FERGUSON, Missouri - Leaders with shiny shovels recently tossed dirt to mark the official start of construction on the new Mercy Clinic Ferguson. A small, socially distanced crowd gathered for the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony, including Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones, LaTasha Brown with the Southeast Ferguson Neighborhood Association, and leaders from Mercy, Musick Construction and Pitt Development.
The new 5,500-square-foot Mercy Clinic Ferguson, part of the Health & Homes WestFlo District, will provide improved access to health care with expanded hours and unique features such as a community health worker to support care coordination and address social needs that impact access to health. There will be a community classroom and nourishment center to help better address the social determinants of health needs of the community through focused education and nutrition support. In addition, family medicine and OB/GYN physicians will be onsite to care for patients.
“A little more than a year ago, we announced the Health & Homes STL plans for the WestFlo District,” said Donn Sorensen, Mercy executive vice president and chairman of the board and CEO of Health and Homes. “Today marks the chapter where Mercy responds to the call to promote health and wellness for Ferguson residents.”
Working with community leaders, stakeholders and residents, Mercy launched a Community Advisory Council to inform plans for space within the clinic and serve as a voice for the Ferguson community.
“As we follow in the steps of the Sisters of Mercy, we understand the importance of hearing from the community in order to deliver what’s needed most,” said Tesh Jewell, vice president for Mercy Clinic Primary Care in the St. Louis region. “We want to know the type of programming Ferguson residents are interested in, what would be useful and how best Mercy can be a good neighbor.”
“The health and well-being of our community starts with the health of our people, not just their physical health but their mental and social health,” Jones said. “None of us can do this by ourselves. We must join together and continue to uplift each other and our community.”
Mercy Clinic Ferguson is scheduled for completion Summer 2021.
