Barnes-Jewish Hospital

11/28/2025

Imagine a severe nerve injury stealing the use of your arm—suddenly unable to do everyday tasks, you might lose your independence or even your job. Brachial plexus injuries, often caused by high-impact trauma during major accidents, can stretch or tear nerves, leading to complete loss of movement and arm function.

At Barnes-Jewish Hospital, WashU Medicine hand surgeons David Brogan, MD, MSc, and Christopher Dy, MD, MPH, are rebuilding lives after brachial plexus damage through advanced surgical techniques and groundbreaking research. "This is a devastating injury—something very similar to a spinal cord injury—but isolated to the arm,” Dr. Dy says. “It affects a lot of people in the prime of their lives who are trying to support families."

Their work is at the leading edge of nerve care. Dr. Brogan's research focuses on the science of nerve regeneration. Meanwhile, Dr. Dy's research has quantified the staggering emotional and economic cost of this injury, fueling their commitment to comprehensive care.

This dual focus sets their program apart. While they offer highly specialized, advanced procedures that only a handful of surgeons in the Midwest perform, they recognize that surgery is only half the battle. As Dr. Brogan explains, "We focus on both the medical side and personal side of care, treating the whole person and not just the condition."

Discover how Dr. Brogan, Dr. Dy, and the multidisciplinary team are helping patients regain function, confidence, and hope: https://heyor.ca/eHDYz6

WashU Medicine Physicians

At Barnes-Jewish Hospital, two WashU Medicine physicians, David Brogan, MD, MSc, and Christopher Dy, MD, MPH, are working on new ways to treat brachial plexus damage, a serious nerve injury. These often occur after major accidents, such as car crashes, and can have a big impact on a person’s abili...

11/26/2025

This week, we celebrated an extraordinary milestone for the WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Transplant Center.

Since performing our first transplant in 1963, our team has now completed 14,000 organ transplants—14,033 as of yesterday, to be exact.

Celebrating this moment during Thanksgiving week adds an even deeper sense of reflection and gratitude. Each transplant represents a future returned—more holidays with the family, more birthdays, more anniversaries, more weddings, and more moments that matter. It represents a second chance at life.

And none of this is possible without the profound generosity of organ donors and their families. In the midst of their own pain, they choose to give hope to someone else. Their selflessness is the foundation of every life changed through our program.

To our incredible multidisciplinary team—surgeons, nurses, coordinators, social workers, pharmacists, transplant medicine specialists, operating room teams, administrative staff, donor and procurement partners, and everyone who supports these patients along the way—thank you. Your decades of dedication have made our program what it is today and continue to shape the future of transplant care.

And to the donors and donor families who make this work possible: Your gift is immeasurable.

Here’s to 14,000 lives transformed—and to the countless memories still to come.

WashU Medicine Physicians

11/24/2025

For WashU Medicine neonatologist Bryanne Colvin, MD, safe sleep is deeply personal. Early in her career, two babies tragically passed away at home from sleep-related infant death—babies she had just cared for in the NICU. This heartbreak drives her lifelong mission to ensure every family knows how to make safe sleep decisions at home.

In addition to her role as a caregiver, Dr. Colvin participates in research that impacts how safe sleep education is taught at our hospitals. By talking with parents to understand their real-world experiences, she helps improve the guidance we provide to be more effective, enabling parents to better establish safe sleep habits.

The need for this improved education is underscored by statewide data. The Missouri Child Fatality Review Program (CFRP) reveals the dangers of co-sleeping: In 2022, 64% of all sleep-related infant deaths in the state occurred in an adult bed. This concerning statistic drives her most urgent plea: Babies must sleep alone. Whether in a crib, bassinet, or pack and play for the night—a flat, firm surface that is their own sleep space is essential.

For new parents, Dr. Colvin emphasizes always following the ABCs of safe sleep:

𝗔 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲: Your baby should sleep alone in their own safe space. Keep soft objects, crib bumpers, toys, and loose bedding out of the crib.
𝗕 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, both for naps and at night.
𝗖 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗯: Babies should never sleep on a sofa, armchair, couch, or in an adult’s bed.

Dr. Colvin understands the challenges new parents face, especially when dealing with exhaustion. "You've got this," she says. "You are definitely going to be tired, but keep going one day at a time."

WashU Medicine Physicians

11/21/2025

Imagine fighting a disease that hides itself—an "invisible cloak" making it incredibly hard to find—until it's too late. That's often the reality for patients diagnosed with pancreatic and stomach cancers.

For these awful diseases, diagnosis commonly occurs in the advanced stages, when treatment options may be limited and outcomes are poor. By the time most patients know they have it, the chance for recovery has virtually vanished.

To fight this heartbreaking reality, our community stepped up. The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital recently raised $2 million to launch PREVENT, a new program at Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine. This powerful collaboration is dedicated to solving the problem of late-stage diagnosis for these cancers.

This investment brings together a super team of researchers and physicians, pooling multimillion-dollar resources and leading-edge technology. PREVENT is more than research—it has the power to give patients back their options by:

🧠 Attracting the Best: Funding fellowships to bring the brightest minds to our research teams, allowing gastric and pancreatic researchers to collaborate, working side-by-side.

