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 co

mmunity 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

Team BJC was proud to "walk the walk" in support of American Heart Association this past weekend. ❤️👟Members from across...
06/02/2026

Team BJC was proud to "walk the walk" in support of American Heart Association this past weekend. ❤️👟

Members from across BJC Health showed up to celebrate survivors of heart disease and stroke, and raise money for lifesaving research.

It's an honor to be able to show up for the health of our communities in our hospitals and beyond.

05/29/2026

There was a time when Crystal couldn't do the simplest things without help—combing her hair, folding laundry, or picking up groceries.

Multiple strokes had stolen her independence.

Her right hand was too weak to grip. Her balance was thrown off. Her speech was no longer fluid. For years, she fought to get it back. Even as progress slowed to a standstill, she never stopped telling herself: "I can do it."

With an advanced neurotherapy option offered from WashU Medicine Physicians at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Crystal finally broke through that standstill and is now doing things she once feared were gone forever.

Watch Crystal’s story below ⬇️

WashU Medicine
WashU Medicine Orthopedics
WashU Medicine Neurology

After multiple strokes, Crystal was told she had likely reached the limit of her recovery. She refused to let that be th...
05/28/2026

After multiple strokes, Crystal was told she had likely reached the limit of her recovery. She refused to let that be the end of her story.

“Somebody had to help me do everything,” she says.

Her right arm and hand lost strength and dexterity. Her balance was affected. Even her speech became less fluid. For years, she pushed forward through therapy, doing everything she could to regain strength and mobility. But like many stroke survivors, her progress eventually slowed.

Still, Crystal never gave up. When her physicians at Barnes-Jewish Hospital offered a new approach, she was eager to try.

WashU Medicine specialists use advanced neurorehabilitation technologies—including vagus nerve stimulation paired with intensive rehabilitation, and IpsiHand®, a brain-computer interface therapy—to help rewrite what recovery can look like for chronic stroke survivors.

“When we combine this therapy with targeted rehab, it allows patients to move beyond what was once considered a plateau,” says Alexandre Carter, MD, a WashU Medicine neurologist specializing in neurorehabilitation at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Crystal began noticing changes in everyday moments. Tasks that once felt frustrating or impossible started to come back.

Folding clothes. Cooking. Cleaning. Walking with a cup of water without spilling it.

“I can do that. I couldn’t do that before,” she says.

Her arm could lift higher. Her grip became stronger. She could grasp and release objects on her own again. She even found herself doing something she once thought she might never do again: jumping rope.

For Crystal, her progress added up to greater independence—and a renewed sense of what’s possible. Now, Crystal hopes her story encourages other stroke survivors not to give up—and to explore what might still be possible in their recovery.

“I did it,” she says. “And you can do it, too.”

Read Crystal’s full story and learn how WashU Medicine Physicians are helping patients move beyond what was once considered a plateau:
https://heyor.ca/iE2raO

WashU Medicine Orthopedics
WashU Medicine Neurology

Everyone’s shoulders are unique. Shouldn't their surgery be? Traditional implants aren't enough when bone is lost or joi...
05/26/2026

Everyone’s shoulders are unique. Shouldn't their surgery be? Traditional implants aren't enough when bone is lost or joints are complex. Patients need a lasting solution engineered just for them.

“With 3D printing, we can now create implants that are designed to fit a person’s unique shoulder structure,” WashU Medicine orthopedic surgeon Jay Keener, MD, explains. “This gives us a way to help patients who might not have had any other options before.”

As part of one of the top orthopedic programs in the country, Dr. Keener and the team at Barnes-Jewish Hospital are advancing personalized shoulder replacement surgery. They leverage extensive experience and the latest technology to handle even the most complex cases.

Our new standard of care produces better outcomes—getting patients back to the activities they love with less pain and longer-lasting results. These results are driven by the surgical team's expertise in utilizing these key advancements:

🎯 Precision planning: 3D software maps the procedure more precisely than ever before, ensuring the implant is placed exactly where it needs to go.

✨ Pyrocarbon—engineered for longevity: For less wear and smoother movement, implants made with this leading-edge material are gentler on surrounding bone and built to keep up with the most active patients.

⚙️ Custom solutions for complex cases: Even patients with significant bone loss or failed prior replacements can find hope with custom-made, 3D-printed implants tailored to their anatomy.

"We have the technology and experience,” Dr. Keener says, “but most importantly, we have a commitment to doing what is best for each patient, and that is what drives all of this forward.”

