Mary Greeley Medical Center Emergency Room - Ames, Iowa

HR G.

I had an absolutely unacceptable experience at this hospital’s emergency room. I waited 10 hours before being seen, which is beyond unreasonable—especially in a place meant for emergencies. In that amount of time, someone in critical condition could lose their life, yet the staff seemed completely indifferent to the urgency of the situation.

There was no proper communication, and the waiting area was overcrowded with patients in pain, some even leaving because they couldn’t take it anymore. If this is how they handle emergencies, I can’t imagine how bad things are for those in even more serious conditions.

Hospitals are supposed to provide care when it matters most, but this ER clearly doesn’t prioritize patients the way they should. If you’re in need of immediate attention, I’d strongly recommend going elsewhere if possible.

Emily L.

I'll preface this by saying we are very good friends with a nurse who told us to avoid "scary mary" at all costs. Unfortunately, we didn't listen. We took our 3 month old son to the ER per the recommendation of his PCP because he was screaming when he was picked up. When we were admitted, I mentioned to the nurse that I was concerned about a possible arm fracture because my husband and I had done a hand casting the other day of his little baby fist (it makes a statue) and I was worried we may have used too much force to hold him still for the 60 seconds required for the casting material to set. They took some x-rays but couldn't determine anything because there was some shading on the images. They did a CAT scan and an MRI as a follow up. Meanwhile, in the background, they were busy calling CPS. After all day in the ER, we were discussing running home to get more baby formula because we hadn't anticipated being out all day. We were surprised when the nurse told us we weren't allowed to leave and CPS was on the way. We were interviewed and the agent revealed the medical staff had told him our baby had a definite fracture and a brain bleed. This shocked us, as we were simply told the tests were inconclusive because baby wouldn't hold still during the imaging. The CPS agent did some further investigating and discovered the staff had not been transparent with him. He was very upset because he drove over 3 hours to address their accusation of abuse when there was no evidence to justify the allegation. He did a home visit a week or so later as a routine follow up and told us he had filed a complaint against Mary Greeley to his superior regarding the incident which, according to him, should never have happened. We were never given an apology by the medical staff.

Long story short, we spent all day in the ER. We both had complete panic attacks, thinking our first born son was going to be taken from us and that he had somehow acquired a brain bleed when he'd never been out of our immediate care. Turns out he had moderate torticollis which was later diagnosed by his PCP and just required some PT to alleviate some tight neck muscles.

When a medical professional tells you not to use Mary Greeley... listen. We now advise others to avoid this medical center at all costs.

Brenna L.

This may be the worst ran ER I have ever experienced. Long waits across boards. Doesn’t matter if you come in with chest pains or stitches, you’ll be here for hours. Maybe days. This place is an embarrassing example of emergency health care in America. Caution: just go to Des Moines. It will be quicker. Actually, I could have made it to Mayo by now.

Isabelle K.

AWFUL. I was there for four hours. Dr.Boyko and Nurse Liz were awful. Nurse Liz was great until they saw the use of medical medicine in my urine that is legal in my home state but not Iowa. She completely changed on me and they NEVER asked about usage or how I use it. Boyko lied about telling me my results to Liz, what did do was lecture me this medicine. He was no help and when Liz came in with my discharge papers I asked what the results were and she said Boyko said he talked to you. When I said no she didn’t believe me but after insisting he did not she told me. They were treating me like I was stupid and I left will a bill for hundreds of dollars and tons of more questions they had no time to answer.

Lillith S.

Came in with someone, left sick cause the red haired nurse lady chose to come to work sick and not wear a mask. Now everyone has "That dry cough that's going around" thanks for that. They also had no idea what was wrong with my partner so we left without any answers.

Candice G.

Came here Tuesday for extreme kidney pain following a surgery. Was told nothing is wrong, and was sent home just for them to call the next day and tell me it was from my kidneys and give me updated meds. This ER SENT ME HOME WITH KIDNEY PAIN FROM A UTI AFTER SURGERY FROM KIDNEY STONES. After I voiced my concerns twice to the nurse, they still sent me on my way with nothing. Also, I was there 5 hours and NEVER TALKED TO OR SAW A DOCTOR.

Be careful, they may send you home to die and call the next day to tell you, you were right. They don't listen and half the nurses aren't very kind. This place is hit or miss.

Alaire C.

