BJC HealthCare

BJC HealthCare We treat your health like it’s the most important thing in the world. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions.
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Find everyday care and the most advanced treatments at nationally ranked and community hospitals: www.bjc.org BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. With net revenue of more than $4 billion, BJC serves urban, suburban and rural communities and includes 15 hospitals and multiple community health locations. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice. BJC HealthCare Physician Referral
Phone: (314) 747-9322
Web: https://doctors.bjc.org/wlp2/bjc/doctors/search

𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲. Today, on National Doctors’ Day, w...
03/30/2026

𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲. Today, on National Doctors’ Day, we honor the hands that heal, the hearts that carry our community’s health, and the minds that never stop seeking better medicine. Your impact is felt far beyond our hospital walls—in the hope you restore, the lives you save, and the loved ones who return to their families.

Our promise is kept in the daily commitment of our doctors. It is a calling defined by quiet, personal sacrifice: the missed dinners, the long nights at the bedside, and a responsibility that doesn’t end when the shift does. We recognize the physicians who show up, who become the steady anchor a family needs, and who offer a reassuring presence that says: “We are in this together.”

To our physician partners: Thank you for the expertise you bring, the sacrifices you make, and the humanity you offer every person in your care.

𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀. We invite you to take a moment to thank a doctor in the comments and let them know the difference they have made in your life.

"I became a doctor to help people in need—and in gastroenterology, that means preventing colon cancer,” says Mei Huang, ...
03/27/2026

"I became a doctor to help people in need—and in gastroenterology, that means preventing colon cancer,” says Mei Huang, MD, PhD, a BJC Medical Group gastroenterologist.

This Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Huang is here to debunk two dangerous myths: that you only need a screening if you are experiencing symptoms and that colon cancer primarily affects men. As a specialist in women’s GI health, she wants women to know they are nearly just as likely as men to develop the disease.

Because early-stage colorectal cancer often has no symptoms, a colonoscopy is the only tool that allows doctors to find and remove precancerous polyps before they have a chance to progress.

"It is very important that we catch it early, before symptoms develop," Dr. Huang says. "This is especially true as we have seen a rise in early-onset colorectal cancer in recent years. That is why the recommended screening age has been lowered to 45."

If you are nervous about the procedure, Dr. Huang is here to listen. “It’s my job to help patients navigate their anxiety and fear,” she says. “To me, every colonoscopy is a unique opportunity to protect a patient’s future.”

If you are 45 or older, take control of your health, and request an appointment for your colonoscopy today: bjc.org/colonoscopy

There is no better wake-up call than a high-five and a smile! BJC nurses joined the "High-Five Friday" tradition at Gle...
03/27/2026

There is no better wake-up call than a high-five and a smile!

BJC nurses joined the "High-Five Friday" tradition at Glen Carbon Elementary earlier this month for a morning of high-energy hand slaps.

Watch the video from KTVI-FOX 2 to catch the smiles in action: https://heyor.ca/AqmrOQ

What if the key to healing your chronic muscle or joint pain was already inside you? For years, Robert lived with a cons...
03/26/2026

What if the key to healing your chronic muscle or joint pain was already inside you?

For years, Robert lived with a constant, grinding pain in his hips. It was so severe that he struggled to sit comfortably or bend down to tie his shoes. As a devoted St. Louis sports fan, the pain kept him out of the stadium and away from the games he loved. Worse? He didn't even know what was causing it.

A breakthrough finally came when an ultrasound revealed the hidden culprit: tears in the tendons of both hips.

To get moving again, Robert met with Michael Messmer, DO, a BJC Medical Group sports medicine physician at Alton Memorial Hospital, who proposed a relatively new kind of treatment: PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy. By using a concentrated boost of Robert’s own platelets injected into his injured muscles, Dr. Messmer "restarted" his body’s own repair process to heal the damage.

“I was nervous at first because I had never heard of this,” Robert says. “But Dr. Messmer explained everything and reassured me this could help.”

That reassurance led to a total transformation. The procedure took minutes, and within a week, Robert was pain-free.

From struggling to walk to now climbing stadium stairs, see how PRP treatment got this St. Louis sports fan back into the game: https://heyor.ca/EdehO6

“Be curious, not judgmental.” Some TV fans may recognize this phrase as a quote from “Ted Lasso,” but for nurse practiti...
03/24/2026

“Be curious, not judgmental.” Some TV fans may recognize this phrase as a quote from “Ted Lasso,” but for nurse practitioner Andy Files, FNP, ENP, it has become a guiding principle, one that has influenced his career path and approach to patient care at Parkland Health Center.

Growing up, his fascination with the medical field was inspired by his mother, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse. “I was always interested in listening to her stories about caring for patients and the respect she received for the work she did,” he shared.

