Columbia University Irving Medical Center Smithers Center

The worst place ever! Not only is it filthy in there the people are rude and dismissive is doesn’t feel like a place of help and service more like a place of delay and despair. I waited three hours to be called in from The waiting area to wait another 4 hours just for pain killers and more pain killers, when I finally got my Scan it was met with rude and no proper direction. I just sad their in tears I helped and exhausted. Once I got the scan I had to then wait until the scan was looked at by an anonymous person who schedule was jammed packed. All the while the people who worked their entertained one another leaving sickly people to fin for themselves. If you don’t fight for help they will leave you their to rot. no one working their is good, it’s a place where healthcare goes to die. The worst experience ever. I sat in pain no real solution or any care in sight for HOURS NEVER AGAIN THEY DESERVE TO GET SHUT DOWN! Disgusting a very uncrowded ER yet no service being done. The lack of staff doing their job is unacceptable.

Called this ER several times no answer! I have never called an ER and no one pick up the phone, first serious red flag! 🚩 It just rings and rings and rings. Very sad when trying to gather information of a loved one admitted to there ER. After finally speaking with someone the audacity for them to be rude. Even the woman who called me kept saying my child was “fine”. Lady if he was fine he wouldn’t be in the ER. Do better! All the money you charge, thousands on thousands at the very least have someone answer the phone.

My mother was admitted for over two months in the Oncology Floor : Hudson 6 North and during that time we experienced the full range of what long-term hospitalization can bring fear, hope, exhaustion, and gratitude. Through it all, the staff who cared for her made a tremendous difference. From the moment she arrived, the nurses, CNAs, and support staff treated her with patience, dignity, and compassion. They not only managed her medical needs, which were complex and constantly changing, but they also supported her emotionally on the harder days. As a family member who was there every day, I truly saw how much effort it takes to care for a patient long-term, and I’m extremely grateful for their consistency and kindness. Communication from the medical team was generally clear and responsive. Doctors and nurse practitioners took time to explain her condition, treatment plans, and next steps in a way we could understand. When complications came up, they acted quickly and kept us informed. The nursing department deserves special mention. Many nurses went above and beyond — checking on her even when they weren’t assigned to her, helping her stay comfortable, encouraging her through difficult procedures, and treating her as more than just a patient. Their compassion helped her feel safe, and it helped our family feel supported during a very stressful period. Of course, with a long stay, there were moments where we wished communication had been quicker or smoother, especially between shifts and departments. But whenever we brought up questions or concerns, the staff made an effort to address them. Overall, my mother received attentive, respectful, and skilled care throughout her two months at the hospital. We are very grateful to the team who cared for her day and night. Thank you for the dedication, patience, and compassion you showed our family during one of the hardest times of our lives.