Our Mission

Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.

A Message from our President

Our History

SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood opened its doors on October 11, 1954, by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The Sisters purchased the federal Marine hospital for $1, under the condition that they operate a general hospital for at least 20 years. At that time, St. Joseph Hospital was one of only three general hospitals located in St. Louis County, offering complete medical, pediatric, surgical, obstetrical and emergency care. Its intensive care unit (ICU) was the first of its kind in the area.

The Sisters of St. Joseph continued to operate the hospital until 1994, when it joined SSM Health Care and became known as SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood.

As a member of SSM Health Care, SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2002. This prestigious award was given in recognition of its outstanding quality improvement standards and processes. SSM was the first health care organization ever to receive this honor.

Our Future

SSM Health Care-St. Louis and SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood plan to build an innovative medical complex in southwest St. Louis County that will replace the current St. Joseph Hospital.

SSM St. Clare Health Center, which is scheduled to open in Spring 2009, will be part of a 54-acre health care campus on what is now Lakewood Golf Course, just south of I-44 at Highway 141

and Bowles Avenue. The hospital will feature 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 such as heart, cancer, orthopedics and women’s services.

The campus also will include an outpatient care center offering convenient one-stop service, and a medical office building. At the heart of the campus will be a state-of-the-art information technology system to strengthen the quality of services, improve efficiencies and enhance patient safety.

Click here for more information about SSM St. Clare Health Center.