🔬 Finding Cancer Earlier: Developing brand new diagnostic tools to finally pierce the "invisible cloak" and catch pancreatic and stomach cancer at the earliest, most curable stage.

📈 Expanding Resources: Like the Tissue and BioBank, which allows researchers to better understand these cancers and test new precision treatments.

This partnership is fundamental to speeding up life-saving discoveries through research, which in turn advances patient care. “With our world-class team of experts, we are uniquely positioned to identify and propel the most promising ideas, ensuring that they swiftly translate into real-world benefits for patients,” says Matthew Ciorba, MD, director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center and cancer researcher at WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “We’re grateful for this support that has the power to catalyze progress and save lives.”

Learn more about the life-changing impact of this $2 million investment: https://heyor.ca/E2hV5k

11/20/2025

A simple CT scan can be life-saving in the detection and treatment of lung cancer.

“When detected early, lung cancer is treatable—and even curable. That’s why screening is so important,” explains Bryan Meyers, MD, MPH, a thoracic surgeon specializing in the disease at Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine.

The screening itself is easy and comfortable. Patients get CT scans while lying down, with a ring of X-ray detectors that quickly slide past you, collecting detailed information about your lung tissue that allows expert radiologists and technologists to assemble different views to get a detailed look at what's going on inside your lungs.

Lung cancer is much more treatable when found early, especially before the symptoms start. “When a tumor is identified at just one centimeter, the chances of that small cancer spreading prior to treatment are really, really small,” says Dr. Meyers. “If you wait until the cancer becomes symptomatic and gets detected because of those symptoms, then the chances of curing are lower.”

Knowing your eligibility for this screening could save your life. Talk to your primary care physician to see if you qualify for a low-dose CT lung cancer screening today.

11/19/2025

This summer, Tom, 77, took a motorcycle trip of a lifetime—5,200 miles across America—with zero back pain. His journey was made possible by a minimally invasive spine surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital that fixed a deteriorated disc and realigned his spine.

For decades, the open road had symbolized freedom for Tom, but his spine condition threatened to end his days on two wheels for good. The numbness and instability got so bad that he had to lean on his wife just to get to their car after a football game. “I didn’t want to live like that,” he says. “It was too much.”

Now, Tom is totally pain-free, and his road trip was the ultimate test of his recovery.

“The trip was amazing. 5,200 miles and no back pain at all!”

Read Tom's full story to learn how our spine program with WashU Medicine Physicians restored his ability to ride without pain: https://heyor.ca/qvsxlO

11/14/2025

We are so proud to see our WashU Medicine partners in the national spotlight for their world-changing work in Alzheimer’s care. With their global clinical trials, this team is proving that Alzheimer’s prevention isn’t only possible—it’s within reach.

With WashU Medicine, we're fueling innovation, ensuring patients benefit from the latest breakthroughs and exceptional clinical care. Watch the full CBS Sunday Morning segment here: https://campaigns.med.washu.edu/alz

Our focus is simple: stop Alzheimer’s before it starts. This disease steals the moments that make us who we are and the memories we share. That’s why we believe in attacking Alzheimer’s from every angle — because every breakthrough means more time, more hope and more moments together for fam...

11/11/2025

Our new Plaza West Tower is at the forefront of patient-centered care, and it should be—a nurse helped design it.

Meet Steph, RN, a 45-year veteran of BJC HealthCare who spent the past 12 years as a liaison between staff and the design teams for the campus renewal project. For Plaza West Tower, that meant ensuring it would be built not just beautifully, but brilliantly.

Steph's journey from floor nurse to planning and design was rooted in her guiding philosophy: curiosity. “I always encouraged my staff, you need to ask questions because you need to be curious,” Steph said, “The more that you know and understand, the more you can help your patients.”

It was this mindset that powered Steph throughout the campus renewal project, finding better ways of delivering patient care.

In her unique role as a "translator," Steph was the essential voice connecting architects, builders, and caregivers. Her mission was to guide the plans from paper to reality, creating a modern and welcoming space that worked flawlessly for the patients, families, and staff.

Steph and the clinical teams championed features that redefine the workspace, promoting both efficiency and safety. Every detail was informed by the practical realities of bedside care. Steph drew on her decades of nursing experience, carrying a deep, day-to-day knowledge into the design process to solve challenges and support generations of nurses to come.

The years of dedication have paid off. With Plaza West Tower now open and caring for patients, Steph experienced her greatest reward: "To walk someone through the tower and see what we had put on paper, that it’s here now, five years later... to see their excitement. It's a good, good feeling."

Thank you, Steph, for your contributions to a tower designed to match the excellence of WashU Medicine Physicians, our Barnes-Jewish Hospital team members, and the needs of our patients.

11/04/2025

"Would my boys grow up without a mom?"

That was the first thought that raced through Andrea’s mind when she was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). At just 38 years old, finding a lump launched her into a life-altering fight, one she was determined to win for her husband and two young sons.

