St. John's files letter of intent for orthopedic hospital

St. John's Health System wants to build a standalone orthopedic center, and the organization is looking for state approval to proceed.

The health system filed a letter of intent March 26 with the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee, according to hospital spokeswoman Cora Scott. The letter of intent is the first process to obtaining a Certificate of Need from the committee, which is currently chaired by Springfield businessman Gordon Kinne, owner and president of Med-Pay Inc.

Scott said the growing and aging population in southwest Missouri is increasing the demand for orthopedic procedures, leading to the need for a separate facility.

A site has not been selected for the proposed hospital; St. John's owns a 12-acre parcel of land at U.S. Highway 65 and Evans Road, though Scott could not comment on the potential location, saying it could be either property St. John's owns or land yet to be purchased.

While it's too early to discuss size or cost of the new hospital, Scott said it would include the full range of orthopedic surgical procedures currently spread among several operating rooms at both the main hospital, 1235 E. Cherokee St., and the Surgical Center at the corner of National Avenue and Seminole Street.

"There's just been a lot of growth over the past few years – and more growth is anticipated – in the number of procedures as well as the desire to consolidate services in a convenient location," Scott said.

The state review committee could make a decision on a Certificate of Need in May or June, at which time the hospital – if approved – would be able to proceed with the project.