Work is well underway to remodel the building for Compass Health Network’s new integrated medical building at 1275 N. Truman Blvd. in Festus that used to house a grocery store. That work is expected to wrap up by March, said Sue Curfman, Compass’ senior vice president of regional corporate services in Jefferson County.
The former 60,000-square-foot grocery store, which last operated as a Schnucks and before that as a Shop ’n Save, is being converted into Compass’ Truman Building, which will provide comprehensive integrated care.
Compass Health Network is a nonprofit health care organization that provides a full continuum of behavioral health services, as well as primary and dental health services throughout Missouri.
Curfman said the building will provide services in primary care, pediatrics, dental, pediatric dental, oral surgery, optometry, psychiatry, counseling and substance abuse treatment, as well as open access for those experiencing crisis. It also will include a pharmacy and a well-being center.
Demolition and remodeling began in June, and the Truman Building is scheduled to open in late March or early April, she said.
Upon entering the building, there will be a 9,000-square-foot lobby with skylights above.
Compass’ artist renderings of the Truman Building’s lobby.
“Our CEO (Tim Swinfard) believes, regardless of economic status, you should never feel second rate,” Curfman said. “This building will be absolutely beautiful. It will be first rate. Whether you come here because you don’t have a choice of anywhere else to go or because you choose to, you’re going to get the same experience of it being warm and welcoming, with the most modern equipment. That should be the experience of everyone. We kind of come from the viewpoint that health care is a human right.”
The pharmacy will be located in the front left part of the building.
“We participate in the 340B (a federal program), and that means we get medications at a much-reduced price and our clients can also get them at a reduced price,” Curfman said. “Some of the medications that would be several hundred dollars, our clients can’t afford that. (The pharmacy) will be great because individuals can come, see their physicians, get their prescription, and it truly is one location that they can get all their needs met.”
The optometry area with two exam rooms and an eyeglasses frame selection room will be in the front right corner.
“It’s really hard for children who are on Medicaid to find an optometry provider,” Curfman said. “Glasses are going to be very inexpensive.”
On the left side of the building next to the pharmacy will be dental services with surgery rooms.
“Kids on Medicaid or no insurance have nowhere to go for oral surgery,” Curfman said. “There’s nowhere from Cape to Ste. Genevieve, Festus, St. Louis County, there’s no one. And often there might be a one to two year wait. So, if we really are about serving the greatest needs, dental for Medicaid/uninsured/underinsured is an absolute priority. We’ll also be working with hospitals to secure opportunities for (an operating room) and anesthesiology for more complex cases.”
She said the plan is to have two pediatricians on staff.
There will be an indoor playground area in the children’s waiting area. A parent or another adult will need to be present while the children play.
“So many of the people who come to us, they don’t have child care,” Curfman said. “If they are here with their other kiddo getting dental surgery, they will be able to keep the child entertained. There will be TVs.”
Curfman said Compass already has begun hiring staff, and the new hires are excited about the integration of care where all these services are under one roof to better manage patients’ needs.
In addition to all the other services available, there will be a 740-square-foot event center. The center, which has its own entrance, coffee bar and restroom facilities, will be for community use, she said.
“We can do conferences, training, we can have opportunities for external organizations to use the event space,” she said.
Other work in progress
Since merging with Comtrea on July 1, 2023, Compass has expanded services in Jefferson County.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in late September for the 12-chair dental office in Arnold. The Festus Behavioral Health Crisis Center opened in late October.
Construction of the 6,000-square-foot Gravois Building at 1811 Gravois Blvd. in High Ridge was completed on Nov. 20 and will offer primary care and psychiatry. The Northwest building at 1817 Gravois Blvd. will offer behavioral health and some support services, and the Emerson Building off Hwy. 30 in High Ridge will turn into a dental clinic.
Curfman said the court services expansion at 351 Main St. in Hillsboro will be complete next month, doubling in size to offer additional behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services.
She said the Hickory Plaza location in Hillsboro will expand its dental clinic next July.