Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group

Been coming here for years with dr. T. The office is conveniently located near me, n.w., –good reputation, but I never really felt great about my visits. Always felt like a production line, sometimes the dr. Making condescending remarks like everyone is stupid or something. So I make an appointment and first time ever! Totally forgot about it! I get this letter, which true to firm is a little condescending. I have gotten reminders of sorts like «sorry we missed you, come back…» but nothing such as you’ll compromise your relationship with us. I got the letter, was annoyed and threw it out. An appointment for annual physical, I was not in a hurry to reschedule (I suppose subconsciously this is why I totally forgot). I have been thinking of switching doctors a while now, but I hate new people so I contemplated the idea for a while before all this. Well today, I received the same letter again! This further validates my switching doctors. However my last visit here, I saw difference doctor because my regular dr was not available on my schedule and realized that it’s a norm here to wait for 30 minutes before being seen, dispite having an appointment, then they spend 10 minutes with you and you can only complain about one symptom at a time. Lol. Well, here is my letter. … My time is just as valuable as yours dr., I have been given appointments and not ones have you gotten to them on time. You are fired.

I saw Dr Tsatsoulis for several years in the past and she used to be a good doctor with a fine bedside manner. I am not sure what happened, but during my last physical, about one year ago, which took place just a couple of weeks after going back to work after having a baby (c-​section), I left in tears. She berated me for my baby weight gain and told me I had better start working out at least one hour a day. She insisted that I have a blood cholesterol check, even though those tests are not accurate while breastfeeding. When the results came back as a little high, she called and told me to immediately change my diet– having completely forgotten or not noted that I was breastfeeding. I refused to come in for another physical this year because of that experience, and so she vindictively denied my request for a refill of the migraine medicine that I need (and have been on for many years) unless I go in to this office. Never again.

This location is convenient and I am able to pop in here during the work day if I ever need any kind of medical appointments. I have seen Mary Murray before and found her attitude very positive and refreshing.

NMPG is convenient if you work or live downtown.
I have been a patient of Dr Wilsnack’s for over 10 years and he has kept me in good health. He is probably the best listener that I have ever met. He is very level-​headed in his approach to diagnosis, first recommending holistic solutions, before pushing a certain drug or treatment. Dr Wilsnack is very matter-​of-​fact, so if you are looking for a shoulder to cry on, you should find a friend, instead of a Doctor.
The office staff are quick and efficient.
The billing system allows you to chat with a Dr on your test results, allowing privacy for follow-​up stuff (better than a phone call with co-​workers passively listening)
If I could improve one thing, I wish they would give you a pager instead of calling out your name. Now strangers know my name and that I was visiting a Doctor for something. I know. Im crazay

I was a long time patient of Dr Ramirez at the NMPG location on Belmont. Unfortunately she is no longer available. :(
I didn’t want to leave the NMPG network so I made the trek to the Glenview location, I tried one doc but I felt rushed, it reminded me of being at the deli counter, pull a ticket ‘next’ ‘what do you want’ and then on my way. I went online to find doctors who were accepting new patients, my first appointment with Dr Wood, was thorough. I never felt judged or stupid. She is very knowledgeable and I highly recommend her. Her assistant Val is very sweet. Dr Wood has been phenomenal to work with. My consultations with her have changed my lifestyle dramatically. I’m on the right meds and eating healthy; most of all staying well while traveling. Highly recommend Dana Wood

I loved going to this office when my old GP, Dr. Julie Brandies, was practicing out this office. The nurse practitioners are fantastic and the technicians in the lab are awesome. On top of all this, I loved how close the office was to my office and how they were able to fit me in whenever there were times that I absolutely needed to be seen (post-​accident concussion, uncontrollable nausea, etc).
If I love the office so much, why the 3 stars: Dr. Elyse Esrig. I have NEVER had such poor bedside manner and this includes immediate care and ER doctors. She didn’t shake my hand when she entered the room (this was the first time we met), she barely made eye contact with me, and had a judgmental attitude through the entire interaction. I was in for an infection of stitches on my lip. Instead of go straight to the business at hand, she first wanted to discuss my drinking habits and gave me a judgmental tone about the number of alcoholic drinks I have a week. Then while she was prescribing me my medication kept noting that she was concerned about giving me this medication if I was pregnant (which I’m not). Dr Esrig, even though I drink three more than the recommended amount (10 a week vs the recommended 7), that doesn’t make me an irresponsible person when it comes me my birth control methods… Also, she didn’t know that you could use hydrogen peroxide orally as long as you don’t swallow it and thoroughly rinse after, so that was concerning.
Due to this interaction I am looking into changing GP offices because i don’t want to deal with her ever again for any reason. She is the last person I would want to go to if I had a 911 kind of situation.

