|
By Christine Imbs
There’s no question about it, St. Louis is a great place
to live. But in addition to its arts and culture, sports’
teams, great food and Midwestern family values, St. Louis also
is one of the nation’s best regions for healthcare.
What sets St. Louis apart is that it’s one of only a few
regions in the country with two prominent medical schools–Washington
University and Saint Louis University. U.S. News and World Report ranked Washington University the third best medical school in
the country in its 2005 edition of “America’s Best Hospitals.”
What this means is St. Louis is among the leaders in healthcare
research and, therefore the latest medical treatments.
“There’s no question. Having a hospital at a medical
school like Washington University favorably influences the quality
of care throughout the community,” says Andy Ziskind, M.D.,
president of Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “Also many of the physicians
who were trained at Wash U and Barnes-Jewish stay in the community.
So yes, this contributes greatly to high quality healthcare in
the region.”
That same issue of U.S. News also ranked Barnes-Jewish Hospital
sixth best hospital in the nation, up from eighth place in 2004.
Saint Louis University Hospital ranked among the top ten best
hospitals for geriatrics and among the top 50 in kidney disease.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital, another teaching arm of Washington
University, was ranked thirteenth in pediatrics by U.S. News and,
for the second consecutive year, one of the ten best pediatric
hospitals by Child Magazine.
The Infertility Center at St. Luke’s Hospital also ranked
high with Child Magazine. It was listed as the fifth best in the
nation based on its success rates with in-vitro fertilization.
Solucient, the leading source of healthcare business information,
has also named St. Luke’s among the nation’s Top 100
Hospitals five times. Because of this consistent achievement,
the hospital was named one of 77 Benchmark Hospitals in the nation,
the only hospital in the St. Louis area to receive this designation.
In addition, St. Luke’s has been recognized four out of five
times for cardiovascular services and is the only St. Louis area
hospital to make the list consistently.
“We’re very proud of our achievements at St. Luke’s,
but it’s not what drives us. The patients do,” says
Gary Olson, CEO of St. Luke’s Hospital. “And although
these designations should be a consideration when choosing a hospital,
the foremost consideration should be confidence in the physician
and the employees at that institution. But clearly, we’re
very blessed here in St. Louis. There are a lot of really good
hospitals for people to choose from.”
The following is a listing of just some of the St. Louis area’s
healthcare institutions along with points of pride.
Alton Memorial Hospital – BJC HealthCare
Alton, IL
altonmemorialhospital.org
Among the first in the St. Louis area to adopt bar-coding
technology which reduces medication errors.
Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center –
BJC HealthCare
St. Louis, MO
siteman.wustl.edu
Known as an international leader in patient care, cancer research,
prevention, education and community outreach. It recently received
the National Cancer Institute’s highest recognition as a
Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only such center in Missouri
and within a 240-mile radius of St. Louis.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital – BJC HealthCare
St. Louis, MO
barnesjewish.org
Ranked sixth best hospital in the nation by U.S. News and World
Report. Also, the number three bone marrow transplant center and
the largest lung transplant center in the world.
Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital –
BJC HealthCare
St. Peters, MO
bjsph.org
Received the ADA Education Recognition Certification for its Outpatient
Diabetes Program. The first hospital in St. Charles to use PillCam
capsule technology to detect
disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Christian Hospital – BJC HealthCare
St. Louis, MO
christianhospital.org
Only community hospital in the St. Louis area to perform lung
resectioning procedures to remove tumors with Video Assisted Thoracoscopic
Surgery.
Des Peres Hospital – Tenet Healthcare
St. Louis, MO
despereshospital.com
Ranked number one in St. Louis in 2005 for Overall Orthopedic
Services by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading healthcare
company. Also among the top five percent in the nation and number
one in Missouri for Joint Replacement Surgery.
Gateway Regional Medical Center
Granite City, IL
gatewayregional.net
Ranked by Solucient as one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the nation
in 2002 and 2004. Offers a variety of services including Behavioral
Health, Cardiac Critical Care, Occupational Health and Pulmonary
Rehabilitation.
Greenville Regional Hospital
Greenville, IL
greenvilleregionalhospital.com
Named one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals by Solucient
twice in three years. Recently added a 37,000-square-foot addition,
which houses a new Emergency Department; Inpatient and Outpatient
Surgery Department; and a new Outpatient Specialty Clinic Department.
Jersey Community Hospital
Jerseyville, IL
jch.org
Uses the Spiral CT Scan, which provides a CT Scan of higher accuracy
in 45 seconds versus the previously required 45 minutes. Also
has an accredited mammography program
recognized by the ACR and the MQSA.
Lincoln County Medical Center
Troy, MO
lcmctroy.com
Added a new technologically advanced emergency care facility,
a new pediatric emergency care room, and expanded radiology and
cardiopulmonary capabilities. Also has a SONOS 7500 with Live
3D Echo providing more detailed information on the heart for a
better diagnosis.
Missouri Baptist Medical Center –
BJC HealthCare
St. Louis, MO
missouribaptistmedicalcenter.org
Received American Hospital Quest for Quality Prize in 2002 for
leadership and innovation in-patient care quality, safety and
commitment. Also, the Cancer Center was one of 62 programs nationally
to receive Community Clinical Oncology Program designation by
NCI.
Saint Alexius Hospital, Jefferson &
Broadway campuses
St. Louis, MO
stalexiushospital.com
One of the largest psychiatric programs operated by a private
hospital in the St. Louis area. Care is available for conditions
including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and panic disorders,
schizophrenia, and dementia.
Saint Anthony’s Health Center
Alton, IL
sahc.org
First hospital in Madison County to implement AUDIOCOR CE, a new
non-invasive medical technology for improving the diagnosis of
a major cardiovascular disorder. Also, now offers pacemaker implants
and implantable defibrillator procedures at its Heart Center of
Excellence.