Discover how this fusion of technology and expertise is helping patients regain stability, confidence, and move with ease: https://heyor.ca/PSZCeO

WashU Medicine Physicians

This EMS Week, we recognize the EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and emergency medical professionals who show up every day...
05/23/2026

This EMS Week, we recognize the EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and emergency medical professionals who show up every day with skill, compassion, and calm in life’s most critical moments. From emergency scenes and ambulance rides to hospital handoffs and patient support, their work makes a difference for patients, families, and communities across the region.

To all EMS professionals: Thank you for the care you provide, the sacrifices you make, and the steady presence you bring when people need it most. Happy EMS Week! 🚑💙

One year after the May 16 tornado impacted the St. Louis region, our community continues to show what it means to stand ...
05/22/2026

One year after the May 16 tornado impacted the St. Louis region, our community continues to show what it means to stand together. This past weekend, BJC Health employees led by the BJC Community Health Improvement team honored the anniversary through service, volunteering at the Urban League (ULSTL) food drive, assisting with continued storm cleanup efforts, and participating in additional acts of support across the community.

“In the year since the tornado, we’ve witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of support—from our employees, our partners, and the people who call our region home,” said Deidre Griffith, vice president of BJC Health’s Community Health Improvement. “Recovery is not a moment, but a long-term commitment.”

That spirit of commitment continues to guide the work happening across St. Louis. From neighborhood cleanup efforts to volunteer outreach and community partnerships, we are proud to stand alongside our region as recovery continues together.

Learn more about BJC Health tornado recovery efforts and how you can help: https://heyor.ca/h9o2sb

“Stroke is extremely common and really disabling—but most strokes can be prevented.” That’s the message Christopher Ray,...
05/22/2026

“Stroke is extremely common and really disabling—but most strokes can be prevented.”

That’s the message Christopher Ray, MD, a WashU Medicine neurologist who cares for stroke survivors, wants more people to hear.

Nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. experience a stroke each year. Survivors face a higher risk of another one, which makes prevention even more critical after a first stroke. Dr. Ray works closely with his patients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital to identify what caused their stroke and to develop a personalized plan to reduce future risk.

Prevention after a stroke usually involves several approaches working together. Depending on the cause, medications may be used to help prevent clots or blockages. Many patients also benefit from structured rehabilitation programs that combine exercise with education and counseling, along with ongoing management of key risk factors.

“Up to 80% of strokes may be prevented by managing blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and heart rhythm issues—and by making healthy lifestyle choices,” Dr. Ray explains. “Aerobic exercise is one of the most important things people can do to lower their stroke risk.”

Prevention matters, but so does recognizing the signs of a stroke. The most common are identified in the acronym BE FAST:

B – Balance loss
E – Eye or vision changes
F – Facial drooping
A – Arm or leg weakness
S – Speech difficulty
T – Time to call 911

“Most stroke doctors have seen strokes across the entire age spectrum,” Dr. Ray shares. “That’s why everyone—not just older adults—needs to know the signs.”

If symptoms appear, call 911 right away. “Calling 911 allows paramedics to begin care immediately and alerts the hospital’s stroke team before the patient arrives,” Dr. Ray says.

For Dr. Ray, awareness is crucial—because strokes that aren’t prevented or treated quickly can change a life in an instant.

“Living a healthy lifestyle, seeing your doctor regularly, and knowing when to call 911 can make a real difference,” he says. “When symptoms show, don’t wait.”

Take the first step in stroke prevention and learn your stroke risk:
https://heyor.ca/D6hu4T

We’re excited to welcome Tiffany Hostert, FNP, to BJC Medical Group Primary Care at Shiloh – Suite 230.Tiffany was inspi...
05/21/2026

We’re excited to welcome Tiffany Hostert, FNP, to BJC Medical Group Primary Care at Shiloh – Suite 230.

Tiffany was inspired to pursue a career in health care while visiting her grandfather at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and watching the nurses who cared for him. That experience stayed with her and led her to begin her career as a technician in the Emergency Department at Christian Hospital—and, as she says, “the rest is history.”

After several years in emergency medicine, including travel nursing across New Mexico, Texas, and Tennessee, Tiffany returned home to Southern Illinois and took the next step in her career by becoming a nurse practitioner. She soon found her place in family medicine. While she loved her time in the Emergency Department, she was drawn to something different—the chance to build relationships and be there for patients over time, not just in the moment.