They JUSt changed their name to Northwestern Medicine, and are now combined with a few other clinics.
I’m sorry this is long, but it’s good, I promise :)
I love my Primary Care Provider (PCP) Dr Julie Brandies! She is friendly, she listens, she has great bedside manner, she smiles, she offers realistic suggestions to improve your health and she is a real person-​she doesn’t act like she is perfect, is what I mean. I’ve been going here for 2 years. The folks at the front desk & the folks that make appts are great-​they try their best to get you in with your PCP, rather than another provider. The lobby is clean, w/​beautiful views, high end chairs, clean carpeting. The location is near several train lines, like the blue line. The providers are SO GOOD about calling you with results, or emailing you w/​results or to check up on you. I find this amazing – I work in a community clinic that makes you come into the office to get your results! You also get an email survey a week after your appt and you can actually type in your comments instead of some yes/​no paper surveys. I recommended her to my boyfriend, coworkers & friends.
I did see a different provider last week, PA Mary (can’t recall her last name), and wasn’t happy with the way the visit went; I shared the below in the survey they sent me.
«This appt was for itching, soreness, pain with sex, cramping in my pelvis for 5 days. I let the provider know that I had these symptoms. She simply stated „well, cramping in your pelvis isn’t a symptom of either one.“ And dismissed that symptom all together… as if it wasn’t important. Cramping for 5 days, even if it isn’t a symptom of BV or a yeast infection, is NOT normal (didn’t occur during my menstrual cycle). She asked if I took advil, I said „no, I don’t think you should cover up a symptom like that.“ And then. she never spoke of it again during the visit. I said I suspected it was a bacterial infection. I said I knew what a yeast infection was and the difference between the 2. She said I could have gotten an OTC medicine for a yeast infection, and I said I understood, but I don’t think you should treat something unless you are entirely sure of what it is. I’m glad she took me in her time slot, so that I could be seen that day, but next time, I will only see Dr Brandies, who is a competent, kind, good bedside manner, listens, and offers suggestions kind of provider.»
When I spoke w/​Mary the next day, I asked her again about the cramping and she (thankfully) said to take Advil Xpills X times aday. I guess I’m used to a provider asking follow up questions to a symptom presented to them, such as: what did you eat all? How else do you feel? Problems w/​bowel movements? Have you fallen? etc etc
TIP: if you want to see any provider for a yearly physical: call ASAP – sometimes it takes a few months to get in for that type of visit. For an illness or follow up – it takes much less time.

I find myself torn. My personal doctor and my dermatologist BOTH work out of NMPG, and I would recommend both of THEM most highly. The reason for this (negative) review has to do with their scheduling and back-​office staff and procedures. I have found them arbitrary and unprofessional. I’ve been billed for missed appointments I never made, and had appointments changed (moved up a half hour, for example) at the last minute. NMPG does NOT hesitate to bill (heavily) if one is late for or misses an appointment, but thinks NOTHING of making you sit in THEIR waiting room LONG past your appointment time. My advice? Deal with the doctors directly as much as possible, and avoid the «back room» staff as much as humanly possible.

Dr. Joel Wilsnack is an amazing doctor. I had a doctor I had gone to for years and he moved so I had to find a new one. I tried 4 different ones before choosing Dr. W. I have been so happy with him. As a dude, having a guy doctor is nice since he can relate. He is extremely smart, amazingly helpful, speedy responsive and is a great listener. I feel so lucky. I have had to go to the doctor a lot this year for a variety of reasons and he knew what to do in all instances. He never makes me feel like my questions are dumb. I feel like I have a partner in my overall wellness. His assistant Janice is terrific too. The location is perfect for anyone who works downtown and Relay Health is a Godsend. I give my highest recommendation for Dr. W.

