ST. LOUIS – March 20, 2006 — SSM Health Care-St. Louis announced today that it will name its new hospital in southwest St. Louis County SSM St. Clare Health Center. Located at the corner of Highway 141 and Bowles Avenue near Fenton, SSM St. Clare Health Center will replace SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood upon completion in early 2009.  A groundbreaking is scheduled for June 8.

SSM St. Clare Health Center is named for St. Clare of Assisi, one of the most admired and influential Franciscan saints.  St. Clare is known for her profound faith, unwavering courage and enduring compassion – all in the service of others.  St. Clare formed her own community of sisters in 1215, the first community of the Order of Poor Ladies, better known as the Poor Clares.

“Much like St. Clare, we have chosen to follow a different path as we build an innovative health care campus in southwest St. Louis County,” said Ronald J. Levy, president/CEO, SSM Health Care-St. Louis. “We believe there is no one better than St. Clare to be this facility’s namesake as we strive to redefine the health care experience for our patients.”

The 158-bed SSM St. Clare Health Center will be the cornerstone of a 54-acre health care campus that will feature a patient-focused, healing environment inside and out.  The facility will provide the latest clinical technology and information systems to support a full range of services, including a 24-hour emergency department and comprehensive medical/surgical services.  The campus will include a convenient outpatient care center offering one-stop service with close-in parking, and doctor’s offices.

About SSM Health Care

With 8 hospitals, nearly 2,000 staff physicians and 11,000 employees, SSM Health Care-St. Louis is committed to serving the comprehensive health needs of St. Louis area residents.  Sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, the health care network includes: SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center; SSM DePaul Health Center; SSM St. Joseph Health Center (St. Charles); SSM St. Joseph Health Center-Wentzville; SSM St. Joseph Hospital West (Lake Saint Louis); SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood; SSM St. Mary's Health Center and SSM Rehab. The health care network also includes three medical groups: SSM St. Charles Clinic Medical Group, SSM Medical Group and SSM DePaul Medical Group. Its parent organization, SSM Health Care, also based in St. Louis, in 2002 became the first health care recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The system owns, operates and manages hospitals and nursing homes in four states: Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Oklahoma.

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