Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Had my first visit with Dr. Ihm this week. He was very courteous and extremely knowledgeable. He carefully explained the X-​rays that were taken by the staff. He prescribed medication for my back spasms and set up rehab sessions. He answered all the questions I had during my visit. He also gave me his direct phone number. Later in the day, I had another question and I left Dr. Ihm a voice mail. He called me back the same day with the answer. I am very pleased with the care I received from Dr. Ihm and the RIC.

My daughter has cerebral palsy. She’s just turned 2 yrs old and is getting outpatient physical therapy. Since my daughter was 6 months old she’s been getting therapy in baltimore (my fmr city) but after starting at this hospital I see a true improvement. They are making her work but vastly patient with my little tot. I would recommend this place to anyone who has. Disabled child.

My mom was referred to RIC by University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital for rehabilitation after she suffered a traumatic brain injury.
The process to be admitted into RIC was somewhat of a nail biter, because they had to have someone from their facility come to UICH to assess my mom and decide whether she was qualified for RIC’s services. Luckily, UICH has excellent social services and they made the process seamless. Needless to say, my mom was accepted into RIC after the evaluation.
When my mom arrived at RIC, she could barely speak, couldn’t walk, couldn’t eat, and was essentially bed ridden and very incoherent. In a month’s time, my mom learned to walk again, swallow and eat again, hold normal conversation and pretty much do everything herself (with the assistance of a wheelchair or walker since her muscles needed to regain their strength). THAT is what this place does– it essentially brings you back to life.
My mom received physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. The sessions started out slow to assess where my mom’s abilities were, and they improved them everyday.
I think the most amazing therapy was the speech therapy. To bring someone from unable to swallow water to eating full meals is a complete miracle to me.
ALL the therapists that my mom had were wonderful. They were all extremely caring and comfortable to work with, and even when my mom refused therapy (which she did often!), they persisted and she ended up going to therapy– and enjoying it!
The nursing and doctor staff were also fantastic. They had compassion for my mom and they had excellent communication with me. Some of the doctors who cared for my mom were from Northwestern Hospital next door, just FYI.
To give a couple honorable mentions, the security staff you meet when you enter the building are also some great folks, as well as the valet staff. Beware of getting change back from them, however– they tend to keep tip money from your change for themselves, which they had no right doing. One guy ruins it for you. But the valet experience otherwise was easy. On another side note for the parking, if you park in the parking garage on Superior, make sure you ask for a parking validation at the security desk at RIC– you’ll pay $ 10 a day versus the insane $ 52 (depending on the length of your visit). Those parking validation a saved me hundreds of dollars– make sure you use them.
Overall, my mom spent a month at RIC on the 8^th floor and it was one of the best medical experiences a person can have. I’m very pleased with RIC.

Terrible!
I was referred here because physical therapy wasn’t working… What was I prescribed… physical therapy. Why would I pay thousands (and you will be charged thousands even with insurance) for something that I had tried multiple times before? Cause they want your money and they want you to come back to them over and over. They are crooks. Look up other reviews at their other locations. Same story over and over.
Also the doc cut my meds in half without telling me… so I started taking half the dosage not knowing and wondering why I was in so much pain. When I called and asked about it the nurse was rude. Which she always is, rude and nasty.
I was referred from Northwestern, so I assumed they were reliable… They aren’t. Don’t go.