I’ve been going here for about 2 years now. And although they’re good with seeing you 2 – 5 mins after you sign in… that’s about the time of attention you’re going to get once you’re in.
i visited my doctor this week for an annual physical so I was required to give some blood for tests. Well the male black nurse who drew blood was seemed to be auditioning for American Idol as he poked my arm and wiggled the needle. And now I have internal bleeding and a blood clot over 4 inches wide. I went back to my doctor 2 days later since the blood clot kept growing. And I went and even met the Self Proclaimed dancing queen — he brushed me off saying «it happens all the time. This one time I had a guy who’s entire arm got bruised».
So yea. I was just sent home.

I tried to set up the appointment originally in November. I was scheduled for early January. I asked if I could be put on a waiting list for an earlier date. I was told Northwestern didn’t do waiting lists, but I could just keep calling back everyday to try for an earlier appointment.
The day before my visit, I was called and told that my doctor was out sick and I would need to call back to reschedule. I called back immediately and was told that I had been rescheduled for the next week on Thursday. I showed up on the day my scheduled appointment was to find I wasn’t in the system. I was told that they had record of me being rescheduled and being given a confirmation, but they didn’t actually have me scheduled. The doctor didn’t have time to see me because he was already filled up and double booked. I had been fasting all day so I was not very happy. I was rescheduled for Saturday.
If I missed my appointment or even cancelled late, I would have been charged $ 50. But for some reason when it was Northwestern’s mistake, nothing was done to make amends. They didn’t even offer to wave my co-​pay.
The «central scheduling office» is the exact opposite of efficient. It’s pretty sad that when you need to see a trusted physician you are put on hold for 20 minutes and then have everything screwed up. I hope you make improvements to at least provide the hellish customer service I get from calling my cable company.

I truly cannot say enough good things about the entire experience of going to this doctor’s office. From start to finish, it’s the most organized, efficient, and friendly experience I have literally ever had in the medial field.
As soon as you walk into the lobby, there’s a clear «check-​in» line, and a big staff to help you fill out paperwork, sign-​in, etc. With hand sanitizers everywhere, a refreshing water cooler, and plenty of seats/​magazines, it’s a very comfortable waiting area. But don’t get too comfortable, because they’re usually on time.
When they’re ready, they escort you to large, comfortable rooms where the friendly staff gets you situated, and does the standard BP/​weight/​etc. checks.
Then comes the doctor… usually my most anxious period of the entire experience… but it’s ironically the most soothing time! My particular internist, Dr. Brandies, has the nicest bedside manner, and treats her patients like she actually cares. She carefully reviews your form, asks pertinent questions, and spends the time to thoroughly answer your questions. She clearly wants to help her patients feel at ease, and it really shows.
…But that isn’t even the best part! This office has a robust online portal where you can communicate with your directly with your doctor after the appointment. They are extremely prompt in their responses, and again offer comprehensive and useful answers to your questions.
If you’re not going to this office, you’re missing out.

