Meet the Physicians of our Community Research Network: Part 3
Getting to Know the Brilliant Minds Behind Our Innovative Research Teams at St. Louis
This is part three of our series to celebrate Clinical Trials Day on May 20th where we are highlighting the physicians who have joined our Community Research Network in the past year.
Today, we are excited to introduce you to some of the highly skilled and compassionate physicians who are part of our St. Louis District. Each of these professionals brings a wealth of knowledge, extensive education, and groundbreaking research experience to their respective fields.
Dr. Yezaz Ghouri
SSM Health DePaul Hospital
Dr. Yezaz Ghouri is a distinguished gastroenterologist at SSM Health DePaul Hospital in St. Louis. Onboarded recently on March 18 of this year to Site Partnership Network, Dr. Ghouri specializes in treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and various gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, constipation, nausea, ulcerative colitis, and noninfectious gastroenteritis.
Dr. Ghouri's research experience is impressive. He has co-investigated projects aimed at bioengineering probiotic bacterium contrast agents for monitoring inflammation using multispectral optoacoustic tomography. His role in this project, working alongside other esteemed colleagues, reflects his dedication to advancing gastrointestinal medicine. Additionally, he has worked on research exploring the impact of perivascular adipose on vascular dysfunction in IBD, the role of bile salt hydrolase in improving treatments, and studying investigational therapy for people with Crohn’s disease.
Dr. Ghouri is renowned for his compassionate medical care, friendly bedside manner, and attention to detail. He listens carefully to his patients and explains tailored treatment recommendations to ensure their gastrointestinal conditions do not disrupt their daily activities. As an expert in his field, he has been widely published on topics such as IBD, IBS, UC, GI tumors, and Crohn's disease. He is a great addition to our embedded research Team in St. Louis.
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Dr. Elie Azrak
SSM Health Heart & Vascular Care
Dr. Elie Azrak is a board-certified cardiologist at SSM Health Heart & Vascular Care and joined our network in December 2024. He brings with him his extensive expertise in nuclear cardiology, adult comprehensive echocardiography, interventional cardiology, cardiovascular diseases, and internal medicine. Dr. Azrak earned his medical degree from Aleppo University in Syria and completed his residency and fellowships at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where he now serves as an assistant professor of medicine.
Dr. Azrak's research experience includes leading several pivotal studies as the principal investigator. Notable among these is a randomized placebo-controlled study of clopidogrel in acute myocardial infarction, a randomized placebo-controlled trial focusing on the use of macrolide antibiotics in coronary artery disease, and a study utilizing radiolabeled antibodies for targeting tumor cells.
Dr. Azrak's medical interests include performing complex interventions such as transradial catheterization, atherectomy, and peripheral stenting. He is certified in catheter closure of intracardiac shunts, showcasing his commitment to providing advanced cardiovascular care to his patients. He forms great connections with his patients, who often recommend him to friends and family, noting his ability to listen to patients’ concerns and take time to answer questions.
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Dr. Christiane Zoghbi
SSM Health Cancer Care
Dr. Christiane Zoghbi is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist at SSM Health Cancer Care. She has been practicing since 2011 and joined our Site Partnership Network in January 2025. Dr. Zoghbi graduated from the Lebanese University School of Medicine and completed her residency at East Tennessee State University, followed by fellowships in hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant at Saint Louis University.
Dr. Zoghbi has a special interest in breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer, as well as benign and malignant hematologic disorders. Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, she is dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art therapies while maintaining a good quality of life for her patients. Dr. Zoghbi is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) and the American Society of Hematologists (ASH).
"My goal is to deliver the state-of-the-art, most advanced therapies to my patients while focusing on maintaining good quality of life. I am dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and preventing different types of cancers. Providing education and high compassionate care are the cornerstones in treating my patients."
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Dr. Stephanie Becker-Koepke
SSM Health Cancer Care
Dr. Stephanie Becker-Koepke is a hematologist and medical oncologist, who joined our network last spring. She is board-certified in hematology, oncology, and internal medicine and completed her fellowship at Saint Louis University. She has a clinical interest in breast, lung, and colon cancers, as well as hematologic disorders.
Her research experience includes participating in a randomized Phase 3 study of an investigation product for treating large B-cell lymphoma. Dr. Becker-Koepke is a member of the American Society for Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology, highlighting her commitment to advancing oncology and hematology care.
