In This Issue New Partnership for SSM's Bone ... - SSM Health Care

2 NetWork — Our Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and FriendsInside ViewA letter from Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, FSMHow Powerful Is That?I’ve been reminiscing a bit lately, and it’s funny how the more some thingschange, the more they stay the same. Take SSM Health Care.Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, FSMPresident and CEONot long ago, I looked at a speech I gave on July 29,1986— the day SSM Health Care officially became asystem—20 years ago. Reading over those words againreminded me how momentous that day was.The creation of SSM Health Care was a significant step in ahistory that began in 1872. The formation of our system was carefullyconceived, discussed, and planned. In that speech on July 29, Italked of how the system would help us live out our mission andbring together the many and varied gifts we all are blessed with.I said then: “What we are about in our system, and whatour structure is about, is the obligation that each of us has—no matter where we work, no matter what we do, no matterhow long or who weʼve served—to use whatever gifts andtalents we have to their fullest ... So that the people of God,the sick and injured, the dying, and especially the poor, mightreceive the many blessings and the richness of human lifeitself through our service.”We had an obligation to use these gifts, I said, for the sakeof the people we serve.We still do.In 1986, when SSM Health Care was formed, we had12,000 employees. Today, we number 24,000—with morethan 5,000 physicians. Such growth is astonishing to me.These days, Iʼve been busy making my annual visitsto facilities throughout our four-state system. I alwaysenjoy these visits, getting updates on the remarkableprogress and seeing for myself how connected peopleare to our mission.I have been impressed to see the widespread understandingof the link between the work people do every day and ourmission. Whether itʼs a nurse in telemetry, a housekeeper, ora clerk in medical records, people in SSM know what theyneed to do to achieve our mission—and they do it every day.Itʼs exciting to witness.On a recent site visit to St. Maryʼs Good Samaritan Inc., Ifound myself engaged in a delightful conversation with TracyFiscus. Tracy is the director of the cardiology department onthe Centralia campus. Her enthusiasm was infectious as shetalked about her experienced and professional staff, severalof whom had worked for more than two decades in healthcare. She talked about how they recognized the work of theircolleagues, how they were particularly proud of achieving a99th percentile in patientsʼ willingness to recommend.Still, they werenʼt resting on their past performances.They were working on ways to cut down on patient wait times.Imagine 24,000 gifted people working separately towardour ultimate goal…to reveal the healing presence of Godthrough our exceptional health care. Working together as asystem. How powerful is that?Sometimes Change Is GoodYou may have noticed that weʼve made a fewchanges in Network.OK, we made a lot of changes. So whytamper with a good thing?Itʼs not as if Network wasbroken. Indeed it was awell-read publication.But we havenʼtchanged its look inabout five years.Because we think change once in a whileis good — to make sure our busy readers getinformation they want — we decided torefresh the look of our pages. You might saywe added a new coat of paint and plantedsome shrubs and annuals.Specifically, in Networkʼs case, a new designerwas brought in to make Network more visuallyappealing. Weʼre writing shorter stories and makingit easier to read and find the information you want.And we worked to save some money in the process.We also kept the things we heard you like aboutNetwork: inspirational stories, lots of pictures ofpeople, Sister Mary Jean Ryanʼs column and newsyou can use.We hope you like what you see. We also hopeto make more changes as we continue to makeNetwork a must-read publication for SSM HealthCareʼs 24,000 employees.Let us know what you think.SSM HEALTH CARE is sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary.Look for Network onlineat ssmhc.com andthe SSMHC intranet.OUR MISSIONThrough our exceptional health care services, we revealthe healing presence of God.OUR CORE VALUESIn accordance with the philosophy of the Franciscan Sistersof Mary, we value the sacredness and dignity of each person.Therefore, we find these five values consistent with both ourheritage and ministerial priorities:Compassion • Respect • Excellence •Stewardship • CommunityCORPORATE OFFICE477 N. Lindbergh Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63141Phone: (314) 994-7800Fax: (314) 994-7900DIXIE L. PLATTSenior Vice President -Mission & ExternalRelationsSUZY FARRENVice President CorporateCommunicationsLORRAINE KEECorporate Publications ManagerANNICE WESTDistribution & EditorialAssistantHOW TO CONTACT USSend questions, comments, orsuggestions for future issues ofSSM Network to Lorraine Kee,Editor, at (314) 994-7918,Lorraine_Kee@ssmhc.com.MEDIA INQUIRIESPermission is granted to quoteany material in Network, ifsource is cited. Reporters seekingadditional information shouldcontact Lorraine Kee at(314) 994-7918. Contact namesand phone numbers areprovided in Network to facilitatenetworking and informationsharing among employees andphysicians of SSM Health Careand its entities.SSM Health Care provides equalemployment opportunities, withoutregard to race, color, religion,sex, age, national origin, veteranstatus, or disability to all qualifiedapplicants and executives.Network is printed on recycledpaper that is recyclable. A webprinting press is used, makingfour-color economical.WHO WE ARE: Missouri: SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center • SSM DePaul Health Center • SSM St. Joseph Health Center • SSM St. Joseph Health Center–Wentzville • SSM St. Joseph Hospital West •SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood • SSM St. Mary’s Health Center-St. Louis • SSM Rehab • SSM Home Care • SSM Information Center • SSM Support Services • St. Francis Hospital & Health Services • St. Mary’s Health Center-Jefferson City • Illinois: Good Samaritan Regional Health Center • St. Francis Hospital & Health Center • St. Mary’s Hospital-Centralia • Wisconsin: Boscobel Area Health Care • Columbus Community Hospital • St. Clare Hospital andHealth Services • St. Clare Meadows Care Center • St. Mary’s Hospital–Madison • St. Mary’s Care Center • Stoughton Hospital • Oklahoma: Bone & Joint Hospital, LLC • St. Anthony Hospital • Unity Health Center (North & South)July / August 2006Return to ContentsSSM Health Care

