The Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George and Mission Partners of Saint Anthony’s Health Center welcomed over 400 area residents to a Community Appreciation Day and Open House earlier in April for tours of the all-private rooms and newly renovated 2 South medical/surgical unit, nursing stations and a spacious family waiting area.
“The renovation of our medical/surgical department provides an enhanced healing environment for our patients,” said E.J. Kuiper, President & CEO of Saint Anthony’s Health System. Designed for comfort and peaceful surroundings, the rooms consist of new patient furnishings, including beds with position monitoring and innovative patient safety features.
“Our Mission Partners are really excited about the new patient beds – advanced for patient comfort and patient care,” Kuiper said. New furnishings include 32” Phillips flat screen televisions in each private room, along with wireless Internet service. And throughout the unit, patients and visitors can admire various works of art from local artist, Jeff Vaughn.
The second phase of facility renovation to the 2 West medical unit will now begin. In addition to the private room project, the Health Center is acquiring new technology for several areas, including imaging and diagnostics.
“We are pleased to announce several new capital purchases, including a new 64-slice CT scan and state-of-the-art MRI with breast imaging,” Kuiper added. Saint Anthony’s is the first hospital in the St. Louis metro area that will offer the 64-slice CT scan with the lowest radiation dosing – a 40% reduction in radiation dose for patients. The CT construction and installation is expected to be completed by summer.
Within the last six months, Saint Anthony’s has made several improvements in the family and visitor common areas, such as the front lobby, outpatient registration, Gift Shop and medical staff lounge. Earlier this month, a nine foot cross was erected atop a new monument entrance leading into the Saint Anthony’s campus from Central Avenue.
Kuiper noted that all contractors working on recent Saint Anthony’s projects are locally based. “Saint Anthony’s is committed to the community, through our Mission of serving all who come through our doors, and by investing in our facilities and utilizing the talents of our area workers.”
Owned by the Sisters of St. Francis, Saint Anthony’s is celebrating 85 years in the Alton community this year. “With E.J. Kuiper serving as President & CEO, our Health System is committed to providing quality health care to those we serve. We are so blessed to have E.J. and 1,000 very dedicated Mission Partners, physicians and volunteers to carry the Mission forward,” said Mother M. Regina Pacis, Provincial Superior of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr. St. George.