The grant will benefit the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, MO – The Saigh Foundation awarded a $250,000 grant to the SSM St. Mary's Health Center Foundation. The grant will support new research efforts and improve patient access at the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute, a collaboration between SSM St. Mary’s Health Center, SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
“The St. Louis Fetal Care Institute is not only providing ground-breaking health care to the most fragile of babies in middle America, but also successfully performing first-time ever fetal surgeries,” said JoAnn Hejna, executive director of The Saigh Foundation. “This team of physicians, surgeons and caregivers is fast becoming a leader in the nation and in the world.”
The St. Louis Fetal Care Institute is one of few programs in the U.S. that can diagnose life-threatening fetal conditions and treat them with open and minimally invasive fetal surgery. Since opening in June 2009, it has treated more than 170 patients and performed more than 20 fetal operations to resolve life-threatening conditions, such as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, congenital diaphragmatic hernia and congenital heart disease.
"This generous grant from The Saigh Foundation could not be a greater compliment,” said Dennis Holter, executive director and president of SSM St. Mary's Health Center Foundation. “This is true recognition of the advanced and unique health care services only available in the region through the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute. These funds will continue to advance life-altering outcomes for babies at greatest risk during pregnancy.”
The Saigh Foundation honors the generous legacy of Fred M. Saigh, who supported many community organizations and citizens, often anonymously, throughout his life. The Saigh Foundation's mission is to award charitable projects and initiatives in the St. Louis metropolitan region that primarily benefit children and youth through education and health care.
"I see this grant as the start of long-term collaboration between SSM St. Mary's Health Center Foundation and The Saigh Foundation," said Hejna.
About SSM St. Mary’s Health Center Foundation
SSM St. Mary’s Health Center Foundation raises funds to support the mission and work of SSM St. Mary's Health Center, a contemporary, 525-bed hospital with distinctive capabilities in high-risk obstetrical services, fetal surgery, state-of-the-art heart surgery, a chest pain center, advanced stroke care, and the latest imaging and outpatient services. Also a teaching hospital, SSM St. Mary’s Health Center is home to an accredited internal medicine residency program and to Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s Obstetrics/Gynecology and Family Practice residency programs. SSM St. Mary's Health Center is winner of the Premier QUEST High Performing Hospital award. It is a member of SSM Health Care – St. Louis, a Missouri Quality Award winner. To learn more, visit ssmhealth.com/stmarys or stmaryshealthcenterfoundation.org.
About The St. Louis Fetal Care Institute
Part of SSM Maternity Care, the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute is a service of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, in partnership with SSM St. Mary’s Health Center and the physicians of Saint Louis University School of Medicine. This comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic program specializes in treating congenital problems and structural abnormalities in babies, both in the womb and after birth. The St. Louis Fetal Care Institute is the only comprehensive fetal care center in Missouri and is also one of the only resources in the U.S. to offer open fetal surgery for life-threatening conditions that require intervention. For more information, go to www.ssmhealth.com/maternity/pages/fetalcareinstitute.
For media inquires, contact:
Stacey L. Rynders
Communications Specialist
SSM St. Mary's Health Center
314-768-8801 (office)
314-306-7866 (cell)
314-908-0688 (pager)
Stacey_L_Rynders@ssmhc.com