History

St. John West Shore Hospital: A faith-based mission

St. John West Shore (SJWS) Hospital is the youngest hospital in Cleveland, opening its doors in 1981. Boasting a campus of 68 acres, a capacity for 248 inpatients and a medical staff of nearly 500 physicians, the hospital was the result of a merger of two longstanding healthcare institutions: St. John Hospital and Bay View Osteopathic General Hospital. Established in 1892, St. John’s was located on 79th Street and Detroit Avenue. Bay View (originally name The Cleveland Osteopath Hospital) was built in downtown Cleveland in 1935 before relocating to the city’s west side in 1948.

Today, SJWS is a 50/50 joint venture between the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine Health System and University Hospitals (UH) and offers a full range of both inpatient and outpatient services. SJWS also serves as a teaching hospital for the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. St. John West Shore Hospital remains a provider of Catholic healthcare

Throughout the years, St. John West Shore has significantly expanded its facilities and health service offerings to become a leader of healthcare on Cleveland’s west side. Today, its recently renovated emergency department, state-of-the-art heart center, women's services program, cardiovascular services and radiology department compete with those in hospitals across the country more than twice its size.

Focused on securing national accreditation for services delivered in this new emergency room facility, St. John West Shore recently (in 2006) became the first hospital in Cuyahoga County to receive accreditation for its Chest Pain Center. This national designation by the Society of Chest Pain Centers recognizes that St. John West Shore offers rapid diagnosis and state-of-the-art treatment when patients present in the emergency room with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome.

Also in 2006, SJWS added a sleep disorders center and further enhanced its Pain Management Center. In the months ahead, the neurology and vascular surgery departments are working toward accreditation for a stroke center, and concurrently, the hospital is pursuing a Level III designation for its trauma services.

The hospital also plans to advance a number of service lines. General surgery, vascular surgery, and primary care programs are all expanding. Throughout its short history SJWS has remained committed to its faith-based mission and providing the best care possible to those being served. General surgery, spine and orthopedics and cardiovascular programs are all expanding.

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