Mercy Breaks Ground on New Medical Facility in St. Charles

Construction has begun on a new Mercy medical facility in St. Charles.

The new building will house imaging, laboratory and cardio diagnostic services, family and internal medicine physicians. The facility is part of Mercy's expansion plans in the St. Louis region.

Earlier in the year, Mercy announced plans to spend $2.4 billion on new facilities in St. Charles County and Chesterfield.

Mercy physicians, administrators and members of the Greater St. Charles Chamber of Commerce gathered Thursday morning for a ground breaking ceremony at the site, located off of Zumbehl Road near the Golden Corrall.

The facility will incorporate Mercy design principles including easy access to entry ways and covered vehicle drop off area. Services are expected to begin in the building in October.

Physicians who will be moving to the new location include family care physicians Chris Normile, Wendy Meyr-Cherry and Michael Houser, all of whom have offices in downtown St. Charles. Cardiologist Allen Soffer will also relocate to the new building.

Don Kalicak, vice president of business development and strategic planning for Mercy, said there are about 35 physicians who are practicing in St. Charles County already, mainly off of Highway K and east of Highway K as well as urgent care centers. 

Convenience for patients is driving the development and growth in St. Charles, Lincoln and Warren Counties.

"We feel we can better serve and make our services more accessible if we bring services closer to the people, that's what people tell us they want," he said. "They want convencience, they want to be able to see their doctors in the evenings and on weekends."

Kalicak said Mercy is still acquiring property for expansion, although it already owns property in O'Fallon, Winghaven and Wentzville. Eventually, a hospital is planned for St. Charles County.