The first time Michelle Wheeler, RN, met Daniel Theodoro, MD, she introduced herself, and passed out.

Michael Harris is a lifelong athlete who swam competitively and played football, softball and baseball. But in 2013, he realized his knees might not hold out if he kept up his activity level without addressing the pain. This is how bilateral knee replacement at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospitalgot him back on the pitching mound and feeling like he's 18 years old again.

In January, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital welcomed its 100th Pre-Professional Health Sciences Academy (PPHSA) student. The PPHSA, an elective course for high school seniors interested in health and biomedical careers, combines classroom learning with job shadowing at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. The PPHSA is a partnership between Parkway School District, Special School District, BJC School Outreach and Youth Development, and Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.

When Sharon Baker passed away May 26, 2017, she left behind not only a 27-year career devoted to Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital but also a legacy as a pillar of the hospital because of her warmth, optimism and compassion. Now, the Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital Medical Staff Association is establishing a patient care fund in her memory at The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, helping to provide a financial lifeline for years to come to patients who are unable to pay for critical medical treatments and other daily necessities including food, rent and utilities.

While most people experience fewer problems with the fall time change than when “springing forward” in March, any change to your normal sleep routine can be disruptive, says Oscar Schwartz, MD, BJC Medical Group sleep disorder specialist and medical director of the Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital Sleep Disorder/EEG Center. Inadequate sleep is associated with memory decline, difficulty in concentration, decreases in mental and physical performance, mood swings, irritability, depression, stress, high blood pressure, weight gain and automobile accidents. It’s also associated with a host of other health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and dementia.

Nov. 4 marks the start of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation, the week seeks to raise public awareness about drowsy driving, its effect on drivers and how it can be avoided. Ultimately, the goal is to decrease drowsy driving and make America’s roads safer. The Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital Sleep Center offers tips to avoid drowsy driving.

The Patterson family, including two sisters who work for BJC HealthCare hospitals Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital and Christian Hospital, return to television for "Family Feud Hall of Fame Week." The Patterson family was among ten families selected to compete in the "Hall of Fame" series. Selection was based on ratings from initial "Family Feud" appearances. The Patterson family's Family Feud appearance had gone vital on social media in 2016.

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital has received a 2018 Vizient Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Award. The award recognizes Barnes-Jewish West County as a top performing hospital demonstrating superior quality and safety performance as measured by the Vizient Quality and Accountability Study, which has been conducted annually since 2005. The award was presented on Oct. 4 during the 2018 Vizient Connections Summit held in Las Vegas.

When a patient decides to have joint replacement surgery — knees or hips — Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital and Washington University physicians work together to ensure patients have a plan that will lead to successful recovery.

Lisa Phillipson will tell you that her story is not exceptional, but that’s exactly why she wants to share it. At 56 years old, the Southern Illinois resident is not much different than a lot of women her age who find themselves suffering from arthritis in their knees and are looking for relief.