St. John?s gets approval for expansion

The Certificate of Need for St. John's Health System's $98.3 million renewal project was unanimously approved by the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee Sept. 24, according to a St. John's news release.

The project is part of the health system's $320 million, five-year master sites and facilities plan.

Construction of an ambulatory surgery center and medical office building at National Avenue and Seminole is among the first visible signs of the approved projects, the release stated. The CON approval is the result of two years of planning, according to St. John's Pres-ident and Chief Executive Officer Jay Eckersley.

"We began working with consultants in August of 1999, and after scores of meetings with staff members, physicians, government leaders and our neighbors, we have a plan that will move St. John's into the 21st century," Eckersley said, noting that staff and community support for the project has been gratifying.