Claims Service and Expertise

The SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital project in St. Louis is more than a major regional build; it is a case study in how intentional collaboration and inclusive hiring practices can transform jobsite culture. Team members from McCarthy Building Companies and trade professionals describe a technically complex, mission-driven approach in which women are represented across all levels of the workforce, including laborers, electricians, project managers and QA/QC leads. Having delivered more than 1,000 major healthcare facilities and renovated thousands more of every size, McCarthy stands among the nation’s most versatile healthcare builders, bringing that depth of experience to this transformative pediatric project.

This 500,000-square-foot, 14-story state-of-the-art children’s hospital includes over 200 beds, a helipad, and bridge connections to adjacent buildings. The concrete frame portion of work has been completed safely and with an exceptionally high level of quality, using a diverse workforce that includes more than forty women in construction. 

Women are visible and valued on this jobsite. According to Phil Hacker, Loss Control Manager at Great American Insurance Group, “The women I have interacted with during monthly loss control visits have construction experience ranging between two to 25 years and are some of the best people I have met in the industry.”

Scope and Purpose

Gwen Arenberg, Project Manager, McCarthy Building Companies and architect with more than 13 years of experience, said, “Working on the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital has been unlike any project I’ve experienced before, both in scale and in purpose. It is the largest design-build healthcare project in the region, which brings technical complexity, intense coordination and high expectations.” Design sessions also incorporated direct input from nurses, ensuring the hospital’s layout and workflows reflected the realities of patient care and day-to-day operations.

Representation Across Trades

This jobsite stands out because women are present across multiple trades and roles. Women serve as project managers, lead electricians, QA/QC professionals operating high-tech technology equipment, and laborers — a concentration of women in construction talent that participants say is becoming more common in St. Louis but is especially pronounced here.

Voices From the Field

Culture and Collaboration

“Project leaders emphasize a high level of trust and alignment among McCarthy, design partners HKS and Lawrence Group, and various trade contractors. That alignment, they say, has translated into better planning, faster problem-solving in the field, and a stronger sense of shared ownership of the hospital’s mission,” said Arenberg.

Progress Over Time

Interviewees point to meaningful gains over the last decade, with an acceleration in the past two years. More women are stepping into superintendent roles, leading crews, and being recognized for their technical expertise. The conversation, they say, has shifted from whether women belong in construction to how to ensure they thrive and advance.

Team members attribute the strong women in construction presence to intentional hiring practices and an expectation of respect. When inclusion is prioritized — through clear expectations, accessible leadership, and supportive site supervisors — talent rises regardless of gender.

Supportive Jobsite Dynamics

Workers frequently mention approachable superintendents, open lines of communication, and a strong culture of mentorship. These dynamics make it easier for newcomers and for women moving into leadership roles to ask questions, learn quickly, and take on more responsibility.

Practical Encouragement

Project staff offer consistent, practical advice: don’t be intimidated; find mentors; ask questions; believe in your abilities; and be willing to put in the work. They emphasize that construction offers stable pay and benefits, hands-on learning, and clear pathways to advance based on skill.

Why It matters

Beyond individual careers, interviewees stress that diverse teams build better outcomes for communities. On a hospital project, that connection to mission — building spaces that serve families and patients — gives the work added meaning and helps attract people who want to make a tangible difference.

The SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital project demonstrates how a large, technically demanding project can also be a proving ground for a more inclusive construction industry. Through intentional practices, visible leadership, and a collaborative culture, the jobsite illustrates what’s possible when respect and opportunity are the way we choose to build – together.