Re: Dr Joseph Ihm.
Seeing as how back pain is the #1 single most causal factor for disability in the US, you would think someone who is physiatrist would do a better job trying to make a definitive diagnosis. All Dr. Ihm did is suggest physical therapy for my back problem and when that didn’t work he attempted to send me on way. I demanded him to order an MRI, which he did, then sent me on my way.
The radiologist and physical therapist did more work than he did! He just read her report. If I didn’t ask question’s, the «appointment» would have been over in less than 3 minutes.
I understand a spine doctor being focused on surgery –but Dr Ihm is not that, he’s a physiatrist, one who studies how people move, but a very bad one. As far as he was concerned, if I didn’t need surgery, there was nothing he could do for me. He didn’t once in 2 appointments ever touch my back, try and figure out where I hurt or what I injured in my fall.
He didn’t examine me to determine what movements aggravated it. How frustrating. Every effort should be made to seek care based on a definitive diagnosis and Dr. Ihm did NOT do that. He couldn’t answer questions, like what muscle or ligament is connected to this structure. «Good question» he said. But made no effort to answer it!
I had to ask for an MRI and ultrasound. He didn’t suggest it. He was condescending, rude, implied that the pain was not there, implied that I wasn’t physically fit. I had to print up my workout log for the last 2 years and drop it off at his office. I had been training with a body builder and was very fit. I had to prove myself to him every step of the way and it still didn’t help him take me or my problem seriously. He said «I’d be surprised if this lasted your whole life» and let me leave 100% untreated and unresolved.
When I went for my ultra sound he convened with the doctor running the test before hand and influenced him to treat me with the same disregard.
TERRIBLE MAN! TERRIBLE DOCTOR.

I was here for 16 weeks for a clinical rotation and it was such a great experience. Everyone is so friendly here!!! Always smiling and saying Hello. The people who I observed and worked with were really passionate about their patients.

I saw Dr. Joseph Ihm after I was involved in an accident and suffered an injury to my leg. He was condescending, rude and abrupt. He implied throughout my exam that I was exaggerating my symptoms, and after suggesting that I have a diagnostic test completed told me I could wait a week to have it done. I requested my records where he wrote that it was «unlikely» that I had a serious condition and did not document accurately the extent that I complained of my symptoms.
I knew something was seriously wrong and when I had the test done the following day it showed I had an extensive DVT in my leg, which is a serious, life threatening condition. While I was obviously relieved that he had ordered the test, I should not have been made to feel that I was just a complaining female exaggerating her symptoms. I would be more forgiving if he had at least accurately documented the extent that I complained of my symptoms in my medical records. I am still suffering effects from the DVT (diagnosed 10 months ago) and was on Coumadin for 6 months. The test he ordered (ultrasound) is not uncommon and would have been standard for my symptoms. I would NOT recommend this doctor to anyone who wants a physician who listens and is respectful of his clients. I also question his clinical expertise as he obviously was wrong about my diagnosis, stating that my pain was from bruising in my leg.

Truly an amazing place. I have never seen a more positive staff at a hospital. I’ve been told they believe they can make pigs fly. The Staff at RIC always has a can do attitude. They believe they can improve the life of every patient that walks through their doors.

Great staff, great research! There needs to be more places like RIC in the US.

After dealing with neck pain from a car accident over 7 years ago I was referred to RIC by a doctor at Northwestern. I’ve regretted going there ever since. First I was told my insurance was covered here, when in fact it was not. Blame the insurance, blame them, I don’t care, but I specifically asked before going here and got screwed. I had 2 services done here for my neck – injections both times. Not only did the treatement do nothing to help me, but I’m still trying to pay off the over 2k in medical bills. After the poor service I moved on to another doctor, but am still stuck dealing with their billing department, which is a complete joke. They never know my correct balance and after repeated requests for an updated statement or receipts from my payments I have received nothing. In over a year not one piece of paper confirming my balance with them. To top it off they’ve now sent me to collections. I’ve been making monthly payments on a payment plan and they sent me to collections without even telling me. HORRIBLE SERVICE ALL AROUND. Talk about a pain in the neck…

Dr. Radar is amazing, and I will be forever grateful to her.
About 4 ½ years ago I was sitting in my living room and got this INTENSE back pain that didn’t go away (still hasn’t to this day). I have seen all kinds of doctors, have had ALL kinds of tests, x-​rays, injections, medications, etc., and it’s still here.
Dr. Radar was the first doctor (and I’ve seen A LOT of bad ones) to really listen to me, and has helped keep my pain under control. While we are still trying to figure this mystery out, she has remained SO positive and has always been available when I need her.
So for anyone that needs pain management from an understanding and supportive Doctor, she is the one.

