
Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adult 18-64
- Older Adult 65+
Languages
- English
Gender
MaleAffiliations
- Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital
- Corewell Health Reed City Hospital
- Corewell Health Greenville Hospital
About James A Thiel
About the Provider
Dr. Thiel is board certified in orthopedic surgery and earned his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency through Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Lansing. Dr. Thiel then completed another year of specialized training in orthopedic sports medicine with 3B Orthopedics and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. During his fellowship, Dr. Thiel served as team physician for West Chester University athletics and most recently served as team physician for the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League. Dr. Thiel’s clinical interests include general orthopedics and sports medicine.
Locations
- Corewell Health Greenville Hospital Multispecialty Center - 707 S Greenville West Dr
- 707 South Greenville West Drive, Greenville, MI 48838
- Get Directions
- phone: 616-754-3001
- fax: 616-754-3828
- Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital Orthopedics - 705 Oak St
- 705 Oak Street, Unit 11, Big Rapids, MI 49307
- Get Directions
- phone: 231-592-1002
- fax: 231-305-3093
Experience
Education
- Fellowship: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Sports Medicine, 2012
- Residency: McLaren Health Care/Greater Lansing/MSU, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2011
- Internship: McLaren Health Care/Greater Lansing/MSU, Transitional Year, 2007
- Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), 2006
Board Certifications
- Orthopedic Surgery: American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery, 2016
Insurance
- Aetna/Cofinity
- Align Senior Care MI
- BCBS Medicare Advantage Plus Blue
- BCBS PPO
- BCBS Traditional
- Blue Care Network
- Blue Care Network Medicare Advantage
- Blue Cross Complete
- Cigna
- Coventry First Health
- Department of Labor
- HAP/ASR
- Humana Medicare Advantage
- Humana Military (Tricare East)
- McLaren Commercial
- McLaren Medicaid
- McLaren Medicare Advantage
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Meridian AmBetter
- Meridian Complete (MI Health LINK) Dual Eligible
- Meridian Medicaid
- Molina Medicaid/MiChild/Marketplace (Health Plus)
- Molina Medicare
- Priority Health Choice Medicaid
- Priority Health HMO/PPO
- Priority Health Medicare Advantage
- Trinity Health Plan of MI
- UHC/Optum (VA Community Care Network)
- UM Health Plan
- United Health Care Commercial
- United Health Care Community Plan (Medicaid)
- United Health Care Dual Complete
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
191 ratings, 71 reviewsCorewell Health is committed to delivering high-quality and compassionate care. These ratings and reviews are transparent patient feedback collected via survey following a provider care experience that asks patients and families about the care they received.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/21/2026
He went above and beyond with coordinating my care. He wanted to operate on my wrist but I was found to be in Afib and he communicated several times with my PCP to give me the best care possible in the situation.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/21/2026
He's a great Dr. And I would refer him to anyone
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/19/2026
Caring, compassionate and listens.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/7/2026
Very nice doctor I was treated very well. He was very thorough and explaining on my procedure on what I’m gonna be going through I would recommend them to anybody.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/3/2026
Very thorough and explained everything in great detail!! He made me feel heard!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/29/2026
Dr. Thiel is the most compassionate, caring, knowledgeable surgeon I have ever known. I trust him with my life. Dr. Thiel performed R shoulder surgery on me and gave me my life back. After a year of pain (extreme pain) prior to surgery. I am now pain free because of Dr. Thiel’s knowledge and multiple procedures in one surgery. He is by far a God send to me and I would not go anywhere else for my Orthopedic needs!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/29/2026
He did not rush
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/17/2026
He has different options for treatment. Not just a cookie cutter idea.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/15/2026
I like his thorough direct approach.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/15/2026
Seems very knowledgeable and listened to me. Very happy with him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/10/2026
Excellent, talented, genuinely concerned and very confident of his ability to provide care for me
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/21/2025
Dr. Thiel is very friendly and explains the procedures in an easy way to understand.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/19/2025
He listened to my concerns, reviewed what he saw and gave me all options for future with detailed explanations and potential costs to me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/18/2025
We appreciated his thorough care and expertise.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/18/2025
He explained things very well and very comfortable to talk to.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/11/2025
Very professional, personable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/6/2025
Very knowledgeable, caring, and friendly
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/27/2025
showed great concern , and listened to my details of pain, and insurance concerns
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/24/2025
Explaining every step, and professional
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/24/2025
Very nice Doctor very good and explained everything to me
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/21/2025
Made me feel at ease while injecting me with a cortisone shot.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/18/2025
Very pleased with my interaction with Dr Thiel.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/8/2025
I not only trust James with my life and well being but I feel as though I have a friend who truly cares about me
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/7/2025
He is good at what he does!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/4/2025
He took his time explaining things to me, before and after surgery. I appreciated their kindness and their efficiency .
