Staff members at Washington University School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery are essential in supporting the institution’s mission of excellence in clinical outcomes, research and education. By providing various management, administrative, technical, financial, marketing and communications needs, staff members allow our healthcare professionals to serve patients in the most efficient way. Meet one of the department’s staff members, Keith Davis, below!
Keith Davis is the Business Director for Cardiothoracic Surgery. He is from Washington, D.C. and has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Purdue University, and a Master of Health Administration from George Washington University. He’s married to Lindsay Davis and has a blended family with four teenagers.
Could you provide a description of your job?
Responsible for managing our contracted affiliate relationships and maximizing the value we and our affiliates get from the relationships. I help with growth and outreach for our practices and help manage operational and grant funding for the department. I also serve as a liaison between WU and BJC.
How long have you worked at the Department of Surgery?
Not long, I started in early October 2021.
What brought you to WashU?
The prospect of working in cardiothoracic again (in which I have some previous work experience) and to do so for such a prestigious entity as Washington University was a huge draw. I worked for BJC for 15 years and felt I could help grow the WU program given my familiarity with the BJC system and past experience.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
It’s still so new to me. I appreciate leadership’s confidence in my abilities thus far and the autonomy to run with things. And I’ve noticed a great consistency in what people feel are our strengths and challenges. That makes getting focused much easier.
What is your favorite thing about your coworkers?
Everyone I have met has been so expert in his/her area and willing to share knowledge to help me and to help the program succeed. Surgeons and staff alike. I just really appreciate the energy and drive here.
Is there a memorable moment from your job you could share?
When one of the surgeons was talking about an anastomosis and I knew exactly what that was. Ha.
What is your favorite thing about living in the St. Louis metropolitan area?
Have a big family and we live in Kirkwood which we love. There’s just a sense of community here that I didn’t have growing up back East.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love to work on small engines, and I rebuild old 80’s BMX bicycles. They’re cooler than you might think.
What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?
I am the guy everyone in the neighborhood goes to if they need a yard mole captured.
