ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Blues, BJC HealthCare and Washington University Orthopedics announced today a multi-year extension of the long-standing collaboration between the three organizations. The renewed agreement expands upon the organizations’ commitment to the health and well-being of the St. Louis region, through new and returning community nights, community volunteer efforts and educational platforms. Among its designations, BJC HealthCare will serve as the team’s Official Medical Services Provider and Official Hospital Partner and Washington University Orthopedics will continue to serve as Official Team Physicians.
“The Blues, BJC and Washington University Orthopedics have long shared a civic commitment to the greater St. Louis region and our expanded relationship is a testament to the alignment of our values and priorities,” said Chris Zimmerman, president and CEO of business operations of the St. Louis Blues. “We are proud to work with an organization that is so dedicated to the betterment of our region, whether it be through their ground-breaking research, community health improvement initiatives, or the extraordinary care they provide throughout the region, as well as to our own team on the ice.”
With this extension, BJC HealthCare’s and Washington University Orthopedics’ commitment to the St. Louis Blues as premier healthcare sponsor spans more than 25 years.
“Providing extraordinary care is a team sport that requires our very best both inside and outside the hospital setting, said Rich Liekweg, BJC Health System president. “With the Blues, we have a partner committed to using our collective voices to promote a healthier community for our region and beyond.”
Fans will experience the renewed commitment through enhanced features, activities and programming, including the return of the popular Science of Blues Hockey series, hosted by Hall of Famer Chris Pronger. In each episode, Washington University physicians take Blues fans behind the scenes using science to explain how players stay in game condition.
Several new community-driven nights will bring BJC’s mission to life. On January 13, Healthy Living Night helped continue New Year’s resolutions by encouraging fans to live their best lives. I Heart Blues Night on February 15 will highlight the importance of cardiovascular well-being and raise money for life-saving defibrillators in the community. On April 12, Community Health Improvement Night will engage Blues fans in opportunities to celebrate and support the St. Louis region while they cheer on the home team.
The BJC Baby Blue Notes in-game feature will continue spotlighting infants born at BJC birthing hospitals and BJC’s St. Louis Children’s Hospital will recognize first-time fans through the revamped Rink Rookies program. In addition, the popular Hockey Fights Cancer and Pink at the Rink theme nights, which were held earlier this season, highlight the work of Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.
“We are grateful for our partnership with the Blues and our mutual commitment to promoting good health and a vibrant and growing community,” said Nick Barto, BJC Health System and BJC Eastern Region (BJC HealthCare) president. “We’re particularly pleased this sponsorship extension will provide an even deeper connection between our employees and our community through joint volunteer opportunities aimed to accelerate our mission to achieve health equity in our region.”
Added Regis O’Keefe, MD, PhD, head of Washington University Orthopedics: “We’re thrilled to continue our long history of providing the very best care for the St. Louis Blues. Our collaboration with BJC and the Blues is one of a shared vision that has a meaningful impact on the health and wellness of the players and our community.”
About BJC Health System:BJC Health System is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States and the largest in the state of Missouri, serving urban, suburban, and rural communities across Missouri, southern Illinois, eastern Kansas, and the greater Midwest region. One of the largest employers in Missouri, BJC operates as BJC HealthCare in its Eastern Region and as Saint Luke’s Health System in its Western Region. BJC comprises of 24 hospitals and hundreds of clinics and service organizations all committed to providing extraordinary patient care and advancing medical breakthroughs. BJC’s nationally recognized academic hospitals—Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s Hospitals—are affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine.
About Washington University Orthopedics:Washington University Orthopedics (WashU Orthopedics) is home to the full-time orthopedic faculty at Washington University School of Medicine. As national leaders in orthopedic care delivery, research and education, WashU Orthopedics leads the way in advanced musculoskeletal treatment and technology, providing trusted care for patients of all ages. By the numbers, WashU Orthopedics includes more than 80 orthopedic specialists who provide care at ten area locations in the St. Louis region. WashU Orthopedics ranks No. 1 in Missouri for orthopedic care, No. 3 in the U.S. for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding and No. 3 in the U.S. for residency training. WashU Orthopedics’ sports medicine specialists also serve as team physicians for the St. Louis Blues and area universities and high schools, balancing the desire to compete with protection of each athlete’s short- and long-term health.
To learn more about BJC, visit BJC.org, Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn. For more on WashU Ortho, visit ortho.wustl.edu, Facebook Instagram, and LinkedIn.
