Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center

As a female combat veteran I've had the worst and the best experience at this particular facility. Today was not good. First there was an unleashed german shepherd prowling around with a veteran in a wheelchair. When I brought it to the attention of the front desk information staff (1 rotund male, and 2 females) only the volunteer (female) responded--at a slow pace--and the veteran and animal eluded her by going on the elevator. No police were informed. I had to ask the Patient Experience Officer to notify the police. This incident I write about the lack of consideration or care some of the employees exhibit and routinely show. My issue ultimately resides with the Neurology Department which has no female Attending Physicians. I went in for a consult and was met by a personable, and I have no doubt, capable and professional individual a Dr. Jonathan Henry, a resident. I asked where the attending physician was and that I expected to see him--being that I had waited months for a resolution to my issue. I've been going to the VA for many years. Any consult your seen by the attending or at least a fellow in my experience. The response I received via Dr. Henry from the attending was that it was the departments policy to be seen by a resident first. That attendings name was Dr. Mark Knobel. That is untrue. This is a guideline. Shout out to Dr. Jonathan Henry. The next excuse was from the female secretaries in that department who of course mentioned staffing issues as to why there were no female attendings in that department. Unreal. Do y'all know the effective range of an excuse is zero? Being seen at this VAMC has become a re-traumatizing experience to say the least. There are very good Doctors, departments, staff here but there's also some very bad ones as well as the blatant mysogyny on display in the Neurology department. This one visit had me fear getting bitten, made me feel undervalued, and discriminated against due to my gender. My suggestion to my fellow female veterans is that they should request to be seen at an outside neurology department which would service them better and they probably have female attendings too. They also probably wont be treated like second class citizens. I have no doubt a male veteran would not be treated the same.

Went to the dentist out here and they are fantastic. Treat you with respect do not talk down to you. They take care of you. Get your appointments all set x-ray your teeth and don’t laugh at you. I will be coming here from now on thank God …

Typically I use civilian healthcare for my medical needs, but the few times I've needed care from the VA they've met the task. Specifically, I have my hearing tests and hearing aids provided by the VA. Everything from scheduling exams, to acquiring my hearing aids, to getting them repaired by the VA is spot on great. The staff is courteous, professional and efficient. I'd recommend them to àny veteran they needed healthcare.

As a veteran who has served overseas, I can confidently attest that proper care and attention are invaluable. My experience at the Brockton VA was outstanding, far surpassing the service I received at JP. To effectively navigate the system, …

My appointment time was done without waiting time. A great medical center with a shopping store, cafeteria, and seating area.