September 06, 2022
Meet Angela Hileman
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Where are you from? 
St. Louis.
What brought you to Washington University Orthopedics?
I came to WashU ortho after recruitment from colleagues from Barnes Jewish Hospital ortho.
What aspect of your work do you find most interesting or rewarding?
To take a person from a place of despair and bring some hope for a better future. This is what orthopedics is all about.
How do you supports patients and physicians?
I am a clinical nurse coordinator for spine. I support patients by guiding them into their next steps wether it be further testing, surgery, recovery, etc.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I love to travel and be by water.
What's the best advice you ever received?
Never go to sleep angry!
Anything else you’d like to share?
I have a 15 year old cat named Angela! I have been married 3 years and it all started 20 years ago on this campus; we have 7 grandchildren and anywhere near an ocean is where I long to be!
When asked how Angela benefits the team, Matthew Goodwin, MD, PhD, shares:
"I could go on and on about Angela, but I will get straight to the point - patients do better because of her outstanding care from the moment she meets them to, well, forever! It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, the moment Angela meets you she is going to support you and your goals, surgical or otherwise. Sometimes she has to be tough, sometimes she has to hold your hand, but she never waivers in supporting you as a patient. She insists every patient receives the best possible care, even if it isn't surgical, and even if it takes great effort on all of our behalf.
"In spine surgery, and specifically spinal oncology, we often deal with complex problems that are life-changing. One of my favorite memories is when Angela was starting - one patient told me she was not sure Angela knew the specifics about the surgery as well as she thought she would. We discussed how she had just started with me and I assured her that she would take good care of her, even if some specific details about the surgery were unclear. Weeks later at a follow up visit, this same patient would tell me how great Angela was. She talked about her responsiveness in calling back, her demeanor, her ability to relate when the patient was struggling, etc. Some version of this story has now been repeated with many patients, only now she knows all the surgical details better than anyone. If there is something she does not know, she will just say that and find out.
"People know when someone is being "real" or not, and that is one thing I think both Angela and I pride ourselves on. For us, this job isn't about the money or our pride, or prestige or anything else like that; rather it is about taking darn good care of the good people of St. Louis (and beyond). If you are a high-risk surgical candidate, we are going to talk frankly and openly about those risks. If you have a complication, we are going to talk honestly about that complication, why it may have happened, and how we can best move forward. Patients learn to trust Angela, not only because she is there for them and is empathetic, but also because she is transparent and nonjudgmental during what is often one of if not the most trying times of their lives. She gets that, and patients feel that from her.
"The bottom line is that Angela has a special gift for working with these patients with complex spinal problems. I do not know how to teach what she has, or that it can even be taught. Often, I just feel fortunate that she has chosen to use this gift in our department and in my clinic, where ultimately patients do better simply because she is here," complimented Dr. Goodwin.
Learn why patient's choose Washington University Orthopedics, request an appointment with a specialist online or call (314) 514-3500.