WARRENTON, Mo.—Having outgrown its existing primary care and physical therapy clinic, SSM Health turned to healthcare experts KAI to design and build a state-of-the-art, expanded outpatient center in Warrenton. The recently completed 15,600-square-foot clinic, located at 18800 Schnucks Drive, is more than double the size of its previous space.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility was held on Feb. 28, 2024. Representatives from SSM Health, KAI and the Warrenton community attended the afternoon event.

“This is a momentous occasion as we get to open a brand-new building,” commented SSM Health Warrenton Family Physician Dr. Chad Smith at the ceremony. “The vision of SSM is that every person has the opportunity for peace, joy and health, and every family and community as well. And you see that vision playing out, especially for those most in need. This is fulfilling a great need for an area that has historically had a lack of good quality healthcare.”

SSM Health held a design competition requesting area architectural firms submit their ideas for the new facility. In a blind selection process based on initial design and budget, KAI was named the winner and contracted to provide architecture, interior design and construction services through the Design-Build project delivery method on the $4.3 million facility. KAI’s in-house engineering group also provided MEPFP document review.

Located on a 3.6+ acre lot along an Interstate 70 corridor, the highly visible SSM Health Medical Group building features a full-glass enclosure as its exterior focal point, an oversized canopy over its entrance, and a wood and stone façade to project a warm, inviting space.

The facility’s interior and its 18 exam rooms are infused with calming wood tones and natural light, all centered around a centralized workstation. The center’s physical therapy space includes both adult and pediatric gyms along with treatment rooms. A lab suite contains a waiting area, nursing station, lab draw space and a workroom. A large waiting lounge welcomes patients in a bright and calming space and support areas include offices, a shared workroom and a staff break room.

Care was taken by KAI to specify sustainable, flexible and durable materials throughout the facility’s design.

“Patient-centered design drove the features you see in this facility. Natural light has proven health and well-being benefits. The glass feature creates a recognizable entrance and lends to a more comfortable and inviting environment. It evokes feelings of openness and transparency, while other spaces are appropriately secluded and private,” said Jacob Manse, AIA, NCARB, one of the KAI architects on the project.

The newly constructed facility was designed with careful consideration given to accommodate potential future expansions, ensuring scalability and adaptability for evolving needs.

SSM Health, in a press release statement, said: “SSM Health Medical Group is dedicated to delivering compassionate and comprehensive medical care. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest advancements in healthcare technology, ensuring that our patients receive the best possible treatment and attention. We are thrilled to bring our commitment to exceptional healthcare to Warrenton with the opening of our new facility. Our team is passionate about serving the community, and we look forward to building lasting relationships with our patients.”

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The medical center follows Kaiser Permanente’s “template” for its facilities, designed to allow for enhanced flexibility for changing practices and technologies like green features. The facility’s design also meets the new, more rigorous seismic safety standards.

“This state-of-the-art facility is one of the largest, greenest and most technologically advanced ever built in the area, and we are thrilled to be opening our doors,” said Greg Christian, executive director of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals/Health Plan, Fontana and Ontario. “This investment symbolizes our commitment to the health of all people who live and work in the Inland Empire.”

The second Kaiser Permanente medical center in San Bernardino County, which serves about 400,000 members, will allow the hospital system to better serve members and communities on the west end, said Dr. David Quam, area medical director and chief of staff.

All patient rooms are private, with a noise-reducing acoustic design, warm colors and artwork specially commissioned for the facility.

Additional amenities create a family-friendly environment, with beds for overnight stays and wireless Internet access, as well as skylights and large windows to maximize natural light to ease stress.

“This hospital is all about the clinical and personal needs of our patients,” said Georgina Garcia, chief operating officer at the hospital. “Our technology is state of the art, and our healing environment focuses on personalized care. Patient meals will be utilizing the sous vide method for cooking food, used in the finest hotels, and patients can order their meals room service-style – select their menu choices and indicate the time they’d prefer meals to be delivered.”

Officials from Kaiser Permanente reported that the Medical Center is the first to have a fully integrated information technology infrastructure across the entire campus.

Kaiser Permanente’s electronic medical record system is accessible by computer terminals located next to each bed and at nursing stations, allowing providers to retrieve essential medical information at the touch of a finger, while sophisticated imaging systems improve diagnostic and treatment capabilities, according to a statement from Kaiser Permanente.

A wall-to-wall wireless network provides wireless network coverage in all areas of the campus to support computing devices, wireless telephones, and member access.

In addition to billions invested in upgrades across its facilities, the Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center replacement hospital will open in 2013.

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