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/17/2025
Very professional and sure of himself
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/9/2025
He knows his field. I can trust his medical advice.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/5/2025
If Dr. Theil said he needed to do open heart surgery on me I’d let him. I have complete trust in Dr. Theil!
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/2/2025
Too soon to add anything I believe he is good at his profession
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/26/2025
He is very thero with his exams, Explains things that can be understood.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/10/2025
He explains problems and solutions in simple terms
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/30/2025
Dr. Theil is very knowledgeable and can share that knowledge in a way that we can understand. He is appreciative of our flexibility if need to travel to other office, explains things very well, and appointments are on time.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/14/2025
Dr. Was very courteous and clear. Took time to show and explain X-rays, even though I couldn’t really see anything but, I’m not trained in this field.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/11/2025
He explained everything, and all my options. He made sure I understood all that he explained
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/1/2025
Explained things well. Showing your progress with the xray and explaining what you are seeing.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/31/2025
I am very happy he has had my care, I wouldn’t want to have to go anywhere else
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/24/2025
All went well
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/7/2025
He’s awesome
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/27/2025
Outstanding surgeon!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/26/2025
Welcoming, took time to explain everything to me.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/16/2025
This was the second time I had to have CTS. He was much more relaxed once he knew me. This is good. I trust him with my hands.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/3/2025
I like Dr. Thiel he is friendly and knowledgeable, he answer all the questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/3/2025
He is amazing.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/29/2025
Awesome dr planning on using him and the office for all of the things related to my knees
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/22/2025
Super nice doctor, Very caring and informative
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/20/2025
Thank you for your help 🙏🙏🙏
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/13/2025
Explains things well, does not seem like he is in a rush.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/3/2025
Dr. Thiel is very thorough! He took the time to make sure my needs were met!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/2/2025
Seems to be very knowledgeable, friendly.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/29/2025
Very professional!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/26/2025
Very thoughtful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/24/2025
Honest
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/24/2025
Was very thorough
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/23/2025
He is an excellent Dr. And I am glad I am under his care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/14/2025
Explained really well
- 2 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/1/2025
I don’t few as if he listens to me or cares what I think.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/13/2025
My overall experience was 100% great. I don’t have any complaints. The doctors nurses. Everybody was very nice. Explain things to me so I could understand that very respectful and thorough with everything and the surgery was very successful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/6/2025
I would not hesitate to see Dr. Thiel for any issues that may arise.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/2/2025
The best care I have had
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/24/2025
Wonderful!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/22/2025
Good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/18/2025
Personable, professional, thorough.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/10/2025
Felt like I was left in the ðàrk for to long.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/5/2025
I am still a patient and the doctor is troubleshooting everything he can to get me back on my feet
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/22/2025
Just waiting so long after I was in exam room.. not a good experience
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/17/2025
Awesome thanks for everything!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/15/2025
My doctor addressed a new problem and I received an unscheduled injection within a few minutes and was on my way
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/10/2025
Staff members are good listeners. And Dr. Thiel is the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/10/2025
Dr Thiel did a great job repairing my damaged shoulder and I was very impressed with him and his staff
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/9/2025
Both Dr. Thiel and his assistant were helpful and easy to communicate with.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/9/2025
Very nice and respectful