St. Mary’s Good Samaritan and Washington University in St. Louis have a partnership in cardiothoracic surgery. Washington University heart surgeons have a long history of performing cardiac surgical procedures and providing exceptional care. Washington University is the only heart program serving Missouri or Illinois to be ranked in the top 10 nationally by U.S. News and World Report.
Through this partnership, the cardiovascular surgery program at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan is supported by Washington University. The cardiac surgeries performed locally include all major chest procedures, cardiac valve replacement, coronary bypass grafting, and other cardiothoracic procedures. The only adult cardiac surgeries performed at Washington University that are not offered at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan are robotic surgery and heart transplantation.
Dr. John Watson is an experienced and board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon on staff at St. Mary's Good Samaritan. Dr. Watson is supported by a team of cardiologists located in both Mt. Vernon and Centralia. Since its inception, our Heart Center at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan has grown to include two cardiac catheterization laboratories, two dedicated surgical suites, a cardiothoracic surgeon, three invasive cardiologists, and one interventional cardiologist who performs stent insertions and angioplasty.