Southgate Medical Group

I have used SMG as my primary care provider for many years. They have always provided prompt and caring service. Yesterday I called for information and an appointment without realizing it was 3 minutes prior to closing. The receptionist that answered the phone was very pleasant and extremely helpful. I was able to get an appointment the following day. Great job. I appreciate you!

Instead of receiving a courtesy call regarding my primary physician absence. Upon my arrival 15 mins prior to my appointment as suggested, the receptionist was clueless to the discovery of my appt. Nonetheless to say, to also find out that my primary was out today 9/9/2025 due to personal time/ health reasons. Please South Gate medical as a collective do better considering your clients time and effort to comply with your check in requirements.

This is my personal experience with this practice I was an active patient undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer. While I was physically in the hospital recovering from cancer surgery, I received a phone call informing me that I was being discharged from the practice. I did not receive written notice or a transition plan at that time, and my patient portal access was removed immediately, which made it difficult to access my records during an already stressful hospitalization. I had been asking questions about my prior care and requesting copies of my medical records, and shortly afterward I was told I was no longer a patient. The timing left me feeling very unsupported during a critical moment in my cancer care. My experience may not reflect everyone's, but this was extremely upsetting and destabilizing for me personally. I am sharing this so others are aware of what I went through.

Dr. Barnes and Sarah Federowicz are the best doctor and PA I've ever had in my life. No exaggeration. I would give SMG 5 Stars, if it weren't for the horrible patient portal. I am tech/computer savvy and the portal is impossible for me. Multiple times, I have physically had to go to SMG to get another Activation Letter to reset it. The portal constantly boots you out. When you type in your username and your password CORRECTLY, it doesn't recognize you. And when you need to get into the portal, the only way you can get the problem corrected is to have them mail you yet another letter with yet another activation code, which takes several days, or you have to drive there in person, wait in line and have them print yet another letter for you. Then, hear the litany reasons why it might not work. You have to go home set it up on a laptop or desktop and use Google Chrome. That's fine. I have it. But it still doesn't work. Then, it has problems with the iPhone, so if you have an iPhone, as the majority of people do, that doesn't work. "Oh. It works on an Android." Either way, you go home, follow the directions step-by-step, and the portal says it doesn't recognize you and to call the office. AGAIN! This has happened so many times I am losing trust in SMG, particularly if I have some kind of a medical need that needs to be taken care of right away. The people at the front desk are overworked and overloaded. They are friendly and they do their best, but it's difficult getting somebody on the phone. You could only wait on hold for so long.That's why you need a patient portal that works. That's why you should have a decent app that works. Again, the reason why I stay is because the doctor and the PA are the best I have ever had. The people at the front desk, through no fault of their own, are not I.T. experts to help you fix it. Apparently, there is somebody in the office who is supposedly able to help, but every time I've called to ask for that person's help, she's not there. It just shouldn't be that hard. Can only imagine what it must be like for an older patient or somebody who is not technically savvy to have to go through this just to try to communicate with their medical provider. Please get an app! And preferably, one that works, versus having to go to a website that has a portal that doesn't work.

My wife recently became a new patient and is very happy. She feels heard, not judged and open to talk. My wife also cares for an elderly woman who comes here too. Every appointment with her has been pleasant, efficient and over all a good experience! Two happy patients.