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James A Thiel

James A Thiel, DO

Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Accepting New Patients
Need help scheduling? Call (616) 754-3001

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Adult 18-64
  • Older Adult 65+

Languages

  • English

Gender

Male

Affiliations

  • 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

  1. Corewell Health Greenville Hospital Multispecialty Center - 707 S Greenville West Dr
    • phone: 616-754-3001
    • fax: 616-754-3828
  2. Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital Orthopedics - 705 Oak St
    • 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

Please contact the practice office to confirm your specific plan. If you have questions about paying for care or would like to speak to a financial counselor, please visit our financial assistance page.
Search plans
  • 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 reviews

Corewell 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.

Search reviews
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 2/21/2026

    He's a great Dr. And I would refer him to anyone

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/19/2026

    Caring, compassionate and listens.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 2/3/2026

    Very thorough and explained everything in great detail!! He made me feel heard!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 1/29/2026

    He did not rush

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/17/2026

    He has different options for treatment. Not just a cookie cutter idea.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/15/2026

    I like his thorough direct approach.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/15/2026

    Seems very knowledgeable and listened to me. Very happy with him.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/10/2026

    Excellent, talented, genuinely concerned and very confident of his ability to provide care for me

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/21/2025

    Dr. Thiel is very friendly and explains the procedures in an easy way to understand.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 12/18/2025

    We appreciated his thorough care and expertise.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/18/2025

    He explained things very well and very comfortable to talk to.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/11/2025

    Very professional, personable

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/6/2025

    Very knowledgeable, caring, and friendly

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/27/2025

    showed great concern , and listened to my details of pain, and insurance concerns

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/24/2025

    Explaining every step, and professional

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/24/2025

    Very nice Doctor very good and explained everything to me

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/21/2025

    Made me feel at ease while injecting me with a cortisone shot.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/18/2025

    Very pleased with my interaction with Dr Thiel.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 11/7/2025

    He is good at what he does!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 10/17/2025

    Very professional and sure of himself

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/9/2025

    He knows his field. I can trust his medical advice.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 10/2/2025

    Too soon to add anything I believe he is good at his profession

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/26/2025

    He is very thero with his exams, Explains things that can be understood.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/10/2025

    He explains problems and solutions in simple terms

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 8/11/2025

    He explained everything, and all my options. He made sure I understood all that he explained

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/1/2025

    Explained things well. Showing your progress with the xray and explaining what you are seeing.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 7/24/2025

    All went well

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/7/2025

    He’s awesome

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/27/2025

    Outstanding surgeon!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/26/2025

    Welcoming, took time to explain everything to me.

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 6/3/2025

    I like Dr. Thiel he is friendly and knowledgeable, he answer all the questions.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/3/2025

    He is amazing.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 5/22/2025

    Super nice doctor, Very caring and informative

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/20/2025

    Thank you for your help 🙏🙏🙏

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/13/2025

    Explains things well, does not seem like he is in a rush.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/3/2025

    Dr. Thiel is very thorough! He took the time to make sure my needs were met!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/2/2025

    Seems to be very knowledgeable, friendly.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/29/2025

    Very professional!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/26/2025

    Very thoughtful

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/24/2025

    Honest

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/24/2025

    Was very thorough

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/23/2025

    He is an excellent Dr. And I am glad I am under his care.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/14/2025

    Explained really well

    2 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/1/2025

    I don’t few as if he listens to me or cares what I think.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 3/6/2025

    I would not hesitate to see Dr. Thiel for any issues that may arise.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/2/2025

    The best care I have had

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/24/2025

    Wonderful!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/22/2025

    Good

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/18/2025

    Personable, professional, thorough.

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/10/2025

    Felt like I was left in the ðàrk for to long.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 1/22/2025

    Just waiting so long after I was in exam room.. not a good experience

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/17/2025

    Awesome thanks for everything!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 1/10/2025

    Staff members are good listeners. And Dr. Thiel is the best!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed 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 stars
    Reviewed on 1/9/2025

    Both Dr. Thiel and his assistant were helpful and easy to communicate with.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/9/2025

    Very nice and respectful