History

St. John Medical Center: A faith-based mission

St. John West Shore (SJWS) Hospital opened its doors in 1981. Boasting a campus of 68 acres, a capacity for 248 inpatients and a medical staff of nearly 500, the hospital was the result of a merger between two longstanding healthcare institutions: St. John Hospital and Bay View Osteopathic General Hospital in Bay Village.

Today, SJWS is a 50/50 partnership between the Sisters of Charity 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 Medical Center 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 2007, SJWS became an accredited Primary Stroke Center, with a staff of specially trained professionals to diagnose and effectively administer treatment. SJWS also has a skilled nursing unit to help patients transition to home or to an area rehabilitation center.

In 2008, SJWS proudly became a Level III Trauma Center. With a specially trained trauma surgeon on call 365 days a year, along with multiple trauma patient rooms that are specially equipped to quickly assess and even x-ray the patient; SJWS meets the national standards of proper trauma care.

In 2008 SJWS also opened its doors to its new Spine & Orthopedic Center and UroDynamic Center. The Spine & Orthopedic Center at SJWS is a dedicated, 16-bed unit offering "guests" 5-star accommodations and amenities much similar to a luxury hotel; The UroDynamic Center offers women and men an array of leading-edge medical treatment options for urinary incontinence and pelvic dysfunction.

The hospital also plans to advance a number of service lines. General surgery, primary care programs and cardiovascular programs are all expanding. The hospital has also instituted a 5-year plan to modernize the hospital, including patient rooms, the cafeteria, and the lobby. Throughout its short history SJWS has remained committed to its faith-based mission and providing the best care possible to those being served.

View Timeline

Back to: Top