I went in at 4 in the morning for severe upper abdominal pain. Was seen by a physician within 30 minutes of arriving, and was diagnosed with a treatment plan within two hours. The nurses who saw me were incredibly compassionate! Also did an excellent job placing my IV line. And the physician was very thorough and considerate. Thanks for taking such great care of me!

Chloe Q.

Came here for very bad cold symptoms and everyone I interacted with was incredible, from the nurses to the PA to the front desk staff. I was nervous coming here as it was my first time seeking care as I am a vet student that is out of state, but everyone was very welcoming and sweet. My veins are very small and all of the nurses were incredible on being accommodating to get me the care that I needed.

Brenna L.

This may be the worst ran ER I have ever experienced. Long waits across boards. Doesn’t matter if you come in with chest pains or stitches, you’ll be here for hours. Maybe days. This place is an embarrassing example of emergency health care in America. Caution: just go to Des Moines. It will be quicker. Actually, I could have made it to Mayo by now.

HR G.

I had an absolutely unacceptable experience at this hospital’s emergency room. I waited 10 hours before being seen, which is beyond unreasonable—especially in a place meant for emergencies. In that amount of time, someone in critical condition could lose their life, yet the staff seemed completely indifferent to the urgency of the situation.

There was no proper communication, and the waiting area was overcrowded with patients in pain, some even leaving because they couldn’t take it anymore. If this is how they handle emergencies, I can’t imagine how bad things are for those in even more serious conditions.

Hospitals are supposed to provide care when it matters most, but this ER clearly doesn’t prioritize patients the way they should. If you’re in need of immediate attention, I’d strongly recommend going elsewhere if possible.

Emily L.

I'll preface this by saying we are very good friends with a nurse who told us to avoid "scary mary" at all costs. Unfortunately, we didn't listen. We took our 3 month old son to the ER per the recommendation of his PCP because he was screaming when he was picked up. When we were admitted, I mentioned to the nurse that I was concerned about a possible arm fracture because my husband and I had done a hand casting the other day of his little baby fist (it makes a statue) and I was worried we may have used too much force to hold him still for the 60 seconds required for the casting material to set. They took some x-rays but couldn't determine anything because there was some shading on the images. They did a CAT scan and an MRI as a follow up. Meanwhile, in the background, they were busy calling CPS. After all day in the ER, we were discussing running home to get more baby formula because we hadn't anticipated being out all day. We were surprised when the nurse told us we weren't allowed to leave and CPS was on the way. We were interviewed and the agent revealed the medical staff had told him our baby had a definite fracture and a brain bleed. This shocked us, as we were simply told the tests were inconclusive because baby wouldn't hold still during the imaging. The CPS agent did some further investigating and discovered the staff had not been transparent with him. He was very upset because he drove over 3 hours to address their accusation of abuse when there was no evidence to justify the allegation. He did a home visit a week or so later as a routine follow up and told us he had filed a complaint against Mary Greeley to his superior regarding the incident which, according to him, should never have happened. We were never given an apology by the medical staff.

Long story short, we spent all day in the ER. We both had complete panic attacks, thinking our first born son was going to be taken from us and that he had somehow acquired a brain bleed when he'd never been out of our immediate care. Turns out he had moderate torticollis which was later diagnosed by his PCP and just required some PT to alleviate some tight neck muscles.

When a medical professional tells you not to use Mary Greeley... listen. We now advise others to avoid this medical center at all costs.

Isabelle K.

AWFUL. I was there for four hours. Dr.Boyko and Nurse Liz were awful. Nurse Liz was great until they saw the use of medical medicine in my urine that is legal in my home state but not Iowa. She completely changed on me and they NEVER asked about usage or how I use it. Boyko lied about telling me my results to Liz, what did do was lecture me this medicine. He was no help and when Liz came in with my discharge papers I asked what the results were and she said Boyko said he talked to you. When I said no she didn’t believe me but after insisting he did not she told me. They were treating me like I was stupid and I left will a bill for hundreds of dollars and tons of more questions they had no time to answer.

Alaire C.

I went in at 4 in the morning for severe upper abdominal pain. Was seen by a physician within 30 minutes of arriving, and was diagnosed with a treatment plan within two hours. The nurses who saw me were incredibly compassionate! Also did an excellent job placing my IV line. And the physician was very thorough and considerate. Thanks for taking such great care of me!