St. John's sets orthopedic hospital groundbreaking

Last edited at 2:53 p.m. March 9, 2011

Officials at St. John’s Hospital, a Sisters of Mercy affiliate, are scheduled to break ground March 30 for a $105 million, 48-bed orthopedic hospital in southeast Springfield.

In September, City Council rezoned 40 acres – 30 acres of which were first annexed into the city – at the southwest corner of Evans Road and U.S. Highway 65 to make way for the health system’s plans.
St. John’s received Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee approval for the orthopedic hospital in mid-2010.

Spokeswoman Cora Scott said St. John’s selected St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Cos. Inc. as general contractor for the 149,000-square-foot project, which is expected to take two years to build. Architect of record is Dallas-based HKS Architects Inc., which designed Cowboys Stadium, Scott said.

When operational, the hospital should employ nearly 250, with an annual payroll of $11 million, officials said.

Last spring, CoxHealth opened a 65,000-square-foot, $48 million orthopedic center on its South National Avenue campus.

Both hospitals have cited the aging population for their expansion plans.

“It’s a combination of the aging baby boomers and the projected population increase of people moving into the area,” Scott said. “We expect baby boomers to remain active, and they are going to want a certain quality of life that keeps them active.

“The demand really does warrant additional orthopedic surgical services in the market.”

Along with statistical analyses St. John’s officials provided the state Department of Health and Senior Services in earning its Certificate of Need to proceed with the hospital, Scott said a citizen advisory panel has helped craft the plan and expectations for services, such as joint replacements. St. John’s chose the southwest Springfield site - 3101 E. FR 188 - for a standalone center due to accessibility, she added, noting that front-door service is critical for patients with mobility challenges.

Mercy leaders, St. John’s 16 orthopedic surgeons and Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce President Jim Anderson are expected to attend the invitation-only groundbreaking ceremony.[[In-content Ad]]