That connection is what keeps her coming back. Tiffany enjoys partnering with patients and working through challenges together. “Being healthy isn’t easy,” she says, “and it takes work from both the provider and the patient.” She values that shared effort—and the progress that comes from sticking with it.

And when that progress shows up, she doesn’t hide how she feels about it. “I literally jump for joy when a patient takes their A1c from 10 to 5,” she says. Whether it’s improving numbers, managing symptoms, or simply helping someone feel better day to day, she celebrates those wins right alongside her patients. Just as important are the moments when someone feels heard and understood—when a conversation alone can make a difference.

Tiffany provides primary care for patients of all ages, offering preventive services, wellness exams, and care for both acute and chronic conditions. She has a special interest in treating diabetes, hypertension, obesity, depression, and anxiety, and works closely with patients to create care plans that fit their lives and support long-term health.

Outside of work, Tiffany enjoys her two favorite “R’s”: reading and running. She’s an avid reader—especially romantasy and thrillers—and grew up loving Harry Potter. She also enjoys running long distances (at her own pace) and spending time with her husband, their two dogs, and their young son.

Learn more about Tiffany and schedule your appointment online: https://heyor.ca/3yDH6w

Monica thought she was about to have a panic attack. That afternoon, she was in the garage talking to her boyfriend, Jos...
05/21/2026

Monica thought she was about to have a panic attack.

That afternoon, she was in the garage talking to her boyfriend, Josh, and stepson, Owen, when a strange sensation rushed over her. Living with generalized anxiety disorder, Monica assumed it explained what she was feeling.

Seconds later, her right arm went numb, and her face began to droop. This wasn’t a panic attack—something much worse was happening.

“Owen yelled, ‘Dad, she’s having a stroke! Call 911,” Monica remembers.

Monica was taken to Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, a certified Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, where imaging confirmed a stroke caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to her brain. Less than an hour after she arrived at the hospital, Monica received tenecteplase (TNK), a clot-busting medication used for ischemic strokes.

As the medication took effect, Monica’s symptoms began to ease, and she started to feel more like herself. She was cleared to go home two days later and returned to work the following week, with no lingering physical effects from the stroke.

Monica is thankful for how quickly her family and care team responded.

Recognizing stroke symptoms quickly helps protect against long‑term effects. If treated within an hour of stroke, patients are significantly more likely to recover with little to no deficits.

“I remember the EMTs letting us know that it’s very important when stroke signs and symptoms begin to appear that you don’t put the person in the car or go to urgent care,” Monica shares. “They might not have the TNK shot.”

Today, Monica lives with a deeper appreciation of how suddenly a stroke can happen—and how crucial it is to know the signs. “Seek help immediately if you notice any of the symptoms,” Monica says. Every minute matters.

One morning, just a month after retiring from medicine, neurologist Dr. Michael Hatleid began losing his balance and fal...
05/20/2026

One morning, just a month after retiring from medicine, neurologist Dr. Michael Hatleid began losing his balance and falling into the furniture. He recognized the signs of stroke immediately and asked his wife to call 911. He was taken to Missouri Baptist Medical Center—the same hospital where he had spent decades caring for stroke patients.

After guiding countless others through recovery, Dr. Hatleid suddenly had to navigate life as a stroke survivor himself. His stroke left him with mild slurring of speech and lasting coordination deficits on his left side.

“I still have to be careful going up and down stairs with my left leg,” he shares.

That experience deepened Dr. Hatleid’s perspective on stroke survivorship and recovery as something that unfolds over months and even years.

“Recovery from a stroke is significantly impacted by the will of the patient,” Dr. Hatleid said. “It can become boring, but it’s incredibly important to keep working with speech, physical, and occupational therapy.”

Just as important, he says, is not doing that work alone.

“A stroke impacts not only the patient, but the family as well,” Dr. Hatleid said. “Patients and families need to work together with therapists and support systems to continue moving forward.”

That’s why Dr. Hatleid is such a strong advocate for stroke support groups. Through his own recovery, he’s seen how powerful it can be to connect with others who understand the challenges of survivorship firsthand.

“When a patient or family goes to a stroke survivorship meeting,” he said, “they realize that they are not alone.”

Whether you’re a stroke survivor or taking care of a loved one, we invite you to join a BJC stroke support group to connect and heal with others who understand what you’re going through: https://heyor.ca/2jaLyw

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4901 Forest Park Avenue
St. Louis, MO
63108

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