Glennon Magazine 2022

Dear Friends of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital,

Ihave worn many hats in my lifetime — wife, mother, business owner. Earlier this year, I was honored to take on a new role as the President of the Board of Governors for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation.

Philanthropy is an important part of life for my family and my company. I am overjoyed to share that love of giving with my colleagues on the Board of Governors and with all of you.

In this issue of Glennon magazine, you will learn about some of the innovative treatments offered at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon that are not available anywhere else in the region. In addition, you will get to know SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s new Chief of Pediatrics and Pediatrician-in-Chief, Andrew White, MD.

Dr. White joins the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon family during a time like no other in health care. Even though all hospitals continue to feel the effects of the pandemic, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is looking forward to the future with strength and optimism.

Helping kids is something my family and I care about very deeply. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our friends, donors, sponsors and neighbors for all you do to help SSM Health Cardinal Glennon ensure the future of health care for our region’s children and families.

Sincerely,

Chrissy

President Board of Governors

Nardini

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our friends, donors, sponsors and neighbors for all you do to help SSM Health Cardinal Glennon ensure the future of health care for our region’s children and families.”

Glennon

Volume 41

Published annually by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski

Chairman of the Board

Chrissy L. Nardini President of the Board

David L. Taiclet Sr.

First Vice President

Galen D. Bingham

Second Vice President

Molly N. Cline Secretary

James F. Whalen

Chair, Finance/Investment Committee

Sandra S. Koller Foundation President

Steven E. Burghart Hospital President

Douglas P. Long Assistant Secretary

Margaret B. Barrett

Brian C. Behrens

Tony Berg

Andrew P. Blassie

Cheryl C. Boushka

James G. Brennan

Clayton C. Brown

Anthony J. Caleca

Joseph Caro

Matthew L. Carr

Sharon A. Cliffe

Susan R. Conrad

William M. Corrigan Jr.

Robert Q. Costas

John R. Costello

Timothy J. Danis

Daniel L. Dierdorf

John F. Eilermann Jr.

Douglas R. Fabick

Mark J. Fronmuller

Jeremy Fotheringham

Reverend Monsignor

Vernon E. Gardin

Dennis G. Gipson

Kristin J. Guehlstorf

Shawn Hagan

Sherlyn Hailstone

John F. Herber Jr.

Thomas E. Hilton

Nicole Holland-Hong

Leslee Holliday

Dennis J. Jacknewitz

Lawrence P. Keeley Jr. James G. Koman

James B. Lally

John D. Lee

Robert G. Leonard W. Dudley McCarter

Thomas P. McMillin

Dennis M. O’Connor, MD

Bhavik R. Patel

Christopher R. Pronger

Douglas A. Ries

John S. Ross Jr.

Sister Mary Jean Ryan, FSM Shermini Saini, MD

Molly M. Sansone

John A. Schreiber

Christopher A. Smith

Steven R. Smoot

Daniel J. Sullivan

Kelvin J. Taylor Sr. Linda K. Tracy

Greg J. Twardowski

Sumit Verma

Kevin L. Williams

John F. Eilermann III President, Development Board

Jerry R. Herbert Chairman, Knights of Columbus Board of Visitors

Laura K. Baylis Co-President, Glennon Guild

To share a grateful patient experience, a donor story or a volunteer effort, please contact Todd Wise, Director of Marketing and Events, at 314-577-5605 or todd.wise@ssmhealth.com

Dear Friends of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital,

It is with heartfelt gratitude that we present the latest issue of Glennon magazine!

I have never been more proud to work in health care. Our amazing caregivers at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon continue innovating and providing the most exceptional care for our young patients, despite the challenges we continue to face.

Since the Hospital’s early days, our programs and services have been upheld and sustained by the generosity of our donors. That same spirit of giving lives on today, making it possible for us to launch new programs, expand and enhance existing ones and provide the most family-centered, child-focused care possible.

But more than that, every donation we receive gives hope to our caregivers, patients and families. That’s why we are so very grateful for your support. Whether you support us financially, donate toys during the holidays or simply pray for us, you are greatly appreciated.

As the holidays approach, may you all be blessed to give and receive hope. Thank you for giving that hope to the children and families who need it most.

With heartfelt gratitude, Sandy

Koller President

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

#FutureDeserved

#Future

David and Ollie

GLENNON KID: OLLIE Cancer Patient >>>

Wants to be a scuba diver

Ollie faced four rounds of chemotherapy to remove the tumor, followed by an (Rounds 5 & 6) of chemo after surgery. the tumor could come out successfully, conversation of a possible transplant. Ollie’s tumor response chemotherapy was was successfully resected in February 29, Day 154, Round 6, Day 15, Ollie rang celebrating completion of the chemo protocol risk hepatoblastoma. In June 2022, Ollie to preschool. Register for the Sun Run more kids like Ollie a #FutureDeserved.

David was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) at age 15. He was a freshman in high school and dedicated to his marching band. He experienced a 50 pound weight loss and multiple other complications, yet he was able to return for the start of his sophomore year. David completed his three-year course of treatment just before the start of his senior year, and February 2023 will mark 20 years since his diagnosis! His only residual effects are some mild cardiomyopathy and foot drop, for which he wears braces on both feet. David graduated from Missouri S&T with his bachelors in aerospace engineering and married his sweetheart in 2017. Incredibly active and an avid hiker, David has traveled extensively on adventures through the Grand Canyon, several national parks and Australia. He has snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef and enjoys golf, sand volleyball, jogging and more!

David was diagnosed with ALL (acute 15. He was a freshman in high school band. He experienced a 50 pound weight complications, but was able to return year. David completed his three year the start of his senior year and February his diagnosis! His only residual effects and foot drop for which he wears braces from Missouri S&T with his BS in Aerospace his sweetheart in 2017. Incredibly active traveled extensively on adventures through national parks and Australia. He has snorkeled and enjoys golf, sand volleyball, jogging

Ollie was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma in October 2021 at age 2. His first round of chemotherapy began just seven days after diagnosis. Ollie faced four rounds of chemotherapy before a surgery to remove the tumor, followed by an additional six weeks (rounds five and six) of chemotherapy after surgery. It was unknown if the tumor could come out successfully, so there was also conversation of a possible transplant. Thankfully, the tumor’s response to chemotherapy was great and his tumor was successfully resected in February 2022. On March 29, day 154, round six, day 15, Ollie rang the bell, celebrating completion of the chemo protocol for intermediate risk hepatoblastoma. In June 2022, Ollie celebrated his return to preschool.

GLENNON GRAD: DAVID <<< Cancer Survivor Aerospace Engineer

GLENNON GRAD: DAVID

Cancer Survivor Aerospace Engineer

with hepatoblastoma in October 2021. chemotherapy began just seven days

Cancer Patient Wants to be a Scuba Diver

GLENNON KID: OLLIE

enables children fighting cancer to receive the latest treatments by covering the cost of clinical trials and other research underway in The Costas Center for approximately two months.

enables a nurse to attend a professional development conference to learn new skills.

hospital in the St. Louis area to establish a dedicated neonatal transport team.

The New Chair of the Department of Pediatrics Has Big Plans for His Small Patients

Written by Marie Dilg

You might say Dr. Andrew J. White’s career in medicine started off with a bang. Literally.

White was a doctoral candidate in chemistry at the University of Chicago in 1989 when a reaction in the lab caused an explosion that blew out windows, knocked White to the floor and caused second-degree burns over a third of his body. The blast destroyed his goggles and his eyes were sprayed with shards of glass and chemicals.

One of the doctors who worked to heal White’s skin and restore his sight was an ophthalmologist who suggested, given White’s interest in research, that he consider a career in medicine rather than chemistry. The suggestion stuck.

White pursued his medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where he envisioned specializing in surgery. His father and brother were surgeons. His mother was an OR scrub nurse. But, again, fate intervened.

While working an overnight shift in the emergency department, White was called to suture a laceration on the forehead of a 3-year-old girl. The child already was draped when White entered the room, and she could not see him. When he finished the procedure, he removed the drape and the child gasped, pointed to White’s face and told him he had the biggest nose she had ever seen. They both started laughing.

“Here it was, 3:30 in the morning and I was having fun with a kid,” recalls White. “I realized that if I needed to be up in the middle of the night dealing with a trauma, I wanted it to be for a child.”

Solving Mysteries

After graduation, White and his wife, Hilary Babcock, MD, an infectious disease specialist he met in medical school, moved to St. Louis where White completed his pediatric residency at St. Louis Children’s Hospital followed by a fellowship in rheumatology and immunology at Washington University School of Medicine. White spent 28 years with these health care institutions. He rose to the rank of professor, directed the pediatric residency program, codirected the university’s Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) Center of Excellence and led the pediatric rheumatology division.

In July 2022, White brought his substantial experience to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital where he now serves as the Robert W. Wilmott Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, and pediatrician-in-chief at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

that one patient. If I teach five students how to help that child, I’m helping many children with HHT that those learners will see in the future.”

White has trained more than 600 pediatric resident physicians over the past two decades, approximately 20 of whom are now faculty members at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

White’s leadership plans include adding clinical providers and growing clinical services across the board. He hopes to enhance clinical research efforts and coordinate more pediatric vaccine trials with the Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development.

“What medical intervention is more important for children than vaccination?” asks White.

White’s other goals include greater standardization of care among SSM Health providers and creating a seamless relationship between all SSM Health hospitals and clinics.

“We’re in this together,” says White. “Their patients may become our patients and our patients may become theirs. If we’re sending a child home from the

“Babies, toddlers and pre-teens require different exam skills and flexible deductive thinking skills,” says White. “When you see a child who may not be able to talk yet or who doesn’t have the vocabulary to guide you, you need to be a bit of a diagnostic detective. That challenge appeals to me.”

White manages a nationwide weekly email service for physicians that presents patients with perplexing medical diagnoses. A journal editor and author of dozens of articles in prestigious medical journals, White also published a book in 2022 titled, Pediatric Diagnostic Medicine: A Collection of Cases (Wolters Kluwer).

Teach One, Reach Many Teaching will be a large part of White’s responsibilities as pediatricianin-chief. “If I see a patient with HHT (a rare disorder of the blood vessels), I help

hospital, I want that child’s pediatrician to know what we sent home with the child and whether that child had any issues. We all want the same thing — helping kids live healthier lives.”

White’s plans also include fostering collaboration with city, county and state health departments on communitybased programs for the uninsured and underinsured.

On a Personal Note

White was born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in San Antonio, TX. He and his wife have three children — one is in medical school, one is an engineer and the third (16) is still at home. White coached his children’s youth basketball teams for 18 years. He plays basketball twice a week to stay in shape and enjoys playing guitar and saxophone.

Andrew J. White, MD, is the chair of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and pediatrician-in-chief of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

“When you see a child who may not be able to talk yet or who doesn’t have the vocabulary to guide you, you need to be a bit of a diagnostic detective.”

New Center Established for Children with Rare Blood Vessel Disorder

When Dr. White joined SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, he brought with him a highlyspecialized multidisciplinary center focused on pediatric Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT). It is one of the few such clinics in the country.

White is a nationally recognized specialist in treating HHT, a genetic disorder in which the blood vessels develop abnormally, usually in the nose, lungs, brain or liver. Approximately one out of 5,000 people in the United States have the disorder, but between 80% and 90% of carriers may be undiagnosed.

The center will include pediatric HHT specialists, as well as specialists in child neurology and neurosurgery; cardiovascular disease; gastroenterology and hepatology; ear, nose and throat; and pulmonary medicine. It also has a dedicated genetic screening and counseling program.

“I have been caring for young HHT patients for more than 20 years,” says White. “I am committed to developing a center of excellence here to care for children and support the families of our HHT patients.”

Checkmate! Cardinal Glennon Patients Introduced to the Game of Chess

You may know that St. Louis is home to the World Chess Hall of Fame. But did you know that SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital has their very own chess club?

Thanks to a new partnership with the World Chess Hall of Fame and the St. Louis Chess Club, instructors provide guidance to patients and their families and share the history and culture behind the game.

The World Chess Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to building awareness of the cultural and artistic significance of chess. It opened in 2011 in the Central West End after moving from previous locations in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Miami.

“I love this organization and the collaboration that is helping children enjoy chess while hospitalized,” says Steven Burghart, president of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. “It’s just part of our continued efforts to bring new, positive experiences to every sick and injured child under our care.”

We are so grateful for this partnership and the instructors who introduce our Cardinal Glennon patients to the amazing world of chess!

Instructors provide guidance to patients and their families sharing the history and culture behind the game of chess

Celebrating Employee Giving

Employee partnership makes us a stronger workplace.

Generous support of the 2022 iCare, iGive Employee Giving Campaign makes a difference for patients and families, and also touches the lives of each employee at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. A special THANK YOU to our employees for choosing to care!

The Orthwein Center for Infant and Child Nutrition is Underway

summer,

UPDATE

Fall/Winter 2021 Issue

Glennon

Cancer patient Riley LaBarge received a groundbreaking new treatment in one of the clinical trials being conducted at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Standard chemotherapy was not working for her, and CAR T-cell therapy (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) was recommended for her. She received her transplant in April 2021.

UPDATE: Riley reached her one-year post-transplant milestone and is still cancer free! Now, she only must return to the clinic every two months instead of twice a week, which has given her the opportunity to enjoy “normal” life a little bit more. Riley loves to swim and play with her big sister, Kori. Since her CAR T-cell therapy, Riley has celebrated

her second birthday, experienced Disney World and has had the opportunity to see the ocean! “None of this would have been possible if we didn’t get the chance to try CAR T-cell,” says her mother, Samantha. “The oncology nurses and doctors at Cardinal Glennon are remarkable. Because of them we get to make more memories with Riley.”

Riley today

This

construction began on The Orthwein Center for Infant and Child Nutrition at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. This state-of-the-art facility will house a lab and preparation space for specialized feedings of premature infants and other children with specialized nutrition needs.

Nursing Research Council: Evidence-Based Practice Cohort

Since the day SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital opened its doors, scientific curiosity has been one of our hallmarks of excellence. Many of our first SLUCare Physician Group providers were pioneers in their fields, and that tradition continues today.

This pioneering spirit extends to our other caregiving disciplines. In 2015, Amanda Criebaum, MSN, RN, research coordinator for the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute, partnered with then-Director of Neonatal Services, Cristie Rossel, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, to form SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s first Nursing Research Council.

“Forming this group was my final project for my master’s degree, but it was something that we had been wanting at Cardinal Glennon for a long time,” says Criebaum. “In nursing, the culture has always been one of curiosity…why do we do things the way we do?” The council began meeting to develop a curriculum of five workshops covering numerous core competencies.

A year later, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s first evidencebased practice cohort was formed.

Caregivers of all disciplines are invited, and receive protected time away from their regular duties to participate in didactic lessons and conduct research on topics of their choice. “Some come into the group knowing what they want to research. They have seen something

in their practice, or they want to learn something new to benefit their patients. Others take advantage of ‘Bright Ideas’ that have been submitted by other staff,” says Criebaum.

Cohort members work individually or as teams to prepare a poster, abstract and critically appraised topic (CAT) summary on their chosen subject. Over the years, many abstracts have been accepted at national conferences or published in professional journals. Thanks to generous donor support to the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, cohort members may obtain funds to attend conferences and present their projects to caregivers from across the country.