Saint Anthony’s Medical Center
St. Louis, MO
stanthonysmedcenter.com
Named among the nation’s Top Performance Improvement Leaders
and received the Missouri Team Quality Award for dramatically
cutting waiting time for ER patients. Also the first hospital
in the metro St. Louis area designated an Accredited Chest Pain
Center.
Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital
Belleville, IL
steliz.org
Has the only Cancer Treatment Center providing both chemotherapy
and radiation therapy in Southwestern Illinois.
Saint John’s Mercy Medical Center
– Sisters of Mercy Health System-St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
stjohnsmercy.org
Ranked among Solucient’s 2004 Top 100 Hospitals in the Medium
Community Hospitals category. One of 11 recipients nationwide
to receive the Cheers Award from the Institute for Safe Medication
Practices. Also, operates the only Level I Trauma Center and Level
III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in St. Louis County.
Saint Louis Children’s Hospital –
BJC HealthCare
St. Louis, MO
stlouischildrens.org
Named one of the nation’s 10 best pediatric hospitals by
Child Magazine, and number 13 by U.S. News and World Report. Received
Magnet designation, the nation’s highest honor for nursing
excellence. Also, the first Missouri hospital to develop a comprehensive
pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Program.
Saint Louis University Hospital –
Tenet Healthcare
St. Louis, MO
sluhospital.com
Named one of the top ten best hospitals for geriatrics and among
the top 50 in kidney disease. Regional leader in providing tertiary-quaternary
healthcare and has one of the most comprehensive organ transplant
programs in the Midwest. Also a Level I Trauma Center in both
Missouri and Illinois.
Saint Luke’s Hospital
Chesterfield, MO
stlukes-stl.com
Named five times as a Top 100 Hospital by Solucient, and one of
77 Benchmark Hospitals in the nation. Also named in the Top 100
Hospitals for Cardiovascular Open Heart program four out of five
times. The Infertility Center ranked fifth best in the nation
and will open the nation’s first all-inclusive Brain and
Spine Center in spring 2006.
Shriners’ Hospital for
Children
St. Louis, MO
shrinershq.org/shc/stlouis/index.html
Orthopedic hospital providing comprehensive Orthopedic care to
children at no charge. Also has the Center for Metabolic Bone
Disease and Molecular Research specializing in metabolic bone
diseases. Shriners’ treats and investigates the causes of
over 100 rare bone disorders and provides medical therapy when
available.
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s medical
center
St. Louis, MO
cardinalglennon.com
First pediatric hospital to receive the Missouri Quality Award.
The Ronald McDonald House, a place for families of seriously ill
children at the hospital, offers a place where they can sleep,
do laundry and eat hot meals for only $5 a night.
SSM DePaul Health Center
Bridgeton, MO
ssmdepaul.com
Received the Premier Award for Quality for treatment of patients
with community-acquired pneumonia and heart failure. One of only
three hospitals nationwide and the only Missouri hospital to be
recognized for clinical excellence in multiple categories.
SSM St. Joseph’s Health Center
St. Charles, MO
ssmstjoseph.com
Named among Solucient’s Top 100 Hospitals in the nation and
received the Missouri Quality Award. Also the first Primary Stroke
Center in St. Charles and one of only a few hospitals in Missouri
to perform Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty of the carotid
artery with placement of an FDA-approved
SSM St. Joseph’s Hospital
Kirkwood, MO
stjosephkirkwood.com
First hospital in St. Louis to implement an infant protection
program to prevent infants from being removed without authorization,
as well as automatically confirming that the right baby is with
the right mother.
SSM St. Mary’s Health Center
St. Louis, MO
stmarys-stlouis.com
Named a Top 100 Heart Hospital in 2005 by Solucient and received
Solucient’s 2004 National Benchmarks for Success. Other services
include a Knee and Hip Center, Breast Cancer Center, and a new
cutting-edge Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Center.
WASHU OPPORTUNITIES GRANTED
For over 100 years, Washington University School of Medicine has
been in the forefront of research, education and patient care.
In 2005, U.S. News and World Report named it the third best medical
school in the nation, after Harvard and Johns Hopkins. In addition,
the medical school ranked second in grant dollars from the National
Institutes of Health per faculty member.
One grant received during 2005 was a $16 million grant from the
National Institute of Cancer to establish the Siteman Center of
Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence for the advancement of nanomedicine
technology. Nanomedicine is the science of using tiny particles
or spheres that can travel through the bloodstream deep into the
body to locate and highlight tumors undetectable by typical methods.
While at the tumor site, the nanoparticles can deliver therapeutic
agents to destroy it. This could potentially replace numerous
medical tests, scans, or surgeries with a simple injection.
Also in 2005, Washington University received a $5 million donation
from the Atkins Foundation to establish a new center for obesity
research. Dr. Samuel Klein, a gastroenterologist and nutritional
biochemist who also directs the Center for Human Nutrition at
Washington University, is also directing the obesity center.
“The purpose of this center is not to do further research
into the late doctor’s controversial diet but to support
advances in the field of obesity research and to prevent and treat
obesity in the community,” he comments.
The new center is called the Veronica and Robert C. Atkins Center
for Excellence in Obesity Medicine and is a component of the human
nutrition center. It will undertake tasks not usually funded by
the National Institutes of Health and other grant-making bodies
and will balance development of community outreach and education
programs with laboratory science.
 Student Avital Harari examines Sondra Tabb with Tom DeFer, M.D. |
| Student Josephine Hidalgo enjoys a moment with two-year-old patient Karlie Sheppard. |
|
|
