Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital tops out the structural steel on the replacement hospital.

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital celebrated the “topping out” of structural steel on the 260,000 square foot replacement hospital and the adjoining 100,000 square foot medical office building March 1.

Construction Milestone: Final Steel Beam placed on Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital

That afternoon, cranes hoisted a steel beam, topped with an American flag, evergreen tree and the signatures of employees, physicians and construction workers, to the top of the building. Speakers included Trish Lollo, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital president, Chris Eagon, MD, Washington University bariatric surgeon, and chief of Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital medical staff, Donna Ware, BJC executive director, planning and design; and Steve Baker, lead site superintendent, Paric Construction.

The New Barnes-Jewish West County will be "Hospital of the Future"

Trish Lollo, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital president, welcomes attendees, to the Topping Out Ceremony.

“Today, as a hospital community, we’re marking a significant project milestone, and next year we look forward to celebrating the opening of our brand new, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital,” Trish Lollo said. “This facility is really the hospital of the future – designed to care for patients in the most efficient, patient-centered and innovative ways right here in Creve Coeur. We will continue to serve our immediate community and the many people who travel from beyond St. Louis County for the expertise of our team.”

“The new hospital and medical office building we are celebrating today are a great example of many people, working together, to accomplish an important goal – to serve patients in need and deliver excellent patient care,” said Dr. Chris Eagon.

Watch a short highlight video of the Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital topping out ceremony, which includes placing the final steel beam:

Details on the new Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital – Opening in 2019

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital operating room team members, including left to right, Verona Gregory, surgical technologist; Sharon Hamilton, RNFA; Melody Ellis, RN; DeAnna King, surgical technologist; Candace Graham, surgical technologist; Cindy Preston, RN; and Amy Bauer, RNFA; sign the beam early Feb. 28 before surgery cases start. Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital employees, physicians and construction workers, were invited to sign the final steel beam before the ceremony.

Hospital

• Groundbreaking celebrated May 30, 2017
• First piece of 2,754 steel beams set Sept. 26, 2017
• 260,000 square feet
• Three levels of private patient rooms
  • • 64 rooms will open in 2019
  • • Capacity for 32 additional rooms in response to future demand
• 14 operating rooms will open in 2019
  • • Capacity for two additional operating rooms in response to future demand
• Four intensive care unit rooms
• Separate elevators for staff, patients and visitors, and supplies
• Welcoming lobby, waiting areas, guest services and café

Medical Office Building

• 100,000 square feet
• Connected to the hospital
• Convenient patient parking underneath
• Four floors of physician office space

To learn more about the project, visit the Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital construction website.