Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Expert Anesthesiology & Pain Management Services St. Louis
Western Anesthesiology Associates has been delivering expert anesthesiology and pain management care to the Greater St. Louis community since 1970. Our team of board-certified physicians, CRNAs, and allied health professionals consistently ranks in the top 10% nationally for patient satisfaction, combining advanced clinical expertise with compassionate care. We specialize in tailoring anesthetic solutions for adult, pediatric, and obstetric patients across diverse clinical environments, including hospitals, surgery centers, and dental offices.Our commitment to quality is demonstrated through AAAHC accreditation for Premier Dental Anesthesiology and active participation in national patient safety initiatives. With over 125,000 annual patient interactions, we maintain rigorous standards aligned with leading medical organizations while prioritizing individualized care and transparent communication throughout every procedure.
Services
Anesthesiology
Pain Management
Pediatric Anesthesiology
Dental Anesthesiology
Regional Anesthesia
General Anesthesia
Monitored Anesthesia Care
Spinal/Epidural Anesthesia
Details
- Year established: 1970
Highlights and features
- Board-certified physicians with advanced fellowship training in specialized fields
- Consistently ranked top 10% nationally for patient satisfaction
- AAAHC-accredited dental anesthesiology program since 2010
- 125,000+ annual patient interactions across 15+ clinical locations
- Personalized anesthetic plans considering individual patient history
Associations and certifications
- Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care
What people say
Fantastic communication
Professional and knowledgeable
Compassionate and comforting
Personalized care approach
Excellent patient experience
Services
Anesthesiology
Our board-certified anesthesiologists provide comprehensive anesthesia care for surgical procedures across all specialties. We offer tailored anesthetic plans considering individual patient history and needs, with expertise in general, regional, and monitored anesthesia care. Our team works collaboratively with surgical staff to ensure optimal patient outcomes while maintaining safety standards exceeding national benchmarks.
Pain Management
Specialized interventional pain management services address chronic pain conditions through advanced treatment modalities. Our board-certified pain specialists utilize evidence-based approaches including nerve blocks, spinal injections, and medication management to improve quality of life while minimizing opioid dependence. Treatments are customized following comprehensive patient evaluations.
Pediatric Anesthesiology
Dedicated pediatric anesthesiology specialists provide age-appropriate anesthesia care for children undergoing surgical or diagnostic procedures. Our team employs child-friendly techniques to reduce anxiety while maintaining strict safety protocols. Services include preoperative consultations, intraoperative care, and post-anesthesia recovery management specifically tailored for pediatric patients.
Dental Anesthesiology
Premier Dental Anesthesiology offers mobile sedation services for dental offices across Missouri. Our board-certified anesthesiologists and registered nurses deliver safe, controlled sedation for patients of all ages undergoing dental procedures. This service allows dentists to focus on treatment while we manage patient comfort and anesthetic care in office-based settings.
Regional Anesthesia
Specialized regional anesthesia techniques target specific nerve pathways to provide effective pain control for surgical procedures and postoperative recovery. Our experts utilize advanced imaging and nerve localization technology to administer precise blocks that minimize systemic medication effects while optimizing patient comfort.
People
F. Andrew Abele
Physician
Board-certified anesthesiologist with University of Missouri training, specializing in adult and pediatric anesthesia care. Active in clinical practice since completing residency in 1995, with expertise in general and regional anesthesia techniques.
Christopher Michael Ahrens
Physician
Osteopathic physician with specialized training in cardiothoracic anesthesia from Allegheny General Hospital. Combines holistic approach with technical expertise in anesthesiology practice since completing fellowship in 2008.
Linda J. Algra
Physician
Internationally trained anesthesiologist with experience across multiple continents. Specializes in obstetric anesthesia and acute pain management, contributing to improved maternal care protocols in clinical settings.
Jay B. Androphy
Physician
Pediatric anesthesiology specialist with fellowship training from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Focuses on reducing perioperative anxiety in young patients while maintaining strict safety standards during surgical procedures.
Donald E. Arnold
Physician
Experienced anesthesiologist with dual certification in pain management. Specializes in interventional pain procedures and chronic pain treatment optimization for surgical and non-surgical patients.
Questions
What types of anesthesia do you offer?
We provide general, regional, spinal/epidural, and monitored anesthesia care. Our specialists will determine the most appropriate option based on your procedure and medical history during pre-anesthesia evaluation.
How do I prepare for anesthesia?
Follow preoperative instructions provided during your PACE Clinic consultation. This includes fasting guidelines, medication adjustments, and completing required health assessments to optimize your safety and outcomes.
Are your providers board-certified?
Yes, all our physicians are board-certified in anesthesiology. Many have additional certifications in subspecialties like pain management, pediatric anesthesiology, and critical care medicine.
Do you offer dental anesthesia services?
Our Premier Dental Anesthesiology division provides mobile sedation services for dental offices across Missouri. Board-certified anesthesiologists and RNs deliver safe sedation care for patients undergoing dental procedures.
How are anesthesia charges billed?
We bill separately for physician and CRNA services when both are involved. Facility charges for equipment and drugs appear on hospital bills. We work with most insurance providers and offer payment plans.
What is the PACE Clinic?
The Pre-Anesthesia Consultation & Evaluation Clinic at Mercy Hospital-St. Louis provides comprehensive preoperative assessments to optimize patient readiness, reduce complications, and enhance surgical scheduling efficiency through evidence-based evaluations.
Reviews (6)
Lori Butler
Jun 01, 2022
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Insurance bill from the company states they are in network, received a bill and they said we are not in network with mercy., take me to court!
Paul E.
May 16, 2022
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Hidden charges began to appear on my credit report. I have communicated via phone and email with no response from the emails. When you get past the receptionist the staff goes down hill. I was proactive in submitting paperwork from the hospital and still yet no response. Two employees in particular made it feel as though as having a conversation was a burden and unyielding to help.
AErin Greco
Jan 12, 2022
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Dr. Gibbons was so kind and careful with my father and took the time to answer all of his questions. They did a great job.
Shawn Moore
Jun 12, 2021
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Very rude, immediately after returning home from the hospital I was getting calls from this company wanting to collect money. They would rather send it to collections Instead of waiting for me to work out Health insurance deductible. I will be contacting Mercy to notify them of this behavior!
AErin G.
Jun 01, 2019
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The anesthesiologists were very kind and caring and concerned with me as a person. I appreciate the time to ask me if I needed anything or had any concerns. All questions were addressed immediately. So nice!
Alex D.
Dec 23, 2018
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The is the worst place to go for pain management ever. I can't believe Mercy sends people here. Wait times are literally over an hour and a half. Staff and doctor Schmidt incredibly rude to point of being mean. Also incompetent as can be and this incompetentacy was verified by a very competent injury specialist. Never go here. One visit will be last.
