John Ockenfels, D.O.
Family Medicine
560 Osborn Boulevard
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 Directions
4.9 out of 5
404 verified ratings
1 Location
MyMichigan Primary Care: Sault Ste. Marie (Heritage Building)
560 Osborn Boulevard
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
404 Ratings, 275 Comments
The following ratings and reviews are based on verified feedback collected from independently administered patient experience surveys. The ratings and comments submitted by patients reflect their own views and opinions. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy.
AI Overview
Dr. Ockenfels is widely praised for being caring, attentive, and highly knowledgeable as a long-term primary care physician. Patients frequently note his listening skills, thorough explanations, and willingness to follow up after hours. The office staff and nurses receive positive mentions for professionalism and kindness. A few comments note access challenges tied to organizational rules and difficulty scheduling urgent visits. Several patients credited him with life-saving care and effective diagnostics (e.g., X-ray/MRI referrals, orthopedic manipulations).
Generated from the text of patient reviews
This AI summary is automatically generated from published patient reviews. It highlights common themes from the reviews, but as with all AI-generated content, there may be errors. Please exercise caution and refer to the original reviews for full context.
Oct 19, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
It’s a shame that a good doctor like him is leaving. Hardly any physicians left in the area. Have to start seeing a PA. Maybe the hospital should be under review.
Oct 17, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
My family & friends all know that I love Dr. O as my doctor and am heartbroken that he is leaving. I have been going to him since he came to town, so 36 years. Ever since MyMichigan came in pushing their money over patients protocols I have been afraid he would leave. It isn't like we have a choice of PCs up here and MyMichigan is still pushing them out, which is going to leave thousands of us without a PC. This will mean traveling hundreds of miles to be seen medically unless we go to urgent care clinic or ER which of course the insurance will fight paying for. So to put the truth out there, there are alot of people that may not get medical attention when needed which will cause unnecessary deaths. These deaths will be the fault of MyMichigan who has shown they don't care as long as their wallets are full. It is hard to understand how these people can look in the mirror, and certainly not the way I was brought up. What happened to do onto others??? Remember "IN GOD WE TRUST".
Oct 16, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
He’s great!!
Oct 15, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
It’s a shame that the upper politics of the hospital ran this man into retirement
Oct 14, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Very sad to see Dr. O retire. He is an exceptional physician. We dont see his type of caring much anymore. MyMichigan seems to run out the good doctors.
Oct 12, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr. John Ockenfels has been with my little family for 6 years before my oldest was born. He was a great pediatrician and family doctor. We all love Dr. Ockenfels and wishes him the best with his retirement
Oct 11, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr O is by far the best doctor I have ever had. Very sad he is retiring. Very nice man, super smart, excellent doctor.
Oct 10, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Great I don’t like the fact we don’t have many Doctors..My Michigan is not the best and if they are so good where are the Doctors? Not happy with them…I say get Doctors..I want out of this area !!!! No Doctors is horrid..
Oct 9, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Riverside Medical and John Ockenfels has provided my GP medical care for years as well as my parents. I highly recommend them. Unfortunately Dr Ockenfels is retiring this year. I do trust there will be an adequate doctor to replace him.
Oct 9, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Everyone loves all of the doctors at heritage. It has been the best office. I am very concerned that every doctor gas left as Dr Ockenfels is the last one and he is leaving. I will have to find an other doctor. Will try St ignace and petoskey. But I really do not want to leave.
Oct 9, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr Ockenfels is always amazing! Very caring. Highly recommend
Oct 8, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
I was very disappointed to learn he was retiring. It seems to me that My Michigan has caused many doctors in our area to leave
Oct 8, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Its sad to hear Dr. Ockenfels is retiring. My two children and myself have been seeing Dr. Ockenfels’s since they were born ([ ] years). He knows our family like no other doctor.
Oct 7, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
We are deeply grateful for Dr.Ockenfels and we wish him all the best in his retirement. He has certainly earned it. He has saved my life three times and he has given us his cell phone number so we can reach him in emergencies. Twice in this past year, I have had to contact him on weekends. They don't make doctors like him anymore. I can't say enough good things about Dr.Ockenfels. God bless him!
Oct 7, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
He is an Excellent Dr and is going to really be missed after retirement
Oct 7, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Best dr. I could ever ask/hope for
Oct 7, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
The best
Oct 5, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr O is the best if the best!!!
Sep 30, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
He is a wonderful Doctor. He listens patiently and answers all questions. He is respectful and tries to accommodate to my needs. We need more doctors like him, willing to help as much as they can as soon as possible.
Sep 30, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Im going to miss you Dr. Ockenfels. Truly one of a kind, and the best in the business.
