MEDICINE IS FINELY HERE! 
GOOD EVENING, I'M RENE KNOTT.
>> ALLIE COREY: AND I'M ALLIE 
COREY.
TODAY MARKS A NEW ERA IN 
HEALTHCARE AS WE CELEBRATE THE 
GRAND OPENING OF SSM HEALTH 
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL!
HOW EXCITING IS THIS? 
ACTUALLY,
THE OFFICIAL RIBBON CUTTING TO 
OPEN THE NEW HOSPITAL AND 
WELCOME PATIENTS WAS JUST AN 
HOUR AGO.
LOOK AT ALL THE CONFETTI! 
>> RENE KNOTT: IT'S BEEN EXACTLY
THREE YEARS SINCE THE 
GROUNDBREAKING OF THIS 
OUTSTANDING MEDICAL CENTER, AND 
TONIGHT WE PAY TRIBUTE TO ALL 
THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THIS 
POSSIBLE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE TO THANK IN THIS
ONE.
BECAUSE
THIS $550 MILLION PROJECT HOUSES
SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY AND 
DESIGN THAT SUPPORTS AND 
ELEVATES THE HOSPITAL'S ACADEMIC
MEDICAL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE 
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF
MEDICINE. 
>> ALLIE COREY: IT BOASTS 
800,000 SQUARE FEET WITH 10 
FLOORS, WHICH INCLUDES A 200,000
SQUARE FOOT AMBULATORY CARE 
CENTER AND A LARGE PARKING 
GARAGE WITH VALET.
[LAUGHTER.] IT TRULY IS A 
BEAUTIFUL ADDITION TO OUR CITY.
>> RENE KNOTT:  JOINING US
IS LAURA KAISER.
AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SSM 
HEALTH, WHAT DOES HAVING A BRAND
NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART HEALTH CARE
FACILITY MEAN TO YOU AND MEAN TO
THIS COMMUNITY? 
35
>> HAVING A SAY TO THE ART 
FACILITIES SUCH AS THIS NEW ONE 
IS ENABLING US TO BE ABLE TO DO 
JUST THAT.
>> RENE KNOTT:  WHY IS IT SO 
IMPORTANT FOR SSM HEALTH TO 
REMAIN IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS 
AND BUILD NEXT TO THE FORMER 
HOSPITAL? 
>> WE'VE BEEN IN THIS COMMUNITY 
A LONG TIME, ALMOST 150 YEARS.
THIS CENTRAL LOCATION IS EASILY 
ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE IN THE 
COMMUNITY, AND WE WANTED TO SAY 
CLOSE TO WHERE WE WERE, CLOSE TO
THE MEDICAL SCHOOL WE'RE 
AFFILIATED WITH, AND IT SEEMED 
LIKE THE RIGHT THING.
>> RENE KNOTT:  HOW WILL THIS 
NEW FACILITY HELP MEET THE 
GROWING CRITICAL CARE NEEDS OF 
INDIVIDUALS IN OUR AREA? 
>> WE DESIGNED IT WITH THE 
FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE IN MIND.
WE HAVE A MUCH LARGER EMERGENCY 
DEPARTMENT IN THE NEW FACILITY.
WE HAVE ADDITIONAL TRAUMA 
SERVICES AVAILABLE, NEW ICU 
BEDS, AND STATE OF THE ART 
AMBULATORY CARE.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE 
CONGRUENT WITH THE FUTURE OF 
HEALTH CARE, AS WELL AS TODAY.
>> RENE KNOTT:  I KNOW YOU HAVE 
A PERSONAL CONNECTION.
TELL US ABOUT THE HISTORY THAT 
YOU HAVE HERE.
>> LAURA KAISER:  I'M NATIVE 
ST. LOUISIAN, WENT TO SAINT 
LOUIS UNIVERSITY FOR HEALTH CARE
ADMINISTRATION AND THE SCHOOL OF
BUSINESS.
WHILE I WAS A GRADUATE STUDENT, 
I WORKED IN THE HOSPITAL AT THE 
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY.
>> RENE KNOTT:  HOW DIFFERENT IS
THIS NEW HOME COMPARED TO THE 
OLDER HOME? 
>> LAURA KAISER:  IT'S A LITTLE 
DIFFERENT.
[LAUGHTER.] 
>> RENE KNOTT:  IT'S A VERY 
BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
THANK YOU, LAURA.
NOW LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT 
THE HOSPITAL AND WHAT'S INSIDE.
[MUSIC]. 
>> NARRATOR:  IN THE NEW SSM 
HEALTH SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY 
HOSPITAL, THE COMMONS BUILDING 
IS APPROXIMATELY 66,000 SQUARE 
PURCHASE
FEET, AND CONNECTS THE TWO 
MEDICAL BUILDINGS OF THE CAMPUS,
THE PATIENT TOWER, AND THE 
PHYSICIAN CLINIC SPACE KNOWN AS 
THE CENTER FOR SPECIALIZED 
MEDICINE.
PATIENTS AND VISITORS WHO ARRIVE
THROUGH THE MAIN ENTRANCE WILL 
BE WELCOMED BY A TWO-STORY LOBBY
WITH FLOOR-TO-CEILING WINDOWS.
THE MAIN ENTRANCE ALSO FEATURES 
A LARGE LOADING AND UNLOADING 
AREA THAT HAS AN OVERHANG TO 
PROVIDE A CONVENIENT DISCHARGE 
EXPERIENCE.
THE COMMONS HOLDS THE NEW CAFÉ, 
WHICH FEATURES FLOOR-TO-CEILING 
WINDOWS, ALLOWING VISITORS, 
EMPLOYEES, AND PHYSICIANS TO 
ENJOY THE VIEW OF THE HEALING 
GARDEN AND THE HISTORICAL 
DESLOGE TOWER FROM THE BALCONY 
AND PATIO ON DAYS WHEN THE 
WEATHER PERMITS.
JUST AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE 
CAFÉ AND DINING AREA IS THE 
CHAPEL, MADE POSSIBLE BY DAVID 
THORNELY ORTHWEIN, AND IS OPEN 
24/7 WITH BALCONY ACCESS ON 
LEVEL TWO.
THE BEAUTIFUL STAINED GLASS 
WINDOW WAS CUSTOM MADE FOR THE 
CHAPEL AND REPRESENTS THE 
HEALING THAT IS PROVIDED WITHIN 
THE MINISTRY.
>> ALLIE COREY:  IT SAYS  IT IS 
SO BEAUTIFUL.
JOINING US NOW IS CANNED ACE 
JENNINGS -- CANDACE JENNINGS, 
THE REGIONAL
PRESIDENT OF SSM-HEALTH 
ST. LOUIS. 
CANDACE, YOU HAVE BEEN A PART OF
THIS PROJECT SINCE THE 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PARTNERSHIP 
BETWEEN SSM HEALTH, THE 
UNIVERSITY AND SLUCARE. 
CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE 
COLLABORATION OF THESE SAINT 
LOUIS ORGANIZATIONS?
>> CANDACE JENNINGS:  YES.
I WAS BRAND-NEW TO ST. LOUIS 
WHEN I CAME HERE FOR THE 
PROJECT.
AND I HAD TO GET TO KNOW THE 
CITY.
AND THE PROJECT HELPED ME TO DO 
THAT.
I HAD TO QUICKLY LEARN WHAT WAS 
AROUND THE BUILDING, WHAT THE 
NEW PLACE WOULD LOOK LIKE, AND 
HOW WE WOULD INTERACT WITH OUR 
COMMUNITY.
YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A GREAT 
COLLABORATION WITH SLU.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH 
SLUCARE PHYSICIANS ALL THE WAY 
BACK TO THE DESLOGE BUILDING, 
AND WE'RE STILL WORKING WELL 
TOGETHER TODAY.
WE -- OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, 
HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME 
TOGETHER.
SO WE GOT TO KNOW EACH OTHER 
REALLY WELL.
AND WE ALL FOUND THAT WE HAD A 
COMMON VISION FOR WHAT THE 
HOSPITAL WOULD BE.
COLLABORATION, IN MY OPINION, 
JUST COULDN'T HAVE GONE ANY 
BETTER.
>> ALLIE COREY:  WHAT DOES A 
FACILITY HIKE THIS REALLY MEAN 
FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF THE 
ORGANIZATIONS? 
>> CANDACE JENNINGS:  WE WERE 
TALKING ABOUT THAT AS THE 
EMPLOYEES LEARN THE NEW 
ALVEOLARS.
 THE ELEVATORS ARE FABULOUS.
THERE'S A LOT OF ELEVATOR 
CAPABILITY SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO
TRAVEL AS MUCH.
AND THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF 
HOW WE TRY TO BUILD A BLOOD 
SUGAR BUILDING THAT WOULD HELP 
THE -- TRY TO BUILD A BUILDING 
THAT WOULD HELP THE STAFF BE 
EFFICIENT, BUT THE HEALING 
ENVIRONMENT THEMSELVES, ENJOY 
WORKING IN IT, AND BE ABLE TO 
MOVE AROUND MORE EFFECTIVELY AND
EFFICIENTLY THAN THE OLD BUILD.
>> ALLIE COREY:  LET'S TALK 
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.
A FACILITY THAT IS SO STATE OF 
THE ART, WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR 
THE COMMUNITY AND ITS HEALTH 
NEEDS? 
>> CANDACE JENNINGS:  I CAN'T 
STOP SMILING.
THE SLUCARE PHYSICIANS WHO HAVE 
BEEN HERE FOR SO LONG IN 
ST. LOUIS NOW HAVE A PLACE AND A
HOME WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE 
HERE ANOTHER 5,  -- 50, 100 
YEARS.
THE OLD BUILDING HAD OUTLIVED 
ITS USEFUL LIFE.
AND THE FRESHENS HAVING TO 
COMPROMISE -- THE PHYSICIANS 
WERE HAVING TO COMPROMISE IN A 
LOT OF WAYS, TAKING CARE OF 
PATIENT, IN ORDER TO MAKE THE 
BUILDING WORK.
NOW THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY 
ABOUT THAT.
THEY JUST HAVE TO COME INTO THE 
BUILDING AND USE IT FOR WHAT IT 
WAS INTENDED.
THE ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY 
COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH
TWO GREAT MEDICAL SCHOOLS, SLU 
AND WASHU, AND WILL CONTINUE TO 
CEMENT THE RELATIONSHIP WHERE 
WE'RE TRAINING THE PHYSICIANS 
THE FUTURE, NURSING STUDENTS, 
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS THAT WILL 
FUEL HEALTH CARE IN ST. LOUIS, 
WHICH IS VERY VIBRANT, AS YOU 
KNOW.
>> ALLIE COREY:  ABSOLUTELY.
AND YOU MENTIONED YOU STARTED 
THIS PROJECT AT THE SAME TIME 
THAT YOU MOVED HERE TO 
ST. LOUIS.
NOW THAT THE HOSPITAL IS 
FINISHED, DO YOU FEEL A LITTLE 
BIT MORE CONNECTED TO THE CITY? 
>> CANDACE JENNINGS:  
ABSOLUTELY.
ONE THING I WOULD CHANGE, I 
WOULDN'T HAVE MOVED TO 
CHESTERFIELD! 
[LAUGHTER.] I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I
DIDN'T KNOW.
BUT YES, ABSOLUTELY.
IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL COMING TO 
SLU, TO THE CARDINAL GLENNON 
CAMPUS, TO WORK WITH THE PEOPLE 
HERE AND TO WORK WITH SLUCARE 
PHYSICIANS AND THE UNIVERSITY.
I COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR A 
BETTER EXPERIENCE.
>> RENE KNOTT:  CANDACE, I LIVE 
IN CHESTERFIELD TOO, AND IT'S A 
BIT OF A DRIVE.
BUT THERE'S ONE QUESTION WE 
DIDN'T GET TO ASK YOU.
ARE YOU NOW A CARDINALS FAN? 
>> CANDACE JENNINGS:  
ABSOLUTELY! 
THAT WAS EARLY ON.
YES.
>> RENE KNOTT:  AND YOU GAVE THE
RIGHT ANSWER TOO.
THANK YOU, CANDACE.
AS YOU DRIVE UP TO THE MAIN 
ENTRANCE OF THE HOSPITAL YOU 
WILL SEE AN INSTALLATION CALLED 
"THE FIVE."
>> ALLIE COREY:  THE ARTIST, 
JEFF WAGONER, SAYS IT COMES FROM
A PLACE IN HIS HEART THAT YEARNS
FOR UNITY AND LOVE.
THE FIVE COLUMNS OF THE DESIGN 
REPRESENT THE FIVE SISTERS THAT 
STARTED THE ORGANIZATION. THE 
SLOTS THROUGHOUT THE COLUMNS 
REPRESENT DNA.
THERE ARE FOUR COLORED COLUMNS 
ON ONE SIDE OF A ROCK WALL. 
THIS REPRESENTS UNITY AS A 
COMMUNITY. 
THE ONE "STAND ALONE" COLUMN 
REPRESENTS THE WORLD, AS A 
COMMUNITY, AND AS SSM HEALTH 
SYSTEM, ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS 
TO MOVE FORWARD TOWARD GREATER 
UNITY.
>> RENE KNOTT:  THIS HOSPITAL IS
TRULY UPGRADING THE FUTURE OF 
HEALTHCARE. 
SO, WHAT SETS IT APART FROM THE 
FORMER SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY 
HOSPITAL?
>> ALLIE COREY:  THERE ARE 316 
PRIVATE PATIENT ROOMS, LARGER 
ICU'S, AND AN EXPANDED 
OUTPATIENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE NEW LEVEL 1 TRAUMA AND 
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IS ALSO 
THREE TIMES LARGER THAN THE ONE 
IT REPLACES. 
LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.
[MUSIC] 
>> NARRATOR:  THE SSM HEALTH 
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL 
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IS 
EXPANDING TO A LITTLE UNDER 
40,000 SQUARE FEET, WHICH IS 
THREE TIMES THE CURRENT SPACE, 
TO BETTER SERVE THE PROJECTED 
VOLUME OF 5,000 PATIENTS 
ANNUALLY.
THE LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTER WILL
HAVE 42 ROOMS THAT INCLUDES 
TRAUMA RESUSCITATION ROOMS, EXAM
ROOMS, QUICK-TURN EXAM ROOMS, 
AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXAM AND 
HOLDING ROOMS.
THE FIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ROOMS
INCLUDE TWO FULLY PADDED ROOMS
FOR PATIENTS WHO NEED ELEVATED 
CARE.
THERE IS ALSO AN INTAKE 
EVALUATION ROOM, GENERAL 
RADIOLOGY ROOMS, AND DESIGNATED 
CT AND X-RAY MACHINES.
THE TRAUMA RESUSCITATION BEDS 
ARE NEARLY DOUBLE THE SIZE AND 
NEAR THE AMBULANCE-SPECIFIC 
ENTRANCE.
THE AMBULANCE BAY IS LOCATED 
NEAR THE HELIPAD FOR QUICK 
TRANSPORT IN EMERGENCY 
SITUATIONS.
THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IS 
LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER THE 
OPERATING ROOMS FOR QUICK ACCESS
TO TRAUMA PATIENTS.
IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE WORKFLOW
FOR EMPLOYEES AND REDUCE THE 
TIME PATIENTS ARE WAITING TO BE 
MOVED TO A PATIENT ROOM, THE 
MINERAL DEPARTMENT FEATURES -- 
THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT 
FEATURES A
10-BED CLINICAL DECISION UNIT, 
LOCATED NEXT TO THE EMERGENCY 
DEPARTMENT.
THIS UNIT IS FOR PATIENTS WHO 
NEED TO STAY OVERNIGHT FOR 
ADDITIONAL TESTING, BUT MAY NOT 
NEED FULL INPATIENT CARE.
>> ALLIE COREY:  JOINING US NOW 
IS DR. FRED PESTELLO. 
>> RENE KNOTT:  GOOD EVENING, 
DOCTOR,  HOW ARE YOU DOING? 
>> FRED PESTELLO:  I'M DOING 
FINE.
>> RENE KNOTT:  GLAD TO CAME 
THAT.
YOU CAME HERE IN THE SUMMER OF 
2014, AND THE HOSPITAL IS ONE OF
THE FIRST DECISIONS THAT YOU 
MADE AS PRESIDENT OF SAINT LOUIS
UNIVERSITY.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SEE IT COME
TO LIFE? 
>> FRED PESTELLO:  IT'S EXCITING
AND MOVING.
IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST 
DECISIONS I HAD TO MAKE, AS WE 
WERE LOOKING FOR A PARTNER.
AND IT BECAME CLEAR TO US THAT 
SSM HEALTH WAS THE PARTNER FOR 
US.
SHARING OUR CATHOLIC VALUES AND 
MISSION.
AND NOW, THINKING ABOUT ALL 
THOSE PATIENTS, WE'LL BE ABLE TO
SERVE EVEN BETTER.
THESE TWO ORGANIZATIONS IN 
PARTNERSHIP, AND THIS AMAZING 
FACILITY, IT'S TREMENDOUS. 
>> RENE KNOTT:  AMAZING IS A 
GREAT WORD.
WHAT DOES THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART 
HOSPITAL AND CENTER FOR 
SPECIALIZED MEDICINE MEAN TO THE
CITY OF SAINT LOUIS, ESPECIALLY 
THE MIDTOWN AREA?
>> FRED PESTELLO:  IT'S ALWAYS 
ABOUT THE PATIENT.
AND THESE TWO ORGANIZATIONS 
ALWAYS PUT PATIENTS FIRST.
SO OUR PATIENTS WILL CONTINUE TO
GET CUTTING-EDGE MEDICAL CARE, 
BY COMPASSIONATE CLINICIAN, S, 
IN A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY.
I'M THRILLED FOR THE CITIZENS 
WHO WILL FOR YEARS TO COME 
BENEFIT FROM THIS STRUCTURE AND 
THIS PARTNERSHIP.
>> RENE KNOTT:  NOW THE 
HOSPITAL, AS LARGE AND BEAUTIFUL
AS IT IS, IS JUST A PIECE OF THE
PUZZLE IN MIDTOWN.
AT YOU SPEAK TO THE 
REVITALIZATION TAKING PLACE 
HERE? 
>> FRED PESTELLO:  YES, IT'S 
THRILLING.
THE ENTIRE CENTRAL CORRIDOR HERE
IN ST. LOUIS.
THE DEVELOPMENT IS EXCITING.
PEOPLE ARE BEING DRAWN TO THIS 
AREA.
TO LIVE, WORK, PLAY, FROM CORTEX
ALL WAIT THROUGH THE -- THE WAY 
THROUGH THIS AMAZING HEALTH CARE
COMPLEX.
>> RENE KNOTT:  AND I CAN'T WAIT
FOR THE FACTORY TO OPEN UP.
WE CAN HAPPENING OUT AND HAVE 
DINNER, AND THIS FELLOW HERE! 
>> ALLIE COREY:  IT'S BILL THE 
BILLIKEN! 
HE'S A BIG DEAL AROUND HERE.
>> RENE KNOTT:  HE DOESN'T HAVE 
A SPEAKING ROLE.
HE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK, BUT 
WE LOVE THIS GUY.
THANK YOU FOR BEING FOR US.
WE WANT TO SHOW YOU ANOTHER 
IMPRESSIVE PIECE OF ARTWORK 
INSIDE THE HOSPITAL. 
THIS ATRIUM SCULPTURE WAS MADE 
BY ARTIST RACHEL HAYES. 
SHE HAND-MADE AND SEWED EACH 
PIECE TOGETHER. 
THE PLACEMENT OF THE 
INSTALLATION ALLOWS PEOPLE ON 
THE FIRST FLOOR TO LOOK THROUGH 
THE ARTWORK AND UP TO THE SKY. 
OR, PEOPLE ON THE SECOND FLOOR 
CAN LOOK THROUGH THE ARTWORK AND
SEE THE OUTDOORS. 
IT'S REALLY A COLORFUL PIECE AND
CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AS 
THE SUN RISES AND SETS.
>> ALLIE COREY:  OTHER THAN THE 
HEALTHCARE THEY RECEIVE, WHAT'S 
THE OTHER TOP PRIORITY FOR 
PATIENTS WHO ARE HOSPITALIZED?
IT IS THE ROOMS.
TAKE A LOOK.
