Washington University Otolaryngology has expanded once again and will now see patients at Christian Hospital Northeast Medical Building in North St. Louis County.
As of Nov. 1, the clinic space is fully owned by WashU ENT. The practice had been renting the space from BJC Medical Group since March 1.
Christian Hospital is a full service acute-care medical center, noted for its excellence in heart services and cardiothoracic surgery, emergency medicine, breast health services, orthopedic/spine surgery, vascular surgery, endocrinology, radiology, urology, wound care and pulmonary care. Siteman Cancer Center at Christian Hospital began seeing patients in July, 2017. WashU ENT hopes to build on those accolades with world-class otolaryngology care.
Most of our specialties are still in a growing phase, according to head and neck cancer specialist Jose Zevallos, MD.
“I mostly do endocrine surgeries at Christian Hospital right now,” he said. “That will expand as the hospital becomes equipped to handle more complex head and neck surgery.”
“Patients want to stay within their communities for care, and the continuity and depth of care that WashU offers is a real benefit to these patients.”
Gerald Moritz, MD
WashU ENT specialists currently seeing patients at Christian Hospital include Zevallos, neurotologist Nedim Durakovic, MD, comprehensive otolaryngologist Gerald Moritz, MD, and sinus and skull base surgeons John Schneider, MD, and Nyssa Farrell, MD. All have clinical commitments at the facility that vary from one half day to four days per week. They have blocked operating room time for surgical procedures in addition to their clinic commitments.
Dr. Farrell treats a variety of sinus conditions requiring procedures of the nose and paranasal sinuses, endoscopic sinus surgery, nasal obstruction, nosebleeds, and nasal tumors.
“Our presence means increased access to care for ENT problems in patients in northern St. Louis,” she said. “We are privileged to be able to provide that care.”
Dr. Moritz has had a private ENT practice at Christian Hospital since 1975. Now, as a WashU faculty member, he sees ENT patients at the new clinic four days a week.
“The hospital has had a strong ENT presence in the past, including an active head and neck cancer program,” he said. “Maintaining a program like that is difficult to do in private practice, so those patients were often sent to St. Louis University Hospital.”
Moritz’s practice joined the BJC Medical Group eight years ago, and he says the real benefit to being associated with an academic medical center is in the treatment of complex cases like head and neck cancer.
“The presence of WashU ENT at Christian Hospital offers a real advantage to North County residents,” he said. “Patients want to stay within their communities for care, and the continuity and depth of care that WashU offers is a real benefit to these patients.”