Soave Corporate News
Van Elslander Pavilion
$163 million expansion part of goal to create regional destination center
Kathy Ryan of the Grosse Point News
September 20, 2007
It isn't often a building can upstage physicians and corporate leaders, but that's what the new Van Elslander Pavilion at St. John Hospital and Medical Center did at the Donor Preview Sunday night.
The pavilion, scheduled to officially open Sept. 24, will become the main entrance for the hospital.
But that is just one component of the $163 million expansion program planned for the hospital. The W. Warren Shelden Heart and Circulatory Center and the Diagnostic Imaging Department are now open for business and 144 private patient rooms are scheduled to open in 2008.
According to St. John's President and CEO, David B. Stephens, the goal is to make the hospital a regional destination medical center. The pavilion is a major step in that direction.
"Studies have shown that patients want private rooms," he explained. "Our goal is to attract patients with not only outstanding staff, but facilities as well. They also want convenience and amenities, and we have incorporated many of not only their requests, but physicians'' requests as well, into the facility."
If the reaction from guests at Sunday night's gala is any indication, the hospital has met its goals.
"This is such an exciting event," said Mary Ann Van Elslander, whose family's foundation contributed the lead gift to the project.
"God has been so good to us, and it is important for us to give back. This hospital means so much to so many people, and this building is absolutely beautiful," she said.
Visitors were struck by the non-hospital feel of the new front entrance which features a large covered arrival area and easy access to parking. Upon entering, the three-story glass atrium allows natural light to flood the lobby and waiting areas, providing an open and welcome feeling to patients and their families.
Nearly an entire floor of the new pavilion will be taken up by the W. Warren Shelden Heart and Circulatory Center. Featuring 30 individual waiting rooms, the center allows the hospital to consolidate its cardiovascular services.
The new Diagnostic Imaging Center boasts updated digital imaging equipment, as well as two 64-slice CT scanners and a 16-slice scanner. Another 64-slice scanner will be located in the new emergency room currently under construction.
The new area also consolidates the ultrasound, vascular lab and nuclear medicine departments.
The Van Elslander Pavilion is part of the largest expansion program in St. John's 54-year history.
A Capital Campaign Steering Committee, chaired by Grosse Pointe Farms resident James B. Nicholson, raised $30 million and hopes to raise another $2 million by June, 2008.
"We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this extraordinary facility a reality," Nicholson said. "It was an enormous effort and the support of our community was remarkable."
In addition to the Van Elslander Family Foundation, other donors recognized at the preview were the John A. and Marlene L. Boll Foundation, the Shelden family, the Manoogian Foundation, Anthony L. Soave and family, Gretchen C. Valade and Jane and Robert Nugent, as well as the Kresge Foundation, Emergency Medicine Specialists and the St. John Hospital Guild.