Sep 30, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Very thorough and listens to concerns, orders any necessary testing and updates in an appropriate timeframe. Very patient with young children.
Sep 30, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr. O. Is great and is retiring. I will miss him and his expertise immensely, and wish him well in his new adventures.
Sep 30, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Always patient and understanding, he listens to all our concerns and updates quickly about results. We love doctor ockenfels!
Sep 30, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr. Ockenfels is an amazing doctor and great at what he does. He goes above and beyond to help.
Sep 28, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr. O is the first doctor in [AGE] years thar heard me and helped me. Dr. O has exceeded my expectations. A true caring bedside manor and so knowledgeable. Thank you for giving our community such a good man. When Dr. O retires, I hope he is replaced with another quality doctor that will stay in our area. Thank you
Sep 28, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
I would tell them that he is the best and he is the one to see along with his staff. I will definitely miss him. I wish him the best with his retirement. Thanks for everything you have done.
Sep 24, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
He’s the Best Doctor i have ever had!! Always listens to me an Always makes me feel like he Really Cares about Me! I Am Going to Miss Him So Much!!😢😢
Sep 23, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Amazing RESOURCE for our community. I'm Very sorry that he's leaving his position here. We've counted on him for our healthcare for 40 years and the outcomes have been spectacular, considering our circumstances.
Sep 20, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
The best.
Sep 19, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
I am a healthier person physically, mentally and in my soul since becoming Dr Ockenfels patient. He is excellent at diagnosing problems and identifying the best treatment options. Easy to talk to, he listens showing empathy and compassion which allows me to feel respected and valued as a person. Dr O will be a tremendous loss to the community health care system once he retires, but I wish him well for a long successful and happy retirement.
Sep 19, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr Ockenfels and Nurse Connie are fantastic. Front office staff was much nicer on this visit than past visits, but its always different people. Trying to call is impossible, no one answers.
Sep 19, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Excellent
Sep 19, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr. O has been the kindest, most knowledgeable doctor I have ever met. He listens, he has solutions to whatever bothers me. It is unfortunate that he is retiring in December , I will be going to Petoskey to get my health care in the future. I feel that My Michigan has been to rather unfair with their doctors and want no part in this organization. Without Dr. O, there is no reason for me to doctor in the Sault.
Sep 17, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Excellent
Sep 16, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr. Ockenfels has been my doctor for 30 years, he is the provider for 4 generations of my family & I have total faith in him as my doctor & friend. Dr. O has seen me through a lot of my health issues…..He calls me back when I need to talk to him & I am heartbroken that he’s retiring soon, he’s a gem in the rough. His nursing staff are great people & always professional & courteous. We need more doctors like him in this area. I will miss him.
Sep 12, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr. O is retiring in December, he will be oh so missed. This man has helped me through thick and thin . I have so much respect for him
Sep 11, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Hes probably the best dr in the UP and ive had alot of dr
Sep 10, 2026
He has been my Doctor for many years. I am very sad that he is retiring. It will be very hard to replace him.
Sep 10, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
It is very hard to get an appointment with him.
Sep 6, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
He has been our family physician for years. A lot of “special care” goes into our care.He has been as helpful as possible. Hate to see him retire.
Sep 4, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Excellent through doctor who listens and really knows his stuff amazing doctor with kindness that is never ending
Sep 3, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr Ockenfels has been our family doctor for over 30 years. He delivered our third son and he has been our doctor since then. He has fixed broken bones and sewed plenty of stitches for my sons and me. He has literally saved my life. I would recommend him to anyone but he has announced his retirement. Our family will miss him
Sep 3, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Very thorough very helpful always taking time to explain things. Tell me what I need what I don’t need excellent.
Sep 2, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr. Ockenfels is a superlative care provider, thorough and extremely professional. Would highly recommend him to all.
Sep 1, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
That he is very good and I recommended him to my husband to come and see him too.
Aug 31, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr. O always takes time to really listen to your concerns. I never feel rushed.
Aug 31, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Dr. Ockenfels is the best and I’m really sad he is retiring. No one knows me like he does and I don’t want to start over with someone and have to get them to understand me and that I know what my body does and what meds I need and work!
Aug 31, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
He is outstanding
Aug 29, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
He's a smart and caring man
Aug 27, 2026
What would you tell family and friends about your experience with this provider?
Doctor Ockenfels has been my primary care doctor for many years, he cares, he explains, and he has brought my husband and I through a lot of really bad health issues, my husband has since passed away, but Doctor Ockenfels continues to take very good care of me, and stays on top of all my medical problems. I’m [AGE] years old, and in all that time Doctor Ockenfels has been the best doctor that I have ever had, he has all my faith and respect.