Building Our Future
Devoted to the Future of Pediatric Health Care
Plans for a new Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is devoted to building a healthier, brighter future for kids – one where every child receives the care they need to thrive. And we are excited to share the steps we are taking to build a new state-of the-art hospital at Choteau Avenue and Grand Boulevard in St. Louis.
Since the hospital opened in 1956, pediatric care has become increasingly complex, and family centered. The opportunity to design a new facility allows us to create spaces that better support children with complex medical conditions. This will be a multi-year project anticipated to be completed in 2027.
Since we announced this project in September 2023, we have been consulting with our team members, providers, architects, contractors, donors, and patient families to further refine our vision. In fact, more than 300 SSM Health employees have touched this project thus far. This group includes facilities executives, department heads, physicians, nurses, technicians, plant operations and maintenance, security, IT, planning/design and construction, environmental health and safety, infection prevention, equipment, and regulatory.
Staff Testimonials on the New Hospital
We asked members of the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital staff to answer the following questions:
- What has been the biggest learning during the process of helping develop plans for the new hospital?
- What are you most looking forward to when the new hospital opens?
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"The biggest learning during this process has been working with design team, the architects are really listening to the clinical needs for the design of the cardiac lab cath spaces to provide the best flow for the amazing work that is being done." |
"Cardinal Glennon is known in the community and throughout the country as a place that delivers exceptional care to the patients and families that we are privileged to serve, the most exciting part of the new hospital opening is that we will continue to deliver that exceptional care but get to do it in a new state of the art facility!"
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"We have learned so much during this process! We have really enjoyed working with the architecture firm who has helped challenge us to create play spaces that can be adaptable and multi-functional. During this process, we are challenged to think beyond what would work now, but instead how will this space work 10+ years from now." |
"I am looking forward to additional play spaces throughout the hospital that patients will have access to. As a child life specialist, we know play spaces are so important for helping normalize the hospital environment for a patient and overall helps a patient cope and encourages them to be a kid while healing. Family centered care is important, and the spaces in the new hospital are being designed to support that care."
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Thor: "I have learned that everyone involved in this process cares so deeply about creating the most paw-fect place for our patients and families! Also- architects give good belly-rubs!" Justine: "It has been eye-opening to see just how many people are involved in designing a new hospital for our patients and families. Every decision and detail is planned out, from where light switches are located to the square footage of a play area. Each person has their own expertise, and we all collaborate together to create the most comprehensive, healing place for our patients and families. My motto has been trust the process!" |
Thor: "I can't wait to help kids overcome medical challenges in a space designed specifically for children and families. I volunteer to help with the digging!"
Justine: "I am excited to see these floor plans come to life! It will be incredible to know that what started as simple ideas and drawings will end in a healing environment for children and families for years to come!"
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"How challenging it can be to ensure every detail is included in the plan." "An innovative state-of-the-art environment that allows us to work more efficiently in providing exceptional care to our patients and families." |
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"The biggest learning during this process has been how much thought truly goes into every aspect of planning. You must look at everything from the perspective of the healthcare staff, as well as families. It will be an amazing change for all the families and staff of Cardinal Glennon, so it is very clear after sitting in on some building meetings how dedicated everyone is towards making this new Cardinal Glennon as great as it can be!" |
"I am most looking forward to seeing the finished product and how much more space we will have for caring for all the families and patients that come through our doors. Cardinal Glennon is constantly growing, so it is nice to be able to work towards making this new hospital be all that we need for our continued growth! Being in the SDS/PACU I am so excited to see our new preoperative and PACU areas, as well as the OR's! I think our new layout will be amazing for all the patients and families who come through our doors for surgeries!"