Since its beginning, one of the Nursing Research Council’s “wish list” items was to have a nurse scientist who would be fully dedicated to promoting research across all caregiving disciplines.

Last December, Tifuh Amba, PhD, DNP, joined the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon

family. “As a nurse scientist, my role is to help our caregivers translate research into their practice. This really is my dream job,” says Amba.

“This spring was my first cohort since starting my role, and our largest group to date. We had 21 caregivers from many different disciplines and with varying levels of education,” Amba says. “It’s exciting to continue the ‘culture of inquiry’ that began many years ago at Cardinal Glennon!”

This summer, eight groups presented their posters to colleagues in the Hospital. Topics varied from caregiver wellness to helping youth with mental health issues. In addition, two abstracts were accepted at national conferences.

“My job is to educate and elevate our professional practice and empower our caregivers to be innovative in their respective roles,” Amba concludes. “It is truly The Glennon Factor at work.”

Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

Research cohort members share their learning with colleagues Spring 2022 Cohort

Amanda Criebaum, MSN, RN, research coordinator

Tifuh Amba, PhD, DNP, nurse scientist

2023 Events and Programs

Glennon LIVE

April 29, 2023

Events and Programs

Scoops of Fun May 13, 2023

Glennon Sunday June 4, 2023 Glennon

Glennon Golf Classic September 8, 2023

Glennon Gallop September 16, 2023

Field-Side Party September 16, 2023 Field-side Pa

Dierdorf-Pronger

Golf Classic October 9, 2023

Glennon Card October 13 – 22, 2023

Sun Run October 15, 2023

Light Up Glennon Every December

What’s Your Hidden Talent?

Scrubs and white coats speak to one’s profession but once those are set aside, the talents and other passions of our SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital caregivers are revealed. Sometimes these endeavors help caregivers achieve balance in their lives. Sometimes they enhance their abilities to care for our patients. And, if caregivers are fortunate, their hidden talents can do both as we learn in this regular feature highlighting the hidden talents of our SSM Health Cardinal Glennon family.

Jen May, BA, CCLS

Certified Child Life Specialist 3 South

As a Child Life Specialist, it certainly helps to enjoy play — and Jen May knows how to play. When she’s not helping her patients on 3 South, she is on the field playing ultimate frisbee for Stellar, St. Louis’ competitive women’s club team. Ultimate frisbee incorporates elements of football and soccer, and teams score by catching a disc in their opponent’s end zone.

May is a handler, one of the two or three people on the seven-person team responsible for throwing and moving the disc down the field. Like her father and sister, May began playing in college. “I appreciate what we call the ‘spirit of the game,’” she says. “Ultimate frisbee doesn’t have referees. We’re responsible for calling fouls or out-of-bound plays or other violations. If we disagree, we work it out in a thoughtful, respectful way. You learn to stand up for yourself and that builds confidence.”

May practices three days a week to prepare for games and tournaments. Last year, Stellar made it to the regional finals. “Ultimate frisbee is a great outlet to let off steam,” says May. “Anyone who works in health care needs an outlet. The sport also helps me stay in touch with my inner child.”

May and her wife, who also plays for Stellar, own at least three dozen discs. Their most cherished was custom-made with images from their relationship, which began a decade ago when they met playing the sport.

Kim Laurance Data Coordinator

The Costas Center

Kim Laurance has used meditation for decades to decompress but it was only within the last few years that she began searching for ways to help others find the same self-awareness she did.

“Meditation changed my life,” says Laurance, who meditates for 30 minutes every morning. “I stopped worrying about what’s going to happen and live more fully in the present. That’s a gift I want to share with others.”

In 2019, Laurance traveled to California to study meditation techniques under world-renowned author, Deepak Chopra. She earned her Chopra Meditation Certification and is halfway through training to be a yoga instructor. Laurance also is a level-one practitioner of Healing Touch, an energy-based therapy that uses gentle hand techniques to help accelerate healing. “Healing touch is proven to lower blood pressure and bring calm,” says Laurance. “It’s comforting when someone focuses completely on you rather than the monitors.”

Laurance volunteers to lead meditation seminars for high school students and veterans dealing with anger, anxiety and chronic illness. She also leads a chair yoga class at her aunt’s senior living apartment.

Laurance has worked at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon for more than 30 years and plans to retire in 2024. “I grew up at Glennon,” says Laurance. “And one of the main reasons I pursued my certifications was so I could give back when I retire. I always worked closely with nurses, and I understand the weight they carry from caring for sick children.”

Jen May on the field playing ultimate frisbee

Glennon Family Ties

You can’t choose your family, as the saying goes, but our caregivers have done just that by choosing to be part of our family at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. In some instances, members of our “family” have inspired their biological family members to join as well, creating a large extended community committed to caring for our patients. In this regular feature, we meet a few providers who are bonded by DNA and dedication.

SISTERS

Katie Robbins and Aimee Roddy

Q:

Katie Robbins, MSN, APRN, NNP-BC, Manager-NICU Advanced Practice Providers (APP): Initially, I was a biology major at SLU. As part of the program, I completed an externship in the genetics department here at Cardinal Glennon. I met a nurse who inspired me, and I changed my major to nursing that same year. I also completed an internship in the NICU with the same nurse I met doing my externship. After graduating from nursing school, I knew immediately this is where I wanted to work. I love the Mission of this hospital and the family-like atmosphere here.

Aimee Roddy, RN, APRN, CPNP-PC, FootprintsSM Palliative Care: My older sister, Katie, has been a long-time nurse and now nurse practitioner at Cardinal Glennon. Well before I knew nursing was the path for my career, I admired the work she did here. She had a way of sharing Cardinal Glennon with me and with our family that made the Hospital sound like the most amazing place to work. She always told me it was like one great big family, and she was right!

WORKING TOGETHER

Katie: It’s great being able to collaborate with her on work through Glennon’s APP council. We also like to attend Foundation events together to support Cardinal Glennon and often rope in the rest of our family. Additionally, it’s fun to see her at work. We leave little notes or treats in each other’s offices to just say “hi.” It’s also fun to see people’s faces when they discover we’re sisters. My oldest daughter previously worked here, too, as administrative staff in the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute. She has many great memories of Cardinal Glennon and brings her kids here for care.

Aimee: I feel blessed that Katie and I are working at Cardinal Glennon together. She is one of my best friends, my biggest cheerleader and my go-to person for anything and everything pertaining to nursing. She may get tired of answering my calls, but she does it anyway!

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER

Susan Rozier and Molly Rozier Chen

Q: What was your inspiration to work at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon?

Susan Rozier, RN, Charge Nurse-NICU: My dad, Roger (Austin) Sharp, MD, (one of the founding members of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in 1956), was 100% my inspiration to work here. When I was young, I would go with him on weekends to check on his patients in the nursery. As I got older, I worked in his office and saw how he treated his patients and their parents with kindness, compassion and humor. He was a funny guy! I decided that was want I wanted for my life — to make a difference in other peoples’ lives as he did.

Margaret (Molly) Rozier Chen, MD, Assistant Professor, General Academic Pediatrics, Associate Program Director, Pediatric Residency Program, Saint Louis University School of Medicine: I’ve always admired my grandfather and mom, and both worked at Cardinal Glennon for a major part of their careers. Because of that connection, Cardinal Glennon has held a special place in my heart. After training as a pediatric resident, I witnessed firsthand the high-quality patient care, as well as the love and dedication shown to each patient. I knew I wanted to be part of a Mission-focused organization that worked together to care for kids and their families, whether that was treating their disease or providing social support and education to help them thrive. Cardinal Glennon is the perfect fit for me!

WORKING TOGETHER

Molly: When I was an intern working in the NICU with my mom, I would find pieces of candy left at my desk throughout the day, so she definitely spoiled me! These days, it is nice when our breaks align, and we can grab a quick lunch or a cup of tea together. Many people who work at the Hospital know us both, and I love to hear people say that I am just like my mom!

Susan: Molly has the same qualities my dad possessed, which makes her a great pediatrician and I am so proud of her. I love working at the same hospital so we can see more of each other!

What was your inspiration to work at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon?

Glennon Around the Corner Danis Tower Grove Clinic

With more than 6,000 patient visits a year, The Danis Pediatric Center’s Midtown location has quickly outgrown its space on Forest Park Avenue. To add to the challenge of keeping up with demand, the Midtown clinic is located on a busy thoroughfare with limited accessibility from public transportation and no dedicated parking.

In early 2023, the new SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Pediatrics – Danis Tower Grove Clinic will be open for business. Located in a former Walgreens store at the corner of Kingshighway Boulevard and Arsenal Street, Danis Tower Grove is the perfect location for our families, especially those who rely on public transportation. “The bus stops right on that corner,” says Nancy McEuen, team lead and family navigator for the DanisCARES program. “This

will be huge for families who struggle with transportation to get to their appointments.”

In addition to a large parking lot for families coming to the clinic, the new building will more than double the amount of exam space and include room for the clinic’s supportive programs, like DanisCARES, that have recently expanded thanks to the generosity of donors.

“The space also gives us flexibility to add specialty and ancillary services down the road,” says Matt Wheeler, director of clinical operations for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

“We are also looking forward to fully utilizing the open, collaborative spaces for medical students and programmatic staff.”

Local officials eagerly await the expansion of DanisCARES, one of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s most mission-focused programs. “Tower Grove is a very family-focused neighborhood with lots of kids,” says Annie Rice, 8th Ward Alderwoman for the City of St. Louis. “We are so excited to welcome Cardinal Glennon to this area to serve kids and families of our City.”

Artist’s rendering of the new Danis Tower Grove Clinic

“The bus stops right on that corner. This will be huge for families who struggle with transportation to get to their appointments.”

Glennon Around the Globe Honduras Scoliosis Brigade

In developing parts of the world where the state-ofthe-art medical services and technologies we take for granted aren’t available, patients born with serious medical conditions often have few options for treatment.

In collaboration with World Pediatric Project, a team from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital — and a few friends from across the country — spent a week in Honduras at the end of March performing lifechanging surgeries for 13 pediatric patients living with scoliosis.

Among those representing SSM Health Cardinal Glennon were SLUCare Physician Group orthopedic surgeons Howard Place, MD, and Aki Puryear, MD; SLUCare Physician Group anesthesiologist Daniel Roke, MD; nurse anesthetist Megan Weber, CRNA; RN first assistant Shara Zurweller, RN, BSN; surgical nurse Michelle Miller, RN; transitional care nurse Madison Harris, RN, BSN, Saint Louis University emergency medicine fellow Mimi Tudyk, MD, and orthopedic surgery resident Purav Brahmbhatt, MD.

“We saw patients that had driven up to 12 hours to see our team,” says Weber. “The need is so high, so we focused on the most serious cases. Fortunately they all went well and none of the patients had any complications after surgery.”

The team worked alongside Tomás Minueza, MD, providing additional expertise along with neurological monitoring and other surgical support that are not available locally. Dr. Minueza is the only orthopedic surgeon with training in pediatric spine surgery in Honduras, a country with a population of more than 10 million.

“It was incredibly gratifying to provide anesthesia for life-changing surgeries for kids with severe scoliosis,” says Weber. “It made all the planning

and preparation completely worth it to see their spine deformities corrected and to see them stand up straight and walking around at the end. You could tell how tough and resilient they were. It took a team approach to carry this out, and every team member was incredibly talented. It was an eye-opening experience that I’m very proud to have been a part of!”

Headquarters for this surgical brigade was the Fundación Ruth Paz in San Pedro Sula, the country’s second largest city (after the capital, Tegucigalpa). Located in the northwestern corner of the country, San Pedro Sula is the primary industrial center and one of Honduras’ main transportation hubs.

World Pediatric Project has been working in Honduras since 2002, helping increase access to care and build local capacity in orthopedics, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery and plastic surgery.

Dr. Place and Dr. Puryear with patient

Glennon nurse Michelle Miller with patient

Lindsey Hansen from World Pediatric Project with patient

“We saw patients that had driven up to 12 hours to see our team.”

Dr. Puryear and Dr. Place (center) with the entire SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, SLU and WPP team (L to R): Ileana Cerrato, Lindsey Hansen, Megan Weber, Mimi Tudyk, Dr. Purav Brahmbhatt, Dr. Aki Puryear, Michelle Miller, Shara Zurweller, Dr. Howard Place, Lauren Carron, Devon King, Dr. Dan Roke, Corey Dagley, Madison Harris

Dr. Howard Place reviews a patient’s X-rays

PricewaterhouseCoopers Be Well, Work Well, Play Well

Ben Morgenthaler and his twin brother, Adam, spent three months in neonatal intensive care following their premature births in 1993. After a second hospitalization for pneumonia at about 1 year, the twins eventually hit the ground running.

As long as they can remember, they have been typical kids. Now at age 29, they continue to run, this time as participants and fundraisers in the annual Sun Run held each fall by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation.

The event consists of a 5K run and a one-mile casual walk. Participants solicit contributions to match their participation. The donations benefit patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

The Morgenthaler family has been a big supporter of the Hospital since the twins were patients there. “The hospital has always been an important place for our family,” says older brother Eugene.

The boys were immediately transferred to The Dana Brown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Hospital after they were born.

“I remember taking some breathing treatments at home because our lung development

The twins were born at 28 weeks’ gestation. “Adam had heart issues. I think his heart stopped beating at one point,” Eugene recalls. “Ben had abdominal surgery for a perforated bowel early on. Very intense and critical procedures were performed.”

The PwC team continues to be one of the top fundraisers for the Sun Run each year

The newborn Morgenthaler

twins

“The hospital has always been an important place for our family...”

was behind,” Ben says. “We were told we went to therapy for years to make sure everything developed correctly.”

As Eugene recalls, “I think there were risks, but they never manifested. They came home and had a clean bill of health. It wasn’t like we had to watch out for playing too rough with them. We were normal brothers playing around the house.”

have organized a group of co-workers that has been the top fundraising team for the first four years of participating in the Sun Run. Eugene now serves on the planning committee for the event.

They were recruited to participate in their first Sun Run by a PwC partner in their office, Kristin Guehlstorf, who has become a member of the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Board of Governors. Guehlstorf had heard that Ben was a Glennon kid, as was her daughter. “As a Glennon Mom, Foundation board member and a PwC partner, I’m grateful for and proud of PwC’s commitment to support our people in making a difference in our communities. Glennon is a special place and it cares for our sickest children, many from underserved populations. I am blessed to serve where my family’s values align so perfectly with my firm’s and with Cardinal Glennon’s. I’m particularly grateful for Ben and Eugene who do an outstanding job leading our PwC Sun Run team to raise funds for the kids!” says Guehlstorf.

“We know Cardinal Glennon helps not only sick kids but also the underserved community, and it doesn’t turn anyone away based on their ability to pay. It is easy to see the impact that will be made with the money we raise. It is an easy way for us to come together and have fun. This is a small way that we can help make change in the community.”

Eugene, Ben and Adam graduated from Saint Louis University with degrees in accounting. Ben and Eugene are employed by the St. Louis office of PwC, a global network of firms in 155 countries committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services.

During their high school years, Ben and Adam fulfilled their community outreach missions by volunteering at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Eugene met his wife while attending the university. She was a nurse in The Dan Dierdorf Emergency and Trauma Center.

