New women's and children's unit designed with family in mind

Welcome to the summer 2007 edition of Healthy People magazine.
The word “family” has special meaning to us at St. John’s. While our health system comprises more than 10,000 physicians, co-workers and volunteers, we consider ourselves a family. Many of our clinics have the unique perspective of providing care for entire families. The physicians and staff on our labor and delivery units have the privilege of witnessing parents’ first precious moments with their new babies – their first moments as a family.

For these reasons, we’re proud to announce a new state-of-the-art, 150,000-square-foot women’s and children’s unit on the fifth and sixth floors of St. John’s Hospital. Construction for the new unit will begin in early 2008, after the new Patient Tower opens. A new 42-bed single-family-unit neonatal intensive care unit and an in-hospital Ronald McDonald House are just two of the many family-centered services of the new unit. Please see page 6 for more on this exciting project.

St. John’s has long recognized the many benefits of breastfeeding. In July, new parents will have more convenient access to our outpatient lactation clinic, which is moving to St. John’s Medical Supply at 3328 S. National in Kelly Plaza. In addition to breastfeeding help and supplies, you will also find services such as car seat checks and mastectomy supplies there. You can read more about this story on page 18.

St. John’s Burn & Wound Center, the only dedicated burn and wound unit in southwest Missouri, is currently undergoing a renovation that is scheduled for completion in September. The new inpatient burn center will include four state-of-the-art intensive care beds, as well as five private acute-care beds. The new outpatient facility will include five exam rooms and a hydrotherapy room. Please see page 20 to read more about the renovation, and burn patient Brandon Carnahan’s experience at St. John’s.

Getting good sleep can make a big difference in one’s physical and mental condition. The sleep professionals at St. John’s Sleep Disorders Center provide full diagnostic capabilities for different types of insomnia, parasomnias, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common sleep disorder, is often underdiagnosed in women. Please see page 4 for more.

Thanks for reading this issue of Healthy People magazine. From our family to yours, please have a happy, healthy and safe summer!


Sincerely,

Kim Day
St. John’s Health System President / CEO