Yifan Tu, MD, PhD, has been an assistant professor in the department of hematology/oncology at Saint Louis University since September 2014. She serves as principal investigator for a clinical trial involving breast cancer treatments, and has an Elsa U. Pardee Foundation grant for testing leukemia drug-resistance and related signaling pathways. Dr. Tu earned her medical degree at the Medical Center of Fudan University, followed by a PhD in molecular and cell biology from the University of Massachusetts.

Joseph J. Muscato, MD, FACP, was one of the founding physicians of Missouri Cancer Associates in Columbia. He is a member of the American College of Physicians—where he has been elected fellow—and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

His awards include induction into the Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Societies, election as the Young Internist of the Year by the Missouri Society of Internal Medicine, and he is included in the Best Doctors in America, Mid-West edition and has been voted as one of the “Top Docs” in Columbia by VOX Magazine and Inside Columbia. Dr. Muscato is certified in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. 

Gerhard Hildebrandt, MD, FACP, is a hematologist and oncologist who treats cancers of the blood and lymph system. He joined MU Health Care’s Ellis Fischel Cancer Center to provide the people of mid-Missouri with excellent cancer care, including access to bone marrow transplants, CAR T cell therapy and clinical trials.

When Dr. Hildebrandt meets new patients, he likes to take his time and answer all their questions to ease their fears and help them to process and understand their diagnosis and plan ahead for treatment. The most rewarding part of his work is the bond he builds with patients and their families on the journey to the outcome they all seek, which is a cure.

In his free time, Dr. Hildebrandt enjoys swimming, working out, playing the piano and enjoying the company of his wife, his two daughters, his son and his Labrador retriever Ori.

Laurie Lewis RMA, is the Oncology Department Manager of Billing and Reimbursement at Washington University Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis Missouri. She has worked both in the clinical and administrative setting since 2015. Currently she manages a large work group comprised of 4 specialty teams working in chemotherapy precertification, coding/compliance, PAP/copay patient assistance and Insurance verification. Laurie has also spoken on the Financial Burdens of Survivorship during a webinar presented by the Division of Public Health Sciences at Washington University and has a true passion in assisting patients in every way possible to avoid financial hardships.