Once he entered nursing, Andy’s desire for new experiences and knowledge led him to pursue a wide range of assignments, including the Emergency Department, ICU, medical-surgical, swing bed rehabilitation, neonatal intensive care, and house supervision. After becoming a nurse practitioner, he spent nine years in family practice before transitioning to emergency medicine.

“I believe that each experience I have had—each interaction with patients and their families—has fueled my desire to grow and practice at the highest level,” he explained.

He has now worked in the Emergency Department for a decade, but the challenges and opportunities to learn never stop.

“Each day you come on shift, you are going to face a situation you have never faced before,” he said. “Those moments allow us to continue to evolve and become better at what we do.”

Outside of work, Andy relieves the pressures of emergency medicine by escaping into a new book or venturing out for a run. He has even completed two marathons—as he put it, “not fast, but finished.”

He also values time with his wife, Erin, whom he credits as a constant source of support and motivation, especially during challenging periods such as earning his emergency nurse practitioner certification during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working at Parkland Health Center is a source of pride for Andy, not only for the work he does, but also for the community he serves.

“I love that Parkland is constantly giving to the community,” he said. “As a provider who not only works but lives in this area, it makes me proud to be part of the team.”

We are excited to welcome Marion Dessalines, PA, a board-certified physician assistant, to BJC Medical Group Gastroenter...
03/20/2026

We are excited to welcome Marion Dessalines, PA, a board-certified physician assistant, to BJC Medical Group Gastroenterology at Edwardsville.

When Marion Dessalines moved from France to the United States seven years ago, she never could have expected that a simple health checkup would change the course of her career. In France, the "physician assistant" role doesn't exist—but after being treated by one for the first time, she knew she’d found her calling.

"Right there, I thought I needed to look into this more," Marion says. "I had dreamed of a profession that would mix investigation and problem-solving with real human connections, and now, several years later, I am a PA."

In the clinic, Marion is dedicated to partnering with her patients, taking the time to listen to their concerns, and making sure that they never feel lost in their care. "What motivates me is being able to help a patient truly understand their symptoms," she explains. "I love walking alongside them, guiding them on the pathway that leads to a clear treatment plan and, ultimately, a better life."

Marion specializes in care for adults 18 and older, managing everything from GERD and IBS to more complex conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and GI bleeding. Whether she is performing a colorectal cancer screening or an evaluation for swallowing difficulties, her goal is to provide the education and clarity her patients need to move forward with confidence.

When she isn’t in the office, Marion can be found traveling and exploring other cultures or enjoying a quiet movie night with her husband and her tuxedo cat, Yoshii.

Learn more about Marion and call to schedule your appointment: https://heyor.ca/fRIG1u

Gail has been a nurse for 32 years, spending the last 14 of those with the team at Memorial Hospital Belleville and Memo...
03/19/2026

Gail has been a nurse for 32 years, spending the last 14 of those with the team at Memorial Hospital Belleville and Memorial Hospital Shiloh. As a stroke program coordinator, she’s leading the charge to improve stroke care and education for staff, patients, and the community—just one of the many reasons we are proud to celebrate her as our most recent St. Louis Blues Hometown Hero!

In Gail’s work, 'time is brain.' During a stroke, every minute counts toward saving vital brain cells and improving a patient's outcome. She uses her decades of nursing experience to fine-tune how care teams work together, making sure everyone is ready to act the second a stroke patient needs us.

"Knowing our team’s collective knowledge, teamwork, and quick actions make a huge difference in our patients’ recovery is why we do what we do,” Gail says. “It continually drives us to make improvements that will help more stroke survivors live longer with more independent lives."

Outside of the hospital walls, Gail has a "contagious passion" for community health, and it shows. She’s on a personal mission to prove that strokes aren't just inevitable—they’re often preventable through lifestyle changes and simple check-ups. Whether she’s crunching data or out in the community teaching kids and adults how to spot the signs of a stroke, Gail is always looking out for her neighbors.

A past recipient of the Nursing Excellence Award, Gail is a true champion for the health of the Metro East. We are so honored to recognize the incredible work she does to improve care for those affected by stroke and her dedication to teaching her community all about prevention and treatment. 💙

For Jean S. Wang, MD, PhD, a WashU Medicine gastroenterologist who has served the St. Louis community for 17 years, the ...
03/18/2026

For Jean S. Wang, MD, PhD, a WashU Medicine gastroenterologist who has served the St. Louis community for 17 years, the most rewarding part of her work is found in the years added to her patients' lives.

"Seeing a patient grow old with their family because an early-stage cancer was detected and cured is why I do this work," says Dr. Wang. “It is a privilege to help patients through those vulnerable moments."

Dr. Wang is driven by the fact that colon cancer is one of the most preventable and curable cancers. A colonoscopy is the gold standard of available screenings because it is the only tool that allows doctors to both find and treat precancerous growths, called polyps, during the same procedure. By removing these polyps, specialists can effectively stop cancer before it even starts.

This Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Wang shares why a colonoscopy is your best line of defense against colorectal cancer:

Real-time Prevention: Unlike other tests that only look for signs of disease, a colonoscopy allows for the immediate removal of polyps. Catching these growths early significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates.

Advanced Technology: Over the last decade, endoscopy techniques have evolved significantly. Using high-definition scopes, specialists can now remove very large polyps and even early-stage cancers that would have required surgery in the past.

A Lower Age for Getting Started: Because colon cancer often has no symptoms in its earliest stages, the recommended age for your first screening has been lowered to 45. (If you are experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, you should consult with a specialist regardless of your age.)

Outside the clinic, Dr. Wang stays active with her family to keep her own digestive system healthy. Her best advice for long-term gut health is simple: "Starting at age 45, make sure you schedule your colonoscopy. It is the single most important step you can take to prevent colon cancer."

Are you 45 or older? Take a proactive step for your health—request an appointment for your colonoscopy today: bjc.org/colonoscopy

"Clinics and hospitals are not designed to solve all the problems facing people with epilepsy,” says Jonathan Williams, ...
03/18/2026

"Clinics and hospitals are not designed to solve all the problems facing people with epilepsy,” says Jonathan Williams, MD, a WashU Medicine neurologist and epilepsy specialist. “Life exists outside… in the real world."

Dr. Williams specializes in advanced surgical treatments for drug-resistant and cavernoma-related epilepsy and believes the greatest breakthroughs often begin when patients feel heard and empowered. He understands that for the 1 in 26 people facing this diagnosis, the "medical data" is only one part of the journey.

Dr. Williams is committed to bringing vital epilepsy education directly to our communities, helping families bridge the gap between complex clinical goals and their personal lives. By focusing on advocacy and partnership, he helps families move from a state of chaos toward a place of clarity.

Join us next week to learn how to fight for your health and find a life beyond seizures on Thursday, March 26 from 6–7:30 p.m. in the Christian Hospital Community Room (directly inside the main lobby).

Register now: https://heyor.ca/UbmLq7

For years, every step Barb took was a calculation—a battle against the burning pain of a bunion and a hammer toe. She al...
03/16/2026

For years, every step Barb took was a calculation—a battle against the burning pain of a bunion and a hammer toe. She almost resigned herself to living with the discomfort.

She knew she needed help, but she was paralyzed by a memory. Twenty years ago, she underwent surgery on both feet that resulted in a difficult recovery and lingering pain. Barb faced a hard choice: stay in pain, or risk a repeat of a disappointing surgery.

Barb finally reached her breaking point when the pain began to dictate her entire life, from how she traveled to the sports she loved. But this time, she didn't just walk into any surgeon’s office—she walked into one she already trusted. After watching BJC Medical Group orthopedic surgeon Ali Dalal, MD, treat her husband’s complex foot and ankle injuries, she knew he was different.

“He was professional, confident, and took the time to explain everything,” Barb says. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I knew I was in good hands.”

Barb went in for her surgery feeling hopeful, but she had no idea how successful the outcome would be. Thanks to Dr. Dalal’s advanced, individualized approach and recovery plan, she didn't experience the complications she feared. Instead, she regained her strength, improved her balance, and rebuilt her confidence with every step.

Today, she’s back on the pickleball court, playing golf, and traveling without a second thought. She isn't just pain-free; she’s reclaimed the life she had been missing out on.

“If someone is living with foot pain and afraid of surgery, I’d tell them not to wait,” Barb says. “Find a surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle care and takes the time to understand what’s right for you.”

Read Barb’s full story and discover how our orthopedic surgeons help restore confidence and mobility: https://heyor.ca/OOLtaJ

These little ones are officially ! ❤️ Join us in celebrating the newest members of the Lou, born on 3.14. St. Louis jus...
03/14/2026

These little ones are officially ! ❤️ Join us in celebrating the newest members of the Lou, born on 3.14. St. Louis just got a lot cuter!

Please always remember safe sleep practices. Babies should sleep on their backs, alone in a crib, with no loose blankets or toys. Thank you to our wonderful team for closely watching our babies during this photo session!

BJC HealthCare has officially opened its first BJC Outpatient Imaging location, expanding access to high-quality imaging...
03/13/2026

BJC HealthCare has officially opened its first BJC Outpatient Imaging location, expanding access to high-quality imaging services closer to home. 🎉

Now open at 1785 Clarkson Road, this new site offers shorter wait times, convenient scheduling, and a comfortable, community-based setting for patients who need imaging services.

Just like they would in the hospital, subspecialty-trained radiologists from WashU Medicine Radiology also interpret scans at this location, ensuring the same trusted expertise patients expect.

This expansion helps improve convenience, enhance access, and support continuity of care across our region. We're excited to continue growing access to care in the communities we serve!

Learn more: https://heyor.ca/cmC3IL

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4901 Forest Park Avenue
St. Louis, MO
63108

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