ST. LOUIS – On Saturday, Sept. 29, Esse Health physician Thomas F. Hastings, M.D., received the St. Ignatius Award from his alma mater, Rockhurst University, in Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Hastings is an internal medicine physician who practices in Chesterfield, Mo.

The St. Ignatius Award is given to alumni who have shown exceptional achievement in his or her fields of endeavor. Hastings, class of 1981, was honored for his work practicing medicine.

Photos from the award ceremony can be found at the following links:

  • Thomas Hastings, M.D., (left) and Timothy McDonald (right) pose with the St. Ignatius Award: http://flic.kr/p/dgtsnQ
  • Scholarship recipient Hero Ranjit Balani from St. John’s College in Belize smiles with Mary Hastings, M.D., and Thomas Hastings, M.D.: http://flic.kr/p/dgts3m
  • Thomas Hastings, M.D., offering some remarks after receiving the St. Ignatius Award: http://flic.kr/p/dgtqQ2

Upon graduating from Rockhurst, Hastings spent his first year teaching at St. John’s College in Belize. Recently, he and his wife, Mary Hastings, M.D., and two other Rockhurst alums provided funding for a student from St. John College to attend Rockhurst. This scholarship provides a student the opportunity to complete his or her bachelor’s degree before returning to Belize to assist St. John’s College and the country, much like Hastings did 30 years ago.

Professionally, Hastings has been recognized by a number of national organizations, including the National Committee for Quality Assurance, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, and American Stroke Association. He has been named an Ideal Missouri Practice Physician and, in 2009, became a fellow of the American College of Physicians. Hastings was also recognized as a “Best Doctor®” in 2011 and 2012.

About Esse Health:

Esse Health is an independent, St. Louis-based physician group that strives to improve the overall well-being of its patients through patient education, lifestyle modification and prevention. With 33 locations throughout the St. Louis and Metro East area, Esse Health’s services include asthma, allergy and immunology, family medicine, internal medicine, nutrition, pediatrics, radiology and urology. Esse Health is recognized as a leader in using technology in health care and physician accountability for both quality and cost-of-care. For more information on Esse Health, visit www.essehealth.com.

-30-