Dr. Bhajan S. Dara, MD, FACP

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Get to know Nephrologist Dr. Bhajan S. Dara, who serves patients in St. Louis, Missouri.

Recognized as a skilled nephrologist, Dr. Dara specializes in the care and treatment of the kidneys. He opened Metro St. Louis Dialysis Center in 2003, having cared for thousands of patients in North St. Louis.

In 2007, he partnered with American Renal Associates, LLC to bring the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art dialysis treatments to the community. With American Renal Associates, LLC, he was able to open Gateway St. Louis Dialysis Center on Union Blvd and I-70, where he remains strongly devoted to helping his patients fight kidney disease and have access to life-saving therapies if needed for kidney failure.

The doctor’s acclaimed career in medicine began in 1987 after he earned his medical degree from Jinnah Sindh Medical University in Pakistan. Upon relocating to the United States, he went on to complete his residency in internal medicine at Lutheran Medical Center in New York, followed by his fellowship in nephrology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.

With the vision of providing high-quality kidney care to an underserved population, he came to St. Louis in 1995. He joined Washington University School of Medicine’s ACES Program to mentor 3rd and 4th year medical students, and he enjoyed teaching medical residents while working full-time at St. Louis Regional Medical Center (later known as ConnectCare). During that time, he served as Chairman of the Pharmacy and Therapeutic (P&T) and Medical Executive Committees. He also helped open and was chosen to serve as Medical Director of the non-profit Prince Hall Dialysis Unit on Natural Bridge and West Florissant.  

With years of experience in his field, Dr. Dara is board-certified in internal medicine, nephrology, and hypertension by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world. 

In addition to being a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and a Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology (FASN), he is affiliated with St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis, DePaul Hospital – St. Louis, and St. Clare Hospital – Fenton.

Nephrology is a specialty of medicine and pediatrics that concerns itself with the kidneys. It is the study of normal kidney function and kidney disease, the preservation of kidney health, and the treatment of kidney disease, from diet and medication to renal replacement therapy. Nephrologists have advanced training in treating kidney disease. They diagnose and treat kidney failure, as well as help patients by prescribing medications, offering special diet advice, and coordinating dialysis care when the time comes. 

In his free time, Dr. Dara loves to cook and spend time with his wife and two sons.

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