Groundbreaking ceremonies for Jefferson Meadows, Inc. took place in April of 1973. The nursing home opened its doors in December 1973 as a 102-bed skilled nursing facility. Most of the first residents and employees were transferred from St. Mary's Ringling Manor.
In December 1984, Jefferson Meadows decided to expand its facility and added an additional 19,200 square feet. The new area would house Meadow Lane, a 25-bed, community-based residential facility; therapy space; office areas; dietary area; ice cream parlor; community beauty shop; nonsmoking employee lounge; and two new entrance areas. The grand opening for the new addition was held in October 1985.
In May 1986 the SSM Health Care System purchased the operation of Jefferson Meadows Care Center, and the building was purchased in October 1989.
In December 1991, a 1,976-square-foot chapel and meeting room addition was completed. The first service in the new chapel was conducted on Christmas Eve.
In May 1993, the name was changed from Jefferson Meadows Care Center to St. Clare Meadows Care Center.
Says Sister Mary Jean Ryan, CEO of SSM Healthcare, 'Throughout its many years, St. Clare Meadows has been the most uncommon of care centers, a place where people come to live life to the fullest. I've tried to think how I could clone this spirit throughout SSM Health Care. This positive 'can-do' attitude is one of the things that makes St. Clare Meadows so special.'
St. Clare Meadows offers an intergenerational program called the Community School Project - with East Elementary School and St. Joseph's Catholic School students - to bring generations together to learn and care about each other.
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