SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital Celebrates First Birthday
09/01/2021
SLUCare physicians, nurses and staff at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and the Center for Specialized Medicine observed the first anniversary of the opening of the new facilities Wednesday with a celebration.
The hospital’s Healing Garden was filled with balloons, food, drinks and doctors, nurses and other members of the hospital community celebrating the one-year anniversary of the grand opening of the facility. Fredbird, the mascot of the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Billiken stopped by to pose for pictures with attendees. The celebration also featured live music, games and activities.
“SLU Hospital and the Center for Specialized Medicine have been transformative for the many SLU faculty and staff who can say with pride, ‘We work here together,’" said Christine Jacobs, M.D., interim dean of the School of Medicine. “The partnership of SLU and SSM has never been stronger than today, and today was a wonderful celebration of that partnership.”
Last year a virtual celebration kicked off the opening five years after SSM Health announced plans to build the new facility next to the existing hospital, marking an expanded partnership between the University and SSM Health.
The $550 million SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital features more than 800,000 square feet of space, 316 private patient rooms, an expanded Level I trauma center and emergency department, larger intensive care units, expanded patient parking, green space and areas for future campus expansion.
Construction on the project began in 2017. In 2019, SLU and SSM Health buried a 100-year time capsule at the site to be opened by future nurses and doctors in 2119.
The new campus elevates the patient experience and enhances the clinical offerings of SLUCare, the University’s academic medical practice.
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 www.slucare.com.