Contact Us

We're pleased to offer a great deal of information on our Web site. However, no one can anticipate all of your questions and concerns. While answers to individual medical questions sometimes cannot be answered without an appointment, we are eager to hear from both current and prospective patients. Please also feel free to contact any of the physicians by email.

• Our main toll-free phone number is 1 (877) 882-2574. Locally, you may call 882-6762.
• Our phone number for appointments is (573) 884-8840.
• Our physician referral line is (800) 877-7197 (in Columbia, 882-7197).
• Clinic appointments for worker's compensation patients should be directed to (573) 884-1593.
• After hours, call the University Hospital operator at (573) 882-4141.
• For emergencies, contact the Emergency Center by calling (800) 877-7197. In Columbia, call 882-8091.
• Our fax line is (573) 882-8200.

Our Surgeons

Your surgeon is the leader of your care team. Even if you have been referred to us by another physician, he, often accompanied by a resident physician, will examine you, review your medical record, and determine the best course of action to help improve your condition. You are encouraged to ask questions and be an active participant in your care.

William C. Allen, MD
E-mail: allenw@health.missouri.edu
Office Phone: (573) 882-3106

Dr. Allen is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and a graduate of the University of Chicago. He served as a resident physician at Stanford University and completed fellowship training at Case Western Reserve University. His clinical interests include the hip, knee, shoulder, sports-related injuries, arthritis, and cancer, and he is currently conducting research in bioabsorbable materials, intra-articular meniscal suture devices, and biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. Dr. Allen is an professor emeritus and former chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Dr. Allen's full biography can be viewed here.

B. Sonny Bal, MD, MBA
E-mail: balb@health.missouri.edu
Office Phone: (573) 882-6762

Dr. Bal is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and a graduate of Cornell University Medical College. He served as a resident physician at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and completed fellowship training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University. His clinical interests include ceramic bearing surfaces in total hip and knee replacements, and he is currently conducting research in new materials used in implants and the molecular causes of osteoarthritis. Dr. Bal is an associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Dr. Bal's full biography can be viewed here.

Thomas Aleto, MD
E-mail: aletot@health.missouri.edu
Office Phone (573) 882-6762

Dr. Aleto is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine and completed his residency at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He completed his fellowship training at the Center for Hip and Knee Surgery at St. Francis Hospital in Mooresville, Ind. He is an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Dr. Aleto's full biography can be viewed here.

Support Staff

Gwen Curtis, Clinic Coordinator, Missouri Hip & Knee/Spine E-mail: curtisg@health.missouri.edu Office Phone: (573) 882-6708 Gwen serves as the Missouri Hip and Knee Center's clinic co-coordinator. She has more than 30 years experience with the University of Missouri.

Tara Daro, Patient Account Representative E-mail: darot@health.missouri.edu (573) 882-3783 Tara assists patients with insurance questions. She helps patients understand what insurance will and will not pay for and she lets them know if our practice is covered by their insurance plan.

Pam Fuller, RN E-mail: fullerp@health.missouri.edu Office Phone: (573) 884-8840 Pam brings 28 years of nursing experience to the total joint team, where she assists Dr. Aleto in clinic. She is a patient advocate and believes in the importance of conveying a caring attitude, with open communication and patient education at each visit. She assists in providing a positive experience and continuity of care with each patient. Please feel free to contact her.

Molly Hawkins , Office Support Staff E-mail: hawkinsmj@health.missouri.edu Office Phone: (573) 884-6468 Molly assists Dr. Bal and Linda Landry, RN, with all administrative tasks.

Jennifer Koelling, RN, BSN E-mail: koellingj@health.missouri.edu Office Phone: (573) 882-6762 Jennifer previously worked in urgent care and in operating rooms before joining the Hip and Knee team. She earned her RN, associate nursing degree, and bachelor's degree in nursing from Lincoln University. Patients usually meet Jennifer after they have discussed their surgical options with Dr. Aleto. She will work to set a date for surgery and discuss all of the necessary tests, medical and dental clearances, and post-operative therapies with patients. She is ready to answer questions from patients and their families and to help solve any problems that arise before surgery. During surgery, Jennifer is part of the team that will prepare you for the procedure, and she also assists Dr. Aleto during the operation.

Linda Landry, BSN, RN E-mail: landryl@health.missouri.edu Office Phone: (573) 882-6762 Linda brings more than 20 years of experience to Dr. Bal's Total Joint Team. She has worked with orthopaedic patients for many years in clinics, surgical intensive care units, emergency rooms, operating rooms and in post-operative care. As the spouse of one of Dr Bal's total knee replacement patients, Linda brings a special awareness to her position. Patients usually meet Linda after they have discussed their surgical options with Dr. Bal. She assists in finding a surgical date, discusses hospital options, necessary tests, medical clearance, dental clearance and post-operative therapies. Linda can answer questions or help solve problems you may have before surgery. On your surgery date, Linda with be part of the team that prepares you and assists Dr. Bal throughout the operation. Linda hopes everyone will take charge of their personal health by getting regular medical and dental checkups, exercising and maintaining a healthy diet.

Sheila Meyer, Patient Account Representative E-mail: crockers@health.missouri.edu Office Phone: (573) 882-3783 Sheila has worked at University Hospital and Clinics for five years. She helps verify all insurance questions for patient surgeries. She also answers questions by phone or e-mail for patients regarding surgery precertification and benefit quotes.

Dianna Russell, LPN, Clinic Nurse E-mail: russelld@health.missouri.edu Office Phone: (573) 884-8840 Dianna brings 33 years of nursing experience to the total joint team. She is among one of the first who will meet and assist patients with their clinic experience. She assists Dr. Bal and manages the general flow of the clinic. Dianna strongly advocates patient education. Please feel free to ask her for the educational material that we have available.

Rachel Winingear, Administrative Assistant E-mail: stockmanr@health.missouri.edu Office Phone: (573) 882-6762 Rachel assists Drs. Aleto and Bal with a variety of administrative tasks and usually is the person you will speak to if you call our main number.

Carolyn Summers, RN, ONC E-mail: summersca@health.missouri.edu Office Phone: (573) 882-6762 As a seasoned nurse. Carolyn brings 29 years of nursing experience to the total joint team. As a certified orthopaedic nurse with case management and surgical experience, she will assist you in preparing for, during and after your joint replacement. Carolyn is an advocate for patient education and encourages you to achieve a full, active life.

Heather York, Reimbursement Assistant E-mail: yorkh@health.missouri.edu Office Phone: (573) 884-6082 Healther has six year's experience in orthopaedics. She supervises the clinic billing staff and does clinic billing and clinic authorization for procedures. She also answers patient questions regarding bills, complaints, and insurance.

Resident Physicians

Resident physicians are orthopaedic surgeons in training.  We graduate three outstanding young surgeons each year in our Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program.

Please note that resident physicians do NOT perform your operation.  Joint replacement surgery is a complex undertaking, requiring advanced training and attention to multiple details. The benefit of having your surgery done at the University of Missouri is that resident physicians will assist your surgeon during, before, and after the procedure. In private practice, this function is done by non-physicians instead. This is how the future generations of doctors are educated, and there is no better place for them to learn the latest techniques and procedures than at an academic institution such as ours. Rest assured however, that no part of your surgical care or the actual operation is deferred to a resident physician. To learn more about our resident physicians, who rank among the very top of their classes at some of the most prestigious medical schools in the country, follow this link.