>> NARRATOR:  AT THE NEW SSM 
HEALTH SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY 
HOSPITAL, FLOORS 3 THROUGH 8 ARE
FILLED WITH INPATIENT UNITS.
FLOORS 3 AND 4 EACH HAVE TWO 
20-BED ICUS.
AND FLOORS 5 THROUGH 8 EACH HAVE
TWO 24-BED ACUTE CARE ROOMS.
EACH ROOM HAS FLOOR-TO-CEILING 
WINDOWS TO ALLOW FOR NATURAL 
RIGHT, AND FEATURE STUNNING 
VIEWS OF THE CITY, AS WELL AS 
PRIVATE RESTROOM ACCOMMODATIONS.
THE ROOMS ARE DESIGNATED WITH 
THREE DISTINCT SECTIONS -- A 
CAREGIVER SPACE, A PATIENT 
SPACE, AND A FAMILY SPACE.
THE CAREGIVER SPACE IS CLOSEST 
TO THE DOOR, AND IS WHERE 
PHYSICIANS, NURSES, AND OTHER 
PROVIDERS WILL DOCUMENT, ASSESS,
AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE PATIENT
AND FAMILY.
THE PATIENT'S SPACE FEATURES THE
BED, LIFT FOR BARIATRIC 
PATIENTS, A DIGITAL WHITEBOARD 
THAT IS TIED DIRECTLY TO THE 
ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD.
AND A PATIENT CARE PORTAL THAT 
ALLOWS PATIENTS TO ACCESS 
ENTERTAINMENT AND HOSPITAL 
INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM THE 
BED.
THE FAMILY SPACE INCLUDES A 
FULLY RECLINING COUCH FOR WHEN 
FAMILY MEMBERS ARE PERMITTED TO 
STAY WITH LOVED ONES.
EACH FLOOR HAS WINDOWS TO 
HALLWAYS TO ALLOW STAFF TO 
MONITOR PATIENTS, REMOVING 
UNNECESSARY TRIPS INTO THE ROOM,
AS WELL AS WIDE, SPACIOUS 
HALLWAYS TO ACCOMMODATE THE 
LARGE GROUP OF PHYSICIAN AND 
NURSING STUDENTS WHO STUDY AT 
THE HOSPITAL.
[MUSIC] 
>> ALLIE COREY:  TRULY 
BEAUTIFUL.
AND JOINING US NOW IS DR. BOB 
WILMOTT,
IS THE DEAN AND VP OF MEDICAL 
AFFAIRS AT THE SAINT LOUIS 
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
WHAT CAN STUDENTS,
RESIDENTS, FELLOWS AND 
ATTENDINGS LOOK FORWARD TO AT 
THE NEW FACILITY? 
>> BOB WILMOTT:  IT'S A DRAMATIC
DISTANCE.
IT'S FANTASTIC.
THE EXISTING FACILITIES, THE 
PREVIOUS FACILITIES, AS YOU 
HEARD, WERE ON THE OLDER SIDE.
THE DESLOGE TOWER WAS BUILD IN 
1933, SO THAT WAS 78 YEARS OLD.
AND EVEN THE NEWER HOSPITAL WAS 
BUILT IN 1988.
SO IT'S REALLY TRANSFORMATIONAL.
THE STUDENT, THE MEDICAL 
TRAINEES AND FACULTY, WILL BE 
WORKING IN WELL OUT REALLY -- 
REALLY OUTSTANDING FACILITIES 
WITH STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT,
NEW TECHNOLOGY.
SO THIS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY 
IMPROVE THE CARE OF PATIENTS, 
THEIR EXPERIENCE, AND ALSO THE 
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AS WELL.
>> ALLIE COREY:  IT LOOKS LIKE 
SO FUTURISTIC, JUST SEEING THAT 
VIDEO.
WHAT DOES THIS FACILITY MEAN FOR
THE GROWING CRITICAL CARE NEEDS 
OF JUST PATIENTS IN THE AREA? 
>> BOB WILMOTT:  THIS HOSPITAL 
FULFILLS A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE 
CITY OF ST. LOUIS.
WE CARE FOR ABOUT 50,000 
EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS PER YEAR.
WE HAVE A LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CENTER.
WHICH CARES FOR ABOUT 3500 
PATIENTS EVERY YEAR.
WE SERVE THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS 
AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY, AND 
WE PROVIDE PRIMARY CARE TO THE 
LOCAL RESIDENTS.
WE PROVIDE MORE SPECIALIST CARE 
FOR THE CITY AND THE REGION.
AND THEN WE PROVIDE SPECIALIZED 
SURGERY AND QUALITIERTERNARY CA 
PATIENT FROM THE WIDER REGION.
BUT THE TRAUMA CARE AND THE 
EMERGENCY CARE ARE CRITICALLY 
IMPORTANT TO THE CITY.
JO . 
>> ALLIE COREY:  THIS IS A HUGE 
SYMBOL OF PRIDE FOR ST. LOUIS 
AND THE SURROUNDING AREA, 
REALLY.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A PART OF 
SOMETHING LIKE THIS? 
>> BOB WILMOTT:  IT'S VERY 
EXC
EXCITING.
WE'VE BEEN PLANNING THIS FOR 
FIVE YEARS.
AT THE BEGINNING, IT WAS A 
DREAM.
WE WERE LOOKED FORWARD, THERE 
WAS A LOT OF HARD WORK BEING 
DONE TO PLAN THE FUTURE OF THE 
A.MMBULATORY CARE CENTER AND TH 
CLINICAL CARE PROGRAMS.
BUT TO SEE THIS OPEN TODAY, IT'S
JUST FANTASTIC.
IT'S -- IT'S VERY EXCITING.
IT'S VERY EXCITING TO BE A PART 
OF THIS.  I'VE SAID TO TRIVIAL 
SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES, THAT 
ONE REALLY GETS TO EXPERIENCE IN
ONE'S WHOLE CAREER, THE OPENING 
OF A BRAND-NEW UNIVERSITY 
HOSPITAL, AND HERE WE ARE.
>> ALLIE COREY:  HAS IT SUNK 
IN? 
>> BOB WILMOTT:  NOT COMPLETELY.
JO THANK YOU AND 
CONGRATULATIONS.
>> RENE KNOTT:  WE WANT TO 
MENTION ANOTHER SPECIAL TOUCH 
INSIDE THE HOSPITAL.
HISTORICAL DESLOGE TOWER HAS THE
MOST RECOGNIZABLE THINGS OUT 
THERE.
YOU KNOW, THE COPPER PATINA ROOF
TOP.
AS A NOD TO ITS HERITAGE, SAINT 
LOUIS UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS 
DECIDED TO ENCASE THE NEW 
COMMONS BUILDING IN PATINAED 
COPPER. 
IN THE HEALING GARDENS ON SUNNY 
DAYS, YOU CAN VIEW THE COPPER 
TOP OF THE COMMONS BUILDING,
AND THE REFLECTION OF THE ICONIC
DESLOGE TOWER ON THE GLASS OF 
THE HOSPITAL. 
