Welcome to WashU Nephrology

WashU Nephrology Welcomes Alex Stark-Valdez, Our New Dialysis Nurse Practitioner

Alex Stark-Valdez with his family

WashU Nephrology welcomes Alex Stark-Valdez, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, who joined the Division as a dialysis Nurse Practitioner.

“Everyone has been so warm and welcoming,” says Alex.  “It’s been absolutely wonderful and I’m so happy that I chose this position as my first real nurse practitioner position.”  In his 12 years of nursing, Alex brings with him extensive experience in step-down ICU, allergy and immunology, family medicine, home health and acute dialysis.

Alex earned his Associates Degree in Nursing in 2010 in Toledo, Ohio, where he grew up.  He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Nursing in 2015 from Mercy College of Northwest Ohio and a master’s degree in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, from St. Louis University in December of 2019.  Due to Covid restrictions, he was unable to start working as an NP until October of 2021.  He is on track to graduate with a Doctor of Nurse Practitioner degree in December 2022.

After years of relocating his family from Toledo to Chicago to St. Louis, he is happy to be now be in St. Louis for good.  “Nephrology is fascinating and has been always been an interest of mine, so I’m ecstatic to finally be in this position.” 

Alex is passionate about his profession: “To provide care to those who need it and individualize healthcare plans in order to meet patients’ care goals, is the epitome of nursing. I am fortunate and grateful to belong to this noble profession and I am honored to care for those entrusted to our care. Working in concert with equally passionate colleagues creates a powerful force capable of change which allows us to give back to our community.”

A dedicated family man, Alex is a husband and father of a 4-year-old boy and a 2year-old girl.  He enjoys spending time with his family, playing with his kids, and playing the guitar.  ”I like to play anything our kids enjoy and try to learn songs they’re into, which usually winds up being a mix of Sesame Street or Bluey, the music we listen to, and the stuff we used to sing them when they were babies.”

Welcome to the WashU Nephrology team, Alex!


Please visit @WUNephorlogy on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook.