July 27, 2007, ST. LOUIS – As James Seibert prepared for surgery July 25; he became part of a milestone. The O''Fallon resident and carpal tunnel syndrome patient became the first surgical case at the new Washington University Orthopedics and Barnes-Jewish Hospital Outpatient Orthopedic Center in Chesterfield.

"When I scheduled this I had no idea I was a star," Siebert said moments before his surgery with Richard Gelberman, MD. "I''m happy to be the first patient in the center."

Seibert''s surgery was one of 13 as the new 60,000 square foot facility at 14532 South Outer Forty Drive in Chesterfield opened its doors. The new center relocates physician offices and tremendously expands services offered previously at 1020 North Mason Road in West County.

The center offers comprehensive, one-stop outpatient care, including physician offices, examination rooms, ambulatory surgery suites, diagnostic radiology (including magnetic resonance imaging and x-ray services) and rehabilitation together with hand therapy services.

"This is a 21st century facility designed with patients in mind," says Dr. Gelberman, the Fred C. Reynolds Professor and head of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and chief of orthopedic surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "The outpatient center offers comprehensive services from compassionate, respectful professionals, and complements the superior inpatient procedures performed at Barnes-Jewish Hospital."

All surgeons, physiatrists (physicians specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation) and anesthesiologists at the new center are Washington University physicians. Barnes-Jewish Hospital owns and operates the ambulatory surgery center, including pre-operative, operative and post-operative services and the radiology services including the MRI and general diagnostic radiology.

Outpatient care available at the orthopedic facility includes:

• outpatient surgery, including hand, wrist, foot, ankle, knee, shoulder and elbow procedures
• physician offices and 36 clinical examination rooms
• rooms for pain medication injections
• diagnostic radiology, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• 7,500 square feet for physical and occupational rehabilitation
• sports medicine

The services offered in the new location complement the existing clinical practice at the Center for Advanced Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital at the Washington University Medical Center, where spinal, joint replacement, trauma and orthopedic oncology services are based.

The new facility also was selected to receive a LEED award from AmerenUE in recognition of green building practices and energy and environmental conservation.

"At the new outpatient orthopedic center, we remain committed to our core values of providing outstanding patient care, and now we are attempting to do that in the most convenient, patient-friendly environment possible," says Charles Goldfarb, MD, associate professor and medical director of the new center. "Outpatients can have different needs than inpatients, and we want to be mindful of their time by providing all of the services they need under one roof."

"Watching the team of physicians, nurses and working together to create a truly unique environment has been inspirational," says David Jaques, MD, vice president of surgical services at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "Their attention to respecting the patient''s time and care needs and focusing on a common set of acknowledged service goals will surely lead to great success."

Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine are ranked 14th in the nation in orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report, and are the official team physicians of the St. Louis Rams and St. Louis Blues.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a Washington University orthopedic specialist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627.