This rating is for both NMPG and Dr. Tsatsoulis.
Last year, I had a pain in my ear. Not the type of person who rushes off to a specialist for every little thing, I went to one of those Docs-​in-​a-​Box at my local pharmacy. The physician there, after inspecting my ear, discovered that something was deeply lodged in my ear canal. As you can imagine, I was scared to death!
Since there was nothing else the Doc-​in-​a-​Box could do, I rang up Northwestern and asked for an emergency appointment with someone… anyone! They referred me to internal medicine doctor Dr. Tsatsoulis, who agreed to see me… on her lunch hour!
When I came into the office in pain, scared, and crying, Dr. Tsatsoulis greeted me with a bubbly personality, a smile, and was as patient as could be. She looked inside my ear, was cautious while looking because she knew I was in pain, and assured me that, if I wanted her to, she could remove the object right then and there without me having to go to a specialist!
With steady hands, encouraging words, and with kind confidence she removed a big piece of plastic tubing (over ¼ of an inch!) that somehow had become lodged over ¹⁄₈ inch inside of my ear canal! She put me at ease the entire time and made sure each step of the way that I knew what she was doing and was comfortable (I just feel bad that I nearly broke the nurse’s hand from squeezing it so hard)!
No, we still don’t know how the tubing got there, and I swear I’ve never been abducted by aliens ;o). Most Docs would refer you on, not wanting to deal with something a specialist should be dealing with, but Dr. Tsatsoulis is young, confident, and knows what she’s doing.
When I returned yesterday for a different problem (a possible muscular hematoma in my right hip flexor after suffering a bike accident), Dr. Tsatsoulis treated me, again, with the same bubbliness and patience. She actually determined that whatever it is I have could be a hematoma or could be an enlarged lymph node. Instead of being all grave or weird, she kindly suggested that if it doesn’t go away in a week, I should get an X-​ray as soon as possible to rule out any bigger problems.
I have dealt with a tonne of Docs in Chicago, and other than my awesome urologist, have not met someone who is both so knowledgeable and bubbly. I wouldn’t trade Dr. T for the world!
As for the biz side, NMPG needs to have more people working the desks in their reception area. It sucks to wait for 15 minutes after your appointment is over just to check out.

I’ve been a patient with them for 14yrs, Dr. Esrig is great. She is patient and thorough in her assessments and focuses on patient centered care. It’s important for everyone to have an ongoing connection to a Primary Care Provider, its even better when that provider genuinely cares for your well being. I have recommended her to a number of friends and family. They have offices spread out over the downtown and near north suburbs which is great. I have never had to wait more than a week to get into see someone, even fast most times if its something urgent. As long as she is there, I will be a patient with NMPG.

Dr. Wood with NMPG Internal Medicine has been my primary physician for many years now, and I wouldn’t consider switching if you paid me.
It’s quite easy to schedule a phone visit if you’re unable to make it into the office for an appointment. The Relay Health web system they use also makes it convenient to correspond with your doctor about smaller issues that may arise, any follow-​up needs, and prescription refills. I understand they can also do web visits through this system as well.
This week I needed an in-​person appointment, and was able to get in within 2 days of calling. I don’t believe I’ve spent long in the waiting room, and have always felt my time with Dr. Wood was well spent with thorough but never overly invasive exams.
They recently introduced a new electronic prescriptions, which is quite valuable. You know how excruciating the wait between leaving the doctors office, dropping off your prescription, and then finally picking it up can be when you feel like you just want to crawl into bed and stay there for the next week? That’s wonderfully eliminated! My prescriptions were waiting for me at my local pharmacy shortly after I left the office, and I was on my way to healing in no time.
I also see other physicians in the NMPG system at other locations, and having all of my records in one place has proved valuable on several occasions.
As with many medical offices though, the front desk staff can be hit or miss. I experienced the polar ends of the spectrums with two women on the latest visit. The woman during check-​in was gruff and acted as though my arrival was a hindrance. However, the woman helping me to check-​out was extremely pleasant and helpful.
Overall, I’m very happy to have NMPG and Dr. Wood as my primary care providers.

I’m still so happy with Dr. Esrig. Since my first review of NMPG I’ve brought a few new and odd issues to Dr. Esrig. She’s made me feel better every time, physically and emotionally.
When I can’t get in to see a specialist as soon as I’d like I sometimes make an appointment with Dr. Esrig to get her opinion before wasting two weeks waiting for my surgeon, hand specialist, neurologist, etc. If she can’t help me she tells me, but usually she can at least point me to someone who can help me when I need it.
One thing I really like about Dr. Esrig is she doesn’t jump right to invasive treatment. It seems no matter how well intended or thought out if a procedure can go wrong it will go wrong with me. I was all set to get steroid shots for my palmar fasciitis, the hand surgeon didn’t even mention physical therapy. Dr. Esrig suggested I stop my the PT office on my way out and ask… yep, they can help me. I’d much rather try PT before getting shots.
I’m a demanding patient, I know that. I expect doctors to treat me with some respect and I expect them to listen. Dr. Esrig fulfills my expectations every time. I can’t ask for more than that.

