Committed to Recovery: BJC HealthCare Continues to Stand with St. Louis One Year After May 16 Tornado

On May 16, 2025, an EF3 tornado tore through the St. Louis region, leaving a profound and lasting impact on neighborhoods, families, and businesses.

The storm claimed lives, injured dozens, and caused billions of dollars in damage.

The path to recovery has been long and deeply personal, and the effects of that day continue to be felt across our region.

As a trusted health care provider and dedicated community partner to the St. Louis region, BJC HealthCare committed to a response that prioritized sustained care, coordination, and compassion.

“In the year since the tornado, we’ve witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of support—from our employees, our partners, and the people who call our region home," says Deidre Griffith, MPH, vice president of BJC Health's Community Health Improvement. "That collective support continues to drive our work today. Recovery is not a moment, but a long-term commitment. While much progress has been made, the work is not finished, and BJC remains deeply committed to staying engaged and investing in the long-term health and well-being of the communities we serve.”

Responding in the days and months after the storm

In the immediate aftermath of the tornado, BJC HealthCare mobilized a coordinated response that focused on urgent needs while laying the groundwork for long-term recovery. 

• Donation drives were organized at more than a dozen locations, resulting in more than 4,000 essential items distributed to community members and families. These donations included hygiene products, infant supplies, food, and other household necessities. Personal protective equipment was provided to residents and cleanup crews to help reduce respiratory risks during debris removal.
• Recognizing the emotional toll disasters can cause, BJC Behavioral Health teams addressed trauma-related mental health needs. Clinicians were stationed at emergency response sites, shelters, and disaster recovery centers. Teams provided crisis counseling, door-to-door support, and connections to critical resources, such as medication replacement and crisis support services. Through these efforts and ongoing outreach, BJC HealthCare supported more than 1,600 community members.
• BJC Community Health Improvement worked closely with trusted community partners, including the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, United Way, the Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross, to help ensure assistance reached those most impacted. An employee-led T-shirt fundraiser benefiting the Urban League generated $50,000 to support ongoing tornado relief efforts, including a
• Throughout the response and recovery process, BJC HealthCare employees volunteered hundreds of hours with local organizations, helping with outreach, supply distribution, and other community-based recovery efforts.

The work continues

Today, tornado recovery continues.

• BJC Behavioral Health continues to dedicate resources to individuals and families affected by the storm, including FEMA-funded crisis counseling services delivered in partnership with the state of Missouri and local organizations. Mental health teams remain active in neighborhoods most impacted by the tornado, providing accessible, community-based support.
• BJC HealthCare continues to support team members affected by the storm through the enterprise’s Employee Assistance Program. Since the tornado, the program has helped hundreds of employees facing financial hardship related to storm damage. The fund remains available as recovery continues.
• BJC Community Health Improvement team members remain engaged with recovery-focused coalitions to ensure BJC HealthCare continues to impact ongoing recovery efforts.
• BJC HealthCare employees throughout the region will spend the one-year anniversary of the May 16 tornado volunteering at an Urban League food drive, assisting with continued Forest Park cleanup, and participating in additional acts of service.

How the community can help

BJC HealthCare employees live and work throughout the St. Louis region, and many were directly impacted by the May 16 tornado. Community members who wish to support those still in need can learn more about the BJC Health Employees’ Emergency Assistance Fund which provides critical relief for team members experiencing financial emergencies.

For coordinated, up-to-date recovery information, residents and organizations are encouraged to visit the City of St. Louis’ official tornado response and recovery hub. The site serves as a central resource for trusted updates, assistance programs, and opportunities to donate or volunteer.

A steadfast commitment

While progress has been made, the work of recovery continues. BJC HealthCare remains steadfast in its commitment to St. Louis. That commitment includes supporting healing beyond hospital walls, standing alongside local partners, and helping address the long-term health and social needs heightened by the storm.

BJC HealthCare continues to honor those affected by the May 16 tornado by remaining engaged and committed to helping our community recover—together.