SSM Health Unveils Plan for New $550 Million Academic Medical Center
SSM Health has unveiled a master facility plan for their new $550 million academic medical center in the City of St. Louis, a 316-bed, 802,000-square-foot replacement hospital and new outpatient care center for SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.
Developed in partnership between SSM Health and Saint Louis University, the Master Facility Plan establishes a footprint for the new hospital campus and facilities, including location, size, patient services, expanded parking and green space, along with areas for any future campus expansion.
The new complex will be located on the north side of the existing facility between Rutger and Lasalle Streets, adjacent to the hospital's current location on Grand Avenue, with plans to better integrate the hospital with neighboring Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.
SSM Health continues to explore options for the current Desloge Tower, but no decisions have been made.
"This plan shows our commitment to the City of St. Louis and to an improved patient experience that supports our mission to provide exceptional care," said Kate Becker, SLU Hospital president. "We will not only provide world-class health care for patients throughout the Midwest, but also ensure they are treated in a more comfortable healing environment."
The new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital includes all-private patient rooms, larger intensive care units and an expanded emergency department.
This state-of-the-art facility represents the health care of tomorrow and will benefit the entire region."
Robert Heaney, M.D., SLUCare Physician Group CEO
To provide patients with more convenient options, the new outpatient care center will expand outpatient surgery services and provide additional clinical space for SLUCare physician practices. Dedicated educational space throughout the facility will allow Saint Louis University to better train future physicians and health practitioners.
"This state-of-the-art facility represents the health care of tomorrow and will benefit the entire region," said Robert M. Heaney, M.D., SLUCare Physician Group CEO. "Most importantly, it ensures our patients have the best possible environment, one that incorporates the latest technology and best practices in patient care. In addition, our new facilities also will enhance the education of future medical and health care professionals, while strengthening medical research that leads to lifesaving treatments."
Alberici Constructors, Inc. was selected as the project's construction manager in April and is slated to break ground in the fall of 2017 with an estimated completion date of Sept. 1, 2020.
The replacement hospital and outpatient care center is beyond the hospital improvements under way since SSM Health assumed ownership of SSM Health SLU Hospital last fall, including construction of a new radiation oncology facility.
Lawrence Group, in partnership with Hammel, Green and Abrahamson (HGA), began developing the project scope in January of this year, working from information provided by planning architects Frank Zilm and Associates, Inc. (FZA).
Through meetings with key leaders from SSM Health SLU Hospital and SLUCare Physician Group last fall, FZA gained critical input and developed a defined project scope.
The master facility plan takes into consideration SLU Hospital's medically-complex tertiary and quaternary services, such as its Level 1 trauma center, organ transplant program and outpatient bone marrow transplant program.
The project is part of a commitment made by SSM Health President/CEO William P. Thompson on the first day the organization assumed ownership of the hospital on Sept. 1, 2015. He announced an ambitious 5-year plan to construct a new hospital and outpatient center that incorporates national best practices in patient-centered design while delivering an improved patient experience.