THE IDEA WAS TO MOVE TO THE 
FUTURE, WITH A RESPECTFUL NOD TO
THE FACILITY'S HERITAGE.
>> ALLIE COREY:  WOW, THAT IS 
INCREDIBLE.
AND ANOTHER MAJOR FOCUS HAS BEEN
ON CREATING STATE OF THE ART 
OPERATING ROOMS.
>> ALLIE COREY:  VE
>> RENE KNOTT:  VERY IMPORTANT 
THERE.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK INSIDE.
>> NARRATOR:  THE OPERATING 
ROOMS AT SSM HEALTH SAINT LOUIS 
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL ARE LOCATED 
ON THE INTERVENTIONAL PLATFORM 
ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
THE 21,410 SQUARE FOOT 
DEPARTMENT FEATURES 14 OPERATING
ROOMS, ONE MRI SCAN ROOM, THREE 
HYBRID OPERATING ROOMS, TWO CATH
LABS, FIVE INTERVENTIONAL 
RADIOLOGY LABS, ONE 
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY LAB.
ONE TRANSESOPHAGEAL 
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY PROCEDURE ROOM.
ONE INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY 
PROCEDURE ROOM.
ONE CT ROOM.
ONE BRONCHOSCOPY ROOM.
THREE GI PROCEDURE ROOMS.
THREE GASTROINTESTINAL GENERAL 
PROCEDURE ROOMS.
ONE MOTILITY/CAPSULE ROOM.
FOUR LVP AND LIVER BIOPSY BAYS.
51 PREP AND PHASE II BEDS.
14 PHASE III BEDS.
16 POST ANESTHESIA BEDS.
FOUR POST ANESTHESIA ISOLATION 
BEDS.
AND 16 SHORT-STAY ROOMS.
TWO OF THE ORS HAVE BEEN 
SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED FOR 
LIVING ORGAN DONATION.
THEY FEATURE A STERILE ANTEROOM 
BETWEEN THEM.  
SO AN ORGAN BEING TRANSFERRED 
FROM A LIVING DONOR NEVER HAS TO
LEAVE THE STERILE FIELD AS IT'S 
TAKEN TO THE RECIPIENT.
THE INTERVENTIONAL PLATFORM 
FEATURES OFFSTAGE 
TRANSPORTATION, ELIMINATING THE 
MOVEMENT OF PATIENTS IN THE SAME
HALLWAYS AND ELEVATORS AS 
VISITORS, ALLOWING FOR A MORE 
RESPECTFUL AND PEACEFUL STAY.
OPINION
THE WHOLE INTERVENTIONAL 
PLATFORM IS LOCATED DIRECTLY 
ABOVE THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT 
TO REDUCE TIME FOR EMERGENT 
PROCEDURES.
>> ALLIE COREY: YOU'VE SEEN THE 
>> ALLIE COREY:  THEY REALLY 
THOUGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING, DIDN'T
THEY? 
NOW YOU'VE SEEN THE HOSPITAL, 
BUT THERE'S ALSO A MAJOR UPGRADE
FOR THE SLUCARE PHYSICIAN GROUP,
THE CENTER FOR SPECIALIZED 
MEDICINE.
>> NARRATOR:  THE CENTER FOR 
SPECIALIZED MEDICINE, OR CSM, IS
THE NEW HOME TO THE CLINIC 
SPACES FOR THE SLUCARE PHYSICIAN
GROUP.
THE CLINICS FOR OTOLARYNGOLOGY, 
OPHTHALMOLOGY, PHYSICAL 
MEDICINE, AND REHABILITATION, 
ORTHOPEDICS, NEUROLOGY, SURGERY,
INTERNAL MEDICINE, AND 
DERMATOLOGY, FEATURES A CLINIC 
SPACE LIKE NO OTHER.
PATIENTS WILL ENTER THE EXAM 
ROOMS DOWN A PRIVATE HALLWAY, 
AND EACH EXAM ROOM WILL FEATURE 
A DIGITAL SCREEN FOR PATIENT 
COMMUNICATION.
PHYSICIANS AND EMPLOYEES WILL 
ENTER THE EXAM ROOM THROUGH A 
SEPARATE DOOR, FROM THEIR 
COLLABORATION SPACE.
THE COLLABORATION SPACE CREATES 
A WORK SPACE FOR PHYSICIANS AND 
EMPLOYEES THAT PROMOTES TEAMWORK
AND IMPROVES PATIENT CARE.
THE 137,459 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING
FEATURES A ONE-STOP REGISTRATION
WITH KIOSKS FOR ALL CLINICS, 
ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO REGISTER
THEMSELVES.
THE NINE KIOSKS ARE LOCATED ON 
LEVEL ONE.
THE CSM ALSO HAS ITS OWN OPTICAL
AND AUDIO SHOP ON THE GARDEN 
LEVEL, ADJACENT TO THE PRIVATE 
ENTRANCE FROM THE PARKING 
GARAGE.
THE CSM IS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED 
IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE LAB 
AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES IMAGING 
DEPARTMENTS, IN CASE PATIENTS 
REQUIRE ADDITIONAL TESTING.
>> RENE KNOTT:  KEVIN ELLEDGE IS
THE CEO OF SLUCARE PHYSICIAN 
GROUP. 
FIRST OF ALL, KEVIN, GOOD 
EVENING TO YOU.
>> KEVIN ELLEDGE:  GOOD EVENING,
GLAD TO BE HERE.
THANK YOU.
>> RENE KNOTT:  YOU GOT A NICE 
SMILE ON YOUR FACE.
HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO CLOSE 
YOUR MOUTH AND LOOK AROUND? 
OR EVERY TIME YOU'RE OUT HERE 
YOU'RE JUST BEAMING MORE.
>> KEVIN ELLEDGE:  I LOVE IT 
HERE.
I'M NEW TO THE AREA, AND IT'S 
BEEN A LOT OF EXCITEMENT SINCE 
IDENTIFY BEEN HERE.
I COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR MORE.
I'VE STEPPED INTO A GREAT 
SITUATION HERE.
>> RENE KNOTT:  WONDERFUL.
KEVIN, WHAT DOES THIS NEW 
FACILITY SAY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF
MEDICINE HERE IN ST. LOUIS?
>> KEVIN ELLEDGE:  WELL, IT'S 
TRULY A GRAND DAY HERE.
THIS IS THE CULMINATION OF MANY 
YEARS OF PLANNING, AND IT IS 
FANTASTIC TO BE HERE TO SEE IT 
ALL COME TO FRUITION IN SUCH A 
SUCCESSFUL WAY.
I THINK THAT IT REALLY INDICATES
THE POWER OF THE SSM HEALTH AND 
THE SLUCARE PARTNERSHIP, AND 
WHAT WE CAN BRING TO THE UNIQUE 
NEEDS OF THE ST. LOUIS HEALTH 
CARE COMMUNITY.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHAT IT DOES 
FOR OUR PATIENTS.
