“This relationship is an innovative approach to aligning the mutually consistent faith-based visions of St. John’s and Sacred Heart-Griffin through the development of a comprehensive sports medical program, educational opportunities, and wellness services on the high school’s campus,” Bob Ritz, St. John’s president, said in a joint news conference held March 4 at the SHG west campus.

“Health care is one of the fastest growing professions in our country,” Sister Katherine O’Connor, OP, SHG president, said. “This partnership positions SHG and St. John’s to be the leaders in preparing high school students for health related careers.”

In the new facility, SHG students, parents and staff as well as St. John’s staff will have access to a comprehensive array of health and wellness services. College credit courses will also be offered. “We are already experiencing a nationwide shortage of nurses, physical therapists and other clinicians, and it’s only going to worsen in the years ahead,” Ritz said. “We must have programs in place to encourage young people to enter careers in the medical field. This collaboration is another example of how we can achieve that goal.”

The new facility will be built out from the southeast corner of the school toward Washington Street, and have its own separate entrance. The building complex, which was originally the diocese’s all-boys Griffin High School, is the Catholic Pastoral Center on the west end.

Construction on the new AthletiCare west campus facility is scheduled to begin when renovation and construction work begins at the west campus, and that is when SHG has raised at least 75 percent of the cost. Improvements at both SHG's main (east) campus and west campus will cost $8 million.