— Our Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and Friends 3In The NewsLookin’ Good at 50!SSM Cardinal Glennon Celebrates its Golden AnniversaryST. LOUIS — SSM Cardinal Glennon Childrenʼs Medical Center marked its 50th anniversarythis summer with a series of events and celebrations, including a childrenʼs parade, physiciansʼdinner, employeesʼ party, and lunch honoring the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, sponsor of SSMHealth Care including the medical center.The sisters were honored during an afternoon luncheon of prayer and reflection June 15.At the lunch, Sr. Noreen McGowan, FSM, was presented with an award recognizing her50 years of service. She is the only employee who has worked at the hospital since its grandopening and she continues to contribute to its daily operations.Sr. Noreen was accompanied by Mary Francis (Wallace) Myers of Kirksville, Mo., thevery first patient to enter Cardinal Glennonʼs doors on July 5, 1956. Christopher Puetz, ofSt. Louis, who was an infant at Cardinal Glennon on opening day, was also in attendance.On July 7, young patients paraded through the hospital with St. Louis Cardinals baseballbroadcaster Wayne Hagin to celebrate 50 years of caring for kids.Good Samaritan, St. Mary’sCelebrate PartnershipBy Julie LongSOUTHERN ILL. — Former competitors Good SamaritanRegional Health Center of Mount Vernon and St. Mary’s Hospitalof Centralia are marking a milestone this summer.A decade ago, the two hospitals entered into a jointoperating agreement to provide expanded health care to theresidents of Southern Illinois. At a recent service awardsbanquet, the partnership’s Chief Executive Officer Jim Sangertalked about progress made since Felician Services Inc. and SSMHealth Care joined forces.Together, the hospitals are known as St. Mary’s GoodSamaritan Inc.“Our two hospitals … have been working in partnershipfor 10 years to share best practices and grow both facilities,”Sanger said.At the awards banquet the pastoral care department on theCentralia campus was recognized for consistently ranking inthe 98th percentile for customer satisfaction. Pictured left toright are Jim Sanger, CEO; John Hempen and Sumner Morrison,both of pastoral care.Mendy Sparling, director of the Bob Costas Cancer Center, celebrated the 50th anniversaryof SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center with some of the hospital’s patients.Sanger noted other accomplishments: $93 millioninvested in technology and facilities; two new cancercenters; orthopedic center; two new cardiac catheterizationlaboratories; open-heart surgical suites; a new family healthcenter in Salem; a women’s health center; a new one-daysurgery unit; and renovation to the first floor and outpatientservices at the Centralia facility.The partnership earned Illinois’ quality award—the2003 Lincoln Gold Award for Achievement of Excellence.“This has been a great decade, and I congratulateeach of you for the part that you have played in theseaccomplishments,” Sanger said.New Start for St. Joseph Health Center-Wentzville Showcase for Sharing Sept. 29By Mary EngerWENTZVILLE, MO. — Adedication ceremony andopen house July 25-26made it official: the formerCrossroads Regional MedicalCenter is now SSM St. JosephHealth Center-Wentzville.SSM Health Care purchasedthe facility in November 2005from Essent Healthcare.The dedication drew about120 employees, physicians,auxiliary members,community leaders, andcorporate representatives.Sr. Jacqueline Motzel, FSM,president of the FranciscanSisters of Mary, SSM’ssponsoring organization,presided over the officialdedication and blessing.An open house followedthe dedication.The facility now offerspatients a 24-hour emergencydepartment and ambulatoryservices, as well as convenientaccess to outpatient servicessuch as radiology, laboratory,cardiology and therapy.Behavioral healthinpatient and outpatientcare is also an integral partof the services offeredat St. Joseph. Units foradolescent, adult andgero-psychiatric care andoutpatient behavioralhealth services openedearlier this year.Showcase for Sharing is set for Sept. 29,from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the St. CharlesConvention Center in St. Charles, Mo., andfeatures the best practices from throughoutSSM. This year’s theme is “10 Years of Sharing …Teamwork: the Key to Quality and Safety.”Sponsored by SSM’s Quality Resource Center, the event willfeature projects highlighting partnership/teamwork betweenhospitals and medical staffs. Presentations should focus on at leastone of SSM’s five key characteristics of exceptional health care:clinical outcomes; employee, patient and physician satisfaction; orfinancial performance.Presentations should be submitted by Sept. 15 and attendanceregistrations by Sept. 11. For additional info, visit the Showcase forSharing Web site on the corporate Intranet.SSM Health Care July / August 2006Return to Contents

4 NetWork — Our Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and FriendsPalliative CareTeam SeeksQuality atEnd of LifeBy Carolyn KellyOKLAHOMA CITY — Whena very personal family decisioninvolving a young woman namedTerri Schiavo erupted into avery public court battle lastyear, it increased awarenessof the importance of makingone’s wishes known concerningend-of-life matters.The St. Anthony HospitalPalliative Care Team helpspatients and families dealwith these complicated andoften difficult decisions daily.St. Anthony defines palliativecare as the active, total caregiven to a patient when adisease is not responding tocures or stabilizing treatments.The goal of the care is achievethe best quality of life for patientsand families. Palliative careis provided along with othertherapeutic interventions.St. Anthony’s PalliativeCare Team includes aphysician, nurse, coordinator,chaplain, and social worker.“Patients referred to ourservice are facing one of themost difficult transitions of theirlives — that of life-threatening,progressive illness,” saidJane Lowrey, palliative carecoordinator at St. Anthony.“In short, they are facing death,a process which our society hasmade even more difficult andlonely by the wholesale denialof its existence. But, death isboth a natural process and aninevitable experience.“Our particular task is tobring into harmony the manyprofessional disciplines herein the hospital, and promotea peaceful, dignified deathexperience that supports andhonors the individual and theirsignificant others through anenhancement of care,” she said.New Ministry WrapsPatients in PrayersBy Kelly CheramyMADISON, WIS. — When Sandy Ziegler delivered a son atSt. Maryʼs Hospital 37 years ago, she brought him homewearing a soft cap lovingly presented by one of the hospitalʼsnuns. This summer, she received another handmade, prayerfilledgift for that same son who was recently admitted toSt. Maryʼs Hospital.This time, the keepsake was a hand-knit prayer shawl,thanks to a new ministry for patients and families facingserious illness or injury.