Why Some People Develop Severe Mental Illnesses and Need Hospitalization: Insights, Treatments, and Funding

Explore the medical reasons behind severe mental illnesses that lead to psychiatric hospitalization, current treatment approaches, and the funding challenges faced in mental health care. Obvious Encounter. Yesterday, while walking through a park in University City, I came across a man sleeping on the ground surrounded by bags and personal...

HSHS closing O’Fallon, Highland occupational health sites; staff seek new operator

Six occupational health and wellness sites in Illinois, including those in O'Fallon and Highland, will close Oct. 23, Hospital Sisters Health System announced. Some staff at the O'Fallon location are attempting to rally civic support for a possible takeover by another health care operator. Other sites to close include those...

St. Louis County woman sentenced for defrauding Medicaid

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A St. Louis County woman who defrauded Missouri Medicaid with false home health care claims has been sentenced to prison. After pleading guilty to one count of health care fraud, Camille Childress, 41, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to repay $174,496 to Missouri Medicaid.

McKnight Place Extended Care helps ease the stress of an aging loved one

When planning for the care of an aging loved one, it’s important to look ahead to how their needs will change over time. From independent living to assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing; it’s beneficial to have plans in place and a community that can help your loved one through these various stages.

Remote Patient Monitoring and Chronic Care Management: Associated Physicians Group

New Cardinal Glennon center will keep more moms and babies together after high-risk births

For most families, childbirth is filled with firsts: the first cry, the first cuddle, the first hours spent getting to know a brand-new baby. But for parents facing a high-risk pregnancy or a newborn who needs intensive medical care, those first moments often look very different. Instead of staying together, mothers and babies are frequently separated almost immediately after delivery—sometimes receiving care in different hospitals.

Overgrown grass at former South City hospital mowed days after First Alert 4 story

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Two old hospitals in South St. Louis city had vacant lots mowed after neighbors complained to First Alert 4. Gravois Park resident Anita Womack-Weidner said she was excited to hear the lawn mowers from the city’s forestry division over the weekend. Crews...

St. Louis VA Healthcare receives funding for infrastructure upgrades

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System is receiving funds to help make infrastructure improvements. The funding comes as part of a record $4.8 billion in national VA spending to modernize, repair and improve healthcare. The funding for the VA St. Louis...

Nikki Stafford named Children’s Hospital president

Nikki Stafford, a pediatric health care executive with more than two decades of experience leading children’s hospitals and health systems, has been named president of St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Stafford most recently served as president of American Family Children’s Hospital and system vice president of pediatric services for...

Premier Institute of Oral and Facial Surgery Finds Solutions with Advanced Dental Care

SPONSORED – Dr. Alexander Heatrice, owner of Premier Institute of Oral and Facial Surgery, stops by to share why his dental practice is so unique. The Premier Institute of Oral and Facial Surgery is well known for their advanced dental implant procedures and can help those who need an implant or other dental transformations. Learn what inspired him to become an oral surgeon and what is most important to Dr. Heatrice when it comes to patient care.

Nexus Health Takes Over Eight Local Skilled Nursing Facilities, Shares Goal to Help Community

ALTON/BELLEVILLE/GODFREY/WOOD RIVER – Nexus Health has taken over eight skilled nursing facilities in the region, and they’re eager to engage with patients and the community. These facilities, previously under the name Bria, are now overseen by Nexus and focus on providing quality nursing care in Alton, Belleville, Cahokia,...

Gravois Park neighbors raise concerns over abandoned former hospital

Gravois Park residents are raising concerns about overgrown grass and weeds at a vacant property in the neighborhood.

Maryville Women's Center Moves To New Home

MARYVILLE - Maryville Women’s Center has moved to a new facility in Maryville after nearly 30 years in the community, relocating to 4972 State Route 159, according to an announcement dated June 10, 2026. The practice said the new office is about a mile from its previous location and...

Dutchtown resident provides security to shuttered hospital on own time, dime

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - First Alert 4 is following up on concerns about neglect in South City. The former St. Alexius Hospital location on S. Broadway in Dutchtown has been closed since 2023. Matthew Stanley owns the home right behind the old hospital and said he has...

Page says budget delays could affect STD, tuberculosis treatment in St. Louis County

CLAYTON, Mo. (First Alert 4) — St. Louis County Executive Sam Page is warning that budget delays could affect treatment for tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases, saying county clinics need money for medications and supplies. Page said the county’s tuberculosis specialty clinic is running low on drugs needed to...

Children's hospital commemorates construction milestone in Wentzville

St. Louis Children’s Hospital, in partnership with WashU Medicine, celebrated the placement of the final beam for the new Wentzville Specialty Care Center’s structural design during a topping-out ceremony on July 7. The final site plan for the 133,000 square-foot specialty children’s care center was approved by Wentzville...

Questions remain over St. Louis ambulance availability despite city’s budget assurances

First Alert 4 Investigates continues to ask questions about whether St. Louis has enough ambulances available when residents call 911, and whether a budget decision recently finalized could make the problem worse.