If you ever have a loved one with a traumatic brain injury (hopefully you don’t), pray they have insurance that is accepted at RIC.
I work in Neuro, and coincidentally enough, only am familiar with Neuro rehab here. It’s the best you can get! Good Rehab, especially in the beginning stages, is so important! Do your homework before you send someone to a facility!
*Not that it really matters when you find yourself coming here, but parking is really easy for family/​visitors. Trust me, you need any little perk to make your life easier in this situation!

I lived here for a bit, yes, lived. You see, this place has won the top rehab hospital award in the NATION for the PAST 20 YEARS. They know what they are doing. They have their act together. And if you ever find yourself in the position where you need some serious help getting a part of your body to work again, this is where you go. Or you try to go. It is not exactly easy to get in as an inpatient because you see, they are good, they know what they are doing, they know how to help you and how to get your body working.
When I woke up from surgery and we realized that my guardian angel had gone for an extended smoke break and I was going to need some serious help, my family and I were at a loss. My Docs immediately recommended this place and thought that my condition was rare enough and my prognosis was good enough that I could get in. I waited a bit but did make it. Here is what I found.
The staff if phenomenal! I had classes up to 5 – 6 every week day. They were friendly, helpful and worked my butt off! The Physical therapists, nurses, doctors, social workers, occupational therapists are all amazing!
From group work out sessions to Wii Fridays, they make it fun and worth it! When it was time for me to go home, I was ready, and felt up to the challenge of working with my protesting limbs in my home environment.
I truly hope that I never have to be a patient here again. However, given my situation, there are no guarantees. I do know that if I need, I will turn here with no qualms. I am so thankful that we have a wonderful institution close to us. The kind and caring people that are employed here make a difference for in the lives of those they help! Thank you!

Still nothing but 5 stars. The woman from billing was amazing (after I talked to many people who were useless and also one scheduling woman LAUGHED at me when I asked if they offered financial assistance), they helped me organize what became a very difficult and sensitive situation and if I had tons and tons o money, I would donate it to them in a heartbeat!

Okay, maybe they’re the big man on campus when it comes to spines and stuff… but they need to seriously work on their customer service.
First off, don’t waste time filling out the online appointment request… you will spend 45 minutes providing ever detail of your medical history and physical goals only to receive no phone call or email in return… three days later when you send a polite email inquiring when someone will contact you, you will receive a curt response instructing you to call the main office to set up an appointment… you will then have to repeat everything all over again because apparently all that personal medical information went into a shred bin somewhere.
Next, don’t expect to be seen any time soon… because as the representative will inform you, quite tartly I might add, «the therapists book up very fast so you’re going to have to wait.»
Lastly, don’t expect them to be helpful when answering insurance questions. After first calling my provider I was told to contact RIC directly because they were listed under two codes, one was covered and one wasn’t and I needed to find out what code I was going to be billed under. When I called, the representative didn’t listen to my question/​explanation the first two times and kept telling me to call my insurance, then she transferred me to billing, after holding forever, I got a heavy sigh in response to my question and was told to call my insurance company.
To summarize this b*tch fest, I’m going back to Athletico. See ya, suckas!

The office itself is a bit outdated and the front desk isn’t too friendly but the therapy is very good. My therapist was Andrea Freeman. She was very helpful in giving me the tools I needed to get better. She went through the exercises with me, correcting my form and providing advice. Afterwards she had printed out a sheet of exercises with the number of sets and repetitions needed. The next session built on the first and again she was very helpful in showing me new exercises and answering any of my questions. This is a place I would go back to in the future.
EDIT: At first I gave 5 stars but I’m amending it to 4. The scheduling system is bad. A few times it took way to long scheduling my appointments. The last time I was there, I arrived only to discover my appointment was «auto canceled» by the system.

The staff is so kind here, especially the nurses. Close friends have been here awhile and can’t say enough about how much they enjoy the unit, the staff, and the quality of the therapy, and as visitors, we felt so welcome and at home.