“Itʼs a special gift,” said Ziegler adding that she treasuredboth gifts along with memories of the religious sisters whopresented them.The prayer shawls are created by hospital volunteers. Asthe knitting progresses, the shawl-maker prays for the patientwho will receive it.“Prayer can make a difference,” Pastoral Care DirectorPaula McKenzie said. “But the most important thing is sayinghow much we care through our medical care and through thelove and compassion we extend to patients and their families.”Peace Pole Sproutsin Healing GardenBy Keri OlsonBARABOO, WIS. – A perennial wasnʼt planted in the HealingGarden at St. Clare Hospital & Health Services but somethingis growing there nevertheless.A Peace Pole was planted and the public was invited tocelebrate July 18.St. Clare Hospitalʼs pole is made of cedar and standseight feet tall. The message, “May Peace Prevail onEarth,” is inscribed on all four sides in different languages:English, Ho-Chunk, Polish and Spanish. Ho-Chunk is thelanguage of the areaʼs Native American people. At thepublic unveiling, special readers recited the message inthe various languages.The project was started by the World Peace PrayerSociety, a nonprofit group dedicated to uniting people throughuniversal prayer.The Franciscan Sisters of Mary, who sponsor SSM HealthCare including St. Clare Hospital, have installed two PeacePoles in St. Louis.Sandy Ziegler proudly displayed a baby cap and prayer shawl she received37 years apart, from the sisters at St. Mary’s Hospital. Both were gifts for herson, Jared (in background), who was recently hospitalized.“We are following their vision in having a Peace Pole of ourown,” hospital President Sandy Anderson said. “In all ways,we strive to reveal the healing, peaceful presence of God to ourpatients, visitors, medical staff, volunteers and fellow employees.”A Peace Pole, bearing the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” wasadded to the prayerful, healing environment of the Healing Garden atSt. Clare Hospital & Health Services.A Timeline of Healing at SSM Health CareOur Founding1872The founding Sisters arrive inSt. Louis from Germany and aresoon nicknamed the “SmallpoxSisters.” Mother Mary OdiliaBerger becomes a familiar figure,walking the streets with a basketon her arm for receiving anddistributing supplies for Sisterscaring for sick people during thesmallpox epidemic. Later, theytake the name Sisters of St. Mary.1877Their hospital ministry beginswith opening of St. Mary’sInfirmary in St. Louis.1878Yellow fever grips the MississippiValley and nearly half of thecongregation goes to Memphis,Tenn., and Canton, Miss., to tendto sick and dying people. All thesisters become sick and five ofthem die.1885Sisters of St. Mary open St.Joseph Hospital in St. Charles, Mo.A photo from “Sisters of Saint Maryand Their Healing Mission” of theoriginal St. Joseph Hospital, at 305Chauncey Street.1894The founders of the Sisters ofSt. Francis, led by Mother MaryAugustine Giesen, open St.Francis Hospital of Maryville, Mo.1899Sisters of St. Francis open St.Anthony Hospital, the firsthospital in Oklahoma Territory.Photo taken in 1899 ofSt. Anthony Hospital.Unless otherwise noted, pictures are courtesy of SSM Archives. All rights reserved.July / August 2006Return to ContentsSSM Health Care

— Our Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and Friends 5Meet Ron Levy, President/CEOof SSM Health Care of St. LouisBy Laura MorrisEven as a history student incollege, Ron Levy knew hewanted to work with peopleand have an impact — buthe hadn’t decided how hewanted to go about it. Hethought about teaching.Or perhaps counseling.Upon graduation, he took a job as an orderly on adetoxification unit in Chicago. He also worked on the facilityʼsmedical surgical floor and in its emergency department.But when some physicians suggested he look into hospitaladministration, Levyʼs career took a different turn.He returned to the University of Wisconsin in Madison andreceived a master of arts degree in health services administration.During that time, he accepted an administrative residentposition at St. Maryʼs Hospital Medical Center as it was thenknown — and met his new boss, the hospitalʼs then-vicepresident, Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, FSM, fresh from graduate school.“I know that many people say that Sr. Mary Jean is the mostinfluential person in their career, but for me, she really is,”said Levy, with a grin. “Sheʼs had a pretty enormous impacton my career.”In fact, Ryanʼs influence was felt from the start, Levy recalled.While attending a meeting in his second week on the new job,Levy was asked by the chief executive officer to give the openingprayer. He had learned quickly that, as a Catholic organization,meetings were routinely opened with a prayer. However,uncomfortable, he passed on this request to a Catholic colleague.After the meeting, Ryan asked Levy why he had not giventhe prayer.“I told her that prayer is very personal to me, part of myown deep faith, and something I didnʼt do in public,” Levysaid. “She thought about that for a minute and told me that Iwould be asked to offer a prayer at the next meeting — but shewas not asking me to be Catholic.“She also said, ʻNow Ron, I know youʼve only been heretwo weeks. So if youʼd like to make it three, I suggest you beprepared to pray.ʼ”Ron Levy frequently visits hospitals in the St. Louis region, as he did last year atSSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center where this photograph was taken.“I value what SSM is all about.It resonates with who I amand what I believe.” Ron LevyThirty years later, Levy has attended many meetings andoffered many prayers. His career with SSM has spanned Wisconsinand Missouri, including leadership roles as president of St. ClareHospital in Baraboo, Wis., and president of SSM St. Maryʼs HealthCenter in the St. Louis suburb of Richmond Heights.He has also served as the executive vice president of SSMHealth Care of St. Louis and president of the SSMHC-St. LouisPhysiciansʼ Organization. Today, as the regional president/CEO ofSSMHC-St. Louis, Levy spends his days focusing on the patients,employees, and physicians in the St. Louis region.