SSM Health Plans New Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, Startup WingXpand Expand To Ranken's North St. Louis Campus, And More
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SSM HEALTH PLANS NEW CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
SSM Health will enhance its care for kids and infants in a big way, it announced last week, with plans to build a new, state-of-the-art Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. In a sign of commitment to the workforce and economic development in the urban core of the metro, the planned 14-story, 200+ bed facility will be constructed at Grand Boulevard and Chouteau Avenue, continuing the growth of the organization’s academic medical campus there.
“Cardinal Glennon plays a critical role in SSM Health’s mission and vision to transform health care delivery and ensure all people have access to high-quality, affordable, and sustainable health care services to live their fullest and healthiest lives,” said Laura S. Kaiser, President and CEO of SSM Health, an executive-level member of the GSL Chair’s Council. “This investment will ensure we’re able to continue meeting the evolving needs of our community’s most vulnerable infants, children, and adolescents for future generations.”
STARTUP WINGXPAND EXPANDS TO RANKEN'S NORTH ST. LOUIS CAMPUS
St. Louis startup WingXpand has quadrupled the size of its headquarters in a move to Ranken Technical College’s north St. Louis campus. A new partnership with the school will create a pipeline for students, giving them hands-on experience in manufacturing and maintenance at the growing company.
ST. LOUIS HOME TO SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S YOUNGEST ENTREPRENEURS
A new study identifies St. Louis entrepreneurs as, on average, some of the youngest in the country. The LendingTree report looked at more than 35,000 entrepreneurs across the 50 largest U.S. metros, confirming St. Louis as a place to start up, stand out, and stay.
Build-A-Bear Founder Maxine Clark and other entrepreneurial advocates are on a mission to attract and support new brands to St. Louis. The consumer packaged goods sector, they believe, has significant potential for growth, with momentum already underway through companies like Marson Foods, as well as established global brands like Post Holdings Inc. and Caleres, two executive-level members of the GSL Chair’s Council. And new initiatives, support systems, and resources are helping to spur continued growth.
The latest exhibition at the Saint Louis Art Museum is making national headlines. “The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century” was featured recently in Rolling Stone Magazine and on CBS Sunday Morning, celebrating hip hop’s influence on contemporary art — and offering a reminder of St. Louis’ influence on broader arts and culture.
BUILD-A-BEAR PREMIERS NEW DOCUMENTARY IN ST. LOUIS
STLMade Build-A-Bear Workshop — a member of the GSL Chair’s Council — unveiled its very own documentary this week, highlighting its rise from a St. Louis storefront to a global sensation. Founder Maxine Clark and President and CEO Sharon Price John hosted the premiere of "Unstuffed: A Build-A-Bear Story" right here in St. Louis.
“I recently graduated from the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative. If you’ve ever heard anyone talk about this experience, they probably said it was ‘transformative.’ And I can’t come up with a more fitting description.”
– Dawn M. Gipson, Director, Policy and Programming, Diversity and Inclusion, Centene Corporation
Two Greater St. Louis, Inc. board members — Pat Coleman, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Alberici, and Penny Pennington, Managing Partner, Edward Jones — will co-chair the American Heart Association’s local 2024 Go Red for Women campaign, advocating for women and heart health awareness.
PULITZER ENDOWS SLSO DIRECTOR POSITION IN PERPETUITY
A gift from Emily Rauh Pulitzer will fund the Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music Director position at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra — a GSL Investor Council member — in perpetuity. The permanent base of funding will bolster the SLSO’s ability to retain and attract the highest level of artistic leadership.
FORBES: SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS IS A FANTASTIC PLACE TO TRAVEL THIS FALL
Forbes recently took a trip to the Midwest, highlighting Southwest Illinois — including the Metro East — as one of the best places in the country to travel this fall for foliage, family fun, and food. The piece cites great rivers, famous roads, history, and small town charm for the appeal of the region, which has seen record economic growth over the last year thanks to tourism.
In celebration of its 60th anniversary, the University of Missouri-St. Louis is doubling down on its commitment to the community. UMSL, a GSL Chair’s Council member, has set a goal to complete 60,000 hours of volunteerism and service through May 11, 2024. Alumni and friends of the university are invited to participate.
HOCKEY GROUP BRINGING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS TO ST. LOUIS
The American Collegiate Hockey Association announced this week its intention to host its 2025, 2027, and 2028 National Championships in the St. Louis metro. The events, which will be held at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, will bring 82 teams competing in five divisions for a total of 121 games each year.
