facility
 General Information: 314.996.7020 | 844.996.7020

Meet Our Team

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/ Categories: Meet Our Team Members

Arielle Kniffen, MSW, LCSW

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About Me

The first thing people usually ask me is if I was named after Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Ariel; the answer is no. When I was born my mother was on a Shakespeare kick and named me after a sprite from Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. I am a nature enthusiast and I love hiking, camping, kayaking and exploring. One of my biggest travel dreams is to explore the Amazon River with my husband.

My Qualifications

I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology and my master’s degree in social work from Saint Louis University. I have completed both levels of social work licensure, LMSW and LCSW, and am now also licensed in Illinois. I worked as a hospice and home health social worker for the first two years out of graduate school and then for eight years as an inpatient medical social worker at Missouri Baptist Medical Center before joining BJC Medical Group.

What Inspires Me

Our world can be filled with violence and greed, but it is also brimming with kindness and love and those things give me hope and make me want to help change the world for the better.

What I Would Like My Patients to Know 

I will do my best to help find you needed resources and to help you problem solve. I enjoy finding new resources and creating guides to help my patients as well as my colleagues.

Phone: 314.996.7015 or toll-free 844.996.7020
Email address: [email protected]

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The Post-Acute Care Team


BJC Accountable Care Organization’s (ACO) post-acute care team provides continuity of care as patients transition from the hospital to post-acute care/skilled nursing facility and then back to their home setting.

Gina Uzendu, NP

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Gina Uzendu, NP, has been practicing since 2007. She attended nursing school at Maryville University in St. Louis, MO and completed a preceptorship with Veteran’s Affairs Hospital.

Jeffrey Parks, MD

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Received his medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Carbondale, Illinois, and completed his residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria, Illinois.

Jessica Willis FNP

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Received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish School of Nursing and her Masters of Science in nursing from Maryville University.

Michael Nash, MD, CMD

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Received his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He completed his residency at Scott Air Force Base-Saint Louis University School of Medicine, near Belleville, Illinois. Dr. Nash has been the president of the Missouri Association of Long-Term Care Physicians since 2022.

Mweemba Chipepo, NP

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Mweemba Chipepo, NP, is a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner. He received his Master’s of Science in Nursing from Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College. Mweemba has a unique passion for serving the elderly and provides compassionate care to all his patients.

Roohi Siraj, MD

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Received her medical degree from Tver State Medical Academy. She completed her residency at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center and her fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis

Care Partners


Need more information? Talk to a care partner during normal business hours M-F by calling 314-996-7020 or 844-996-7020.

Lara Kerwin, PharmD, BCACP, Clinical Pharmacist

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Lara Kerwin, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified, ambulatory care pharmacist. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy and completed a two-year residency at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. Her areas of expertise include patient-centered, pharmacist-provided care and leadership.

Adam Mayhew, RN, BSN

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Hello, my name is Adam and I work as a care partner to support patients transitioning from hospital to home by offering them assistance with medications, follow up appointments, and therapies. I also assist patients with chronic health care needs who may not have had a recent hospitalization, but may benefit from an additional layer of nursing support. I work closely with patients’ physicians for continuity of care and timely management of health care issues.

Alison Lowe RN, LCSW, CCM

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Hello my name is Alison. As a care partner, I act as a resource to patients and their families. I can help coordinate services that patients receive and communicate with your doctor’s office directly when needed.  I am here to provide education and support.