“When I started out 30 years ago, I had no idea Iʼd be herethis long,” Levy said. “Not only have I been blessed to work withincredibly bright and hard-working people at SSM, but I value whatSSM is all about. It resonates with who I am and what I believe.”This is one feature in a series on SSM’s senior executives.The LighterSide of LevyWhat trait do you admiremost in others?Integrity.What is your favorite movie?Love Actually. It’s such afeel-good movie, no matterwhat kind of day it’s been.Braveheart is near the topof my list as well.What was your first car?A Chevy Vega hatchback.Last book you read?Zorro: A Novel by IsabelAllende. Before that, I readFlyboys: A True Story ofCourage by James Bradley.Your proudestaccomplishment?Probably the turnaround atSt. Clare Hospital, Baraboo,Wis., early in my career andthe most recent $50 millionturnaround at SSM Health Care-St. Louis. My greatest senseof pride and accomplishmentis working with a team ofexecutives, physicians andemployees who are dedicatedto improving what we do forour patients, overcoming ourchallenges and accomplishinggreat things for ourorganization.Your idea of a perfect day?A perfect day for me is hikingin the mountains with mywife, coming back down,sitting on a deck and lookingat what we have climbed,watching the sunset. I can’tthink of anything that ismore exhilarating, beautifuland peaceful to share withsomeone you love.1900Sisters of St. Mary establish MountSt. Rose Hospital in St. Louis, thefirst tuberculosis sanatorium westof the Mississippi River. SSM Rehabtraces its roots to the facility.1905Sisters of St. Mary open St. FrancisHospital in Blue Island, Ill.1912Sisters of St. Mary open St. Mary’sHospital in Madison, Wis.A postcard of originalSt. Mary’s Hospital.19211904Sisters of St. Mary open St. Mary’sHospital in Jefferson City, Mo.Photo courtesy of Blue Island Historical Society.Sr. Beatrice Merrigan, oneof the first registered X-raytechnologists in the nation,leads a new radiologydepartment at St. AnthonyHospital in Oklahoma City.SSM Health Care July / August 2006Return to Contents

6 NetWork — Our Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and FriendsPremier Presentation: Michael Rosenblatt, SSM vice president of supply chain management second from left, acceptedPremier Inc.’s Diversity Recognition Award for SSM’s support of minority- and women-owned businesses. Premier Inc.is an alliance of not-for-profit hospitals and health-care systems including SSM.If you have questions or concerns about any process or activity beingethical, legal or in regulatory compliance, ASK any of the following…1. Your supervisor2. A senior manager3. Your entity CRP contact4. SSM Health Care’s Vice President for Corporate ResponsibilityBarbara Briggs at (314) 994-7722To report a problem anonymously, call the CRP Help Line at1-877-4CRP-ASKHospitals Weather StormsHospitals in the St. Louis area and southern Illinoisweathered sweltering heat and damaging stormsJuly 19–21 that left more than half a million peoplewithout electricity. Our facilities saw an influx ofpatients and also contended with power outages.SSM St. Maryʼs Health Center in RichmondHeights operated with auxiliary generators afterlosing water pressure and electrical power. Thatforced the closure of its emergency department. Morethan 175 fans were purchased and donated with staffassembling and delivering them to patient care areas.Power was restored but lost again a day later when afire started at a nearby day-care center. That outagelasted about seven hours.At St. Maryʼs Good Samaritan Inc. in MountVernon, Ill., staff operated on a back-up generatorfor about seven hours and also accommodated abouta dozen residents and their caregivers from a localnursing home. SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St.Charles also lost power for about five hours.SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood and SSMDePaul Health Center also welcomed nursing homepatients. DePaul Health Center put its emergencyroom on diversion for a time due to a number ofpatients who suffered sickness or injury from faultyelectric generators.Throughout SSM, under extraordinarycircumstances, employees stayed late, came in earlyand volunteered to be on call.Dr. Stella, Dr. Stella, Dr. Stella: Hearts Are Family Affair at St. FrancisBy Mike Harrison and Debra RobbinsIf you’re going to page Dr. Stella at St. FrancisHospital & Health Center in Blue Island, Ill., you’vegot to be specific. After all, the hospital has threeDr. Stellas — Joseph, Ronald, and Dominick — on staff.The Stellas are interventional cardiologists — theyuse stents, catheters, balloons, and other devices torestore blood flow to the heart and otherparts of the body without the need formajor surgery.Three physician brothers at one hospitalmay be unusual to some, but they’re usedto being on the same team. They spent theiryouth playing football and baseball together.Today, they take vacations together andchallenge each other professionally.“We bounce things off each other all the time,”Joseph said. “There’s a lot of camaraderie but nocompetitiveness. There is no in-fighting. We haveone goal of trying to take care of our patients to thebest of our ability.”The doctors are members of Heart Care Centers ofIllinois, a group of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons atSt. Francis. Each has his area of expertise.Joseph is heavily involved in clinical research andleads national trials on the effectiveness of a newgeneration of anticoagulant drugs. Ronald specializesin peripheral vascular disease. Dominick, also knownas “Nick,” is especially interested in treating holes inthe heart.“We see the sickest patients at thetime they’re the sickest and we have theopportunity to make them better,” Ronsaid. “They might be in the middle of aheart attack, and we can help them. It’svery gratifying.”“It was one of my parents’ dreams for usto work together,” Nick added. “I think anyparent would want their kids to be close.”Dr. Dominick Stella Dr. Ron StellaDr. Joe StellaA Timeline of Healing at SSM Health Care (continued)1922Sisters of St. Mary open Sistersof St. Mary Ringling Hospitaland Sisters of St. Mary RinglingManor in Baraboo, Wis. Theproperty formerly belongedto one of the Ringling Brothersof circus celebrity.1924Sisters of St. Mary further theirministry through an agreementwith Saint Louis University toprovide for medical/nursing/allied health education. Sistersopen Sisters of St. Mary Hospitalin St. Louis, which adopts thename St. Mary’s Health Centerabout 45 years later.1928Sisters’ school of nursingreorganizes as the Saint LouisUniversity School of Nursing.1933Sisters of St. Mary open St. Mary’s Infirmary for African-American patients. St. Mary’s Infirmary School ofNursing for Negroes is also founded. The facilities represent the first Catholic hospital and the first Catholicnursing school for African Americans in the country.Photograph from first medical staff meeting.Photo courtesy of FSM Archives. Rights Reserved.July / August 2006Return to ContentsSSM Health Care

