SSM Health unveils plans for a new Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
SSM Health announced today that it will build a new, state-of-the-art children’s hospital at Chouteau Avenue and Grand Boulevard in St. Louis.
When SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital first opened in 1956 as the nation’s first free-standing, not-for-profit Catholic children’s hospital, it provided a much-needed beacon of hope and healing for children and families across St. Louis and beyond. Today, that pioneering commitment continues, and the hospital – which is nationally ranked in five specialties by U.S. News & World Report – is responding to the growing need for highly specialized neonatal and pediatric services with a brand-new healing facility designed to support world-class care for the next 70 years and beyond.
“Cardinal Glennon plays a critical role in SSM Health’s Mission and Vision to transform health care delivery and ensure all people have access to high-quality, affordable, and sustainable health care services to live their fullest and healthiest lives,” said Laura S. Kaiser, FACHE, President and CEO of SSM Health. “This investment will ensure we’re able to continue meeting the evolving needs of our community’s most vulnerable infants, children and adolescents for future generations.”
This is also a signal of SSM Health’s continued committed to investing in the City of St. Louis – in workforce and economic development.
Construction of a new pediatric academic hospital advances SSM Health’s commitment to establish a premier academic medical campus on Grand Avenue in St. Louis. SSM Health opened a brand new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital in 2020 and then acquired SLUCare Physician Group from Saint Louis University in 2022. The investment enables SSM Health to integrate advanced tertiary services and clinical research opportunities with its high-quality community-based network of providers – to deliver seamless access to all levels of care for patients and families throughout the region.
While the current hospital has served the community well, SSM Health will use this opportunity to design state-of-the-art academic pediatric medical facilities that incorporate the latest best practices in patient- and family-centered design. The health system envisions a 14-story facility, with more than 200 inpatient beds, and larger areas to accommodate families – parents, siblings, and grandparents – who are important to the healing journey.
The new Cardinal Glennon will also support expanded and enhanced services including NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), ICU (intensive care unit), cancer, cardiology, and dialysis care in a therapeutic healing environment that seamlessly integrates the very latest technology and research to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves both now and into the future.
“Driven by our Mission, and with the partnership and support of our generous community, we are devoted to building a healthier, brighter future – one where every child receives the care they need to thrive,” said Hossain Marandi, MD, MBA, FACHE, President of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and Vice President of SSM Health Pediatrics. “Together, we have an opportunity to envision the transformation of pediatric health care in the region, to serve more children and families who are depending on us, and further solidify our position as a national leader in caring for kids.”
Construction of the new hospital will be a multi-year project anticipated to be completed in 2027. SSM Health has engaged St. Louis-based McCarthy Buildings Companies as general contractor for the project. Today’s announcement is another milestone in SSM Health’s more than 150-year commitment to investing in St. Louis city’s workforce and economic development – while ensuring access to high-quality, compassionate and affordable care.