After years of not having a primary physician, I decided it was time to stop going to urgent care clinics and see a real doctor. Another one of my Northwestern Memorial doctors gave me recommendations for this office and one near our house. So, before the blizzard paralyzed the city, my husband and I went for our long overdue physicals. I scheduled my husband’s before mine, so it wasn’t until we got home to discuss our various ailments.
I went to the doctor’s office on my lunch break. Much to my surprise, right after checking in and doing the co-​pay thing, they whisked me back into the exam room for basics like blood pressure and weight. I barely had time to finish the new patient information before the doctor saw me. Since I didn’t quite finish it, we did the discussion part first. Dr. Esrig was very through in the health examination. Since my blood pressure was elevated, both her and her nurse checked it a few times to be doubly sure it wasn’t a fluke or something along that lines. Overall, I liked her and her bedside manner. She’s straightforward and to the point. When I mentioned my ongoing sinus issues, she suggested something simple and easy. Could it really be that easy to clear something’s that’s been bugging me most of fall and winter?
After the general appointment, I got some bloodwork done and was in and out of the office in less than a hour. What I really like about Northwestern is their internet/​doctor system where I could login and see test results and link up with my various NM doctors. The next morning, I had an email waiting for me with test results. Yeah for technology and an easy link to patient care. This downtown doctor’s office is great and perfect for those times I need to see a doctor in a pinch instead of hoofing it over to an urgent care clinic and getting decent, but not through care.

I have been a patient of Dr. Brandies for the better part of a decade. I have, for the most part, always been very happy with the care that I received in her hands. Her office is always bustling but the staff is very efficient with getting people in and out. In fact, for years I never saw another doctor. She does lady exams, diagnosed my strep throat half a dozen times over the years and checked out my sore foot when I had a most unfortunate incident at Jamba Juice.
I haven’t seen Dr Brandies in the better part of 3 years. The reason? She’s never available. I’ve called the office and am told she doesn’t have anything available for 4 weeks or that she can see me next Tuesday when I really need to see someone asap. I’ve had good and very bad experiences with the doctors and doctors assistants over the years but I would prefer to have someone that I can count on when I need so I’ve found myself a reliable lady doctor and another internist so the only reason I could see myself coming back here is if that nasty strep comes back!

Super Location especially since I don’t live that far and what a pain having to go up to the St Clair location. With the help of my fellow Unilocalers I found this one. I was originally going to see Dr Ostenbaum
(I know I have totally slaughtered her name) but she was out on maternity leave so they made my appointment with Dr. Wood.
I thought the Dr was very nice, she was able to answer all my questions properly, and I didn’t feel rush. However I am all about connecting with people and honestly I just don’t think we did. I felt a bit ackward and really cant explain why. I think when I go back I will probably try the Dr I was originally going to go see however I don’t think she was bad at all I just don’t think she is the DR for me.

At first I was just happy the office was nearby, due to my suddenly swollen and painful left foot. Then I was even happier they told me they’d see me that day.
It all went downhill from there. I was in with the ‘doctor’ and an ‘intern’ (sorry, honey, your education is going to be somewhat lacking) for almost 90 seconds. Poke. Poke. Diagnosis: «You might have gout. But the symptoms aren’t all there.» An offer of painkillers and crutches, an X-​ray order, and I’m scooted out the door.
So I limp across the Loop, following the directions I had been handed. X-​ray place, open till 7:30? How convenient. I probably should have known something was amiss, given that the landmark on the map was still labeled Marshall Fields. They were closed at 5:12.
Eventually, following more limping, I get my X-​ray. I spend the entire following afternoon attempting to call the doctor to find out what those X-​rays told her. First they tell me the doctor never received them. I clarify exactly which doctor (do they not have computers?!), and no one calls me back. The office is apparently closed when I call again at 4:50. The next day I managed to pester them into calling me back. The X-​rays show «nothing.» If it doesn’t get better in two weeks, I should call again.
Unsatisfied, I see a podiatrist. Guess what? I’ve been walking around on a BROKEN FOOT for two weeks. Thanks, doc.