— Our Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and Friends 7Patient, Volunteer Start UpFast-Track FriendshipBy Beth CrossST. LOUIS — One look at his Richard Petty T-shirtand Tony Stewart baseball cap, and itʼs no secret thatChristopher Armstrong, 7, is a major racing fan.During a recent appointment at SSM CardinalGlennon Childrenʼs Medical Center, ChristopherʼsNASCAR orange wheelchair caught the attentionof volunteer Judy Kuhn, whose sons and husbandare involved in racing at Gateway InternationalRaceway in Illinois.“I walked through here a few weeks ago and I sawChristopher with his Tony Stewart bag, so I said, ʻBychance are you a racing fan?ʼ” Kuhn said.That question marked the beginning of aspeedy friendship. Shortly afterward, Kuhn invitedChristopher to “race” with her sons as part of theRichard Petty Driving Experience.“That was my very first time ever to Gateway,and I felt like I was in a real race!” Christophersaid of his spin in a real race car (he sat on the lapof Kuhnʼs son). “Iʼve been smiling ever since.”Christopher, a Footprints TM patient, has a veryrare brain infection called Chronic InflammatoryDemyelinating Polyneuropathy. Currently, there is nocure. Through Cardinal Glennonʼs Footprints program,patients, families and caregivers make a plan thatprovides the best care and quality of life for patients.In August, Christopher was scheduled to attendVictory Junction Gang Camp, sponsored by PettyEnterprises, in North Carolina.“Christopher is just the coolest kid in theworld,” Kuhn said. “That was a fun day.”At right, Cardinal Glennon volunteer Judy Kuhn (right)arranged for Christopher Armstrong, 7, to spend a dayat Gateway International Raceway in Illinois.Below, Christopher said about riding in a real race carand meeting drivers at the racetrack: “It was so fun!”1949Sisters of St. Mary acceptinvitation from the RomanCatholic Archdiocese ofSt. Louis to lead operation/management responsibilityfor the planned CardinalGlennon Memorial Hospitalfor Children.On April 30, 1996, theArchdiocese of St. Louistransferred control ofCardinal Glennon Children’sHospital to SSM, whichassumed responsibility forits governance.1956Cardinal Glennon MemorialHospital for Children opens.(Reprinted by permission ofSt. Louis Post-Dispatch)Cover of a special newspapersection printed in April 1956.1963St. Clare Hospital opens inBaraboo, Wis. Patientstransfer from St. Mary’sRingling Hospital.This cross has hung at the frontentrance of St. Clare since 1963,despite changes in the hospital’sphysical plant.1963-65Vatican Council II emphasizesimportance of laity in themission of the Catholic Church.More laypersons fill positionsheld previously by religiousmen and women.1974As their numbers decline inhospitals, Sisters identify andoffer pastoral care as integralto the healing ministry withintheir hospitals.1981Acquired immune deficiencysyndrome (AIDS) is identified.Sisters of St. Mary later providehousing and support in St. FrancisHall at St. Mary’s Health Center inSt. Louis for affected and displacedpeople at a time when therewas very little knowledge ofthe illness.1983Sisters of St. Mary adopt “Vision19” long-range plan with fourcornerstones: integrated healthcaresystem, networking, collaborationwith laity, and institutionaland programmatic emphasis.SSM Health Care July / August 2006Return to Contents

8 NetWork — Our Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and FriendsSSM University Debuts‘Forging Breakthroughs’By Darren OwensST. LOUIS — A program designed to help employees developleadership skills for their jobs has had its own breakthrough.SSM Cardinal Glennon Childrenʼs Medical Center recentlybecame the first entity to complete SSM Universityʼs“Forging Breakthroughs” program.The program is offered through a partnership with NinthHouse, a company specializing in e-learning. The programhas two components: online courses and applied discussion.Participants work individually through the online courses ata comfortable pace and then get together to talk about howto apply the lessons at work.“The richness of the material makes the lessons engaging— you want to finish each module,” said Doug Ries,president of SSM Cardinal Glennon Childrenʼs MedicalCenter. “By the time you have the applied discussions,everyone is eager to talk about what they learned.”Based on Peter Sengeʼs best-selling book The FifthDiscipline: The Art and Practice of the LearningOrganization, the program identifies key leadership skillsthat SSM employees said they needed to do their jobsWhat’s SSM University?“An academic university frequently brings to mind sprawlingcampuses that house professors who design courses,” saidRichard Buck, corporate vice president for organizationaleffectiveness and executive director of SSM University. “Atan academic university, students study for these courses,take tests, and pass or fail. If, as a student, you pass all ofyour courses, then you’ve demonstrated proficiency with theinformation and now—here’s your degree. The university’sresponsibility ends and you’re basically on your own.“Not so with a corporate university,” Buck said. “Acorporate university doesn’t have to have its own buildingor professors. It starts with you. The programs are designedto develop job-related and interpersonal skills. This promoteslife-long learning and is better for an organization thansimply having answers to pass-or-fail tests.“Ultimately,” Buck added, “instead of a degree, the goalof SSM University is to give employees the leadership skillsthey need to do their jobs exceptionally well, and therebyhelp SSM Health Care achieve its system goals.”exceptionally well. The course covers strategic thinking,effective communication, active listening, interpersonalskills, conflict management, feedback, and team-building.A test group — consisting of administrative councilmembers, directors and managers from each entity in SSMHealth Care — completed the “Forging Breakthroughs”pilot program in May. Cardinal Glennon was one of the firstentities to participate in the program.“The buzz about ʻForging Breakthroughsʼ has beenrewarding because the interest has led to requests from otherSSM facilities and leadership groups,” said Karen Busch,corporate manager for organizational effectiveness.SSM University schedules “Forging Breakthroughs”for administrative council members, directors andmanagers who report to them. “Resolving InterpersonalIssues,” the first program to be offered to all employees,debuts in 2007.For more information about “Forging Breakthroughs,”Resolving Interpersonal Issues, or SSM University, pleasecontact Karen Busch at Karen_Busch@ssmhc.com or call(314) 994-7841.The course got high marksfrom Doug Ries, presidentof SSM Cardinal GlennonChildren’s Medical Center,who called “Forging Breakthroughs”engaging.CommitteeConsidersFlu PandemicSSM Health Care haslaunched an ad-hoc advisorycommittee to study theimplications of a potentialAvian Flu pandemic in theUnited States and to preparesystem recommendations.The group includesinfectious disease physicians,infection control nurses,materials managers andselected other professionalsfrom various entities.The first meeting washeld in June when the groupreviewed Avian Flu (H5N1)developments in Asia andEurope as well as sharedinformation on local and statecoordination efforts.The