In three years, the massive hole dug near Grand and Choteau will be the new home of SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and ambulatory care center.
When completed, the new $550 million new facility will total more than 800,000 square feet. The new SLU Hospital will have a 600,000 sq. ft., 10-floor hospital with 316 private patient rooms, an expanded Level 1 trauma center and emergency department, larger intensive care units, a 200,000 sq. ft., four-floor ambulatory care center, as well as expanded patient parking, green space and areas for future campus expansion.
“Breaking ground on the new SLU Hospital is not only an important step for the city of St. Louis, it’s also important for the patients who come here from all over the region,” said Kate Becker, president of SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.
The new hospital will continue to focus on acute care patients, cardiovascular care, oncology, stroke, transplant and trauma.
The project is part of a commitment made by former SSM Health President/CEO William P. Thompson on the first day the organization assumed ownership of the hospital, September 1, 2015. He announced an ambitious five-year plan to construct a new hospital and ambulatory care center that incorporates national best practices in patient-centered design while delivering an improved patient experience.
It is expected the project will total more than 2.2 million workforce construction hours and a peak workforce team of more than 600.
“Saint Louis University, SLUCare Physician Group and SSM Health St. Louis built upon their expanded partnership by collaborating closely in planning the new facilities,” said Robert M. Heaney, M.D., SLUCare Physician Group CEO. “As a result, our new hospital will provide patients with the best possible healing environment, our students and trainees with an enhanced educational experience and our scientists with expanded medical research opportunities.”
Hospital leadership and elected officials participated in the official groundbreaking on August 30, adjacent to the current hospital on 15 acres between Rutger and Lasalle streets. Participants in the event included Chris Howard, president of Hospital Operations, SSM Health; Fred Pestello, president, Saint Louis University; Auxiliary Bishop Rivituso; Kate Becker, president SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital; St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson; U.S. Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay; state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed; state Rep. Michael Butler; Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed; Alderman Joe Roddy; and Alderwoman Marlene Davis.