More recently, Ben and Eugene

Ben, who weighed 1 pound, 15 ounces at birth, has been one of the keys to PwC’s fundraising prowess. “Ben is a popular guy in the office,” Eugene says. “People hear stories about him and then look down the hall. It is hard for them to imagine how sick he might have been and see how completely fine he is now.”

The second key, he says, is that “It is easy to get people to join the team. The Hospital’s values align with our firm’s well-being strategy, which is ‘Be well, work well.’”

To that motto, the Sun Run team adds “Play well.”

“We want to promote healthy activities and do things as a team,” Eugene says.

The PwC team pushes itself to continue ranking as the top fundraiser for each Sun Run. “We try to incrementally grow the team each year to get more awareness and more team members to join us,” Eugene says.

The members of the PwC team all do the 5K run, Ben says. “No one is going to come in first place, but we are having fun. I ran track and cross country in high school but I’m not as good as I used to be.”

One of the PwC team’s primary Sun Run fundraising competitors is a team organized by their other brother, Adam, who is an accountant at a different St. Louis firm.

“It is fun to compete for a really good cause,” Ben says.

While in high school, Ben and Adam volunteered at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon

Ben and Eugene, with friend Lexi, celebrate finishing the Sun Run 5K

A More Precise Way to Look at Heart Problems

Advanced, four-dimensional (4D) MRI imaging technology at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital enables heart specialists to detect subtle cardiac problems not visible in more traditional imaging scans.

Written by Stephanie Stemmler

“Our son had developed a cough that just wouldn’t go away,” recalls Terrence Williams. “At first, our doctor said he didn’t think anything was seriously wrong, but after the cough got worse over a few weeks, we decided to take TJ to the hospital.”

There, X-rays of TJ’s lungs also caught an image of the 4-year-old’s heart. That image made doctors stop and look closer; the right side of TJ’s heart was double the size of the left side. “We were just stunned,” says Bianca Williams. “I mean, we brought him in for a respiratory illness and they found something a lot more serious.”

In addition to the unusually large heart, doctors also listened to TJ’s heartbeat with a stethoscope and heard a slight murmur, which is an abnormal sound of blood flowing through the heart. The Williamses were referred for further evaluation to SLUCare Physician Group pediatric interventional cardiologist Ugonna Nwankwo, MD, at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, where advanced 4D imaging technology diagnosed a rare combination of heart defects.

4D IMAGING

The advanced technology is known as 4D flow cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (4D Flow MRI). Whereas X-rays show images in two dimensions, and CT and MRI scans capture three-dimensional images, 4D Flow MRI takes that one step further.

“This technology not only shows us images of the heart threedimensionally, but it also captures a four-dimensional movie of the heart beating and blood moving through the heart and blood vessels,” says SLUCare Physician Group cardiologist Wilson King, MD, a cardiac imaging specialist.

In other words, 4D Flow MRI showcases movement — how the heart moves, how and where blood flows through the heart and heart valves, which direction it flows and at what speed. It can provide colorful, detailed images that heart specialists can use to diagnose several cardiac problems, including:

• Aneurysms (weak spots in the aorta or heart)

• Cardiomyopathy (thickened, weakened heart tissue)

• Congenital heart defects

• Heart valve problems or diseases

• Tumors in the heart

Bianca and Terrence Williams with their son, TJ, in Forest Park

I

t was simply serendipity that Terrence and Bianca Williams discovered that their son, TJ, had two unusual heart defects.

The technology has been around for almost a decade, but in recent years advances in image reconstruction, cloud computing and artificial intelligence have enabled it to be implemented clinically. In TJ’s case, he was referred to Dr. Nwankwo and underwent a repeat X-ray and an echocardiogram while at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. The tests confirmed an enlarged side of the heart as well as a heart valve abnormality. “What we needed was a more detailed analysis to pinpoint the reason and the extent of TJ’s problems,” says Dr. Nwankwo. He turned to Dr. King and SLUCare Physician Group cardiologist and imaging specialist Laura Schoeneberg, MD, who used 4D Flow MRI to track blood flow through TJ’s heart.

“Because we could see and track blood flow and velocity during the procedure, we were able to identify all the abnormalities in TJ’s heart in a single dataset,” Dr. Schoeneberg

says. “They included a narrowed aorta, a heart valve defect, abnormal pulmonary veins and another birth defect that created a hole in the upper chambers of his heart.”

The abnormal pulmonary veins and the hole caused some of TJ’s blood to flow in the wrong direction. The result was that too much oxygenated blood was being pumped back through the lungs instead of to the body. Over time, the problem can cause high pressure in the lungs.

“This is a rare combination of heart defects in a child,” notes Charles Huddleston, MD, a SLUCare Physician Group cardiothoracic surgeon. “I could find only one other report in the literature of a patient with something similar. It took the 4D Flow MRI imaging to detect these anatomic and flow problems in his heart and we used

this information for pre-surgical planning.”

Dr. Huddleston also used SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s 3D Printing Center of Excellence to create a highly accurate plastic 3D model of TJ’s heart, which enabled surgeons to see the degree and angle of surgical reconstruction necessary for the aorta and heart valve. The model also allowed him to closely study the relationship of the abnormal pulmonary veins to the atrial septal defect (hole in the heart).

Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

The Williams family is all smiles after TJ’s heart surgery

3D models of TJ’s heart were used for pre-surgical planning

Dr. Huddleston reviewed several treatment options with the family. Bianca and Terrence discussed and prayed about TJ and made the decision for their son to undergo open heart surgery. “It was so much to process when we heard about all these things with TJ’s heart,” said Bianca Williams. “But Dr. Huddleston made us feel comfortable with our decision and the risks involved.”

On the day of surgery, in April 2022, Terrence, Bianca and their pastor gathered to pray just before TJ was taken into surgery. Quietly, by their side, Dr. Huddleston and a nurse stepped up to join them for prayers. “We locked hands together right there; it was so moving for us and I knew then that God was in the midst of this whole thing,” recalls Terrence Williams.

Bianca Williams adds, “It was such a spiritual moment and we needed that so that our child, our whole family, could get through this.”

TJ’s recovery after surgery was nothing short of amazing. Initially told that he might be in the hospital for seven or more days, TJ was off

pain medications and a breathing tube by the third day. On the fourth day, he went home.

Today, TJ is back to being a happy, active child. As part of his medical evaluations, he underwent genetic testing to see if there was an underlying reason for his heart problems. In addition to his rare combination of heart defects, TJ has

another rare congenital condition called Kabuki syndrome, which has more recently been linked to congenital heart defects.

“TJ’s particular heart defects would have been difficult to fully diagnose with traditional imaging,” notes Dr. Nwankwo. “4D Flow MRI gave us a better, more detailed picture of blood flow and anatomy, which enhanced our ability to diagnose and then treat all of his heart problems.”

On a recent day in Forest Park, the Williams family takes joy in the simple pleasure of walking and running around together. “No one would ever know our son had open heart surgery unless he lifted up his shirt to show off his scar,” says Bianca Williams. “He’s so active with everything and this is a testament to the doctors and the technologies they used to help him get back on his feet.”

A visit from Duo Dog Thor cheered up Bianca and TJ while he was recovering in the hospital

A happy TJ runs toward his parents in Forest Park

“We locked hands together right there. It was so moving for us and I knew then that God was in the midst of this whole thing.”

Written by Stephanie Stemmler

Grace and Meghan Childress from Wauwatosa, Wis.

After almost 30 years of research, a pediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and an international team of collaborators has identified a potential medical cure for a rare genetic liver disease.

The disease, called Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States. It can cause liver disease, inflammation in the blood vessels and chronic lung disease. For severe complications such as liver failure, the only treatment available has been a liver transplant. Until now.

Jeffrey Teckman, MD, the Drs. Patricia and James Monteleone Endowed Chair and Director of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, has worked for years with a team including Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company to develop and test a new drug called fazirsiran. It not only stops production of a malformed protein in the liver but also reverses its previously damaging effects; in essence, healing the liver.

“Early in my medical training, the common consensus was that reduction in liver fibrosis, or scarring,

in patients with AAT deficiency was impossible,” says Dr. Teckman. “Now, we have found a way to reverse the process in humans with minimal side effects. I think it’s remarkable and a game-changer.”

Dr. Teckman is world-renowned for his AAT research. In his lab at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, he has been researching the mechanisms that regulate the development of AAT for decades.

What is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin?

AAT is a specific protein manufactured primarily by the liver. Its main purpose is to protect the lungs from inflammation caused by various infections or irritants, such as smoke or poor air quality. In individuals with an AAT deficiency, a gene mutation in their genetic code causes the body to create malformed copies of the AAT

Dr. Teckman and colleagues at Saint Louis University, in California and Europe, in partnership with the pharmaceutical companies, have been searching for a way to turn off production of the abnormally shaped AAT proteins. They found the answer in a specific strand of RNA. RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is the “messenger” in our genetic

protein. The abnormal shape prevents the liver from moving the protein into the bloodstream and to the lungs. Not only are the lungs left unprotected, but the abnormal AAT builds up in the liver, eventually causing scarring. As the disease progresses, it can potentially lead to liver failure.

processes that controls, in part, how proteins develop and function. By interfering with that RNA strand, the team figured out how to block an abnormal type of AAT from forming. Significant parts of the early laboratory research were conducted in Dr. Teckman’s lab in St. Louis.

Research Technician and Research Repository Manager Keith Blomenkamp, BS, and clinical researchers Shraddha Patel, PhD, and Lakshmi Thirumangalakudi, PhD, study the mechanisms behind AAT deficiency in the Saint Louis University School of Medicine laboratory of Jeffrey Teckman, MD

“Now, we have found a way to reverse the process in humans with minimal side effects. I think it’s remarkable and a game-changer.”

Dr. Jeffrey Teckman

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Groundbreaking Research Offers Hope to Patients with Rare Genetic Liver Disease

“It worked in the lab so well that I was confident we could design a new medicine with low side effects that would do the same in humans,” says Dr. Teckman.

For more than a decade, Dr. Teckman served as an advisor to drug designers to ultimately create the RNA interference medication targeting a particular abnormal AAT. This year, in a study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Teckman and colleagues reported that in the

interference drug has been shown to improve liver health.” For Dr. Teckman, it was an amazing moment. And for his patients with AAT and their families, the news of the drug discovery brought immediate hope that a medical cure is on the horizon.

Jen Childress is one parent excited about the latest research. Her two daughters, Grace, 20, and Meghan, 18, both have AAT deficiency. For the past 12 years, they have made the yearly 370-mile

relatives. The Childresses are one of multiple families who travel to the Hospital from across the country and around the world to see Dr. Teckman.

Jen Childress clearly remembers the day she heard about the disease. “Grace was born about six weeks premature, and she was in the neonatal intensive care unit in Wisconsin for 23 days,” says Childress. “She was under weight and wasn’t doing well and the whites of her eyes had turned mint green.”

initial early phase clinical trial of fazirsiran, seven of the first 15 patients who were given the drug saw scarring in their liver diminish.

“It was a small trial, but we saw that overall liver function actually improved,” explains Dr. Teckman. “It was the first time that an RNA

trip from Wauwatosa, Wis., to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon to receive care from Dr. Teckman and to keep up to date on clinical trials and the latest AAT research. Grace and Meghan’s mother and father are both carriers of the abnormal gene that causes the disease, as are other

After doctors called in specialists, they told the family that something might be wrong with Grace’s liver or gallbladder. They asked about a family history of any liver or lung diseases, but at the time, Childress was not aware that she and her husband were both carriers of the abnormal gene that causes AAT deficiency. “The doctor handed me a yellow Post-it note and she had drawn the Greek symbol for alpha and the word ‘antitrypsin.’ I had no clue what that meant,” she recalls.

Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

The Childress family travels to St. Louis from Wisconsin for annual AAT deficiency checkups in Dr. Jeffrey Teckman’s clinic

...the news of the drug discovery brought immediate hope that a medical cure is on the horizon.

Childress called her mother, who was a nurse, and asked her to explain. By the time she searched for more information, doctors informed her that Grace’s condition was the severest form of AAT deficiency. It took about six months before Grace started gaining weight and stabilized. “We were told that some kids get better for unknown reasons,” Childress says. “Grace’s eyes also cleared up and she started feeling better. We fortified her diet with extra calories and vitamins, and we were told to get regular liver function tests as she grew older.”

With a one in four chance that another child would inherit the disease, Childress gave birth to another daughter, Meghan, two years later. She was born even earlier than Grace, at 27 weeks, and weighed just o1 pound, 9 ounces. Because Meghan was so premature, she was too small to have blood drawn for genetic testing. But when she finally was able to open her eyes at three weeks old, Childress again saw the

mint green eyes. “I shed a few tears because we had two children with a fairly rare disease,” she says. “But I knew how to handle it and I decided I needed to know more about the disease and what treatments were available.”

She met Dr. Teckman while she was serving as a board member for the Alpha-1 Association. He also was on the board.

“Dr. Teckman always has been engaged with our community,” Childress says.

“He comes to conferences, has sessions with parents, and gives us the latest research updates. He offered to serve as a consultant to our physicians in Wisconsin, and when I started asking about clinical trials, he suggested we come to St. Louis. So we did that in 2009. My girls are adults now, one just entering college and the other on a studyabroad in Germany, but we still see Dr. Teckman.”

Jen Childress still has the original Post-it Note from the family’s Wisconsin physician who first wrote down the name Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Both young ladies are doing well, although they are cautious about leading a healthy lifestyle and avoid going outside when the air quality is poor. They also avoid places where people smoke to keep their lungs as healthy as possible. “Dr. Teckman told us that smoking one cigarette wipes out all the Alpha-1 in your lungs and it takes a long time to build that up again,” says Childress. “My daughters really take charge of their own health and lives, and their condition doesn’t stop them from having fun and living life to the fullest.”

Now that Dr. Teckman and colleagues have evaluated fazisiran in early clinical trials, the next step is to expand the studies internationally to include more children and adult patients. “It gives me great satisfaction and hope that there is a true cure for this disease that could be available to patients within the next few years,” Dr. Teckman says.

“Fazisiran for Liver Disease Associated with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency” is published in the June 25, 2022 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine 387(6): 514-524. DOI: 10.1056/NEJ Moa2205416

Glennon patients and sisters Grace (left) and Meghan (right), and their mother, Jen Childress (center), on their annual trip to seeDr. Jeffrey Teckman at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon

“My daughters really take charge of their own health and lives, and their condition doesn’t stop them from having fun and living life to the fullest.”

DJ, now 3, has been undergoing kidney dialysis since he was born

Written by Rick Stoff

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital became one of the first hospitals to provide life-saving kidney dialysis and transplantation to an infant in 1984. While the Hospital has been treating those patients for 38 years, a recent survey found that only two-thirds of nephrologists at pediatric hospitals are offering this care.

“Some centers feel that this care is experimental and futile. They think it is too complex and they don’t have the right equipment,” says Anne Beck, MD, medical director of pediatric dialysis at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. She also is a pediatric nephrologist in the SLUCare Physician Group and professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Patients in irreversible kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease, must undergo dialysis. Without it, Dr. Beck says, “They will die.”

The first infant patient to undergo dialysis and kidney transplantation at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is now a 38-year-old mother.

Over the last decade, the Hospital’s pediatric nephrologists have provided dialysis to 21 infants and children weighing less than 20 pounds. Kidney transplants have been provided to 14 and seven are awaiting transplants. “The transplanted patients are surviving and thriving. They are doing well developmentally and physically,” Dr. Beck says.