ad-hoc group willcontinue to meet on aperiodic basis. For moreinformation, please contactMichael Rosenblatt, corporatevice president of supplychain management, at(314) 644-7389.A Timeline of Healing at SSM Health Care (continued)19861987In a joyous celebration, the Sisters19941996Joint operating agreement2002SSM Health Care winsof St. Mary and the Sisters ofbetween SSM Health Care andprestigious Malcolm BaldrigeSt. Francis reunite to form oneFelician Health Care integratesNational Quality Award—congregation—the Franciscanservices of Good Samaritan Healththe firstSisters of Mary, sponsor ofCenter, Mount Vernon, Ill., andhealth-careSSM Health Care.St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Ill.organizationSSM Health Care organizesand integrates the Sisters’health-care facilities into ahealth-care system basedon Vatican II principles.St. Joseph Hospital Westopens in Lake St. Louis, Mo.Jefferson Meadows Care Centerin Baraboo, Wis., joins systemand later changes name toSt. Clare Meadows Care Center.1988Good Samaritan Health Center,Mount Vernon, Ill., joins SSMHealth Care.1990Continuous Quality Improvement(CQI) is introduced throughout theSSM system. St. Mary’s Care Centerin Madison, Wis., joins system.St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood(Mo.) joins system.1995DePaul Health Center joinsSSM Health Care. Bone & JointHospital becomes member ofthe system.1999System adopts employeecraftedmission statement:“Through our exceptionalhealth care services, we revealthe healing presence of God.”2000Regional networks formin St. Louis, Oklahoma,and Wisconsin.to receivethe honor.July / August 2006Return to ContentsSSM Health Care

— Our Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and Friends 9Technology Gives PatientsKnee Up in ReplacementBy Eric ClarkRICHMOND HEIGHTS, MO. – Unique kneereplacementtechnology at SSM St. Maryʼs HealthCenter allows physicians to position knee implantswith greater precision and accuracy. That meansless scarring and pain and speedier recovery timesfor patients.St. Maryʼs is the only hospital in the area thathas purchased the device and is putting it to use.Computer assisted techniques enable surgeons todecrease the size of a patientʼs incision withoutsacrificing precision.Developed by BrainLAB, “VectorVision” usesa sophisticated camera to transmit measurementsand positioning to a computer system.“In a standard knee replacement, the surgeonwill implant the knee within 1.5 to 3 degrees ofwhere it should be,” said Dr. David Irvine, ofMid-County Orthopedics. “Computer-assistedsurgery reduces that error to less than 1.5 degrees.”Irvine performed the first of a half dozentotal knee replacements Jan. 31 at St. Maryʼs.Nationwide, surgeons perform about 300,000total knee replacements annually, according tothe American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Dr. David Irvine, a physician with Mid-County Orthopedics on staff at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center,uses new technology to position knee implants with greater precision and accuracy.New Knee Keeps Pastor Tall in His PulpitThe Rev. Carl Droegemueller (left) during a follow-upvisit with Dr. Thomas DiStefano.By Amy Schieber and Crystal WestphalMARYVILLE, MO. — Being able to stand anddeliver a sermon every Sunday at the Hope LutheranChurch in Maryville is part of the job for the Rev. CarlDroegemueller. But, for Droegemueller, standing hadbecome a struggle in recent years.Droegemueller underwent knee surgery in1993. Last year, he began experiencing pain. Kneereplacements typically last 10 to 15 years.After consulting with his primary care physician,St. Francis Hospital & Health Services’ Dr. Patrick Harr,Droegemueller was referred to St. Francis FamilyHealth Care orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas DiStefano.On their first visit, DiStefano ordered an X-ray andfound Droegemueller’s knee completely deteriorated.A knee replacement was recommended.The surgery entailed removing the firstreplacement knee and then positioning thenew device. Following the three-hour operation,Droegemueller was in far less pain than he had beenprior to the replacement. He praised his physicaltherapists at St. Francis Rehab & Sports Medicine.“They pushed me, which was a good thing,” he said.Droegemueller now walks without the use of a caneor walker, is playing golf again and is back where he feelshe belongs. Standing on two feet, delivering his sermon.“The medical people in this hospital and communityare excellent,” he said.2004SSM becomes largest healthcaresystem in the countryto go tobacco-free whenits campuses in four stateseliminate tobacco use.2005SSM St. Joseph Health Center-Wentzville, formerly CrossroadsRegional Medical Center,is purchased from EssentHealthcare. System rolls outAchieving Exceptional PatientCare initiative.Today2006Ground is broken for SSM St. Clare Health Center in southwest St. Louis County. The first stage ofProject Beacon, the system’s switch to electronic health records for patients, comes online.No-tobacco signs were posted at St. Francis Hospital &Health Center, Blue Island, Ill.Dignitaries broke ground for the new SSM St. Clare Health Center, set to open in 2008.SSM Health Care July / August 2006Return to Contents

10 NetWork — Our Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and FriendsAround The SystemPeople making progress, progress making change, eventsaround our System about which we want you to know.MissouriPeopleHONORS AND AUTHORSSSM Health Care President/CEO Sr. Mary JeanRyan, FSM, was named to the health care councilof The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.SSM Executive Vice President and Chief OperatingOfficer William Schoenhard was named to theAmerican Hospital Association board of trustees.Dixie L. Platt, SSM senior vice president for missionand external relations, was named to the 2006 FOCUSSt. Louis leadership class. She was also named bythe St. Louis Business Journal as one of its mostinfluential business women for 2006.Pat Komoroski, president of SSM St. Joseph HospitalWest, was inducted as president of the Wentzville Rotary.Kevin Johnson, vice president of medical affairs forSSM DePaul Health Center, was appointed to the2006 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm BaldrigeNational Quality Award and Sr. Rosalyce Mercurio,SSND, was honored by North County Incorporatedwith a 2006 Community Development award.Sandra Hewlett and Patricia Kinney, St. Mary’s HealthCenter in Jefferson City, attained national certificationsas hospice and palliative care educators.EventsCARDINALGLENNON OPENSNEW ILLINOISLOCATIONST. LOUIS — Maryville, Ill.Mayor Larry Gulledge (holdingscissors) helps Katelyn Carpunky,5, and her mom, Carrie, cut abanner announcing the openingof Cardinal Glennon PediatricSpecialists at Anderson Hospitalin Maryville.The