Wings Program Medical Director
Elliot Gellman, MD, has always had an interest working with children who have a chronic illness. Says Dr. Gellman, "When taking care of the patient and their family, I am committed to providing quality, end-of-life care to children and their families."
Dr. Gellman is a professor of clinical pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine. He was one of the first physicians to take the subspecialty examination board for pediatric hematology when it was offered at Washington University School of Medicine and has had an interest in hematology since then.
In January 2002, after 36 years in his own pediatric practice, Dr. Gellman left to seek other activities. He works on a part-time basis at HealthCare for Kids, an inner-city clinic. At the same time, Dr. Gellman began shadowing the Director of the Sickle Cell Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital, Michael DeBaun, MD, who at that time was the medical director of BJC Hospice's Wings program.
"I was very fortunate to assume the position of attending hematologist with Dr. DeBaun," says Dr. Gellman. "We got to know each other well and I very much enjoyed getting my feet back into hematology. Dr. DeBaun told me about his experiences with the Wings hospice program and asked me to attend a couple of the Wings weekly team meetings to get a flavor of what it was all about." A few months went by and the interim director of the Wings program asked Dr. Gellman if he had an interest to be the new medical director of Wings. "I guess you could say here I am," says Dr. Gellman.
In his role as medical director, Dr. Gellman is available to visit children in their homes, and assist with directing their medical care in consultation with the child's physicians and the Wings interdisciplinary team.
BJC Hospice, Sullivan Medical Director; Sullivan, Missouri
Musa Modad, MD, began his career as a medical student in Corboda, Argentina, where he was among medical students who were taught nothing about hospice. After completing his general surgery residency in Argentina, Dr. Modad practiced several years in his country and briefly in Marseille, France. He also practiced surgery in Hinsdale, Illinois, prior to joining Loyola Medical Center in Chicago.
After his residency in internal medicine at Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis, Dr. Modad moved to Sullivan, Missouri, where he joined BJC Hospice; he has served as part-time hospice medical director there since 1994. Dr. Modad, who also is an internist for area residents, says he appreciates the opportunity in Sullivan to treat entire families.
BJC Hospice Medical Director, St. Louis
Bernie Shore, MD, has been the medical director of BJC Hospice since 1987. He also is the team leader for the development of adult and pediatric hospice programs in Riga, Latvia. Dr. Shore has traveled to Riga three times since 1995 to help organize, teach and consult local medical personnel.
Dr. Shore graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in 1977, where he served his residency in internal medicine. He has been recognized in "Best Doctors in America" and "America's Top Doctors." Dr. Shore's medical practice is in internal medicine and pulmonary diseases. He is an associate professor in internal medicine at Washington University School of Medicine.
BJC Hospice Long-Term Care Medical Director
Poonam Jain, MD, is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Medicine and a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Her interests include end-of-life care and long-term care. She is a member of the Ethics Committee at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the American Geriatric Society, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and the Missouri Bar. She is a Fellow of American College of Legal Medicine, and is on staff at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Missouri Baptist Medical Center.
Medical Director for BJC Hospice in Illinois
Dr. John A. Hoelscher graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia medical school. He specializes and is board certified in geriatrics, hospice and palliative medicine. Dr. Hoelscher has been in practice since 1984. His office is part of the Riverbend Physicians and Surgeons group and is located on the Alton Memorial Hospital campus.