President's Message: Recognizing Your Hard Work

06/18/2019

Dear Colleagues,

What an exciting summer in St. Louis so far! I enjoyed seeing the countless photos and videos of Billikens throughout the region cheering for the Blues on their road to winning the NHL Stanley Cup.

Even though our city has plenty of challenges we are working through, I’m grateful that Saint Louis University gets to play a significant role in that as well. In times of joy and in times of sorrow, SLU shows up for and with our city. It’s one aspect that makes working at our University such a pleasure.

What we do matters. What each of you does matters. In recognition of your hard work and deep commitment to our University and our mission, the leadership team has decided that Friday, July 5, will be a bonus University holiday – making July 4-7 a four-day weekend!

SLUCare will remain open for patient appointments. Staff who work can bank that day as a holiday for future use without affecting vacation time. 

I appreciate our clinicians and clinical care support staff’s dedication to serving the needs of patients in the St. Louis region during the holidays.

Each of you makes SLU a great place to work, and others have taken notice. This month, Forbes magazine named SLU the 8th best place to work in the state of Missouri and number one place to work of employers based in St. Louis city. Forbes also listed SLU among the Top 200 Best Large Employers in the United States – ranking us the 17th best education institution to work for in the country, right behind the University of Iowa and Yale.

I hope this long-weekend allows you to spend more time to reenergize, reflect, and relax in the company of loved ones.

Best wishes, 

Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.

President