new site opened July 1and is one of 24 Glennon Caresites in southern Illinois andoutstate Missouri that bringpediatric specialties, primarycare and emergency care toconvenient locations.Nalin Kulasekara, SSM Support Services, wrotean article that was published in August’s HealthcarePurchasing Journal.Joanne Ladd, SSM Rehab, was honored with anoutstanding service patient care award fromthe Missouri Chapter of the American PhysicalTherapy Association.St. Francis Hospital and Health Services was honoredfor the fourth consecutive year with the EnvironmentalProtection Agency’s “Energy Star” for its efforts to protectthe environment through superior energy efficiency.SSM St. Joseph Health Center was featured in thenationally syndicated column of Cal Thomas for how its“systems thinking” dramatically improved emergency care.APPOINTMENTSBrent VanConia, previously vice president ofambulatory services, was named vice president ofoperations at SSM St.Joseph Hospital West.Layne Ebers was nameddirector of humanresources and DeenaFischer director of publicrelations and marketing.Layne EbersDEPAUL OPENS CHESTPAIN CENTERST. LOUIS – An eight-bay Chest PainCenter opened at SSM DePaul HealthCenter in July.Staffed 24 hours a day, the center isdesigned to evaluate, treat and educatepatients with chest pain in a comfortableenvironment. Patients can be moved to atreatment center immediately. It will alsoallow caregivers to determine whetherpatients are having heart attacks or not,thereby reducing the fears of 70 percentof patients whose chest pain turns out tobe unrelated to their hearts.“The Chest Pain Center is geared forpatients who are most likely not having amyocardial infarction (heart attack),” saidLinda Beaver, clinical director of the center.Christy Jolliff was promoted to director of revenueintegrity; Ralph Buettner director of radiology; andTonya McClelland director of professional services forSSM St. Joseph Health Center and SSM St. JosephHospital West.Dr. Bernard Gawne, Jr. was named vice president/chief medical officer at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center.SSM Health Care corporate office welcomed SteveEckstein as information systems manager.Jeanne Steinbrueck was named vice president ofbusiness development for SSM Rehab and BehavioralHealth Services. Tony Egan, who previously servedas director of business development, was promoted tovice president of ambulatory services at SSM Rehab.Glenda Dahlstrom assumed responsibilities as vicepresident/chief nursing executive for acute care servicesat St. Mary’s Health Center in Jefferson City.Glenda DahlstromBACK TO SCHOOLST. LOUIS – SSM employees in St. Louiscan now attend classes at SSM HealthCare-St. Louis and earn master’s degreesin management from Fontbonne University.One-hour information sessions on themaster’s program are set for 6 p.m. Aug.14 and Aug. 21 in the Learning Center,Suite 190, 1015 Corporate Square Drive, inCreve Coeur, where classes will be held.For more information, please contactFontbonne’s Jeff Jewett at (314) 719-8049or jjewett@fontbonne.edu. To register toattend an info session, please go to theLearning Center link on the Intranet andenter the class identification number. Themaster’s program will consists of eight to10-week classes, starting in October. Classeswill be held on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 10p.m. Employees can use their SSM HealthCare tuition reimbursement and applyfor Fontbonne’s corporate promissorynote for tuition deferment.July / August 2006Return to ContentsSSM Health Care

— Our Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and Friends 11IllinoisPeopleAPPOINTMENTSAt St. Francis Hospital & Health Center, Inna Makievskywas welcomed as vice president for patient care services/chief nursing officer and Logan Porter as environmentalservices director.EventsST. FRANCIS HOSPITALPARTICIPATES IN STUDYBLUE ISLAND — The nursing staff in the emergencydepartment at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centerrecently participated in a national study to assesstheir understanding and practice of medicationsafety as it relates to national standards.“This study will provide valuable data by determiningemergency department nurses’ understanding of specificNational Patient Safety Goals,” said Patti Gomez,St. Francis director of emergency services. “It alsowill determine the degree to which selectedmedication-related safety goals have been adopted.The 2006 National Patient Safety Goals weredeveloped by the Joint Commission on Accreditationof Healthcare Organizations to promote the delivery ofquality health care to patients. The national study wasconducted by the Emergency Nurses Association.WisconsinPeopleHONORS AND AUTHORSTim Hallock, quality and organizational improvement leaderfor St. Mary’s Hospital, received the Volunteer ExcellenceAward from the Madison American Society for Quality.APPOINTMENTSDr. Craig Samitt, currently chief operating officer at theFallon Clinic in Worcester, Mass., has accepted the position ofpresident and chief executive officer for Dean Health System.EventsRAISING THE ROOFBARABOO — The St. Clare Campus Mission AwarenessCouncil coordinateda garagesale fundraiserto benefit Habitatfor Humanity.Over $800was raised.A CLEAN SWEEPBARABOO — Employees in the environmental servicesand employee health departments at St. Clare Hospitaland Health Services cleaned a two-mile stretch of Highway 12 for the state adopt-a-highway program. Hospitaldepartments take turns cleaning the highway three timesa year and have maintained this stretch for over 15 yearsas part of St. Clare’s Preservation of the Earth initiative.ATHLETIC BOOSTERSBARABOO – Staff at St. Clare Hospital Hospital and theMedical Associates Clinic pitched in to coordinate the 14thannual sports screening for Baraboo High School athletesin May. Over 150 students took advantage of the $10screenings. Money collected was donated to the BarabooHigh School athletic department to purchase equipment.HOSPITAL’S NAME IS REBORNMADISON — St. MarysHospital Medical Center is nowofficially St. Mary’s Hospital.With the addition of an apostrophe and shortening of itsname, St. Mary’s honors its origin. When it opened in 1912, itwas St. Mary’s Hospital. In addition, public focus groups andother research indicate that the single word “hospital” is betterunderstood and more clearly defines St. Mary’s role.SLEEP CENTER GETS NODMADISON — The American Academy of Sleep Medicinegave the St. Mary’s Sleep Center another nod of approval inits latest re-accreditation process. The review was conductedwhen the center was still nestled in parts of St. Mary’s Hospital.A new, comprehensive sleep facility opened off-site in June.But reviewers commended administration, professional staff,and technical staff for working unusually well together.IT’S NEVER TOO LATEMADISON — Justask 