Karmanos Cancer Institute

I’m a breast cancer patient at the Karmanos Detroit location. I’ve been coming here for almost two years. While the doctors, nursing staff and secretaries are wonderful, the administration limits their access to provide quality care. Simples tasks like scheduling an appointment become a part time job. Last month, it took me three weeks to reschedule one appointment. I called the 800 number, two nurses, the infusion center, emailed several people and never got a new appointment time. It was only until I called the morning of my desired date to complain that I got a time scheduled for the next day. Appointments that are supposed to be quick (15-45 min) like the monthly shot I get end up taking hours. In these simple appointments, I’m asked the same 20 questions that are asked for someone going through chemo treatment, adding even more time. I work a demanding full time time and have a child. Managing my treatment and appointments at Karamanos has become my part time job. I’m reaching the point in my post treatment where I will only need to see my oncologist once a year. When that time comes, I’ll be changing oncologists to Beaumont where I won’t be bogged down by poor administrative leadership. If you’re considering going to Karmanos for your treatment please consider these obstacles.

We have been going to Karmanos for about a week now, and have never had such a wonderful experience. Coming from Corewell/Beaumont, we had the WORST issues with scheduling, setting appointments, and receiving follow-up calls in a timely manner (sometimes it took weeks). My dad’s cancer only mutated and spread in the last year, with little to no help for even basic needs from Beaumont. Within the first DAY we were at Karmanos, he had a treatment plan set and he was in radiation by the following Monday. He is already feeling less pain, and the experience is so enjoyable that we almost look forward to going to the facility. Every single employee from the doctors all the way to the valet staff have been kind, courteous, helpful and personable. It feels like a second home and we are so grateful that we made the switch. Thank you so much to the whole staff at Karmanos!!

If you or loved one diagnosed with cancer DON’T go to this place to waste your time.Doctors takes more than six months for Aggressive cancer just do different testing and after that they still not able to schedule your appointment to start treatment.The first visit doctor/ radiologist will give treat you nice but after that every visit they will start treat you like a customer not a patient. Doctors/ Radiologist(called himself Dr.V who was almost going to kill my husband ) are not professionals.Not sure how he has 30 years experience.We decide to go somewhere.scheduling appointments are hectic. You need at least 5 hours to make one appointment.Their Billing department is fraud even if you paid bill on time they will send you a bill over and over.

I work at this place as a researcher. DO NOT COME HERE. Don't come here to work. Don't come here for your health. Just don't. They lied *heavily* about the pay that I would take home. Not only did they offer NO indication that OVER 20% of my pay would be taken in taxes (I budgeted for less); the center at Wayne State will only pay you for 20 of the days you work each month and roll the other days over to the next month's pay. This means that if you earn $5400 in a month like I do--you'll only get $4800 a month. They think this is okay because they'll pay you "eventually" and it isn't. I would have to quit and stop earning money from them for them to ever catch up with me and pay me in full. If I die at my desk--I'll never be paid in full--ever. DO NOT COME HERE. Not for work, not for health, not for anything. All these people do is lie.

Cancer care is excellent.Their dis-organization for follow-up vists is tediouse. I have to commit 2.5 to four hours for followup visits to spend 5 minutes to see my doctor. I have been going through this routine for two years now. It was worse before, as during the early visits for a year, I would have to commit this time three times a week while not feeling well and subject my wife to just sitting there. This is ontop of having to drive one hour each way to the appointment. Their patient service portal sucks. Tried to register 3 times and keep getting 505 errors. Contacted web support 4 days ago and I'm still waiting. I thought the acquisition from McLaren would help their woeful patent records system. But I guess that's not happening. I remember they tracked blood counts on a sheet of paper maginetically attached on the door. I think it's time McLaren move to Epic. Assention and Trinity Health learned their lesson the hard way a few years back. I spent the latter portion of my career fixing monstrosities like these in the automotive, telecommunications and military and it looks like McLaren has a major challenge incorporating the antiquated Karmanos system into something usefull. Additionally the billing system sucks you can't pay your bill on line as they generate individual visits under different patient numbers each time. I have to physically call each time to pay segmented bills. I find this ironic as Karmanos was funded by a IT CEO.

Karmanos had a vendor display at Comerica Park on September 28,2024 to have people sign up for “free screenings”, they were giving away free merchandise ( bags, pens etc) I asked what I had to do to get a bag. The woman told me I had to sign up for cancer screening, I explained I had cancer ( terminal). She said, “ well then you must be caught up on your screenings”. I said, I am. She said, “ you don’t qualify”! Really? I think I more than qualify, seriously? A bag? Well Kamanos, I could have spread the word about. How important screenings are carrying your bag… but I didn’t qualify! Way to go Karmanos, way to make a terminally ill patient feel good. A bag? SMH!! This is laughable and by the way your employee at Comerica Park was the most unprofessional person I have ever seen. No empathy, no compassion and certainly not a person who should be promoting cancer awareness! Your hospital is the hospital is the LAST hospital in the world I would recommend, thank you for showing the real story behind your hospital! Give that employee a raise she saved your hospital 50 cents ( cost of a bag). I added a photo of the ladies on your website. She proudly told me her name was Tamika. Give that girl a raise! 😔