Kidneys and Dialysis

The kidneys are two beanshaped organs on opposite sides of the abdomen. They are a filtering system that helps the body control water levels and eliminate waste

transplant adult kidneys and they go into the abdomen,” Dr. Beck says. “When they get to 22 pounds, the kidney still takes up half of the abdomen.”

Damon (DJ) Ward Jr., 3, was born in kidney failure and immediately began undergoing daily dialysis. By this fall he had grown to 30 pounds and was preparing for listing as an organ recipient. “He is a go-getter. He loves to play with other kids. He is charming

through urine. The kidneys also assist in regulating blood pressure, producing red blood cells and maintaining calcium and mineral levels. When small children have less than 15% of normal kidney function, they reach end-stage renal

There are two types of kidney dialysis. Peritoneal dialysis is administered through a catheter placed through the abdomen into the peritoneal cavity. A dialysate fluid is circulated in and out of the body and draws waste, water and chemicals from the blood. Hemodialysis utilizes an external artificial kidney to filter waste, chemicals and fluid from the blood, which is accessed through a port surgically placed into a blood vessel. The blood is pumped continuously through a filter and returned to the patient.

Patients in irreversible kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease, must undergo dialysis. Without it, they will die.

Peritoneal dialysis is preferred because it is safer, involves less exposure to donor blood and can be performed at night while the patient sleeps. Patients must be switched to hemodialysis if they encounter severe or recurrent infections of their peritoneum (the membrane lining the abdominal cavity) or if the peritoneum has been scarred from surgery.

Hemodialysis also may be utilized if the patient has encountered a kidney injury deemed short-term and reversible or if peritoneal dialysis cannot be performed at the patient’s home.

Each dialysis session for a small patient may last four to six hours. “Infant dialysis takes hours of nursing time,” Dr. Beck says. “It is meticulous, an extreme skill. A lot of nursing techniques have been developed, shared and passed down.”

Infants have less than 23 ounces of blood, so the hemodialysis machine must be primed with a transfusion of donor blood.

“Historically it was thought that doing this would prevent these patients from being transplanted. When you give patients someone else’s blood, there may be a few white blood cells that can trigger an

we give amniotic fluid to infants who aren’t making enough.”

Kidney injuries also can result “when the baby’s delivery is complicated and there is low or compromised blood flow, which can cause the kidneys to injure themselves. Sometimes they don’t recover,” Dr. Beck says.

Due to the rarity of hemodialysis for very small children, equipment designed for adults must be adapted.

“There are not many central dialysis catheters designed for small children. The smaller the catheter, the more likely it is to clot. We have protocols to try to de-clot a line rather than swap it out for a new line,” Dr. Beck says.

immune response and prevent them from having a successful transplant,” Dr. Beck says. “That is why some centers believe these children could not be transplanted. When we pulled our data together, we found their immune responses were negligible and our infants have been able to be transplanted successfully.”

Kidney disease affecting children usually results from a congenital problem or a complication during birth. “The most common cause in pediatrics is congenital,” Dr. Beck says. “When the kidneys don’t work correctly, they don’t make a normal amount of amniotic fluid. Then the lungs don’t develop normally and sometimes there can be limb abnormalities.

Now we can do amnioinfusion —

Nurse Kasie Cary, BSN, RN, welcomes Jaciee to a dialysis visit

Newborns with serious kidney disease face lengthy stays in The Dana Brown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.“They need to be stable before they go home. We try to do peritoneal dialysis until they are big enough to use an adult machine with modifications at home. The quickest we can do that is about five to six months,” Dr. Beck says. “If we have to do hemodialysis and that is going well and they live fairly close, when they hit about 13 pounds they are good to go home.”

Medications administered to transplant recipients have advanced greatly in the past four decades, improving patient outcomes and reducing side effects. The drugs prevent the body’s immune system from rejecting the donated organ.

DJ and Jaciee

DJ Ward was a full-term baby, weighing 9 pounds and 5 ounces, but his kidneys were not functioning. He received peritoneal dialysis until an infection necessitated a switch to hemodialysis. “For his first six to eight months he was developmentally delayed. Now he is doing everything everybody else does,” says his mother.

DJ comes to the Hospital from his home in East St. Louis, Ill., three days a week. “We come for scheduled doctor’s appointments as well,” Goodwin says. “Cardinal Glennon is our second home. The nurses all love him and he loves them, too.”

Jaciee Trotter of Hazelwood, Mo., also is 3 years old but did not need dialysis until she was 2.

Infant dialysis takes hours of nursing time. It is meticulous, an extreme skill.

“We still don’t know what caused her to go through this also. Two weeks after her second birthday everything shut down. She had to be revived in the hospital. We didn’t think she was going to make it,” says her mother, Jasmine Franks.

Jaciee’s heart and lungs also were impaired, so she had to be placed on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). ECMO pumps the blood through a machine that removes carbon dioxide and sends oxygenated blood back to the body. “Her liver failed. She had pneumonia. Then her kidneys failed,” Franks says. “Something was causing blood clots, so nothing was getting blood flow. She was placed on all of the machines to keep her alive.”

Shortly after arriving at the Hospital, Jaciee stopped breathing. “When I took her to the hospital we were told she had pneumonia and an ear infection. The next day I was holding her and she went down,” Franks says. “It took them 10 seconds to revive her. We were told things weren’t looking very bright for her. Then the great doctors at Cardinal Glennon started all the treatments that could possibly help her. A doctor suggested a whole-body blood transfusion. When they did that, she started to come around.”

Jaciee’s heart and lungs began functioning on their own and her liver recovered. “Everything but the kidneys,” her mom says.

Jaciee is a twin who was born a few weeks prematurely at 4 pounds and 14 ounces. When she became ill, she immediately began to receive hemodialysis. A year later she had grown to 26 pounds and was preparing to join the kidney transplant list.

“She amazes everybody,” Franks says. “In the hospital they call her a miracle baby. She plays with her twin sister like they are the same girls. She knows her ABCs and colors. If it wasn’t for Cardinal Glennon I don’t think I would have my daughter today. She spent 90 long days in the hospital. Everyone is so kind and nice and taking their time to patiently care for her. Their care got her to where she is today.”

Jaciee weighed just 4 pounds 14 ounces at birth

Researching Effective Therapies for Short Bowel Syndrome

Written by Rick Stoff

Children’s

“We are close to making some paradigm shifts.”

Tens of thousands of patients worldwide require intravenous (IV) feeding because their intestine is insufficient to absorb nutrition and hydration due to a condition called short bowel syndrome (SBS).

While IV therapy is lifesaving for such patients, it may lead to life-threatening complications, including progressive liver disease. Understanding and developing treatments for SBS is the mission of Ajay Jain, MD,

associate division director of pediatric gastroenterology and medical director of the pediatric liver transplant program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. He is a professor of pediatrics, pharmacology and physiology in the SLUCare Physician Group and director of the MD/PhD program at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

An internationally-recognized expert, Dr. Jain has received several national and international accolades for his work, most recently including the Stanley J. Dudrick Research Scholar Award and the Harry M. Vars Award from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), as well as the Gerard Odell Prize for Excellence in Liver by the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Dr. Jain’s research into SBS is supported by grants from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

transplant and a liver transplant. Addressing the complications of SBS remains a major research focus in gastroenterology and hepatology.

An NIH R21 grant of $428,020 was awarded to Dr. Jain’s lab at

“Short bowel syndrome, as the name suggests, results from not having enough functional bowel to sustain a patient’s nutritional needs through regular food intake,” says Dr. Jain. “The only way to provide nutrition to such patients is through the intravenous route, a methodology called total parenteral nutrition or TPN. No one knows why, but over time this approach starts causing liver injury and gut atrophy.

“There are no established treatment strategies for SBS, and patients suffer extensive morbidity and need intensive medical management, with many patients dying or requiring a multivisceral transplant — a small bowel

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon earlier this year, complementing a very prestigious NIH R01 grant of $1,893,750. He also has received funding on studies through collaborative and multi-institutional grants totaling over $15 million.

The grants follow Dr. Jain’s previous work examining the role of altered signals from the gut as a major driver of injury resulting from SBS. Current funding also supports studying the role gut microbes play in the progression of disease.

Causes

Short bowel syndrome arises during adulthood or at birth, with differing causes. “In adults, patients

Dr. Ajay Jain’s lab seeks to understand the role of gut microbes in liver disease associated with SBS

Lab researchers Kento Kurashima and Chandra Manithody assist Dr. Ajay Jain (right) in seeking improved treatments for SBS

“Short bowel syndrome, as the name suggests, results from there not being enough functional bowel to sustain a patient’s nutritional needs through regular food intake...”

Living with SBS

William Boucher was just 6 months old when his intestine twisted around itself and ruptured. Born premature with a gastrointestinal condition called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), William’s intestines had become inflamed, causing tissue inside to die. He had to undergo surgery to repair the damage.

“He lost most of his small bowel,” says his mother, Michelle Boucher. “He had 23 centimeters [9 inches] left.”

William became a patient at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, where doctors monitored him as he received intravenous nutrition.

“He was having issues with thriving and surviving,” his mother says. “They did everything they could. They did so many procedures. It took years to get him to a healthy state.”

When William’s health began to decline again, he was placed

on the transplant list. When he was 5 years old, he underwent an intestine transplant.

“He has his original liver, which healed after the transplant,” Boucher says.

Dr. Jain became William’s doctor seven years ago.

William, who celebrates his 20th birthday this fall, “was doing well” in the years after his transplant, Boucher says. Then, last year, he was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, a malignancy that can occur after a solid organ transplant. That required chemotherapy, which ended last summer when William entered remission.

“If it wasn’t for his initial transfer to Glennon, William would not have survived,” Boucher says. “They have given him the greatest care and referred him to the most advanced medical procedures to enable him to have his best chance at having a full life.”

may have bowel removed due to accidents or trauma, such as gunshot injuries or due to diseases such as Crohn’s disease,” Dr. Jain explains.

Babies can have SBS because of birth defects or from a condition called necrotizing enterocolitis. For many of these babies, diseased sections of the bowel must be removed after birth.

Adults may have 15 feet of small intestine, Dr. Jain says. “The normal bowel length in an infant is 250 to 300 centimeters [98 to 118 inches]. There is data that indicates a kid could do well even if 100 to 150 centimeters [39 to 59 inches] are resected.”

Treatments

Current surgical procedures lengthen the existing bowel. “The idea is that you can grow the bowel over a period of time to take over some of the functions of different sections of the intestine,” Dr. Jain says. “This can also result in an increase in the surface area of the bowel, which can come through adaptation over a period of time. One of our grants allows us to see if we can make the gut grow through medications, which can expand the absorptive surface for nutrients.”

Additionally, Dr. Jain’s lab, which employs five scientists, is trying to understand how intestinal signaling to the liver is disturbed when patients receive total parenteral nutrition (TPN), as well as the role of microbiota in causing liver injury.

Gut Systemic Signaling

“Interestingly, if a baby or anyone who has SBS can be partially fed by mouth or through a gastrostomy tube, they don’t develop as much liver injury. It is possible that, as food is going through the gastrointestinal tract, it changes the gut-derived signaling,” Dr. Jain says. “Our idea is that the state of TPN, when no nutrition is going through the gastrointestinal system, influences disease.”

One of the research questions to be answered is, “Can we make

William Boucher, now 20, has been receiving care at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon for short bowel syndrome since he was 6 months old

the body believe that the gut-body signaling is restored in SBS by activation of receptors in the gut via medications?”

Microbiota

That leads to questions about the trillions of microbes in the gastrointestinal system.

levels has several key targets.

“One way is called a fecal microbiota transplant where you can take bugs from healthy people and transplant them through the duodenum,” he says.

Dr. Jain’s lab is also studying medications that promote some bacteria over others. “They are

which will be used for intestinal rehabilitation, changing gut growth and activating gut-body signaling,” he says.

“It is a very solid mechanism when you want to test mechanics prior to animal studies or human trials. We can see what happens to the organoid cells and then go on to the next step.”

The lab also has developed a machine that can keep organs, such as livers and kidneys, alive for use in research. “We have a provisional patent on that. It is called PROTECT. It is a very solid platform for therapeutic testing,” Dr. Jain says.

The Future

Dr. Jain’s team is researching a new surgical technique that would allow patients with SBS to receive full nutrition by mouth. “We are close to making some paradigm shifts in therapeutics for SBS,” Dr. Jain says.

The team has published preliminary research on some drugs that may change gut systemic signaling.

“These bugs are absorbing nutrients and producing supplements which help with the absorption of food,” Dr. Jain says. “They also change bile acids from primary bile acids to secondary bile acids. One of our questions is if these gut microbes influence SBS.

“Our grants also allow us to evaluate the role of gut microbiota in driving injury and if we can change the gut microbiota to modulate the injury mechanisms. The gut microbiota is keenly involved in producing systemic signaling molecules, which we know changes when the patient is undergoing TPN. Can we restore the gut microbiota to healthy levels?” Dr. Jain asks.

Dr. Jain’s research on ways to restore intestinal microbiota to healthy

called pre-biotics that are food for the healthy bugs to grow,” he adds. “We believe we are on the verge of creating sustainable options for our sickest patients with SBS. Our cuttingedge translational research could prove transformative, not only as a treatment, but to advance science in unlocking the mysteries of gut microbes and gut systemic signaling. This would have far-reaching positive consequences to the field.”

Novel Testing

Dr. Jain’s lab is one of the few in the country that can conduct experiments on organoids, which are tiny, 3D organs grown in a lab.

“We grow gut organoids in a Petri dish from bowel samples. We are among the first ones to use organoids to test some of the drugs

“We have done animal studies and have had very promising results. We have started human studies and think in the next several years we will start getting some of these drugs out for medicinal use,” Dr. Jain says. Dr. Jain has received highly competitive funding from the American Liver Foundation; American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition; ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation; Mid-America Transplant Association; National Institute on Aging; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition; and industry partners.

Additionally, seed funding through Saint Louis University’s Liver Center and President’s Research Fund allowed Dr. Jain to conduct early proof-ofconcept studies.

“Interestingly, if a baby or anyone who has SBS can be partially fed by mouth or through a gastrostomy tube, they don’t develop as much liver injury.”

Kento Kurashima, Dr. Ajay Jain and Chandra Manithody discuss their research, which could improve the lives of thousands of patients

Written by Rick Stoff

Meet Natalie

Natalie Huiras walks through Tower Grove Park, strolling under the trees and enjoying a nice fall day outside.

Six years ago, at age 19, she feared her ability to walk normally was at risk because of persistent pain in her right knee. “It got worse until I couldn’t walk on it. I had an MRI and the doctors recognized it as osteosarcoma and I was referred to Cardinal Glennon,” she says. “It was surreal. You don’t think cancer is something you are going to hear, especially when you are that young.”

Osteosarcoma is a cancerous bone tumor that most often occurs in children, teens and young adults.

For nine months, Huiras’ right leg was in the constant care of the musculoskeletal tumor team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. After months of chemotherapy, she underwent surgery to remove her right knee and part of her lower leg bone, which were replaced with prosthetics. Several more months of chemotherapy followed.

