Joan Killgore provides value to her clients by bringing particular clinical and technical knowledge to the table, which enables her to quickly assess urgent matters and provide practical and creative recommendations. Her background includes experience as a pediatric hospital nurse and an adjunct professor for the Center for Health Law Studies at Saint Louis University School of Law, which has been consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 health law program in the nation.

On a daily basis, Joan counsels clients on an array of health care regulatory, operational and transactional matters. Joan has significant experience assisting clients with regulatory compliance matters, including structuring physician arrangements in accordance with the Stark Law, and counseling clients regarding retrospective review of complicated compliance issues and, if needed, utilization of the CMS and OIG self-disclosure protocols.  

Joan is also head of Polsinelli’s health care regulatory due diligence team assessing regulatory compliance and potential risk to buyer hospital clients arising from physician arrangements and general health care operational issues.

Education

  • Saint Louis University (J.D., magna cum laude, 2000)
    • Saint Louis University Law Journal, Health Law Symposium Editor
  • Missouri Baptist Medical Center School of Nursing (Nursing Diploma, 1992)
    • University of Virginia (B.A., 1986)

      Bar Admission

      • Missouri, 2000

      Professional Affiliations

      • St. Joseph’s Academy
        • Board Member 2020-present
      • The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
        • Member 2014-present
      • American Health Law Association
        • Fundamentals of Health Law Planning Committee, 2025-present 
      • American Bar Association
        • Stark and Anti-Kickback Toolkit Editorial Board
          • Vice Chair, 2012-2014
      • Missouri Society of Health Care Attorneys
        • President, 2012
        • Vice President, 2011
        • Board of Directors, 2006-2012
      • The Missouri Bar
      • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
      • St. Louis Area Health Lawyers Association
      • Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers
        • Board of Directors, 2005-2009
      • Catholic Services for Children and Youth
        • Board of Directors, 2004-2006
      • St. Luke’s Hospital
        • Institutional Review Board (IRB-2), 2001-2004

      Recognition

      • Recognized as a Stellar Performance Lawyer by Thomson Reuters, 2026
      • Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® for:
        • Corporate Law, 2013-2026
        • Health Care Law, 2012-2026
      • Selected for Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis, Missouri for Health Care Law, 2013
      • Ranked in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Healthcare, Missouri, 2022-2025
      • Women's Justice Awards, Business Practitioner, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2012
      • Saint Louis University School of Law
        • Adjunct Professor, 2005-2012
          • Class entitled "Health Care Fraud, Abuse & Regulation"
      • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
        • Nurse, 1992-1998