IT'S GOING TO IMPROVE AND 
ELEVATE OUR PATIENT EXPERIENCE.
AND OF COURSE, PATIENTS ARE AT 
THE CENTERING OF WE DO, SO 
THAT'S MOST IMPORTANT TO US.
>> RENE KNOTT:  WHAT STANDS OUT 
TO YOU PERSONALLY ABOUT THIS NEW
MEDICAL CENTER? 
>> KEVIN ELLEDGE:  THE 
THOUGHTFUL DESIGN.
THEY'VE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB.
THE LARGER ER, THE HALLWAYS THAT
PROMOTE SAFE PASSAGEWAY FOR OUR 
PATIENTS.
I THINK THE TECHNOLOGY THAT'S 
BUILT INTO THE ROOMS IS 
TREMENDOUS.
I THINK ALL OF THAT GOES WITHOUT
SAYING.
BUT I THINK WHAT REALLY MADE THE
DIFFERENCE FOR ME WAS JUST 
THE -- THE THOUGHTFULNESS THAT 
WENT INTO THE FLOOR TO CEILING 
WINDOWS, THE HEALING GARDEN, ASK
JUST THE EFFECT OF THE NATURAL 
WARMTH AND LIGHT THAT COMES 
THROUGH.
AND I THINK IT PROVIDES A REAL 
SPIRITUAL LIFT.
>> RENE KNOTT:  YEAH, IT'S A 
SPIRITUAL PLACE WHEN YOU THINK 
ABOUT IT.
YOU'RE NEW TO ST. LOUIS.
WHAT HAS IMPRESSED YOU SO FAR 
ABOUT BEING A PART OF THIS 
CITY? 
>> KEVIN ELLEDGE:  THE PEOPLE 
THAT ARE HERE, #1.
THEY'RE JUST PASSIONATE ABOUT 
ST. LOUIS.
AND PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT WE DO 
FOR OUR PATIENTS.
AND I'VE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN 
A PLACE THAT BRINGS THAT LOYALTY
AND PASSION TO THE JOB EVERY 
DAY.
>> RENE KNOTT:  YEAH, IT'S LIKE 
EVERYBODY PLAYS FOR THE 
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS.
I KEEP BRINGING THE CARDINALS 
UP, BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL 
PLAYING BASEBALL AND DOING ALL 
RIGHT RIGHT NOW.
I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
BUT MOST EXCITED ABOUT HERE.
THANK YOU, SIR.
AS YOU SAW AT THE END OF THAT 
LAST VIDEO, THERE IS SOME 
SPECIAL ARTWORK ALONG THE 
CORRIDOR THAT LEADS INTO THE 
CENTER FOR SPECIALIZED MEDICINE.
IT'S THE WORK OF CBABI BAYOC, AN
INTERNATIONALLY-KNOWN VISUAL 
ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR WHO LIVES
HERE IN ST. LOUIS.  
BAYOC SAYS HE WANTED TO PUT 
TOGETHER A MONTAGE OF IMAGERY 
THAT SPOKE TO THE HUMANITY OF 
NOT JUST THE PATIENTS IN THEIR 
EVERYDAY LIFE, BUT TO THE STAFF 
OF THE HOSPITAL AS WELL. 
>> ALLIE COREY:  AS WE WIND DOWN
THIS CELEBRATION WE WANT TO TALK
TO ONE MORE OF OUR GUESTS.
SOMEONE WHO IS ABSOLUTELY BEEN 
BEAMING THIS TEENAGE -- BEAMING 
THIS EVENING.
STEVEN SCOTT, THE PRESIDENT OF 
THE HOSPITAL.
GOOD EVENING, AND 
CONGRATULATIONS.
>> STEVEN SCOTT:  THANK YOU.
>> ALLIE COREY:  TELL US WHAT IT
TOOK TO MOVE THE PATIENT FROM 
THE OLD HOSPITAL TO THE NEW 
HOSPITAL HERE.
THAT HAD TO WHAT A AMAZING 
UNDERTAKING.
>> STEVEN SCOTT:  IT OCCURRED ON
AUGUST 30TH.
WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE 264 
PATIENTS FROM OUR LEGACY 
HOSPITAL INTO THIS NEW FACILITY 
ALONG THREE DIFFERENT TRACKS.
ONE TRACK FOR OUR BEDDED 
PATIENTS, AND THEN A SECOND FOR 
OUR PATIENTS THAT WERE IN 
STRETCHERS, AND THEN THOSE -- 
ANOTHER ONE FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN
WHEELCHAIRS.
IT REALLY REQUIRED A TREMENDOUS 
AMOUNT OF EFFORT FOR -- SOME 
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE OVER THE 
PAST 12 MONTHS.
AND FRANKLY, WE WERE SUPPORTED 
QUITE STRONGLY BY OUR COMPANY 
CALLED HEALTH CARE RELOCATIONS, 
THAT IS SPECIALIZING IN AND 
SPECIALIZES IN MOVES OF THIS 
TYPE.
SO WITH THEIR HELP AND OUR TEAM 
AND THE SIGNIFICANT PLANNING 
THAT WENT ON FOR THIS PAST YEAR,
WE WERE ABLE TO GET ALL OF THOSE
PATIENTS INTO THEIR NEW HOME 
HERE IN OUR HOSPITAL SAFELY.
THAT PROCESS BEGAN AROUND 11 OR 
SO IN THE MORNING.
AND WE FINISHED AT 9 P.M. AT 
NIGHT.  SO THE TEAM REALLY 
LEANED IN WELL, AND WAS VERY, 
VERY SIGNIFICANTLY INVOLVED IN 
THIS MOVE THAT MADE IT SO 
SUCCESSFUL FOR US ALL.
>> ALLIE COREY:  WELL, THAT WAS 
SUNDAY.
AND NOW HERE WE ARE, TUESDAY AT 
THE GRAND OPENING.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? 
>> STEVEN SCOTT:  I CANNOT.
AND IT'S JUST BEEN AN INCREDIBLE
JOURNEY FOR US HERE.
OUR STAFF, PHYSICIANS AND STAFF 
ARE SO HUMBLE AND GRATEFUL TO BE
ABLE TO DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY 
CARE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL, 
BEAUTIFUL FACILITY.
>> ALLIE COREY:  HOW IMPORTANT 
IS CONVENIENCE AND ALSO
COMFORT WHEN PATIENTS ARE 
HOSPITALIZED, AND WHAT HAS BEEN 
DONE TO MAKE SURE THE EXPERIENCE
HERE IS TOP NOTCH?
>> STEVEN SCOTT:  OUR TOP 
PRIORITY IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE 
DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL CARE TO 
OUR PATIENTS.
AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO 
THAT WITH COMFORT AND 
CONVENIENCE, THEIR COMFORT AND 
CONVENIENCE IN MIND.
