Opening of Patient Tower next chapter of St. John's story

Welcome to the fall 2007 edition of Healthy People magazine.
As St. John’s Hospital prepares for the grand opening of the 360,000-square-foot Patient Tower, we’re also looking back on our rich history in the Ozarks. The Sisters of Mercy came to Springfield more than 100 years ago and turned a small brick home on Washington Avenue into a hospital with four patient rooms. The Sisters lacked medical equipment and often walked many miles to care for patients who were too ill to come to the hospital.

At the turn of the century, the Sisters addressed the growing need for staff and equipment. In 1906, a new St. John's Hospital and nursing school opened on North Main Street. Over the next half-century, Springfield grew and expanded and so did the need for bigger and better medical facilities. The Sisters of Mercy purchased the current 11-acre site at 1235 E. Cherokee for a new 350-bed facility after World War II.

Expansion has continued rapidly at the East Cherokee location, now referred to as St. John’s main campus, since the much-anticipated Sept. 24, 1952 opening. The hospital has grown into a health system, and health services that the Sisters of Mercy could only dream about 100 years ago are now reality.

In 2000, St. John’s began its largest single construction plan ever on the main campus. These improvements to the hospital and other facilities on the main campus anticipate the community’s medical needs for the next 20 years. Many of these improvements have now been completed, and the opening of the new Patient Tower, planned for January 2008, will signify the near-completion of this extraordinary multi-year undertaking.

The tower will include a history display illustrating St. Johns’ rich heritage in the Ozarks. Organizers are hoping to find photographs and memorabilia that represent the people, places and issues that shape the St. John’s story and we are asking the community to contact us at 417-820-4447 or e-mail stjohns.foundation@mercy.net if you have items to donate or loan for the history display. For more information, please see the story on page 14.

Other stories in this issue include an inspiring story of determination in the face of chronic illness. Adam Noble, a ninth-grader at Berryville High School, refuses to let his diabetes slow him down. Please turn to page 4 to read Adam’s story.

Using the body to heal itself is a centuries-old concept, but Cheryle Harwood of Highlandville and other patients are benefiting from a 21st century adaptation of it in the form of “custom” eye drops at St. John’s Clinic-Eye Specialists. See page 6 for more about this fascinating program available only at St. John’s.

Thanks for picking up this issue of Healthy People magazine, and best wishes to you and your families for a happy, healthy fall.

Sincerely,

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