Surgicalist Services
Who is a Surgicalist?
A surgicalist is a surgeon who specializes and focuses on surgical care in the hospital setting. Surgicalists respond to the needs of all patients with traumatic and other surgical issues needing immediate care in the Emergency Department or inpatient setting. Surgicalists are on-call for all general surgery care in the hospital.
What is the Role of a Surgicalist?
While on-call, the members of the surgicalist team will not have scheduled office hours or elective surgeries; they will focus all of their efforts on patients in the medical center. They are available for on-site care and remain with their patients from the emergency room until they are discharged home. This method ensures the patient is comfortable at all times and receives the highest quality medical care possible.
The members of the Surgicalist team also provide inpatient consultations and are available exclusively at OSF St. Joseph during the day.
The Surgicalist program increases access to surgery and rapid responses from the Emergency Department. The program also reduces the wait time between diagnosis and surgery. The Surgicalist program will improve efficiency for the hospital. Above all, patients will receive in-house care in a timely and continuous manner. Patient satisfaction is our goal.
What are the Benefits of Receiving Care from a Surgicalist?
Around-the-clock Availability
We know our patients’ time is valuable. Surgicalists at OSF St. Joseph are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you'll spend less time waiting to receive the care you need.
Improved Quality
While on-call, the members of the Surgicalist team do not have scheduled office hours or elective surgeries; allowing them to focus all of their attention on the most urgent surgeries as they arise.
Streamlined Services
Surgicalists have the ability to expedite care within the hospital setting by being quickly accessible to patients.
Contact Information
For more information or questions about the Surgicalist Service at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, please contact Chief Medical Officer Rick Anderson, MD, at (309) 662-5361.