SO ONE OF THE AREAS THAT IS 
GOING TO BE NEW FOR OUR PATIENTS
HERE IS, AGAIN, THE PRIVATE 
ROOMS THAT ALL OF OUR PATIENTS 
WILL NOW BE ABLE TO ENJOY.
THOSE PRIVATE ROOMS ARE GOING TO
BE HELPFUL IN ENSURING THAT 
NOISE IS REDUCED, AND THAT THEIR
DISRUPTIONS, IF YOU WILL, IN 
THEIR CARE WILL BE REDUCED.
AND ANXIETY, ACTUALLY, BY HAVING
A SPACE TO THEMSELVES.
THE OTHER PIECE, TOO, THAT 
BRINGS COMFORT TO THEM AND TO US
AS PATIENTS HERE -- OR AS STAFF 
HERE, RATHER, HAVE TO DO WITH 
THE PATIENT PORTALS.
EACH ONE OF OUR PATIENT ROOMS 
HAS A PATIENT PORTAL THAT ALLOWS
THEM TO CONTROL OTHER ASPECTS OF
THEIR PATIENT EXPERIENCE.
THROUGH THAT PORTAL, THEY'LL BE 
ABLE TO OFFER AND ACCESS SEVERAL
OF OUR EDUCATIONAL AND 
ENTERTAINMENT OFFERINGS THAT WE 
HAVE HERE.
SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND 
IN AHIGHER-END HOTEL SITUATION.
THEY'LL ALSO BE ABLE TO ORDER 
THEIR MEALS ON DEMAND, AND MANY,
MANY OTHER FEATURES.
SO IT'S ONE OF THE ASPECTS OF 
THIS NEW HOSPITAL THAT IS, I 
THINK, THE GREATEST WITH RESPECT
TO BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THE 
INTERACTION BETWEEN THE PATIENT 
AND THE HOSPITAL SERVICES TO BE 
AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR ALL.
>> ALLIE COREY:  NOW, WE HAVE 
TALKED SO MUCH ABOUT THE
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF THE 
BUI
BUILDING.
FROM THE VIDEO IT LOOKS LIKE 
LIKE A SCI-FI MOVIE.
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US SOME OF 
THE FEATURES THAT WILL HELP 
PATIENTS AND VISITORS HEAL 
SPIRITUALLY?
>> STEVEN SCOTT:  THERE ARE 
SEVERAL THINGS HERE THAT MAKE 
THIS HOSPITAL A SPIRITUAL 
EXTERIOR PIECE.
THE MISSION OF SSM HEALTH, 
THROUGH OUR EXCEPTIONAL HEALTH 
CARE SERVICES, WE REVEAL THE 
HEALING PRESENCE OF GOD.
AND IT'S THAT ONE GUIDING 
PRINCIPLE UPON WHICH THIS ENTIRE
BUILDING WAS DESIGNED.
WE HAVE OUR CHAPEL, WHICH SITS 
AS THE CENTER PIECE OF THIS 
FACILITY, AND IS A POWERFUL 
PLACE FOR US TO REFLECT AND TO 
HAVE COMMUNION HERE.
IT IS ALSO A PLACE THAT PROVIDES
US WITH THE BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL
TWO THEN -STORY -- TWO-STORY 
STAINED GLASS WALL THAT LETS ALL
KINDS OF LIGHT INTO THAT 
BEAUTIFUL FACILITY.
IT IS THE NATURAL LIGHT HERE 
THAT RUNS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE 
HOSPITAL, NO MATTER WHICH ANGLE 
THAT YOU VIEW.
THAT HELPS TO IMPROVE A VERY, 
VERY, VERY CALMING EFFECT, IF 
YOU WILL, WITH RESPECT TO OUR 
HOSPITAL.
IT'S ONE OF THE BEST THINGS 
ABOUT BEING HERE.
IN ADDITION TO OUR HEALING 
GARDEN, WHICH WE'VE BEEN ALL 
LOOKING FORWARD TO, BECAUSE ON 
THREE SIDES OF OUR FACILITY, ALL
PATIENTS ARE ABLE TO VIEW THAT 
GARDEN, AND TO ENJOY ITS BEAUTY 
YEAR-ROUND.
>> ALLIE COREY:  WE WERE 
ADMIRING IT BEFORE THE SHOW.
WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF A GLOBAL 
PANDEMIC, AND YET, STILL, YOU 
MANAGE TO OPEN ON TIME.
WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO DO TO MAKE 
SURE YOU STAYED ON TRACK? 
>> STEVEN SCOTT:  WE'VE AID  
SAID LONG AGO AND CONTINUED TO 
SAY THAT WE WERE GOING TO OPEN 
ON SEPTEMBER 1ST.
AND WE LIKE IT KEEP OUR PROMISES
IN THAT REGARD.
I WILL TELL YOU, IN ALL REALITY,
WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HERE AT 
ALL WITHOUT THE EXCEPTIONAL 
COMMITMENT OF SO MANY 
EXTRAORDINARE PEOPLE, WHO 
BELIEVED IN THE MISSION, 
BELIEVED IN THIS PROJECT, AND 
FRANKLY, WERE NOT GOING TO BE 
INTIMIDATED AT ALL, IF AT ALL, 
BY ANYTHING, LET ALONE A 
PANDEMIC.
WE HAVE ALL HAD TO ALTER THE WAY
THAT WE LIVE, OF COURSE, BECAUSE
OF THE PANDEMIC.
AND WE'VE HAD TO ALTER THE WAY 
THAT WE TAKE CARE OF OUR 
PATIENTS AND OUR EMPLOYEES, TO 
KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.
THAT IS OUR TOP PRIORITY.
BUT STILL, OUR COMMITMENT IS 
STRONG.
BECAUSE OF OUR BELIEF IN THE 
MISSION, AND THE NEED FOR THIS 
TYPE OF FACILITY TO BE AVAILABLE
TO OUR PATIENTS.
AND NOW WE HAVE A CHANCE TO 
SHARE THAT ON SCHEDULE WITH 
THOSE THAT WE SERVE.
>> ALLIE COREY:  WE CAN 
CERTAINLY SEE THAT, JUST BEING 
HERE TONIGHT.
AND TO CONFIRM, TO HAVE TO BE  
DO YOU HAVE TO BE SICK TO 
ACTUALLY STAY HERE? 
[LAUGHTER.] 
>> STEVEN SCOTT:  NO, YOU 
DON'T! 
NOT AT ALL! 
>> ALLIE COREY:  THANK YOU SO 
MUCH, MR. SCOTT.
THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE IS 
OFFICIALLY HERE.
SSM HEALTH-SAINT LOUIS 
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IS OPEN!
>> RENE KNOTT:  AND EVERYONE WHO
WORKS INSIDE THIS STATE OF THE 
ART MEDICAL CENTER IS ENERGIZED 
AND READY TO CONTINUE PROVIDING 
EXCEPTIONAL HEALTHCARE TO OUR 
ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY.
