SSM Health to Invest $500 Million to Construct New Hospital and Outpatient Care Center to Replace Saint Louis University Hospital
SSM Health announced today that it has committed $500 million to build a new replacement hospital and outpatient care center within the next five years. The new facilities will be located in the immediate vicinity of the current hospital – now known as SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital.
The announcement comes as SSM Health and Saint Louis University mark the official start of their expanded partnership, which includes Saint Louis University Hospital joining SSM Health St. Louis.
In June, SLU announced it would reacquire the hospital from Tenet Healthcare Corporation and would contribute the facility to SSM Health in exchange for a minority financial interest and governance rights in SSM Health St. Louis. The deal became official September 1.
“While the current hospital has served the community well, we have the opportunity to construct state- of-the-art academic facilities that incorporate the best practices in patient-centered design,” said William P. Thompson, president/CEO of SSM Health. “This significant investment will enable us to deliver an improved patient experience and even better care for our community.”
In addition to the planned construction projects, SSM Health will make some immediate capital investments in the current facility to ensure continued exceptional care.
“We are excited about what these projects will mean for health care in St. Louis and for medical and health education at Saint Louis University,” said SLU President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D. “We are eager to work even more closely with SSM Health — an organization with shared values and a similar mission — to forge a healthier future for the St. Louis region.”
For the past several decades, Saint Louis University’s physician practice, SLUCare Physician Group, and SSM Health have partnered to provide pediatric and maternal-fetal medicine services to patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital.
We are excited about what these projects will mean for health care in St. Louis and for medical and health education at Saint Louis University,” said SLU President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D. “We are eager to work even more closely with SSM Health — an organization with shared values and a similar mission — to forge a healthier future for the St. Louis region.
The relationship between SSM Health and the University extends back more than a century. In 1903, SSM Health’s founding congregation, the Sisters of St. Mary (now known as the Franciscan Sisters of Mary) welcomed SLU School of Medicine students into their hospitals for education and training.
In 1928, the University and the Sisters worked together to establish SLU’s School of Nursing. In 1933, the Sisters and SLU opened the hospital on South Grand Boulevard today known as SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. The hospital continued to be owned and operated jointly until 1959, when the Sisters donated their share to the University. SLU sold the hospital to Tenet Healthcare Corporation in 1998.
Now, in 2015, as SSM Health assumes ownership of the hospital and SSM Health St. Louis and Saint Louis University expand their partnership, the long history of collaboration between these two Catholic organizations comes full circle.
About SSM Health
SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs
of communities across the Midwest through one of the largest integrated delivery systems
in the nation. With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin,
SSM Health includes 20 hospitals, more than 60 outpatient care sites, a pharmacy benefit
company, an insurance company, two nursing homes, comprehensive home care and hospice
services, a technology company and two Accountable Care Organizations. With more than
1,300 employed physicians and nearly 30,000 employees in four states, SSM Health is
one of the largest employers in every community it serves. An early adopter of the
electronic health record (EHR), SSM Health is a national leader for the depth of its
EHR integration. For more information, visit us at www.ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
About SSM Health St. Louis
SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs
of communities across the Midwest through one of the largest integrated delivery systems
in the nation. SSM Health St. Louis operates 8 hospitals, 12 urgent care locations
and more than 40 medical offices in the area. One of the largest employers in St.
Louis, SSM Health St. Louis is recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by the
St. Louis Business Journal. For more information, visit us at www.ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook andTwitter.
About Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing
research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.
Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development
of more than 13,000 students on campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building
on a legacy of nearly 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward
with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good. For more information,
visit us at www.slu.edu or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
About SLUCare Physician Group
SLUCare Physician Group is the academic medical practice of Saint Louis University, with more than 500 health
care providers and 1,200 staff members in hospitals and medical offices throughout
the St. Louis region. SLUCare physicians are among the most highly trained in their
fields – more than 50 specialties in all – and are national and international experts,
renowned for research and innovations in medicine. For more information, visit us
at www.slucare.com.