After a lengthy stretch of physical therapy, Huiras, now 25, is able to “walk pretty well,” she says. “I was able to keep my leg. I have a job. I’m going up and down stairs constantly. I feel so blessed.”

oncology surgery in the SLUCare Physician Group.

“The surgeon’s role is removing the cancer and reconstructing the bone or extremity. The medical oncologists give the chemotherapy, which is a very important part of the treatment plan. The pathologist has to be comfortable in reviewing sarcoma, which is not very common. Occasionally we need a radiation oncologist.”

Advanced nurse practitioners, social workers and physical and occupational therapists are also

arise in the hips, shoulders and jaw.

About 1,000 cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, mostly in children and teens. The causes of osteosarcoma are not fully known. Osteosarcoma cells proliferate at the tumor site but are not as strong as normal bone.

“The first symptom often is a lump or bump or it can be bone pain that leads to an X-ray,” Dr. Greenberg says. “Sometimes there is a pathologic fracture because the bone has weakened from the tumor.” The cancer can metastasize to other parts of the body. “If osteosarcoma is not treated, it may be fatal,” he says.

Treatment

The Team Approach

The pediatric musculoskeletal tumor team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon includes all the specialists needed to contribute to the patient’s care.

“When you are treating a bone sarcoma, it is important that there is a multidisciplinary approach,” says David D. Greenberg, MD, an orthopedic oncology surgeon at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and associate professor of orthopedic

part of the team. “We have everyone here at Cardinal Glennon. That is the unique aspect of our program,” says Dr. Greenberg, who was Huiras’ surgeon.

Diagnosis

Osteosarcoma is the most common cancer originating in the bones. It often develops in the leg bones or upper arm when bones are growing quickly, according to the American Cancer Society. It also may

“Osteosarcoma usually involves nine months of chemotherapy,” says Lauren Draper, MD, one of two sarcoma oncologists in The Costas Center at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. She is an assistant professor of pediatrics in the SLUCare Physician Group and Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

William Ferguson, MD, was Huiras’ medical oncologist. He is the director of The Costas Center and a member of the SLUCare Physician Group. He also is the division

“When you are treating a bone sarcoma, it is important that there is a multidisciplinary approach...”

Natalie Huiras was treated for osteosarcoma in her right knee when she was 19

director of hematology/oncology and a professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

After 10 to 12 weeks, chemotherapy is paused for surgery, which is followed by another 10 to 12 weeks of chemotherapy. “The majority of chemotherapy for sarcoma is given on an inpatient basis,” Dr. Draper says. “Chemotherapy drugs for

SKILLS TO TREAT BONE CANCERS

“Limb salvage operations started back in the 1970s. Before then, bone cancer would be treated with an amputation because the goal was to remove the cancer cleanly,” Dr. Greenberg says. “Now we have the ability to remove the cancer in the leg or arm and reconstruct the limb.

“We will take out the portion of the bone that is involved with the cancer and rebuild it with metal

Huiras visits the Hospital periodically for checkups that watch for side effects that may follow chemotherapy. “Things have been looking good,” she says.

The end of chemotherapy “is a big change for patients,” Dr. Draper says. “They go from being here once or twice a week to coming back every three months as long as they are doing well. That is for the first year. Then we start spacing things out. Once we get five years out, they come back once a year for our late effects clinic.

sarcoma are given in high doses, so there are a lot of monitoring requirements. We have to give them a lot of fluids to clear the drugs out of their system to protect their kidneys and bladder.”

Some osteosarcoma patients may require radiation therapy, which is delivered by John Dombrowski, MD, PhD. He is an associate professor of radiation oncology in the SLUCare Physician Group and chairman of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s Department of Radiation Oncology. “Osteosarcoma is not sensitive to radiation, so we use it less frequently,” Dr. Draper says. “It is very specific to the patient.”

The members of the bone cancer program meet on alternating Mondays. “We review all of our cases and come up with our approach to their treatment,” Dr. Greenberg says. “Also, on Friday mornings, we have a multidisciplinary clinic where we see the patients together. That approach allows the patients and their families to receive all aspects of their care and get all their questions answered.”

Sparing Treatment

“Limb salvage” procedures allow most sarcoma patients to retain their limbs after tumors are removed.

implants or cadaver bone. We are able to do limb-sparing procedures probably 90% of the time.”

Long-Term Follow-Up

After her surgery, Huiras received months of physical therapy, which “helped to strengthen the muscles that were left in my leg,” she says.

Huiras graduated from McKendree University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology. She works in the new products laboratory at AnheuserBusch InBev in St. Louis.

“The late effects clinic will see them into their adult years because we know chemotherapy toxicity affects them. The vast majority of children who undergo chemotherapy will have a chronic condition that can be managed. The late effects clinic finds those issues earlier.”

Meet Macy

Macy Buschmann was a 14-year-old golfer in the summer of 2021 when she visited her pediatrician.

“She’d had pain in her right leg for three months. They did an X-ray

“We are able to do limb-sparing procedures probably 90% of the time.”

Macy Buschmann, whose chemotherapy ended last spring, is examined by Dr. Lauren Draper during a routine follow-up

and said we’d need an MRI. The MRI showed a tumor right under her knee,” says her mother, Danielle Buschmann. “Then they told us to make an appointment with a specialist at Cardinal Glennon. He did a biopsy that showed it was cancer.”

“I was nervous, thinking about what would happen next,” Macy says. She started walking with crutches. After many weeks of chemotherapy, she underwent surgery by Dr. Greenberg. The section of bone affected by cancer was removed and replaced with cadaver bone. Additional rounds of chemotherapy were administered by Dr. Draper.

“She has been out of the hospital since March. She spent over a year on crutches. She’s been off them for about a month and a half,” Buschmann says, as Macy started her sophomore year at Washington High School in Missouri. “Being off crutches has been a little more difficult than we thought it would be. The bones will be healing for a

“Her doctors said she is not going to be able to run, jump or twist to protect the leg and bone,” says Macy’s mom. “We are hoping that someday she will be able to swing a golf club again.”

Macy continues to visit the Hospital for exams.

while. She is back in the marching band and working on that.”

Macy, who plays the French horn, continues to rehabilitate her leg. “It is tough,” she says. “I am excited for what I can do and getting to where I am not being held back so much.”

“Every time I walk in there, I feel like the hospital gives us a hug,” says Macy’s mom. “I was going through breast cancer at the same time as Macy was dealing with her cancer. The hospital staff was amazing with accommodating what we had to do as a family to be with Macy. They always reached out to make sure I was okay also.”

The osteosarcoma team enjoys seeing Natalie, Macy and other osteosarcoma patients walk into The Costas Center. As Dr. Draper says, “It reminds us of what we’re doing.”

“Every time I walk in there, I feel like the hospital gives us a hug...”

Dr. Lauren Draper, Danielle and Macy Buschmann and Dr. David Greenberg say their good-byes after a recent visit to The Costas Center

GIVE HOPE to a child this Christmas

No child deserves to spend the holidays in the Hospital. While most kids are waking up on Christmas morning opening presents in their homes, there are many children in the Hospital who won’t be able to open gifts around their tree this year.

Please give the gift of hope and healing to Cardinal Glennon kids this Christmas. Your support will ensure our brave patients can continue to receive the critical care they need during these difficult times. Thank you for making healing possible.

Conner after receiving a new heart

Conner,

Glennon Kid

Your child’s health care. Reimagined.

Personalized care, innovation, and recognition.

At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, we’re inspired daily to innovate, personalize care, and push the boundaries of pediatric medicine.

Offering more than 60 medical and surgical specialties, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon provides hope to thousands of children with complex medical conditions throughout Missouri, Illinois, and beyond. We’re also proud to offer three pediatric specialties nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report: Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Neonatology, and Nephrology.

There’s no end to a child’s imagination and our medical innovation. Together, we partner with you and your child to provide the most advanced health care solutions to promote health, healing, and well-being.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SSM Health ministries implemented enhanced safety measures, which are evaluated periodically based on COVID-19 transmission numbers. To ensure your protection and that of others, we continue to require face masks upon entry along with ministry-specific screening processes.

See how SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is reimagining care at cardinalglennon.com today.

Stella, Hannah & Hailey

2022 CMN Ambassadors

Stella Thomas and Hannah and Hailey Schilly overcame serious challenges in their young lives through the care they received at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. They came to know the Hospital as a home away from home and its staff as a second family.

The girls will represent the Hospital at fundraising events for the next year as its 2022 Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Ambassadors. CMN supports 170 hospitals across the United States and Canada.

Stella “Just Keeps Swimming”

Stella Thomas was born prematurely in 2017 after a placental abnormality developed before she was born.

Her mother, Rachael Thomas, began to have contractions at 28 weeks’ gestation. Doctors tried to

slow the contractions, “But my sassy girl had other plans. Stella made her entrance into the world. Ready or not, we were on a trip that no parent is really prepared for,” Thomas says.

Stella was airlifted to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and admitted to The Dana Brown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Stella remained in the NICU for 180 days as doctors treated her intestinal and feeding problems.

Thomas and her husband, Bobby, had full-time jobs and two other daughters, so they often had to return home to Farmington, Mo., and trust Stella to the care of the NICU staff. “They were willing to have many difficult conversations with us,” Thomas says. “Those crucial conversations helped us understand we could trust their care of her. Aside from her primary care team, we had all the specialists we

needed for her. The whole hospital treated us like family.”

After Stella went home she continued to feel lethargic. All possible diagnoses for her illness were ruled out, Thomas says.

“Her symptoms were similar to a condition called megacolon. She needed to grow into her bowel, and that would take time.”

After Stella’s first birthday she still was being fed through a gastrostomy tube (G-Tube), which was surgically placed in her stomach. Her parents and dietitians introduced her to foods she could eat, hoping she would be able give up her G-Tube and feeding pump.

“Then one day she dislodged her feeding tube in the back of the car and formula spilled over the entire seat,” Thomas says. “I thought this was an opportunity to gauge if she was physically and mentally ready to be done with her pump. As soon as we got home, I gave her a cup. She figured out when she was hungry, and the rest is history.”

Now 5 years old, Stella “eats like a horse,” her father says, and loves doing anything that involves “gymnastics, being outside, creating and building and climbing. You would never know she had such a fragile beginning.”

Stella is living the story of her favorite character, Dory, from the movie “Finding Nemo.” Throughout the challenges she faces, Dory reminds herself to “just keep swimming.”

“When the odds were against Stella, she just kept swimming,” her mother says. Her parents look forward to sharing Stella’s story at CMN events over the coming year.

“Bobby and I simply don’t have enough words to show the gratitude and appreciation we have for Cardinal Glennon,” Thomas says. “We can never repay what was given to our daughter.”

Hannah and Hailey Make Three

Hailey Schilly became a patient at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon after being diagnosed with neurofibromatosis at 18 months of age. Hailey’s older sister, Hannah, became a patient after falling through a glass tabletop and a piece of glass pierced her kidney. Their mother, Heather Schilly, was already familiar with the Hospital. When she was a teenager she too received care for neurofibromatosis.

When Hailey developed a lazy eye, “I knew right away what we were dealing with and where I had to take her,” Schilly says. “I knew it would be neurofibromatosis. Since I have the gene, there is a one in two chance that my daughters could develop it.”

Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that can cause tumors to grow on nerves. Hailey’s tumor formed behind her eye. She underwent two surgeries to remove as much of the tumor as was possible. When Hailey was in third grade, she received chemotherapy with a new drug that had become available.

Today, Hailey is an active 11-yearold who loves golf, hockey and Cardinals baseball.

“I don’t know what curveballs lay ahead for her, but I would drive hundreds of miles to have her care at Glennon,” her mother says.

Hannah, 13, became the third family member to visit SSM Health Cardinal Glennon in 2015 after she fell through a glass table and a piece of glass punctured her kidney. An ambulance took her to the nearest hospital, where the staff prepared her for transport to the nearest Level 1 Trauma Center — at an adult hospital.

Schilly intervened. “I couldn’t accept them taking her anyplace but Glennon,” she says.

At Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Hannah was taken to an operating room for the first of two surgeries. Afterward she began receiving physical therapy but her emotional recovery was more challenging, and she could not be persuaded to eat for many days.

During her recovery, Hannah developed a close bond with her surgeon. “Hannah wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for him and Cardinal Glennon,” her mother says.

Hannah is devoted to her volleyball team and plans to become a surgeon. “I want to take any opportunity I can to give back what I was given and help other people,” she says.

“Visits to Cardinal Glennon are like visiting our second home,” her mother says. “We will take any opportunity to support the people who continue to be here for our family.”

Thank you, John Hefele!

After 24 years as the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital board representative for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of Greater St. Louis (CMN-STL), John Hefele is taking a well-deserved retirement.

President of Fiduciary Advisors, Inc., Hefele joined the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Board of Governors in 1989 and served as board president in 1996 and 1997. In 1998, he became the first board member to also serve on the board of CMN-STL. From 1998 to 2022, Hefele faithfully served as SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s representative and ambassador with CMN-STL, advocating for millions of dollars of funding to benefit SSM Health Cardinal Glennon children and families.

Funds raised by CMN-STL benefit The Children’s Fund, which meets the Hospital’s greatest needs, including programmatic support, technology and the latest research, and ensuring that no child is ever turned away.

Thank you, John, for building a strong partnership between SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and Children’s Miracle Network. Your legacy and servant leadership will extend for generations to come!

Welcome, Sherri Cliffe!

Sherri Cliffe is founder and senior partner at Cliffedge Marketing, LLC, and joined the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Board of Governors in 2016. Cliffe previously served on the board for CMN-STL for five years, including as CMN-STL board president in 2014 – 2015, and she looks forward to her new role as the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon CMN-STL representative moving forward. Welcome, Sherri!

Glennon LIVE

April 23, 2022 | Benefiting The Children’s Fund

Country music megastar Brad Paisley was the featured entertainer for the inaugural Glennon LIVE. He was joined by his good friend and comedian Kevin Nealon, all to benefit SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

The concert was held at Chaifetz Arena on April 23, 2022, and the one-of-a-kind entertainment experience celebrated patients, families and caregivers of Cardinal Glennon.

In its first year, this unique benefit concert raised more than $2.75M to support the children and families of Cardinal Glennon through the Children’s Fund which meets the greatest needs of the hospital, including clinical care, supportive services, community outreach and cutting-edge research.

1 Kevin Nealon 2 Emcee Anne Allred with current and former Cardinal Glennon patient families 3 Priyal Patel, Bhavik Patel, Andra Skornia, Kent Skornia, Kim Wolff, Todd Wolff 4 Evie Morgan and Colt Spurlock, Glennon kids 5 Brad Paisley 6 Keith and Cassandra Sanford 7 Tim Danis, Kevin Nealon, Jackie Danis and Jim Koman

PRESENTED BY: Jennifer & Jim Koman

Glennon Children’s

Scoops of Fun

May 14, 2022 | Benefiting Footprints℠ Palliative Care

The Development Board of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation was pleased to host this annual ice cream and sweet treat social once again. In addition to treats, more than 500 attendees enjoyed face painting, balloon artists and all the fun offered by The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum.

Prairie Farms continued their sponsorship for the fifth consecutive year, including providing treats to patients in the Hospital who couldn’t attend Scoops of Fun this year. Support from Scoops of Fun allows our Footprints℠ Palliative Care team to continue helping patient families. Last year, the team provided comfort, advocacy and support to 331 children with complex medical conditions and their families.

Homers for Health

Homers for Health Has a New “Forever” Co-Chair!

, Glennon Kid

PLEDGE FOR PATIENTS

homersforhealth.org

He may not live in St. Louis any longer, but former St. Louis Cardinals left fielder, Matt Holliday, still has a special place in his heart for the city he and his family called home for seven seasons.

This year, the seven-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame. To celebrate this amazing achievement and honor Matt and his wife, Leslee, for all they have done for Cardinal Glennon kids, Matt has agreed to become the

permanent co-chair for the Homers for Health program to benefit SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital!

Joining Matt for the 2022 season was heart patient Jimmy Williams from Jackson, Mo. Jimmy received the gift of life through a heart transplant right before Christmas in 2019 and is now a happy, healthy teenager who enjoys golf and giving motivational speeches to groups.

Now in its 11th year, Homers for Health has raised vital unrestricted dollars for the

programs and services of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. The funds raised through Homers for Health have touched nearly every corner of the Hospital, from programs like Child Life, FootprintsSM and STARS to new operating room equipment, renovated clinical spaces and much more!

Jimmy

PRESENTED BY:

Holliday’s Heroes

August 25, 2022 | Benefiting The Children’s Fund

n August, nearly 150 guests came to the Arch View Ballroom at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark for the annual Holliday’s Heroes celebration to honor donors who contributed $7 or more per the set number of 195 home runs during the 2022 season.

After a very special welcome from 2022 Homers for Health Co-Chair and Glennon kid Jimmy Williams, the Hollidays took the stage to once again record an episode of their “Table Forty” podcast with another Glennon kid, Maggie Bohannon, and her mom, Karyn.

A recent graduate of Lindenwood University and now employed at Boeing, Bohannon came to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon at age 12 after a diagnosis of T-cell leukemia. Her amazing story was part of the 2013 Homers for Health campaign to help kids get “Back in the Game.”

1 Leslee and Matt Holliday interview Maggie and Karyn Bohannon on their “Table Forty” podcast 2 (L to R) Susan Weilbacher, Leslee Holliday, Matt Holliday, Reed Holliday, Pam LeClair 3 Gracyn Holliday, Mike Bruno, Kathy Bruno, Joyce Bytnar 4 Matt Holliday takes a selfie with Joshua and Lindsay Wilson 5 Sumit Verma, Matt Holliday, Nisha Dharna 6 Matt Holliday hugs Glennon kid Jimmy Williams 7 Dr. Bo Plurad, Matt Holliday, Gracyn Holliday, Kathy Plurad 8 Rose Brennan, Matt Holliday, Jim Brennan Koman

Glennon Sunday Where Faith and Healing Unite

At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, faith and healing go hand in hand. Since the Hospital’s doors opened in 1956, all children in need of care have been welcomed, regardless of their families’ ability to pay. As the country’s first free-standing, non-profit Catholic pediatric hospital, the healing presence of God is revealed. Special thanks to the following St. Louis Archdiocesan parishes that collected more than $265,000 in the 2022 Glennon Sunday campaign:

All Saints Parish – Saint Louis

All Saints Parish – Saint Peters

All Souls Parish

Annunciation Parish

Annunziata Parish

Ascension Parish

Assumption Parish – Mattis

Assumption Parish – New Haven

Assumption Parish – O’Fallon

Basilica of St. Louis, King of France

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis Christ the King Parish Christ, Prince of Peace Parish

Epiphany of Our Lord Parish

Good Shepherd

Holy Family Parish

Holy Infant Parish

Holy Martyrs of Japan, Church of the Parish Holy Name of Jesus Parish

Holy Redeemer Parish

Holy Rosary Parish

Holy Spirit Parish

Immacolata Parish

Immaculate Conception Parish – Arnold

Immaculate Conception Parish – Augusta

Immaculate Conception Parish –

Dardenne Prairie

Immaculate Conception Parish –Maplewood

Immaculate Conception Parish – Old Monroe

Immaculate Conception Parish – Park Hills

Immaculate Conception Parish – Union

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish –New Melle

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish –Saint Louis

Incarnate Word Parish

Little Flower Parish

Mary, Mother of the Church Parish

Mary, Queen of Peace Parish

Most Holy Trinity Parish

Most Sacred Heart Parish

Our Lady Parish

Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Our Lady of Lourdes Parish –Saint Louis

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish –Washington

Our Lady of Providence Parish Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Our Lady of the Holy Cross Parish Our Lady of the Pillar Parish

Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish Queen of All Saints Parish

Resurrection of Our Lord Parish

Sacred Heart Parish – Crystal City

Sacred Heart Parish – Elsberry

Sacred Heart Parish – Florissant

Sacred Heart Parish – Ozora

Sacred Heart Parish – Troy Sacred Heart Parish – Valley Park

Seven Holy Founders Parish Shrine of Saint Joseph St. Agatha Parish St. Agnes Parish St. Alban Roe Parish St. Alphonsus Parish St. Ambrose Parish St. Andrew Parish St. Angela Merici Parish

St. Ann Parish – Clover Bottom St. Ann Parish – Saint Louis St. Ann Mission St. Anselm Parish St. Anthony Parish St. Anthony of Padua Parish –High Ridge

St. Anthony of Padua Parish –Saint Louis St. Augustine Parish St. Barnabas Parish St. Bernadette Parish St. Catherine Laboure Parish St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish St. Cecilia Parish St. Charles Borromeo Parish St. Clare Parish

St. Clare of Assisi Parish St. Clement of Rome Parish St. Cletus Parish St. Cronan Parish St. David Parish St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish St. Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Parish St. Ferdinand Parish St. Francis Borgia Parish St. Francis of Assisi Parish –Luebbering St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Oakville St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Portage Des Sioux St. Francis Xavier Parish St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish St. Gerald Mission St. Gerard Majella Parish St. Gertrude Parish St. Gianna Parish St. Ignatius Loyola Parish St. James Parish – Potosi St. James the Greater Parish St. James Mission – Crosstown St. Joachim Parish St. Joan of Arc Parish St. John Bosco Parish St. John Paul II Parish St. John Parish – Imperial St. John the Apostle St. John the Baptist Parish –Gildehaus St. John the Baptist Parish St. John, Apostle and Evangelist Parish St. John Nepomuk Chapel St. Joseph Mission St. Joseph Parish – Apple Creek St. Joseph Parish – Bonne Terre St. Joseph Parish – Clayton St. Joseph Parish – Cottleville St. Joseph Parish – Farmington St. Joseph Parish – Imperial St. Joseph Parish – Josephville

St. Joseph Parish – Manchester St. Joseph Parish – Neier St. Joseph Parish – Zell St. Jude Parish St. Justin Martyr Parish St. Lawrence Parish St. Luke the Evangelist Parish St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish St. Margaret of Scotland Parish St. Martin De Porres Parish St. Martin of Tours Parish St. Mary of Victories Chapel St. Mary Magdalen Parish – Brentwood St. Mary Magdalen Parish St. Matthew the Apostle Parish St. Matthias Parish St. Maurus Parish St. Michael the Archangel Parish St. Monica Parish St. Nicholas Parish St. Norbert Parish St. Patrick Parish

St. Paul Parish – Berger St. Paul Parish – Fenton

St. Peter Parish – Kirkwood St. Peter Parish – Saint Charles St. Pius V Parish

St. Raphael the Archangel Parish St. Richard Parish St. Rita Parish St. Robert Bellarmine Parish St. Roch Parish

St. Rose of Lima Parish

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish St. Sabina Parish

St. Simon the Apostle Parish

St. Stephen Parish

St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish St. Theodore Parish

St. Vincent de Paul Parish – Dutzow

St. Vincent de Paul Parish – Perryville St. Wenceslaus Parish

Ste. Genevieve Parish

Ste. Genevieve du Bois Parish

Sts. Joachim and Ann Parish

Sts. Philip & James Parish

Lavender, Glennon Kid

”

Glennon Children’s

Glennon Golf Classic

September 9, 2022 | Benefiting Music Therapy

Columbia Golf Club hosted the Glennon Golf Classic for the 39th year running. It was a warm sunny day that welcomed 150 golfers eager to have fun and support the Music Therapy program. Because music therapy is not covered by insurance, the Hospital relies on the generosity of our sponsors and friends to make this program a reality. Thanks to everyone that supported and see you next year for the 40th anniversary of the Glennon Golf Classic!

1 Schreiber team

Columbia Golf Club and Lawrence Group teams

Wilson team

Neuberger & Berman and CBIZ teams

Music Therapists Kelli McKee and Carrie Lemen with board member Jim Whalen

Glennon Gallop • VIP & Field-Side Party

September 24, 2022 | Benefiting The Danis Pediatric Center

Hundreds of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital supporters and polo fans showed up for an exciting polo match in support of The Danis Pediatric Center at the 10th annual Glennon Gallop. With more than 21,000 patient visits annually, 75% of the families served at The Danis Pediatric Center live at or below the federal poverty level.

Guests of the Field-Side Party, organized by Young Friends of Cardinal Glennon, donned their finest Kentucky-Derby attire and set up extravagant tailgates to host friends and family. A friendly competition for the best tailgates was held, with awards given for Best Attire, Best Food, Best Décor, Most Spirit and Best Overall.

The VIP Experience was once again a white-hot affair; guests dressed in their best whites to enjoy boutique shopping, an exciting auction, fine wines and an exquisite lunch buffet before watching the fast-paced polo match.

Everyone came together on the field at half time for the Divot Stomp and Champagne Toast.

1 Chuck & Laura Kaiser 2 Anna & Jeff Tegethoff, Event Co-Chairs 3 Laura Kaiser, Margaret Jenks 4 Julie & James Alverson, Committee Co-Chairs

Glennon Gallop • VIP & Field-Side Party

September 24, 2022 | Benefiting The Danis Pediatric Center

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsors: Kevin Beckmann Charitable Trust Clayco T. Danis Charitable Trust

Barrel Sponsors: Fabick Cat Hubbard Radio St. Louis Post-Dispatch/STLtoday.com Anna and Jeff Tegethoff

Magnum Sponsors: Clayton and Jill Brown Canvas Wealth Advisors Drury Hotels Emerson Ernst & Young Fogarty Services, Inc. Ramis Gheith Cap & Jen Grossman JPMorgan Chase & Co. William S. Kallaos Family Foundation McKelvey Homes

Renewal by Anderson Saint Louis Bank Sandberg Phoenix Stefan and Mary Sigurdson Colin and Melissa Smith

SSM Health

Michael and Claire Todorovich

Perky and Patty von Gontard

Julie and Dan Wagner

PRESENTED BY: T. Danis Charitable Trust

Kevin Beckmann Charitable Trust

Glennon Card Shoppes

September 27, 2022 | Benefiting SSM Health Cardinal Glennon

Glennon Card supporters participated in an new “Shopportunity” organized by the Glennon Guild as 30+ Glennon Card retailers gathered at Hilton St. Louis Frontenac to build excitement for the 2022 Glennon Card days. Shoppers enjoyed early use of their card as businesses honored a 20% discount with use of the Glennon Card during the event.

Sun Run

October 16, 2022 | Benefiting The Children’s Fund

On October 16, the community got moving in support of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon for the 6th annual Sun Run. More than 70 teams and more than 2,000 participants gathered in Forest Park, proudly wearing their new Sun Run shirts and sunglasses, celebrating our biggest event to date! Special thanks to presenting sponsor, Walgreens, in addition to all other sponsors, media partners, Fleet Feet St. Louis, team captains, staff members, patient families and community friends who made it happen!

SCAN HERE PRESENTED

Dierdorf–Pronger Golf Classic

October 10, 2022

Benefiting The Dan Dierdorf Emergency and Trauma Center

he 37th annual DierdorfPronger Golf Classic was again hosted by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon board members Dan Dierdorf and Chris Pronger at Boone Valley Golf Club in Augusta, Mo. After 18 holes on the course, golfers enjoyed bantering with the emcee, NHL Hall of Famer Chris Pronger, during the auction and awards presentation.

Players learned how their support allows the Hospital to continue treating more than 45,000 children annually - including 1,200 traumas - in The Dan Dierdorf Emergency and Trauma Center.

1 McBride & Sons team and Chris Pronger

Alberici team

Columbus Capital Partners team 4 Albrecht team with Jimmy Williams and Ozzie Smith

Fabick Cat team 6 Chris Pronger 7 UMB Bank team

PRESENTED BY:

Light Up Glennon

Every December | Benefiting The Children’s Fund

On two nights every December, hundreds gather outside of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital to show how the power of presence can help heal and support those in the Hospital. The purpose of Light Up Glennon is to bring the community together and let our patients know they are being thought of at all times. We hope you and your family, friends or coworkers will join us for what is becoming one of our favorite events of the season.

Glennon Card: Shop, Save, Impact!

Each fall, the Glennon Card program offers the St. Louis community a chance to save big at their favorite local businesses while supporting the patients cared for at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. By purchasing a $60 Glennon Card, the buyer receives a 20% discount at more than 320 businesses over a 10-day shopping period in October. Plus, 100% of Glennon Card sales are donated to back to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

Established in 2011 by the Glennon Guild, the Glennon Card program has raised more than $2 million to support the patients and families at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

Lauren Simon’s passion for the Glennon Card ignited when she became a Glennon mom in 2018. Her daughter, Emily, was diagnosed in utero with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, meaning she had half of her heart. Emily has endured three open-heart surgeries in her four years of life. Simon says, “Glennon Card shopping week has become one of my favorite yearly events. Not only do I love the discounts at local shops and restaurants, but I also love supporting one of my favorite places, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. I use this week to kick-start my holiday shopping, purchase new winter coats, buy my girls new tennis shoes, etc. I love

discovering new places around town while sharing my daughter Emily’s Cardinal Glennon story and my passion for supporting the kids at the hospital.”

The funds from this year’s Glennon Card will benefit Hospital programs like The Costas Center, which provides multidisciplinary care for a wide variety of cancers and blood-related conditions. Numerous research studies have shown a link between a healing environment and successful patient outcomes. Despite the need for strict infection prevention, efficiency and patient safety, the child-friendly spaces in The Costas Center enable Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital to provide compassionate, family-centered and technologically-advanced care.

Emily today (right), with her big sister, Natalie

The Simon family with Glennon kid Emily after one of her major surgeries THANK

OUR GLENNON CARD SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSOR: Edward Jones

SPONSORS: Brigette and Tom McMillin

Amy and Eric Holland Charitable Fund

Dawn Griffin Team

The Glennon Guild

The Glennon Guild is a dynamic and dedicated women’s auxiliary with more than 300 members who are committed to supporting the children cared for by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Glennon Guild efforts include raising funds through programs such as the Glennon Card and events like Deck the Halls of Glennon Homes, volunteering in the hospital and advancing the welfare of the hospital and its patients. A warm and generous force in the community, the Glennon Guild commited more than 6,600 volunteer hours from June 2021July 2022. Since 1957, the Guild has worked diligently to provide resources to support the greatest

needs of the Hospital and the children in its care.

The Glennon Guild leadership explains, “every event or program supported or organized by this collaborative group of women is successful because of their dedication and hard work, powered by love for the patients at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.”

The Glennon Guild welcomes vibrant women who want to get involved and lift the children, staff and families of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital with their love and support. Please contact Karen Page at karenmpage@gmail.com to learn more about getting involved with this amazing group of women!