She is known in SSM Health for being extremely knowledgeable in her field, explaining treatment options to her patients, and investigating all avenues. One patient noted, “Dr. Stephanie Becker is an outstanding and caring physician. Her compassion and professional knowledge always shine through as she says to me, ‘We have your back,’. She is a dear and wonderful person.”
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Dr. Mansoor Haq
SSM Health Cancer Care
Dr. Mansoor Haq is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist at SSM Health Cancer Care, who partnered with Circuit in April 2024. He specializes in treating breast, lung, colon, prostate, and lymphoma cancers. Dr. Haq graduated from King Edward Medical College and completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Dr. Haq has extensive research experience; for example, he has led numerous clinical Phase 2-Phase 3 trials, including a study assessing the efficacy of an investigation treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, a study looking at a new treatment option to be used in combination with chemotherapy for participants with untreated small-cell lung cancer, and a randomized study involving the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. It is this experience that helps our clinical Team support oncology study opportunities in St. Louis.
"Being a doctor provides me an opportunity to develop a close relationship with my patients. I strive to provide state-of-the-art treatment while meeting my patient's medical and emotional needs. I see a lot of hope for cancer patients due to ever-expanding treatments becoming available."
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Dr. Mudresh Mehta
SSM Health Cancer Care
Dr. Mudresh Mehta is a board-eligible oncologist and hematologist who also practices at SSM Health Cancer Care. Dr. Mehta graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship at Saint Louis University. His special interests include diagnosing and treating all types of cancers and hematological disorders. He is also a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology.
Onboarded on April 19th, Dr. Mehta's research experience includes participating in a Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of an investigational product for triple-negative breast cancer patients.
Patients note that Dr. Mehta is personable and takes extra care to ensure his patients are comfortable and understand their options, earning patients’ trust throughout their treatment.
"My mission is to provide patients with the best possible care based on their personal goals. By using the most effective treatment strategies, along with listening to concerns, together, we will create a care plan. I will be there for you and your loved ones throughout each step of the journey."
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Dr. Getinet Ayalew
SSM Health DePaul Hospital
Dr. Getinet Ayalew is a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist at SSM Health DePaul Hospital in St. Louis. He is a member of the American Societies of Hematology and Clinical Oncology, as well as the American College of Physicians. Dr. Ayalew received his medical degree from Gondar College of Medical Sciences in Ethiopia and completed his residency and fellowship at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York.
Dr. Ayalew joined our network in April 2024, and brought with him an extensive research background. His research publications include studying potential therapeutic implications for antibody-mediated therapy for adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, the frequency of EGFR and KRAS mutations in lung adenocarcinomas in African Americans, the successful treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia, and various other hematologic and oncologic conditions.
Dr. Ayalew treats his patients with kindness, professionalism, and respect, going the extra mile to make sure people are treated with the utmost care.
"Dealing with cancer can be a difficult journey for patients and their families. As a Hematologist and Oncologist, my goal is to optimize the quality of life for my patients and their loved ones, helping them cope with these challenges. I understand that every patient has unique needs, and I tailor practice decisions to individual patients by incorporating the latest evidence-based medicine."
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Dr. Brian Smith
SSM Health DePaul Hospital
Dr. Brian Smith is a board-certified medical oncologist at SSM Health DePaul Hospital. He graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine, completed his residency at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, and completed a fellowship at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where he was awarded Fellow of the Year at Miami Valley Hospital in 2020.
Having joined our network in April 2024, Dr. Smith's research experience includes leading a Phase 4 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of an oral drug for treating refractory metastatic colorectal cancer and participating in a multi-group, multi-cancer blood biospecimen collection study. Dr. Smith specializes in targeted and immunotherapy, managing a variety of cancers including breast, lung, colon, prostate, and hematological cancers.
His patients have said that he is thorough in his care and is compassionate, experienced, and respectful—echoing Dr. Smith’s belief, "My mission is to treat every patient with knowledge and compassion as if I were treating my own family."
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Since expanding our Site Partnership Network to St. Louis, we have had the opportunity to work with physicians who are passionate about healthcare and clinical research; thanks in large part to our partnership with SSM Health. To learn more about this partnership, visit the link here: https://www.circuitclinical.com/posts/ssm-health-circuit-clinical-partnership/
In the meantime, we are posting our final blog in our Clinical Trials Day series, focusing on the physicians in Madison, Wisconsin.