As a BJC HealthCare employee, Andrea knew to turn to the experts at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine. "Because TNBC is so aggressive, oncologists throw 'everything but the kitchen sink' at it," she says. This comprehensive approach was matched by clinical innovation: Andrea was among the first patients to receive a new standard of care for TNBC, ensuring her care plan included the most advanced and successful combination of therapies. Her battle included six months of weekly IV chemo and immunotherapy, a double mastectomy, and reconstruction surgeries.

While the journey was challenging, from complications to three separate hospital stays, the full strength of BJC HealthCare became her lifeline. "One thing that you don’t realize until after you’ve been diagnosed with a major illness is how many doctors and specialists you’ll need throughout your care journey," Andrea notes. "There were also dozens of nurses, technicians, hospitalists, volunteers, and other care providers who I encountered throughout my cancer journey. All of whom were nothing short of amazing."

That constant presence created a deep connection: "I saw most of my care team every week, so it felt like you really got to know them on a personal level. Several of my nurses were even there when I 'rang the bell' on my last day of treatment.”

Now, more than two years out from her last treatment, Andrea is thriving and focused on living fully in the moment. The experience has brought a profound shift in her outlook. "It taught me that incredible things can happen amid darkness... It completely changed my outlook on life and reminded me to live every day like it’s my last,” Andrea says.

Reflecting on her journey as both a BJC patient and an employee, Andrea adds, “It has helped me see how what we do every day directly and indirectly impacts patient care. As the team leading our website initiatives, I now bring more empathy and a patient's perspective to the table, helping us truly understand the people using our tools.”

Andrea is sharing her story with the hope that it will empower others. She wants everyone to know the three most important lessons she learned:

"First of all, get your mammogram—don’t put it off. Second, if you feel something, get it checked out. I could have easily ignored the lump I found... but I trusted my gut. Lastly, be your own health care advocate, or make sure you have someone who will be one for you. Take notes, ask questions, and seek a second opinion, if needed.”

Thank you, Andrea, for sharing your story and gratitude for your care team. We are honored to have you as part of BJC.

11/03/2025

If you or your family are impacted by delays or lapses of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, help is available.

The St. Louis Area Foodbank works with nearly 600 partners in 26 counties to provide options for those in need of food: https://heyor.ca/8SLdSx

Additionally, the St. Louis Area Resource Directory provides information—including addresses, phone numbers, and websites—for dozens of food pantries and other organizations throughout the St. Louis area: https://heyor.ca/QTUWfO

10/31/2025

We are thrilled to share the news about a transformative $10 million investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies supporting the partnership between BJC HealthCare and BELIEVE Academy. This funding is a commitment to strengthen the next generation of students and the future of health care in St. Louis.

BELIEVE Academy is a part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ national initiative to create health care-focused high schools across the country. This first-of-its-kind approach aims to equip students with the skills and credentials needed to graduate directly into high-demand health care jobs.

Yesterday, the partners held a ribbon cutting and student-led tours of BELIEVE Academy’s new 53,000 square-foot school, which includes a BJC Simulation & Learning Lab where students can practice patient care before entering the hospital setting. Thanks to this investment and ongoing collaboration and support from The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital and The Opportunity Trust, BELIEVE Academy is expanding, with a goal to increase enrollment from 200 students to 400 by 2028.

The core of BELIEVE Academy is an immersion model—students receive specialized training in vital career pathways—spending six to 10 hours per week at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing or BJC HealthCare hospitals under the supervision of BJC and Goldfarb team members. BELIEVE Academy students have had eye-opening experiences at Barnes-Jewish Hospital one to two days a week, not only shadowing in various departments but also receiving training through hands-on activities.

The ultimate goal of this program partnership is clear. John Lynch, MD, group president of BJC HealthCare East Region and president of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, states: "These talented students are on their way to creating stable, meaningful careers that will make our region’s hospitals stronger and improve the health of our entire community.”

Read the full details on this partnership and transformative new investment: https://heyor.ca/n1dO5S

10/28/2025

Four grueling years on dialysis—three days a week, tethered to a machine for hours, keeping him alive. That was 32-year-old Tim’s reality while waiting for a lifesaving kidney.

Hope for a matching donor was fading until Tim's mother posted a plea on Facebook. A stranger, Joe, saw the post, and something about it moved him. "It was from his mother, you know,” Joe said, "'cause a mother's love is stronger than any bond you can have."

Joe normally delivers food, not miracles. But guided by faith, he chose to give "the gift of life"—his own kidney—to a man he'd never met.

Last month at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Joe's kidney became Tim's. The transplant performed by WashU Medicine Physicians was a success, and now Tim is healing and has found a new brother for life.

Tim and Joe’s story is a reminder of the impact of living organ donation and the second chances it makes possible.

Watch the full KSDK News "Making a Difference" video to see their journey from strangers to brothers: https://heyor.ca/SjuZPK

Feeling inspired by Joe? Learn more about becoming a living donor: https://heyor.ca/6XCAXB

Joe Turner donated a kidney to Tim Heatherly, a stranger he met through a Facebook post, and gave him a second chance at life.