Shriners Hospital Resumes Plan to Build New Facility

The Shriners Hospitals for Children has resumed plans to build a new hospital at Washington University Medical Center. The project was placed on hold in early 2009 due to the economic downturn and its effect on the international health system’s endowment fund.

Construction on the six-story, 247,000-square-foot facility is anticipated to begin in late 2010 and last three years. Plans for the new hospital include 40 inpatient beds, four surgical suites and 30 clinic examination rooms.

The new hospital will give patients better access to specialists at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. Most of the Shriners medical staff are Washington University School of Medicine faculty.

“The closer Shriners Hospitals for Children is to the resources of the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, as well as the other facilities of BJC HealthCare, the more effective we can be in providing care to our children and more fully collaborate in research and education,” said John O’Shaughnessy, hospital administrator.

Children up to the age of 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission. Care is provided with no financial obligation to patients or families.

The current Shriners facility is located at 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd. in Frontenac, Mo., and was built in 1963. It is anticipated that it will be sold once construction is completed, O’Shaughnessy said.