John E. Mason, MD, FACS is board-certified in Surgery and is the Chief of Surgery at St. Luke’s. His focus and specialties include general surgery, robotic surgery, and minimally invasive surgery.

Dr. Mason graduated from University of California-Santa Barbara with a BS in Biochemistry and earned his degree in medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, where he received the Harvey Butcher Prize in Surgery. He completed his internship and residency in General Surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and has additional training in pediatrics from St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Dr. Mason has published research in surgical oncology and has held leadership positions in the American Medical Association and Little Medical School, where he inspires children to pursue careers in medicine.

Dr. Mason, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons,pioneered the General Surgery Robotic program at St. Luke’s, specializing in hernia repairs utilizing the advanced Da Vinci robotic system. His leadership roles have included serving as the President of the Medical Staff and as Chief of the General Surgery Division. His commitment to global health is demonstrated through his mission work in Peru, where he performed and taught minimally invasive techniques for hernia and gallbladder surgeries to local physicians, significantly improving patient care in remote communities.

In his spare time, Dr. Mason has won multiple competitions with the St. Louis Rowing Club and plays guitar and sings at local venues with his band.

“I believe in empowering my patients through open communication and evidence-based care, aiming for minimally invasive procedures whenever possible for quicker recovery.”