October 02, 2023
Meet Alyson Dykes
Nurse Practitioner
Alyson specializes in the care of patients with complex medical conditions and orthopedic patients with polytrauma or limb loss. She performs preoperative spine functional assessments and inpatient consultations at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Where are you from? 
I am from St. Louis, and currently live in Eureka, Missouri.
What brought you to Washington University Orthopedics?
When I found this position, I hit it off right away with Nicole, my manager for neuro-rehab. It turned out the position also correlated to a lot of schooling I had previously had before going to nursing school, Exercise Science (BS) and Human Performance (MS). It was very exciting to have found a landing place that I can use the broad range of education I have had.
What aspect of your practice do you find most interesting or rewarding?
The one aspect I find most interesting is our inpatient consult service. It is one of my favorite components of my job because there is so much medical complexity and variety from the patients we are consulted on at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. I have thoroughly enjoyed that component of my position because it is heavily based in critical thinking skills as well as medically complex conditions. From my interactions with patients as a consultant, I can use those critical thinking skills and medical knowledge to make the appropriate decision(s) on if a patient is appropriate for inpatient rehab or another option of rehabilitation after their hospital stay.
The most rewarding aspect is getting to interact with the patients and help them through whatever condition they are experiencing and getting to educate them and partner with them on their rehabilitation needs.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
My favorite things to do outside of work are golfing, biking, and interval running. I enjoy being active when I have the time and love being outside. Also enjoy reading and following Collegiate and professional athletics (football, soccer, hockey, baseball, basketball, golf).
If you weren't in health care, what would you like to be doing?
If I wasn’t in healthcare, I’d probably be a teacher. When I initially went to college, I was a high school English literature major, but could have also seen myself teaching history, PE, and being a middle or high school volleyball or basketball coach.
Anything else you would like to share?
I enjoy spending time with my extended family and going to sporting events for my cousin's children who I treat as if they were my own nieces and nephews. I'm an only child, so any excuse I can use to spoil them or watch them grow in their high school athletic pursuits, I try to be around for! I also enjoy getting together regularly with my friends that I have grown close to from working in the operating room at Barnes West County for the past seven years.
Learn why patient's choose Washington University Orthopedics, request an appointment online or call (314) 514-3500.