71-year-old BobLittky who is the mostpopular guy around St.Mary’s Care Center.Littky’s not aresident of the nursinghome — he’s thenew exercise classinstructor. He teachesthe class each weekdayin addition torunning about 10miles a day. To date,he’s participated in19 marathons.An avid runnernow, it’s hard toimagine Littky as everunhealthy. But, atthe age of 48, he atefatty foods, smokedheavily and rarely exercised. A serious heart attackand aneurism changed all that. He quit smoking,learned the value of good nutrition and began to buildhis endurance. Residents at the St. Mary’s Care Centerlook to Littky for inspiration.Previously, exercise groups at the center containedabout 10 residents. The number is up to 25 andgrowing. Littky teaches three sessions a day.OklahomaPeopleAPPOINTMENTSPam Troup, executivedirector for St. AnthonyHospital North, washonored with theCommunity LeadershipAssociation’s 2006Distinguished LeadershipAward. St. Anthony Hospitalfoundation developmentdirector Paula Porterand Dr. Ron Sutor werehonored as graduates ofthe Leadership OklahomaCity Signature Program,Class XXIV. Kyle Nondorf,strategy and systemsimprovement administrator,graduated from the firstLeadership OklahomaCity LOYAL, a program foryoung adults.EventsFAMILY AFFAIROKLAHOMA CITY — Five members of a Belleville, Ill. family, allpatients at St. Anthony Hospital, are featured in the July 31 issueof People magazine. Dr. Russell Hanan performed bariatic surgery onthe Sheltons at St. Anthony. For the article, the family talked about theirexperience with weight-loss surgery and how it changed their lives. TheSheltons also appeared on NBC’s The Today Show on July 26. In bothappearances, the family noted their positive experience at St. Anthony.Chet & Kim, beforeChet & Kim, afterMichael, beforeMichael, afterBre, beforeBre, afterST. ANTHONY EMPLOYEES KEEPCITY BEAUTIFULOKLAHOMA CITY — As part of a Mission Awareness activity, over20 employees from St. Anthony joined forces on a Saturday in Juneto pick up trash around Oklahoma City.HOSPITAL GETS GRANTTO START CLINICOKLAHOMA CITY — St. Anthony Hospital is one of three healthcare organizations to receive $50,000 start-up grants to establishclinics for uninsured and underinsured patients who often seekbasic health-care services at emergency rooms. “The emergencyroom is not the best place to get routine primary care,” PamTroup, executive director of St. Anthony North, said in a recentarticle in The Oklahoman newspaper. The grants were awardedby the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.SSM Health Care July / August 2006Return to Contents

12 NetWork — Our Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and FriendsThis is the first in a series that will run in Network over the coming months. These storiesare intended to reflect some of the many contributions of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary,sponsor of SSM Health Care. We hope the stories, which are being compiled for a bookand DVD, also illuminate how the sisters’ early contributions inspire our mission today.The BeginningSr. Mary ClaraPhoto copyright Franciscan Sisters of Mary. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.Her StorySr. Mary Clara was a real sister, but thewords here are not hers. They are intendedto offer a personal perspective on thesisters’ history.My name is Sr. Mary Clara. I was18 years old in 1872, and I lived with mybrother at a lodging house he operated inNew York City. It was there, in November,that I met Mother Mary Odilia Berger andthe sisters from Germany.I first saw them when they tooktheir evening meal at our table. Inoticed how ardent their prayers were,and I could see that, although they were tired after theirlong voyage, they were eager for the next part of theirjourney — the trip to St. Louis ... There was somethingabout those sisters. To this day, I can’t explain it. It musthave been the Holy Spirit at work, because I can find noother words for the connection I felt.The next day we bade them good bye, and they left for therailroad station and the train that would take themto St. Louis ... I wanted to help them in some way. At the lastminute, I took a basket from our pantry and stuffed it full offood. I rushed to the station and searched the crowds for thesisters. I found them just as they were about to board the train.I handed Mother Odilia the basket ... I wished themGodspeed on their journey ... And I prayed that I wouldsee them again.Basket carried by Mother Mary Odilia BergerPhoto copyright Franciscan Sisters of Mary. All rights reserved.Reprinted with permission.A History The five sisters arrivedon the St. Louis riverfront on an icy winter morning.The temperature hovered near zero. The sisters were ingood spirits, though. They had traveled a long way andwere eager to start their new lives.Although St. Louis was a bustlingmetropolis, its riverfront was a refuge forthe poor. Houses were overcrowded ...Food and water were contaminated ...Raw sewage lined the open gutters,and waste from the slaughter housesrotted in the streets.The sisters had known poverty, butthey had never seen such squalor. Thefilthy conditions bred cholera anddiphtheria. Soon after the sisters arrived,smallpox broke out — and spread quickly.The sisters did what they had cometo America to do: They cared for thepeople who were sick. They arrivedat the houses of smallpox patients inthe morning, and sometimes stayed allnight, caring for entire families.As a result of their devotion, for a time they werecalled the “smallpox sisters.”... Because the disease wasso contagious, they were not allowed to ride the horsedrawntrolleys. Instead, they traveled on foot, sometimesfor several miles to get to their patients’ homes. Eachsister was required to carry a bell to warn the healthy thatshe had been exposed to smallpox.It fell to Mother Odilia Berger to support the sisters.She carried Sr. Mary Clara’s basket through the streets,begging for food, medicine, money — whatever peoplecould give her. Some of what she collected, she gaveaway to other needy people — and some she kept tofeed and clothe the sisters.By the time the smallpox epidemic ended, more than1500 people had died.The fledgling congregation grew, and came to beknown as the Sisters of St. Mary. Women were drawnto the community by the sisters’ compassion, selflessness,and good works. By 1876 there were almost twentySisters of St. Mary, growth the congregation would needas it faced its next challenges.Written by Darren Owens and Suzy Farren, of Corporate Communications, based on historical research with assistancefrom Scott Grimwood, of SSM Archives, and Sr. Marylu Stueber, of Franciscan Sisters of Mary Archives.July / August 2006SSM Health Care477 N. Lindbergh Blvd.St Louis, MO 63141ssmhc.comOur Bimonthly Publication for Employees, Physicians and FriendsReturn to Contents