Transformation of the hospital’s west entrance made possible by generous support of the Tom and Judy Love Family
SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital has announced the beginning of construction for a new west entrance to be named the Love Family Entrance. Lead donors for the project were honored today during a groundbreaking ceremony that signals the beginning of a 22-month project to improve accessibility to the hospital’s services for patients, guests, physicians and employees.
The groundbreaking ceremony also marked the next phase of the SaintsForward capital campaign. Fundraising efforts are necessary to bring the entrance to the finish line as well as support additional planned multi-year projects to expand the hospital’s Mission in the thriving Midtown Oklahoma City area.
The Tom and Judy Love Family made the first lead donation to jump start the philanthropy efforts to fund the SaintsForward campaign to make the Love Family Entrance a reality. The donation continues the legacy of the Love Family to support the care at St. Anthony Hospital. Tom’s parents, F.C. and Margaret Love, were notable volunteers and benefactors of the hospital. Margaret Love was a member of the St. Anthony volunteer league for 44 years. Margaret’s seven children were born at St. Anthony Hospital, including Tom Love. F.C. served on the St Anthony Hospital board. In 2023, on behalf of the Love Family, Judy committed $5 million to support the project and in deep gratitude to the St. Anthony Hospital physicians and caregivers for generations of exceptional care of their family members.
“We are grateful for the decades of support and visionary leadership of the Love Family,” stated Joe Hodges, Regional President, SSM Health Oklahoma. “The Love Family has a legacy of supporting our Mission to bring health, hope and healing to Oklahomans, especially those who are most vulnerable. As such, the Love Family pledged the single largest donation to the St. Anthony Foundation in its 62-year history. We appreciate the additional donors who are following the Love Family’s lead, including The Chickasaw Nation, among others.”
St. Anthony Hospital was the first hospital established in Oklahoma and has been caring for Oklahomans since 1898. The current west entrance was built more than 60 years ago. Accessibility issues, including steep stairs and sloped sidewalks, represent challenges for the hospital’s most vulnerable patients crossing the street from the parking garage across N. Lee Avenue. The entrance serves thousands of patients, visitors, physicians and employees each year. For the safety, comfort and ease of patient access, Lee Avenue will close, and a building with a spacious enclosed lobby, nearly four times the size of the existing lobby, will connect the ground floor of the parking garage to the hospital’s main floor and entrance.
SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital and Bone & Joint Hospital President Tammy Powell acknowledged the impact of the new entrance. “Great attention has been given to every detail associated with the Love Family Entrance project, including features of comfort and safety,” she stated. “South of the new entrance will be an outdoor courtyard and spacious lawn to serve as a respite for patients, families or staff who want to enjoy a welcoming outdoor experience. We have been thoughtful about what is needed to move Saints forward into the future and mindful of being good stewards of the funds donated to us for this purpose to have a lasting impact for our patients and community.”
St. Anthony collaborated closely with Miller Architect to develop a modern, efficient and aesthetically pleasing design that will also include an upgraded parking garage, new patient-drop off traffic flow, two new parking garage elevators and modern stair tower. The design also provides for patient, visitor and employee safety and wellbeing with features including control access and embedded measures to prevent weapons from entering the healing environment.
The generosity of the hospital’s lead donors, the Love Family and Chickasaw Nation, has positioned the hospital to break ground and begin construction. However, to bring the project home, St. Anthony Hospital urgently needs the community’s help and support, as it has since the hospital was established in the Oklahoma Territory more than 126 years ago.
St. Anthony Hospital is excited to announce a transformative opportunity, thanks to a generous $2 million challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation. This grant brings the hospital one step closer to its vision of enhancing patient care through an expanded, accessible, and welcoming environment. However, to fully unlock this funding, the hospital needs the support of the community to raise the remaining $1.5 million. This is more than just a donation-it’s a chance to make a lasting impact on the hospital’s future, ensuring a space where patients, families, and caregivers can receive the best care possible. With the community’s assistance, this transformation vison can be a reality.
To make a difference with a gift, call 405-272-7070 or visit www.givetossmhealth.org/WestEntrance for more information.
