Jason Muchow of Mercy St. Louis considers technology and convenience for all patients.

He also maintains relationships with the St. Louis Cardinals and other sports teams.

At work, Jason Muchow frequently poses the question: OK, what’s next? It’s a common mindset in the athletic training field, he said: “None of us are really ever truly satisfied. How can we make something better than what it is today?”

As the executive director of operations at Mercy St. Louis, this frame of mind has resulted in some breakthrough projects for Muchow.

Muchow does not treat patients in his role. Instead, he develops, implements and manages details related to the hospital system’s sports medicine and orthopedics program. He was recently involved in the design of the Mercy Center for Performance Medicine & Specialty Care in St. Louis, a regional hub for sports medicine. The five-story building provides services including an ambulatory surgery center, an orthopedic and sports medicine clinic, bariatric care and more.

Muchow said technology and convenience for patients were at the forefront of the planning process.

Patients are now benefiting from same-day advanced imaging access, better treatment availability and even complementary valet parking. But even with the success of the new facility, his “what’s next?” persists.

“Once you build something and you’re there, you’re like, ‘Oh, we should have done something different,’” Muchow said.

“As we build new buildings in the future, we’re asking, ‘What are the components we have to take into consideration?’”

PARTNERING WITH ST. LOUIS PRO ATHLETES, OTHER TEAMS

Not only is he involved in coordinating care for regular patients, he is also heavily involved in the care provided to some of this area’s favorite athletes.

Muchow helped form, and now maintains, relationships between Mercy and the St. Louis Cardinals organization, the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club and area high schools.

As part of the long-term alliance with the Cardinals, Muchow works closely with the team’s primary physician, fellow Missouri State alum Dr. Brian Mahaffey. The pair met when Muchow was a freshman at Missouri State, and Mahaffey has seen Muchow grow through his professional career.

“He has a great business mind. He can take my crazy ideas and make them work,” Mahaffey said. “The things we’ve been able to accomplish not just in St. Louis, but throughout the organization, are directly tied to Jason’s ability. He is clearly a leader in orthopedics and sports medicine throughout all of Mercy.”

INTERNSHIP DURING COLLEGE STARTED EVERYTHING FOR HIM

Muchow earned a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine and athletic training from Missouri State in 2006.

After that, he was offered a graduate assistantship as an athletic trainer for Missouri State’s men’s soccer. That helped him decide to stay at MSU for further education.

While in the master’s program, Muchow started an internship that launched his career at Mercy. It was initially meant to last for eight weeks, but turned into a semester-long position.

“It was quite the final semester for me: taking classes, teaching classes, doing the internship and working as an athletic trainer,” Muchow said.

Those busy months paid off. After completing his degree, Muchow accepted two part-time positions at Mercy — one as an administrative intern, and the other as an athletic trainer in the sports medicine department.

About a year later, he transitioned into a full-time position as an operations manager, and later took on a director role. His first assignment was in St. Louis.

“The initial thought was I’d be in one location for three to six months and then go to another as needs arise,” Muchow said. “Well, the needs just kept coming.”

He has continued to find ways to advance Mercy St. Louis.

“Mercy sports medicine would not be what it is today as a regional power if it wasn’t for Jason Muchow. Period,” his friend Mahaffey said.

BUILDING A FAMILY WITH A FELLOW BEAR

Muchow oversees three programs: orthopedics and sports medicine, eye services and occupational medicine.

Each day is different. That can mean long hours, sometimes starting as early as 6:30 in the morning and going until 8 p.m.

“My priority outside of work is just having family time,” Muchow said.

Muchow’s wife, Kristin (née Brueckmann) is a fellow MSU alum. She earned a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology in 2002. They crossed paths on campus, but never knew that until they met after college. They have two daughters, Taylor, 4, and Hannah, 2.

He and Kristin love to travel, whether it’s a couple’s trip or to stay in touch with friends from college. The pair also exercise together every morning.

Muchow’s commitment to fitness extends beyond his daily routine. He serves on the board for Athletic Trainers in the Physician Practice Society and advocates for the field.

“We’re trying to create resources and advance the profession to leverage the knowledge, skills and abilities of athletic trainers,” Muchow said. “That’s a passion of mine.”

He found his calling early in his college career.

“I’m one of the few people who is doing exactly what I went to school for. I had four strong years of field experience in the athletic training program, and I felt incredibly prepared coming out of the master’s in health administration program. Still to this day, it’s all about the application of what I learned at Missouri State.”