Thanks to the Glennon Guild

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Co-Presidents

Laura Baylis

Julie Holland

Meg Terry

Vice President

Karen Page

Recording Secretary Joan Walsh

Corresponding Secretary

Jackie Paletta

Treasurer Claudia McMillin

Assistant and Dues Treasurer Kim Sullivan

Historians Ellen McCarthy

Susie Montebello Past President

Brigette McMillin

Advisors (Active Past Presidents) Ginny Hartman

Joanne Noyes Constance Reis Gretchen Schulte Sue Soucy

CHAIRS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Ways and Means

Laura Baylis Julie Holland Meg Terry Volunteer Coordinator Karen Page

Membership Karen Page Nominating Brigette McMillin Hospitality

Jane Abele Mary Lynn Wilhelm

EVENT CHAIRS

The Danis Pediatric Center Coat Drive

Laura Baylis

Joanne Noyes

Clare Salmon

St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles and the Glennon Guild are pleased to present a selfguided tour of four homes beautifully decorated for the holidays by some of St. Louis’ top design teams and talented homeowners. Best of all, proceeds from the tour support the children cared for by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital!

Deck the Halls of Glennon Homes Tour Janie Prosser Albers

Traci Ragsdale Gift Tags

Nancy Mooney

Joanne Noyes

Glennon Card

Vicki Mower Dana Bacich

Nancy Crippin

Lisa O’Brien Enger

Meghan Guerra

Mary Kay Horan

Kate Lauman

Peggy Lorenz

Karen Page

Beth Pelch

Tiffany Wachter

Glennon Card Shoppes

Judy Dude

Angela Forte

Kim Gorman

Beth Schenk

Connie Sigmund

Kathy Thompson

Mimi Twardowski

Mary Lynn Wilhelm

Sweet Babies/GiFT/April Showers

Ann Brunngraber

Linda Maloney

Monica Meara

Ways to Give

Create a personal legacy that brings lasting hope and joy to a child:

Beneficiary

PARTNER WITH US TODAY:

• Charitable Gift Annuities

• Charitable Lead Trust

• Charitable Remainder Trust

• Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust

• Donor Advised Funds

• Volunteer

GIFTS YOU CAN MAKE TODAY:

• Gifts of Cash

• Securities now or later

• Life Insurance

• Real Estate Gifts now or later

• Outright Gift of Appreciated Securities or Property now or later

• Savings Bonds now or later

• Corporate Matching Gift

AFTER YOUR LIFETIME GIVING:

• Will or Living Trust beneficiary

• Life Insurance beneficiary

• Retirement Plan Gift beneficiary

• Life Estate Agreements — A personal residence, land or farm

“As we raised our children, it was always of great comfort to know that Cardinal Glennon was there if a medical need or an emergency arose. Although we never had to utilize the exceptional care provided at Cardinal Glennon, we give to Cardinal Glennon to make sure that all children are cared for, regardless of their family's ability to pay.”

— Rosalyn & Vernon Pursley

Ask the Experts: What to Know About Food Allergies in Children

Peanut allergies in children seem to get the most attention, which makes sense given that the number of children with peanut allergies has tripled in

the past 10 years, but other foods are just as likely — and sometimes even more likely — to trigger allergic reactions in children.

To learn how parents and caregivers can protect their children, we talked with Margaret (Molly) Rozier Chen, MD, assistant professor of General Academic Pediatrics and associate director of the Pediatric Residency Program at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Q: What are the most common food allergies in children?

A: The most common food allergies in children are allergies to cow’s milk protein, hen eggs, wheat and peanuts/tree nuts.

Q: How many children have food allergies?

A: It is estimated that between 5% to 10% of young children will develop a food allergy at some point in their first few years of life.

Q: Are you noticing any trends in childhood allergies?

A: In general, food allergies in children have been increasing over the last few decades from an average of 3.4% of kids in 1999 to 6.2% in 2016. Although there is no clear cause for this, one factor that may play a role is later introduction of common food allergens in the infant diet.

Margaret (Molly) Rozier Chen, MD, assistant professor of General Academic Pediatrics and associate director of the Pediatric Residency Program at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

Glennon

Q: Are food allergies preventable?

A: Studies have shown that introduction of the common food allergens earlier in life may help prevent the development of food allergies. Parents can start introducing any foods (apart from honey and choking hazards) typically between four to six months. However, the exact timeline may be variable, so it’s important for parents to talk with their child’s pediatrician about what time is best for their child.

Q: Are certain children more susceptible to food allergies?

A: Children with other atopic diseases, such as asthma or eczema, or those with a strong family history of food allergies are more prone to developing food allergies themselves.

Q: What are symptoms of a food allergy and what should parents do if they suspect their child is having an allergic reaction?

A: Food allergy symptoms typically develop within minutes of ingesting the culprit food, although rarely they can occur up to two hours or longer afterwards. Hives, vomiting, lip and face swelling, wheezing or trouble breathing and lightheadedness are the most common symptoms of a true allergic reaction. Families or caregivers should seek immediate medical attention if a child has lip swelling, lightheadedness or any signs of respiratory distress during or shortly after eating. If the child develops only hives or vomiting but are otherwise acting well, they should still see a doctor, but they may not require emergency services.

Q: Do children outgrow food allergies?

A: Yes, it is possible! A significant percentage of kids will outgrow their food allergy by the time they are in elementary school, although this is highly variable depending on the culprit food. For example, children with an egg allergy are much more likely to “outgrow” their allergy than children with a peanut allergy.

Q: When do you recommend parents bring their child to an allergist?

A: If a parent is concerned about food allergies — whether because of a reaction that took place or because of a strong family history — talking to the pediatrician is a good place to start. A referral to an allergist may be made if clinically warranted.

Glennon Ambassadors

A“Glennon Ambassador” is someone with a connection to SSM Heath Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital who helps us share our mission. These valued friends are SSM Health Cardinal Glennon parents, caregivers, patients, volunteers and staff. As an extension of their connection, many of these treasured individuals find value and purpose in saying “yes” to opportunities that further support the Hospital.

Grateful Patient Coordinator Laura Wulf says, “Caregivers and families are an incredible asset to us. They are our best storytellers because they know our hospital from the inside out. Their stories showcase The Glennon Factor, our unique strengths, our opportunities and what we aim to be.”

As a former SSM Health Cardinal Glennon oncology nurse and a long-time Glennon mom, Wulf considers it a privilege to discover

these ambassadors in the Hospital hallways and help them find another “purpose” for their journey. From story sharing to volunteering to public speaking, “…any number of things,” says Wulf, “there is ALWAYS a way to connect the dots. We are blessed to have families and staff that share themselves with us. They are our ‘sharable impact’ — the evidence of what exceptional care looks and feels like.”

Meet some Glennon Ambassadors who are making a difference:

Shana Williams

At 10 years old, Shana’s son, Jimmy, was playing in a World Golf Championship tournament in Orlando, Fla. He became ill and started throwing up. Weeks later, after several doctors’ appointments, they eventually made it to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and were given a diagnosis of pediatric cardiomyopathy. After only a short

time in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, it was realized that Jimmy’s heart could not be saved, and he would need to be placed on the heart transplant list. Several months later, on December 13, 2019, Jimmy received a new heart. “Jimmy is absolutely thriving,” says Williams. “Staying connected to Cardinal Glennon is extremely

important and almost a no-brainer. We made these lasting connections at a time that life was so uncertain and fragile. They saved Jimmy’s life. We will forever want to stay connected to a place that does so much for a community and did so much for us,” Willams says.

Since 2019, Shana, her husband, James, and Jimmy have found multiple outlets to share Jimmy’s

Jimmy Williams

story and support the Hospital. Jimmy is the 2022 Homers for Health co-chair. They have participated in multiple public speaking engagements, interviews, events and donor interactions. They have organized Jimmy’s Birthday Wish toy drive for the past two years, and so much more. “Cardinal Glennon is a truly special place in our community. It is a place that gives so many families hope at a time in their lives when they do not know if their children are going to make it. My family is one of those families. Without Cardinal Glennon and without the support of the community and donors, I am not sure what our outcome might have been,” Williams says.

Rose Watson

Rose Watson was given grim odds about the survival of her unborn baby, Lavender. She was prepped by her obstetrician that “comfort care” might be the only option for Lavender following birth. Lavender was born in December 2016 with a diagnosis of Trisomy 18, a chromosomal disorder with serious health problems, multiple physical defects and no cure.

Lavender was referred to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for care. “From our very first visit, the staff at Cardinal Glennon saw Lavender for what she could do versus what the odds of what her diagnosis told us. We needed the hope and the honesty that Cardinal Glennon gave us. For the first few months of her life, we had been constantly holding our breath, waiting for her to die as we had been told to expect. Cardinal Glennon taught us how to care for her at home and gave us permission and hope to see her life through a new lens.

“Finding a ‘Trisomy friendly’ hospital in the country is rare, so to find one in your own town is a miracle. We could never thank them

enough for what they have done for Lavender, and for us. For a child with chronic medical needs to thrive, it is essential to have a ‘family hospital’ like Cardinal Glennon.”

Since sharing Lavender’s beautiful life on social media, Watson and her husband, Demetrius, have made friends with thousands of people all over the world. They have referred many Trisomy 18 families to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, shared their story for the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Foundation annual Glennon Sunday campaign, spoken at events and donated modified stuffed animals with feeding tubes and tracheostomy tubes to patients in the Transitional Care Unit at the Hospital. “We want to do everything we can to give back and show Cardinal Glennon how much we love and appreciate them,” Watson says.

Kenda Morado

When Kenda Morado’s daughter, Lucy, was almost 5 months old, she was encouraged to take her to the emergency department at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon late one night for some mysterious but not necessarily alarming symptoms. By early morning, Morado was telling her husband that their baby girl had had been diagnosed with leukemia. The swift, confident actions of the emergency room and oncology staff saved her life. Lucy would have to stay at the Hospital for weeks, instead of the “quick trip” Morado had expected. “We were devastated not only about our infant daughter’s diagnosis, but also the effect it would have on our 2-year-old daughter. During our journey, the four of us spent as much time as we could together on 4 North, the Hospital’s inpatient cancer wing. Lucy ended up being treated at three childrens’ hospitals throughout the course of her treatment, but we always consider Glennon our home. The staff showed such kindness and

compassion for all four of us that they felt like family,” says Morado.

Lisa Kollar

Lisa Kollar’s daughter, Maggie, had been going through a serious medical issue and was not getting better. She contacted the Adolescent and Immunology teams at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and expressed her concern for her daughter’s health. “I was immediately transferred to a physician who spoke to me, listened to me, and our daughter was admitted within 36 hours. Maggie was a patient in Cardinal Glennon in 2010 at the age of 13 and then again in 2012. She loved her nurses, physicians and care team. I truly believe that faith and her medical team saved our daughter’s life,” Kollar says. “After her experience at Cardinal Glennon, Maggie decided she wanted to be a nurse. Proudly I can say that she is now a nurse at Cardinal Glennon giving back the love and care to her patients just as she received years ago!”

Claudia Hall

Claudia Hall’s son, Nick, came to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon as an emergency transfer from another hospital. She rode in the ambulance with him and recalls not even knowing where the front door was for a few days. Years later, Hall and her family found out that Nick was the first person in the world to have his unique genetic problem.

The hard work and dedication of everyone at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital gave them hope in a horrible time. “We were told our son wouldn’t live more than a few days or maybe weeks, and thanks to the hard work of everyone involved with his care, we had three years with our beautiful boy. The family atmosphere and the dedication of the staff helped us through the hardest time in our lives, and helping others here feels like a way to keep his memory alive,” Hall says.

A Labor of Love

These three Glennon moms have taken their gratitude and combined experience as parents and channeled it into a labor of love. Claudia Hall, Kenda Morado and Lisa Kollar volunteer and do family/staff rounds with the Glennon Ambassador snack cart.

Grateful Patient Coordinator, Laura Wulf, from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, began doing rounds with the cart in 2012. “The snack cart provided this tiny bit of respite for both families and staff. Rounding with the cart served as a way for me to regularly connect with families and staff,” says Wulf. “Whether it was a small moment of distraction, a treat or the smiles offered, it was clear there was a hunger for this small bit of TLC — a hunger that exceeded what I could deliver as one person,” says Wulf.

Wulf put in a request to the director of volunteer services to create volunteer positions for cart rounding. “With snacks provided through donations and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation and the blessing of volunteers, we could spread The Glennon Factor to a greater level,” says Wulf.

“I’ve volunteered with the cart for several years now,” Hall says. “When we were here as a family it was amazing the difference a

kind word, a listening ear and a cookie could make in a terrible and traumatic time. I try to pay it forward now by being that for others in their time of need. People need help to get through having a child in the hospital. We can’t all be doctors or nurses, but we can all do something,” Hall says.

Morado adds, “I remember the constant worry and stress when my daughter was a patient. Seeing Laura with her kind smile and cart of snacks brightened my day! Of everything we experienced, we vividly remember that act of kindness and generosity from our time there, and that is what makes volunteering so important.”

Kollar retired from her professional career in 2022. “My mom has been a volunteer for over 10 years at Cardinal Glennon,

and our family has always wanted to give back. Wulf offered the opportunity to join the rotation of the other snack cart moms, Hall and Morado, and it seemed like the perfect fit for me,” Kollar says. “Being able to see a parent or staff member smile after providing them a snack is an amazing feeling!

Cardinal Glennon is truly a family who loves and cares for their children and their families. A little sugar, bag of popcorn or uplifting conversation goes a long way!

Cardinal Glennon is a children’s hospital that is full of children who need immediate, expert medical attention. By donating your time, talent or treasure, we can all be part of providing the faith, hope and healing for the children and families of Cardinal Glennon.”

Contact Grateful Patient Coordinator Laura Wulf at 314-678-6635 or laura.wulf@ssmhealth.com or visit GlennonAmbassadors.org

Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

Are you a parent or patient family of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon who would like to connect, share or make a difference?

Claudia Hall, Kenda Morado and Lisa Kollar

1 Glennon kid Jimmy Williams’ annual birthday toy drive 2 Glennon kid Lavender Watson and her mom, Rose

3 Jimmy Williams with his heart surgeon, Dr. Charles Huddleston, and his mom, Shana 4 Glennon kid Lavender Watson

Thank you to our annual donors for making a difference every day, every year — full circle. Scan this code to learn more and see our list of 2021 Glennon Circle members. Committed to what matters. Devoted to more.

Glennon Friends

TRIBUTE

A Giving Heart

Margaret (Marge) Phillips “wanted to do everything she could for other people. She had a giving heart,” says Terri Phillips, the oldest of her 10 children. The fruits of Mrs. Phillips’ kindness flourished in SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and other medical centers around the world.

After working as an emergency department nurse, Mrs. Phillips spent her career teaching at the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing and Lutheran School of Nursing. Meanwhile, she served in the U.S. Army 21st General Hospital Reserve Unit, retiring after 20 years with the rank of major.

“She also traveled in her spare time to teach nursing. Every summer she was off to India, El Salvador, Vietnam, Belize,” Terri says. “She went to India six or seven times. There is a medical library named for her near Tilda, India. Mom also traveled to Alaska every year through her church to teach Bible school and health classes.”

