Explanation of Medical and Surgical Specialties

Physicians are listed in this directory by clinical service or specialty. For additional information on a physician's training or certifications, call one of our Physician Referral nurses at 314-205-6060.

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Allergy and Immunology
Allergists diagnose and treat a variety of illnesses including hayfever, asthma and allergic eczema, plus allergic reactions caused by food, insect bites and medications.

Anesthesiology
Anesthesiologists have the principal task of providing pain relief and maintaining or restoring a stable condition for individuals undergoing a surgical, obstetrical or diagnostic procedure.

Breast Surgery
Breast Surgeons specialize in operating on the breast for health or cosmetic reasons. They may work as plastic surgeons, oncologists or general surgeons. Surgery could be performed for a variety of reasons such as tumors, cystic fibroids or other breast diseases.

Cardiology
Cardiologists are internists who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart.

Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons perform surgery on the heart, lungs, esophagus and major blood vessels.

Colon and Rectal Surgery
Colon and rectal surgeons treat diseases of the intestinal tract, rectum and anus. Diseases include hemorrhoids, fissures and fistulas, polyps, colitis and cancer.

Dental Medicine
Dentists not only provide care for the teeth and gums, but also the muscles of the head, neck and jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the nervous system of the head and neck and other areas.

Dental Surgery
Oral surgeons perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries or defects.

Dermatology
Dermatologists diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the skin, hair and nails. Acne, warts, rashes and skin cancer are among the more common conditions treated.

Emergency Medicine
Emergency medicine physicians initiate life-saving treatments for a variety of medical emergencies and direct the management of patients, including referral to appropriate specialists.

Endocrine Surgery
Endocrine surgery is a special field of surgery that focuses on the management of problems of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands, as well as endocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and the pancreas.

Endocrinology
Endocrinologists treat disorders of the hormone-secreting glands such as the pancreas, ovaries, testes, thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands. Deficiencies and excess production of hormone secretion are correctable and treatable. Diabetes is the most common disease treated by an endocrinologist.

Facial Plastic/Reconstructive
Plastic surgeons perform surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes, such as congenital disfigurements, burns or diseases.

Family Medicine
Family Medicine physicians provide comprehensive health care for the entire family including pediatric care and minor surgical procedures.

Gastroenterology
Gastroenterologists are internists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases of the digestive tract, liver and pancreas.

Geriatric Medicine
Geriatricians manage the care and treatment of the aged, including their physical, psychological and social well-being.

Gynecologic Oncology
These physicians primarily treat cancers of the female reproductive system, including cervical, vaginal, ovarian, endometrial, uterine and vulvar cancers.

Gynecologist
Gynecologists specialize in comprehensive care of women especially of the reproductive organs and breast.

Hand Surgery/Orthopedic
Hand surgeons specialize in treating problems of the hand, wrist and forearm.

Hematology and Oncology
Hematologists and oncologists diagnose and treat diseases of the blood and blood forming organs, and specialize in the treatment of cancer.

Hyperbaric Medicine and Problem Wound Management
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is used in the treatment of bone and soft tissue injuries resulting from radiation therapy, chronic non-resolving osteomyelitis, select problem wounds, decompression illness from scuba diving, arterial gas embolism, gas gangrene, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Problem Wound Management focuses on wounds in high risk individuals or those which have resisted conventional treatment. An individualized care plan is created based on the latest wound research, the patient's needs and their life situation.

Infectious Disease
Physicians specializing in the infectious diseases diagnose and treat diseases caused by bacterial and viral organisms in the body.

Infertility/Reproductive Endocrinologist (Infertility Practices)
Infertility/Reproductive Endocrinologists specialize in fertility and conception issues as well as hormonal problems in women.

Internal Medicine
Internists diagnose and treat a variety of diseases affecting adults including diabetes, heart disease, cancer and pulmonary diseases. Internists provide medical rather than surgical treatment.

Maternal and Fetal Medicine
These physicians care for high-risk obstetrical patients.

Nephrology
Nephrologists diagnose and treat hypertension and diseases and disorders of the kidneys.

Neurology
Neurologists treat disorders and diseases of the nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) medically rather than surgically.

Neurosurgery
Neurosurgeons specialize in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of the nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) and the surrounding bony structures.