>> ALLIE COREY:  AND WE THANK 
YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS 
EVENING FOR THE CELEBRATION OF A
NEW ERA IN HEALTH CARE HERE IN 
ST. LOUIS.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]. 
>> NARRATOR:  IT BEGAN WITH A 
PROMISE.
>> STEVEN SCOTT:  WE SAID AND 
HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR QUITE A 
NUMBER OF YEARS THAT WE WOULD 
OPEN THIS HOSPITAL ON SEPTEMBER 
1ST OF 2020.
WELL, WE LIKE TO KEEP OUR WORD.
>> NARRATOR:  THE NEW SSM HEALTH
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY 
HOSPITAL -- AT FIRST, JUST A 
COLLECTION OF DREAMS AND A 
SERIES OF DRAWINGS -- IS NOW A 
LIFE-SIZE, LIFE-SAVING REALITY.
>> KELLY BAUMER:  THIS IS A VERY
SPECIAL TIME FOR US.
I REALLY DO FEEL THAT IT'S 
BROUGHT THE STAFF AND OUR 
PHYSICIANS, AND REALLY JUST 
EVERYONE THAT WORKS IN THIS 
MEDICAL CENTER CLOSER TOGETHER.
THIS IS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO 
OFFER OUR PATIENTS AND ALL OUR 
STAFF AND PHYSICIANS AT WORK 
HERE, THIS BEAUTIFUL, NEW PLACE.
>> MATTHEW BROOM:  YOU WALK 
AROUND HERE, AND THERE'S A LOT 
OF LIGHTS, BELLS, AND WHISTLES 
THAT, LOOKING BACK 20 YEARS AGO,
I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE IN 
TRAINING AS WELL.
AND YET AT THE SAME TIME, I'M 
FORTUNATE TO BE A PART IT NOW.
I'VE BEEN SO IMPRESSED WITH JUST
THE PATIENT-FOCUSED NATURE OF 
IT.
I THINK IT'S AMAZING.
>> NARRATOR:  THE NEW SSM HEALTH
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL 
IS WHERE OUR TRADITION OF 
EXCEPTIONAL CARE AND THE FUTURE 
OF MEDICINE INTERSECT IN A 
TRANSFORMATIVE, STATE OF THE 
ART, 800,000 SQUARE FOOT 
HOSPITAL AND AMBULATORY CARE 
CENTER. 
>> KATHY NOLAND:  PEOPLE WILL 
GET THEIR STEPS IN.
THAT'S FOR SURE -- [CHUCKLES.] 
>> SETH BLAND:  IT'S HUGE.
IT'S HUGE.
>> NARRATOR:  THE NEW EMERGENCY 
DEPARTMENT HAS TRIPLED IN SIZE.
>> SETH BLAND:  WE'VE GOT MORE 
STUFF IN OUR ARSENAL TO CARE FOR
THE PEOPLE IN OUR AREA A LITTLE 
BIT BETTER.
I KNOW JUST SPEAKING FROM THE 
ER, I KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT NEW 
AND IMPROVED TRAUMA ROOMS, NEW 
AND IMPROVED PATIENT ROOMS.
SO JUST BEING ABLE TO EXPAND 
THAT SPACE AND HAVE A LITTLE BIT
MORE AREA TO TREAT MORE PEOPLE 
FOR US IS GOING TO BE HUGE.
>> NIKKI ATKINS:  I THINK THESE 
-- THE LAYOUT IS GREAT.
THE AREA THAT I WILL BE WORKING 
IN IS VERY SPACIOUS, AND NEW, 
CLEAN, AND FRESH.
A-1, THUMBS UP!
[CHUCKLES.] YES, I LOVE IT.
>> NARRATOR:  THE NEW SSM HEALTH
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL 
ALSO REPRESENTS A $550 MILLION 
INVESTMENT IN THE CITY OF ST. 
LOUIS THAT IS ALREADY PAYING 
DIVIDENDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS 
SURROUNDING IT.
>> KATHY NOLAND:  IT'S JUST 
REVITALIZING THIS WHOLE AREA.
>> MATTHEW BROOM: I THINK IT'S A
REAL COMMITMENT, AS FAR AS FAR 
AS WHERE NOT ONLY SSM BUT ALSO 
SLUCARE WANT TO BE.
I MEAN, THEY'RE IN THE RIGHT 
PLACE TO DO THE RIGHT TYPE OF 
HEALTH CARE AT THE RIGHT TIME.
>> STEVEN SCOTT: I CAN'T SAY 
ENOUGH ABOUT OUR STAFF.
I AM SO PROUD OF THEM, AND SO 
PROUD OF THE OPPORTUNITY THAT 
THEY WILL HAVE, WORKING IN THIS 
NEW FACILITY.
>> KELLY BAUMER:  WHEN WE 
STARTED THIS PROJECT IN 2015, WE
ACTUALLY ESTABLISHED USER GROUPS
FOR ALL OF THE AREAS.
AND WE HAD OVER 400 EMPLOYEES, 
PHYSICIANS, AND STAFF THAT WERE 
INVOLVED IN IT.
>> KATHY NOLAND:  THEY'VE AN 
AMAZING ACROSS THIS JOURNEY.
YOU KNOW, VERY UNDERSTANDING.
ALL THE MEETINGS, PLANNING, YOU 
KNOW, THINGS TO DO LAST-MINUTE.
WHEN YOU SEE THE END RESULT, IT 
WAS WORTH EVERY MINUTE.
>> STEVEN SCOTT: DEFINITELY WE 
COULD NO DO IT WITHOUT THEIR 
BUY-IN, BUT ALSO WITHOUT THEIR 
CREATIVITY AND THEIR SUPPORT 
WHICH HAS BEEN BOUNDLESS.
>> SETH BLAND:  THE PRIDE THAT 
WILL BE OOZING OUT OF ALL OF US.
I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO 
EVERYTHING BEING SO SPACIOUS AND
IS SO NEW.
IT'S GOING TO BE PHENOMENAL.
[MUSIC]. 
>> NARRATOR:  DESPITE THE 
CRUCIBLE OF A WORLDWIDE 
PANDEMIC, THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS
IN PROGRESS, SSM HEALTH SAINT 
LOUIS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IS NOW
OPEN, BRINGING THE HEALING POWER
OF PRESENCE TO THE PEOPLE OF 
ST. LOUIS AND BEYOND.
A PROMISE KEPT.
A CHALLENGE MET.
>> STEVEN SCOTT:  TO ALL OF OUR 
EMPLOYEES, A HEARTFELT THANKS 
FOR ALL THAT THEY DO TO TAKE 
CARE OF OUR PATIENTS AND TO TAKE
CARE OF EACH OTHER, OVER AND 
OVER, EVERY DAY, IN COUNTLESS 
WAYS.
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT, AND 
BRIGHTER EACH DAY.
