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Hiring Event:

St. Luke's Nursing Hiring Event on Wednesday, March 4, 2026

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Starting August 17th expect traffic delays due to the PGA golf tournament. Please allow extra travel time when visiting Chesterfield locations.

About

Austen Hufton, MD, is a board-certified thoracic surgeon at St. Luke’s, specializing in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted treatment of conditions affecting the lungs, chest wall, esophagus and diaphragm.

His clinical focus includes robotic and minimally invasive approaches to lung disease, hiatal and diaphragmatic hernias, thoracic outlet syndrome and esophageal disorders, with robotic surgery serving as an extension of his broader commitment to minimally invasive care. He is also experienced in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), laparoscopy and advanced endoscopy.

Dr. Hufton offers a minimally invasive-first approach to complex thoracic and foregut pathology, including recurrent or complex hiatal hernias, with an emphasis on reduced recovery time and close coordination of patient care. He provides individualized surgical planning for conditions of the lung, esophagus, diaphragm and thoracic outlet, using the least invasive technique appropriate for each patient.

Dr. Hufton earned his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine after completing his undergraduate degree at Saint Louis University. He completed his general surgery residency at Henry Ford St. John Hospital and a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Northwell Health–Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

Gender

  • Male

Languages

  • English

Affiliations

  • St. Luke's Hospital
  • St. Luke's Medical Group

Treatments

  • Lung cancer
  • Lung nodules and masses
  • Benign lung tumors
  • Metastatic tumors of the lung
  • Emphysema and advanced COPD
  • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
  • Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs)
  • Empyema (infection around the lung)
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Lung abscesses
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Hiatal hernias
  • Large or complex paraesophageal hernias
  • Recurrent hiatal hernias
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Achalasia
  • Esophageal diverticula
  • Esophageal motility disorders
  • Diaphragmatic hernias
  • Diaphragmatic hernias
  • Diaphragm paralysis
  • Diaphragm dysfunction or weakness
  • Chest wall tumors
  • Mediastinal masses and tumors
  • Thymoma (tumors of the thymus gland)
  • Mediastinal cysts
  • Chest wall deformities
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)
  • Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Venous thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery
  • Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
  • Minimally invasive lung resection
  • Lobectomy and segmentectomy
  • Minimally invasive hiatal and paraesophageal hernia repair
  • Redo or revisional hiatal hernia surgery
  • Anti-reflux surgery (fundoplication)
  • Minimally invasive esophageal surgery
  • Minimally invasive esophageal surgery
  • Diaphragm repair and plication
  • Thoracic outlet decompression surgery
  • Advanced endoscopic procedures
  • Laparoscopic foregut surgery
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Education & Training

  • Medical Education
    • Saint Louis University School of Medicine
  • Residency
    • Ascension St. John Hospital and Medical Center
  • Fellowship
    • Northwell Health - Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital

Insurances Accepted

Please contact your insurance company to verify this provider is in-network for your exact plan and to understand your coverage benefits, co-pays and deductibles.

  • Aetna
  • Anthem BCBS
  • Ascension
  • Cigna
  • Essence
  • Healthy Blue
  • Humana (Medicare)
  • Medica (WellFirst)
  • Medicare
  • Medicare SLMG
  • Multiplan-PHCS
  • Oscar
  • RR Medicare
  • UHC
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Ratings & Reviews

What patients are saying