Obesity Management
Obesity management physicians have an expertise in the sub-specialty of obesity medicine while understanding the treatment of obesity and the genetic, biologic, environmental, social and behavioral factors that contribute to obesity. These physicians employ therapeutic interventions including diet, physical activity, behavioral change, and pharmacotherapy. They also provide pre and post care of bariatric surgery patients to prevent obesity and advocate for those who are obese.

Obstetrician
Obstetricians take care of pregnant patients, normal and some with some complications and they deliver babies.

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetricians and gynecologists provide health care before, during and after a woman's pregnancy. They also perform medical and surgical treatment for disorders and diseases of the female reproductive and urinary system, as well as routine health exams.

Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologists provide medical and surgical treatment for diseases and disorders of the eye. They may also evaluate vision and prescribe lenses for glasses.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in disorders of the mouth, teeth, jaw and facial structure. They may remove growths of the jaw or correct jaw deformities.

Orthodontics
Orthodontists are specialists in preventing, diagnosing and treating facial and dental irregularities.

Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedists treat patients both surgically and medically for injuries or diseases of the bones, joints, spine, and muscular and ligamentous structures.

Otolaryngology
Otolaryngologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the face and neck area, especially the ears, nose and throat.

Otology and Neurotology
Neurotologists care for and provide surgery to patients with disorders of the ear (including hearing, balance, and infections), the facial nerve and skull base tumors.

Pain Management
A pain management doctor diagnoses and treats all different types of pain including acute, chronic or pain related to a condition, like cancer.

Pathology
Pathologists diagnose diseases by microscopic study of tissues, bone marrow and body fluids. They evaluate the laboratory tests reported to physicians.

Pediatrics
Pediatricians specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease in children from birth through the teen-age years.

Perinatologist or Maternal Medicine specialist (Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine)
Perinatologists or Maternal Medicine specialists take care of high risk or abnormal pregnancies often serving as advisors or consultants to a woman?s primary obstetrician.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Physiatrists evaluate patients to determine the causes of disabilities and recommend individualized rehabilitation programs for maximum independence.

Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgeons specialize in the repair or surgical correction of medical conditions of the external body. These surgeons can perform aesthetic surgery to improve the appearance as well as surgery to correct or modify abnormalities, thereby improving function and appearance.

Plastic Surgery/Hands
A plastic surgeon for the hands provides treatment and surgery for disorders of the hand to improve the appearance as well as surgery to correct or modify abnormalities.

Podiatry
Podiatrists have been trained to prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs. They provide preventative care and advice on how to improve mobility and the quality of life for their patients.

Prosthodontics
Prosthodontic doctors specialize in the restoration and replacement of teeth.

Psychiatry
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have undergone further studies to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Some psychiatrists treat only adults or specialize in treating children while some treat all age groups. Some physicians also treat chemical dependency (alcoholism and substance abuse) problems in adults and/or adolescents.

Pulmonary Medicine
Pulmonary medicine specialists are internists who treat patients with lung diseases and conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, emphysema and cancer.

Radiation Oncology
Radiation oncologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant diseases, such as cancer, through the use of ionizing radiation.

Radiology
Diagnostic radiologists use X-ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, computerized axial tomography (CT Scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of abnormalities or malfunction of internal organs and bone structures. A diagnostic radiologist might also be involved in therapeutic procedures such as balloon angioplasty of arteries, as well as drainage of blocked bile passages, blocked kidney tubes and abscesses.

Reproductive Endocrinology
Reproductive endocrinologists specialize in the treatment of female endocrine gland disorders that may lead to infertility, including menstrual and pituitary disorders.

Rheumatology
Rheumatologists are internists who diagnose and treat diseases and conditions involving the joints, particularly arthritis.

Surgery (General)
General surgeons specialize in surgical procedures of the abdomen, abdominal wall, breast and neck; excluding orthopedic and neurological problems.

Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic surgeons specialize in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the chest.

Urogynecologist (Female Pelvic Med & Recon Surg)
Urogynecologists are pelvic surgeons who work to correct problems such as urinary incontinence or prolapsed of the uterus.

Urogynecology
Urogynecology (a subspecialty within Obstetrics and Gynecology) is dedicated to the treatment of women with pelvic floor disorders such as urinary or fecal incontinence and prolapse (bulging or falling) of the vagina, bladder and/or the uterus.

Urology
Urologists specialize in treating disorders of the urinary tract. They also treat disorders affecting the male reproductive organs.

Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgeons evaluate and treat disorders of the carotid arteries, the abdominal aorta and its branches, as well as the arteries and veins of all extremities.