Robbi

For nearly six months, Robbi Sanders, 40, of St. Louis, suffered from extreme stomach pain, resulting in dramatic weight loss and the inability to even leave her bed. The hospitals she visited couldn’t determine the cause of Robbi’s pain, prescribing her with antibiotics which provided her with only temporary relief.

In July of 2017, Robbi’s condition worsened, and she was taken by ambulance to Christian Hospital. She was placed under the care of Rehan Rafiq, MD, FACG, a BJC Medical Group gastroenterologist. After careful evaluation by Christian Hospital’s nationally recognized gastrointestinal (GI) team, Robbi was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s disease is a complicated autoimmune disease that affects the digestive system. Timely intervention not only improves quality of life but prevents serious complications, including colon cancer. In Robbi’s case, treatment involved immediate surgery to remove a small bowel obstruction, as well as a targeted therapy delivered through oral medications to manage her Crohn’s disease. Christian Hospital helped her acquire these vital medications when limited resources prevented her from doing so.

Now, Robbi is doing great and has returned to her life and her work caring for people with developmental disabilities. She shares, “I am so thankful I went to Christian Hospital. From start to finish, I was in the best care. My whole experience was awesome, and I really love Dr. Rafiq. I know he cares.” Robbi even told Dr. Rafiq, “If I had a million dollars, I would give you half, because you saved my life.”

To which he responded, “Just stay happy and healthy — that is my reward.”

Every member of Christian Hospital’s GI team shares a dedication to providing patients in North County with exceptional GI care like they did for Robbi. “We are truly committed to the population in this area,” says Dr. Rafiq. “We have the expertise, being rated among the top 3% of GI practices in the country, and we will do our best to help patients in our community.”

You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Rafiq by calling 314.652.3710.

Cheryl

In July 2021, Cheryl Koch, 74, of Florissant, Mo., was eating at a restaurant when she noticed her food wouldn’t go down. Concerned, she returned home. Her chest was tightening, and her blood pressure was alarmingly high. Her neighbor called 911, and the paramedics told her she needed to go to the emergency room (ER) right away.

Steve

Steve Barnett believes in miracles. He was discharged from Christian Hospital on Dec. 1, 2021, after battling COVID-19 for four months in four different hospitals, including more than six weeks in one of those facilities intubated on a ventilator in a drug induced-coma.

Chenitra

Chenitra Grimes-Washington returned with family members to thank the team who helped save her life.

Lima

Lima was at a North County coffee shop when she suffered a health episode. She experienced the compassionate and expert care of the Christian Hospital Emergency Medical Services team.

Vanessa

Caring staff at Christian Hospital eases anxiety.

Donta

After experiencing blurred vision at work followed by a restless night’s sleep like nothing he had ever known, along with abdominal pain and “feeling pretty much out of it” – Donta Moore, 34, of Florissant, Missouri, knew along with his wife’s insistence that he needed to get to Christian Hospital.

Earl Berry

"I was a little bit concerned because I didn’t know anybody else that had a valve inside of a valve, but each visit back to Dr. Ray’s office reassured me, as he said it was absolutely doable,” says Earl.

Lafayette

Lafayette Gatewood III, 56, of St. Louis, Mo., has been a high school teacher and football coach for 28 years. In July of 2019, Lafayette was on the football field at practice, like he is most days, when he developed a blister on his foot. With a history of diabetes and kidney failure, he became particularly worried when his foot swelled up.

Dwayne

‘Amazing and compassionate staff’ at Christian Hospital care for SLCH employee’s heart.

Azizah

“I am more than elated and happy that Christian Hospital has changed so much that I would recommend anybody go there,” says Azizah Nuri-El Minnis from Ferguson, Mo., who recently visited the hospital’s Breathing Center.

Sherrie

Lifesaving experience changes perception of Christian Hospital.

Valerie

As supervisor of social services at the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center, Valerie Valiant, 51, of Florissant, Mo., spends her days empowering individuals and families in the community to overcome barriers. However, it wasn’t until her own hospitalization in the midst of the pandemic that she could personally attest to the high level of care and expertise being offered right here in north St. Louis County.

Mike

Mike began feeling very sick late one night and his wife rushed him to nearby Christian Hospital. He credits his care team for saving his life and taking extra steps to find the cause of his illness.

Ron

Ron Komlos doesn’t think about lung cancer anymore since a robotic lung lobectomy determined he was cancer free. His mind has been set ever since on enjoying life thanks to the cardiothoracic team at Christian Hospital.

Norma

Norma’s experience changed everything she had ever thought about Christian Hospital.

Robbi

GI Patient Finds Lifesaving Diagnosis at Christian Hospital

Hamilton

Hamilton Terrell III had been dealing all day with some soreness in his in mouth when he experienced an unexpected surge of pain so intense that he couldn’t speak. He knew he needed to get help fast.

Donna

An Innovative Treatment Bringing Relief for Chronic Knee Pain

Judy

Every day, Judy Rutledge and her dog walked four to five miles through her pastoral neighborhood in Forestell, Missouri. She had always found great joy in leading an active lifestyle. So when Judy began experiencing severe back pain, she was determined not to let it slow her down.

James

James and his wife found themselves needing help when they suddenly became guardians for their four grandchildren. Christian Hospital’s Pathway to Health program helped them access care.

Diane

Imagine being not being able to do all of the things you do on a regular basis — go to the grocery store, walk around the neighborhood, drive your car. Chronic pain made that Diane’s reality.

Robbi

Cheryl

Steve

Chenitra

Lima

Vanessa

Donta

Earl Berry

Lafayette

Dwayne

Azizah

Sherrie

Valerie

Mike

Ron

Norma

Robbi

Hamilton

Donna

Judy

James

Diane

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