Ellie Fishbein, MD
Ellie Fishbein, MD, is a geriatrician, a primary care physician who sees adults ages 65 and up.
Dr. Fishbein sees patients at:
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital – Medical Office Building 2
10 Barnes West Drive
Suite: 200
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Please call 314-273-4374 for an appointment.
What drew you to focus your practice on adults 65 and older?
I’ve always been drawn to the complexity and depth of older adult care. I grew up with great older adults in my life. In medical school, geriatrics felt like a calling for me. As a geriatrician, I look at the whole picture: medical, functional, emotional and social. There’s something deeply meaningful about helping patients and families preserve what matters most to them as they age, especially when facing multiple conditions or life transitions.
What makes older-adult-focused care different from traditional primary care?
Geriatrics is less about treating diseases in isolation and more about understanding how everything fits together. We focus on function, cognition, medications and goals of care, often more than just lab numbers. It’s a thoughtful kind of medicine that emphasizes quality of life. We also get longer appointment times. Geriatricians love talking with our patients, so extra time is appreciated.
How do you help your patients stay active, independent and engaged as they age?
I prioritize prevention and practical strategies like fall risk reduction, medication review, mobility support and connecting patients with community resources. I also listen closely to what brings each person joy or meaning and build a care plan supporting those goals.
What do you find most meaningful about building long-term relationships with your patients?
I love being a steady presence in someone’s journey! Watching someone recover from a setback, adapt to a new stage of life or share stories over the years makes this work incredibly rewarding. It’s a privilege to witness a person’s life in such detail.
How do you approach conversations about complex health decisions with patients and families?
I try to create space for emotions, values and questions. I offer medical insight but also acknowledge uncertainty. Uncertainty is common, and I’m here to help navigate the grey areas. I focus on what the patient wants their life to look like and help guide decisions based on those goals, with empathy and honesty.
What’s something you wish more people understood about aging?
Aging isn’t a problem to be solved! It’s a natural process that can include growth, joy and meaning. We should focus more on supporting people as they age, rather than trying to avoid aging altogether.
What inspires you most about working with the older adult population?
Their humor! I am also inspired by their resilience, the way they’ve lived through history and still find new ways to grow. I learn something from my patients every single day.
What do you enjoy most about being part of WashU Medicine?
I’m surrounded by smart, compassionate people who believe in innovation, practice evidence-based care and lead with kindness. There’s a real spirit of collaboration and a commitment to doing what’s right for patients. Our geriatric primary care clinic is a gem!
What personal values have shaped the way you care for patients?
Curiosity, humility and respect. I never assume I know what’s best for someone without hearing their story. I believe care should always be person-centered and collaborative.
If you weren’t a doctor, what would your dream job be?
There is a parallel universe in which I am an improv comedian and comedy sketch writer full-time. I perform at the Improv Shop in St. Louis regularly. I would also love to be on the reality TV show “Survivor” and feel deeply that I could win the million-dollar prize. I’ve applied a few times. Waiting on my phone call, CBS!