to having the first nights sleep in ages. With a pain level that is manageable. With the help of the VA physical therapist and the local gym, I am finally on the road to better living. I have been coming to this VA for 26 years. It is not perfect, but I've also received health care on the outside in the community, and I just spent two years going with my wife for cancer treatment on the outside and I must say, having had outside care and observing outside care, that this is the best treatment in all aspects of health care that I've ever received. I understand some people have certain expectations, but I don't know what to tell them, when the end result is better than when you go in, and yeah it's an old ugly building but what goes on inside there is beautiful. Kudo's to the Hospital staff. The care givers and surgeons.

I'm a 76 year old veteran who had a medical procedure at the Miami VA Hospital today. It required that I have an EKG before the procedure.To say that I was amazing surprised and pleased is an understatement. Starting… with the EKG Tech, and all the nurses and the doctors that did the procedure were unbelievably friendly and courteous. I was absolutely impressed by the way I was treated by everyone in the staff that attended me. All the nurses treated me like I was the most important patient on the planet. They explained everything that was going to happen and answered every question I had. Both doctors also explained everything that they would be doing. The nurses prepared me with an I.V. and explained how I would be going to sleep. The next thing I knew I was waking up. I could go on and on but this is getting too long already. suffice to say I couldn't have been treated better. Thank you Dr. Koppelman and the entire staff on the 7th floor for your 5 star treatment today.