HSHS St. John’s Hospital, SIU Medicine and HSHS Medical Group unveiled the new women and children’s clinic on Oct. 30 with an event that included a blessing, ribbon cutting, reception and building preview. Many health care leaders, colleagues and community members were present as the Rev. Msgr. David J. Hoefler of the Diocese of Springfield blessed the new space.

“As we carry on the mission of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, our main goal is to improve access and convenience for our patients while providing the best possible care,” said E.J. Kuiper, president and CEO of the HSHS Central Illinois Division hospitals. “This new clinic will provide an optimal outpatient environment for women and children. It will also strengthen our care partnerships with SIU Medicine and HSHS Medical Group, which is extremely important to us.”

The new 85,000-square-foot outpatient center will improve care coordination by providing numerous services under one roof. Patients will be able to see their physicians, receive follow-up and diagnostic services with easy access to St. John’s Hospital and St. John’s Children’s Hospital.

“We are committed to this region and to strategic alliances that help SIU Medicine bring the best medical care and services to the women and children of the region,” said SIU Medicine CEO, Dr. Jerry Kruse. “We value the partnership that is symbolized in the opening of this new facility with HSHS St. John’s. Together we are recruiting and educating the next generation of primary care physicians, specialists and health care professionals for central and southern Illinois.”

This $48.4 million project includes a four-story medical facility, parking garage and a sky bridge across Ninth Street that connects to St. John’s Children’s Hospital. Patients and families coming to the new outpatient center will have access to a lab and pharmacy; pediatric rehabilitation with an expanded therapy gym; pediatric cardiology services and diagnostic testing; mammography and other imaging tests; pediatric orthopedics and general surgery; maternal-fetal medicine; pediatric multi-specialty clinic; plus obstetrics and gynecology. A café and healing garden are also part of the new facility.

“This new facility will enhance the health care available to Springfield and surrounding communities,” said Loren Hughes, MD, president of HSHS Medical Group. “This beautiful new facility is now home to HSHS Medical Group Children’s Surgical Services, which includes pediatric general surgery and pediatric orthopedic surgery. We are excited to partner with HSHS St. John’s Hospital and SIU Medicine to offer extensive specialty care in one convenient location, allowing us to offer complete care for children and their families.”

Additionally, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis are donating a statue for an outdoor healing garden that will commemorate the 1908 Race Riots that tragically occurred right by where this facility stands today. St. John’s has also commissioned artist Preston Jackson to create a work of art depicting the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis caring for victims side by side regardless of race in moments following the horrific riots. This composition, which will be the centerpiece of an educational wall exhibit on the 1908 Race Riot on the first floor, will be unveiled later this year.

The new building will be fully occupied and functional this winter.