Mrs. Phillips devoted her generosity to cancer patients at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, too. For decades her family raised contributions to the Tricia Phillips Fund, named for the daughter who

was a patient there. Tricia and her twin sister Trent were the family’s eighth and ninth children. Trent celebrated her 50th birthday in November.

“Tricia was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 1975. We were at Cardinal Glennon for most of her treatments,” Terri says. “She lived another year.” Neuroblastoma is a cancer that usually arises in and around the adrenal glands.

Tricia’s treatment and passing left her parents emotionally and financially drained. “They could not even give her a headstone.” Terri says. “We decided to start a fund for children with cancer whose families could not afford to treat them or bury them.

“Mom had an organization called the St. Louis Twirling Teens that started doing fundraisers. My dad, Paul, was an auto worker at General Motors, so he started doing dances at the union hall,” Terri says.

“In 1981, my mom joined the Candlelighters at Glennon. We helped open the first Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis. We cleaned and painted.”

Dennis O’Connor, MD, now retired, was one of the Hospital’s first pediatric oncologists and the family’s contact for the Tricia Phillips Fund. “We couldn’t

say enough about his goodness,” Terri says.

“If anyone would call him and say they wanted to help kids, he would tell them, ‘Why don’t you donate to the Tricia Phillips Fund?’ So many people were contributing, the fund went from $50,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Mrs. Phillips’ grandson, Corey Phillips, now 31 years old, was born with spina bifida in 1991 and was a patient at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. He was the Hospital’s 1994–1995 ambassador to the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), which raises funds for pediatric hospitals.

The family then began holding fundraisers for CMN. Some donors still contribute in honor of Tricia Phillips, which is restricted for the benefit of cancer services and patients.

Mrs. Phillips passed away on January 6, 2022, at the age of 83. She bequeathed a life insurance policy to the Tricia Phillips Fund. “I think a lot of my family are going to do that as well. We love Cardinal Glennon,” says Terri.

Mrs. Phillips served in the US Army Hospital Reserve Unit

The Phillips family in 2014

Marge Phillips

School Finds Connections to Care

Marissa Giuffre, a physical education teacher at C.A. Henning Elementary School in Troy, Ill., was watching her daughter play softball one Saturday afternoon when she learned just how invested her students were in the fundraiser she co-organized for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Across the park, she saw one of her secondgrade students — tattered donation envelope in hand — running from ball diamond to ball diamond collecting money.

“This fundraiser hit home with our community,” says Giuffre, co-founder of Shining Stars, a charitable group formed by the physical education teachers at Henning. “One of our preschoolers is undergoing cancer treatment at Cardinal Glennon. A second grader with a heart condition since birth is being treated at the hospital. Students told us their doctors are at Cardinal Glennon or people they know work at Cardinal Glennon. There was a personal connection, and it had a great impact.”

In a little more than two weeks’ time last spring, the students at Henning collected more than $27,000, half of which the school will use for physical education

equipment. The school donated the other half to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon to support program enhancements, facility improvements and charity care.

Giuffre and her coorganizer, Megan Hall, who has been teaching physical education at Henning for nine years, also created events that allowed all students to participate in the fundraiser, even if they couldn’t contribute monetarily. The teachers held “challenge days” during which students set goals for themselves — how many laps could they run? How long could they jump rope?

“It wasn’t only about raising money,” says Giuffre. “It was asking students to challenge themselves to be better for others. It was about inspiring

them to work their hardest for a kid who can’t come to school right now or for a kid who can’t jump rope. Reaching their physical challenge goal was their contribution.”

Hall says the support students had for one another during the fundraiser also led to its success, which was beyond expectations. “Normally kids are happy for themselves when they win a prize or reach a goal, but our kids generally were happy for one another,” Hall says. “There were high-fives and cheers for everyone. Our kids realized their school, their classmates, were doing something that could help a kid down the road, maybe even them. It was cool to see them come together like that for such a great cause.”

Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

SPOTLIGHT

“It wasn’t only about raising money. It was asking students to challenge themselves to be better for others.”

C.A. Henning Elementary School presents a check to SSM Health

Cardinal Glennon

Why I Give »

"Our unexpected situation at Cardinal Glennon with our son Matt was the worst time of our lives. The sudden emergency and life-altering circumstances were stressful, but Cardinal Glennon made all the difference to us and to Matt. [Everyone was] professional and caring. Matt has an older and younger brother, and this too was difficult for them, worrying about their brother. Cardinal Glennon was there for our entire family. [We’re] so thankful and blessed."

Maureen Kuehner

"Several years ago, we had a friend who worked in philanthropy at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. He got us involved in the Bob Costas events. We participated for at least 10 years until the events ended. We became donors because at these events we learned what great work Cardinal Glennon does. Gary and I had been extremely blessed that we had three happy, healthy children. Today we have six happy, healthy beautiful grandchildren and still consider ourselves extremely blessed that God has been so good to us. We want to share that joy so others don’t have to bear the burden alone."

Dianne and Gary Schuette

SPOTLIGHT

"

Nicole Holland-Hong Rallies Friends and Family to Support Glennon Kids

Iwas expecting my first child when I joined the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation Board of Governors,” says Nicole Holland-Hong. “I remember being deeply moved by the level of compassion that I saw from every provider caring for their patients, not knowing that my family would eventually be the ones receiving that care.”

Four weeks into her pregnancy with her second son, Colten, Holland-Hong learned there was a blood clot developing in her womb that was causing serious health issues for Colten. The outlook was grim, but she didn’t give up hope. When Colten was born two months early, he weighed only 1 pound, 11 ounces and spent two months in intensive care, first at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, then at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Cardinal Glennon grew exponentially in those months Colten spent in the Hospital.

I witnessed firsthand how God uses the entire staff to care for the most vulnerable patients and their families.”

In the nine years that HollandHong has been involved with Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, she and her husband, Justen, have become loyal Glennon Circle donors and have made the Hospital part of their estate plans. In addition, they celebrate Mother’s Day every year by hosting an online fundraiser for Homers for Health to benefit the Hospital’s greatest needs through The Children’s Fund and to honor Colten’s care team.

“I still keep in touch with Colten’s primary NICU nurses, Amanda Cox, Debbie Meyers and Amanda Lee,” says Holland-Hong. “My eyes fill with tears when I think about how special each of these ladies were to us

and how, without them, I may not have Colten.”

Holland-Hong leverages her vast personal and professional networks to raise awareness about SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, particularly in her local community in the metro east, and to raise vital funds for the patients and families receiving care. This year was a record year, raising more than $25,000 for our Cardinal Glennon kids!

Today, Colten is thriving, making only a few annual trips to the Hospital for specialist visits. “The odds were stacked against him, so the fact that he is here is a miracle and a blessing,” says Holland-Hong. “I proudly wear my love for Cardinal Glennon on my sleeve. When our children have the opportunity to be healthy, it benefits the entire community.”

Glennon Children’s

“My passion for

Then and now: Glennon kid Colton Hong

Nicole Holland-Hong and her husband, Justen Hong, present funds they raised to Matt and Leslee Holliday along with Glennon kid Jimmy at the 2022 Holliday's Heroes Celebration

Wine Auction Hosted by Greg Keller

On March 31, 2022, wine lovers from throughout the Midwest converged at the home of Greg Keller for an exclusive wine auction benefiting SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.

Keller is one of the founders of Renaissance Financial and a longstanding Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital donor. He opened his home (and his wine cellar!) to benefit the children and families served by the Hospital's many programs and services.

Keller and more than 200 attendees raised more than $1 million for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon in a single night.

“Cardinal Glennon ensures that our region’s most vulnerable

children have access to top-quality health care,” Keller says. “To provide this care knowing that most families are unable to pay is a testament to the Mission of the hospital. Philanthropy and events like this are key to the hospital’s ability to treat all families in need, and I’m happy to help. I’m proud of my associates and my clients for stepping up to help kids.”

Upon arrival, Keller greeted each guest with a glass of champagne and a thank you. Not missing a single detail, guests dined on exquisite food from some of St. Louis’ hottest restaurants and sipped from a selection of more than a dozen fine wines from Napa to Burgundy and everywhere in between.

Throughout Keller's home were more than 100 "Wine Treasures" for sale, offering guests access to rare wines while supporting SSM Health Cardinal Glennon kids. The fastpaced live auction brought many furiously raised paddles. Some of the finest wines that St. Louis has ever seen were auctioned off for hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout the night.

When the live auction closed, Keller took the stage to thank everyone and to make a special announcement. Keller shared that an anonymous donor was so grateful for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon that he and his wife had offered to match whatever was raised that evening — adding $500,000 to the evening’s proceeds — now totaling $1 million to benefit sick and injured children.

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon President, Steven Burghart, was overwhelmed with appreciation. “The work that we do is so important,” Burghart says. “We care for more than 200,000 children each year and two-thirds of them live in households in poverty. We do all we can for every family, with a special attention to serve the most vulnerable. We can only do this because of people like Greg and the many others that choose to support Cardinal Glennon financially. I am so grateful for his generous heart, and his enthusiasm to engage others in supporting our work.”

John Thomas NKH Foundation Golf Classic

The John Thomas NKH Foundation held their 10th annual Golf Classic in June, raising $10,000 for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. The John Thomas NKH Foundation was formed to honor 10-year-old John Thomas, who was born with nonketotic hyperglycemia. Children with this disease are unable to process glycine as their bodies produce it, which can cause seizures and potential brain damage.

The mission of the John Thomas NKH Foundation is to help fund research for NKH and aid families affected by this disease.

Brennan Kids Give Back

Giving back is an important value in the Brennan family. Megan (5), Duke (8) and Olivia (10), with the help of their parents Elizabeth and Phil, decided they wanted to spend time over summer break helping others. They decorated posters to hang on trees, made menus and signs, mixed homemade orange juice and ordered donuts. On June 24, 2022, the Brennan children held a donut sale in their front yard. Neighbors posted photos on a social media group, and the Des Peres Fire & EMS came by to support the sale, attracting the whole neighborhood. After a long, hot day, the children raised $1,034, all to support other kids “like us” who are at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

When asked what inspired this idea, Duke says “giving to an important cause is fun, and it feels good!”

Olivia reflects, “it feels really good to give back.

Cardinal Glennon saved my mom’s life when she was little, and now it’s our turn to help.” Mom, Elizabeth Brennan, had open-heart surgery at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon when she was just 2 years old and spent the early part of her career as a nurse practitioner in the NICU at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Three generations of Brennans are deeply committed to supporting SSM Health Cardinal Glennon: Elizabeth and Phil recently served on the 2022 Glennon Gallop committee, Grandpa Jim Brennan is a member of the Board of Governors and Grandma Rose volunteers with the Glennon Guild.

Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

John Thomas's mom, Cindy Graham, with Tom Swoboda and Amanda Almany

Sean Graham, Dr. Stephen Braddock, Cindy Graham, John Thomas Graham

Megan, Duke and Olivia Brennan with friends

Mary Carroll Alonso Golf Tournament

The Mary Carroll Alonso Golf Tournament is held annually in memory of Mary Carroll Alonso, who lost her battle to melanoma cancer in 2004. Mary was a neonatal intensive care unit nurse at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital where she loved all the babies she cared for as if they were her own. Mary’s father, Ed Noonan, started the tournament in her honor, which is held every June around her birthday. The Noonan family donates all tournament proceeds to benefit The Costas Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

You should know two things about Mary and her family: 1) They know how to have a good time! 2) They’re overflowing with love. What better way to immortalize Mary than with a charity event that raises money for children that need it most?

Mary loved being around people, especially her family, and had the most contagious laugh and a heart of gold. Her family feels she would have loved this tournament and probably would have spent hundreds of dollars on baskets at the silent auction for her six kids just because they asked.

Throughout its 18 years, the tournament has braved

storms, flooding and even a global pandemic, but the family’s hard work and efforts always shine through. They have raised more than $190,000 for The Costas Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon over the years. This tournament allows Mary’s family and friends to celebrate her life every year. One of Mary’s daughters says, “Planning an event is never easy, but planning it with your family and for a person you all love makes it all worth it.”

Filling the Adult Piggy Bank

Many children make a hobby of putting their pennies in a piggy bank and watching the treasure accumulate. Adults have the means to think bigger.

“Once I retired, I saw a watch that I wanted. Instead of just buying it, I thought I ought to save for it the oldfashioned way. I started putting dollar bills aside at the end of the day and putting a rubber band around them,” says a longtime friend of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

“It started adding up,” he says. “It got to several thousand dollars in three or four years. By then I didn’t want the watch anymore.”

He chose a better use for his piggy bank — donating the money to children’s charities including Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. “It’s an important part of the community,” he says. “They do great work for little kids.”

LoneRiders Annual Raffle Run for Charity

The LoneRiders Motorcycle Group hosted their 10th Annual Raffle Run for Charity in June 2022. In this fun and impactful event, 68 riders braved the heat, stopping at Shamrocks Pub n Grill in St. Peters, Good News Brewing Company in Defiance, Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill in Wentzville and Dog Prairie Tavern in Saint Paul. Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities – St. Louis. Both organizations were crucial to providing life-saving support to one member’s child over 12 years ago. Over the last decade, the LoneRiders have raised more than $70,000 for the two charities through the ride, raffles, auction items, T-shirt sales and much more.

Knights Hold Their 50th Annual Drive for Children with Developmental Disabilities

In 1979, leaders from the Missouri Knights of Columbus initiated a discussion with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital with the goal of helping children with intellectual disabilities. When asked if a partnership could be formed to help “God’s special people,” SSM Health Cardinal Glennon answered with a resounding “YES!”

In 1981, the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon opened its doors to serve children with a wide variety of developmental issues. Each year, more than 2,500 children and their families benefit from the expertise of the multidisciplinary team at the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center.

On October 7 – 9, 2022, the Knights of Columbus celebrated their 50th annual Drive for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, otherwise known as the “Tootsie Roll Drive.” Since 1973, the Missouri Knights of Columbus has raised more than $24.8 million to support the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and other charities

that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is so grateful for the vision of the Knights of Columbus to help serve the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and the ongoing partnership they have shared for over four decades. Countless children have received state-of-the-art medical care while their parents have benefited from the support of an exceptional team of specialists. Thanks to the ongoing commitment of the Knights of Columbus, positive outcomes result with each child reaching their full God-given potential!

LoneRiders stop at Good News Brewing Company in Defiance, Mo.

Spink Pavilion, Missouri Botanical Garden 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110

Where Are They Now?

Maggie Bick / THEN: Hospitalized 16-year-old now Nurse on 2 South

NOW THEN

Maggie Bick was hospitalized at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for several weeks in 2010 and again in 2012. She was discharged from her second stay shortly before her 16th birthday.

Bick and her family came to the Hospital from their home in Oakville, Mo. They were overwhelmed with the nursing care they received when Bick was a patient in the care of the Hospital’s adolescent medicine program.

“It clicked that I wanted to be a nurse to give people the same care that I had received; to form relationships and go beyond physical care and give emotional care, too,” she says.

Bick, now 26, set her sights on nursing school and graduated in 2021. “When the time came to apply for jobs, Glennon was the ultimate dream. Then I got a job offer there and accepted it,” she says.

“I downplay a lot of things, but this was a moment when I thought, ‘This is a huge victory, a moment to be proud of myself and feel completely blessed. God had me go

through this journey so I could have this moment.’”

Bick had been hospitalized for a month and a half in 2010, “then two years later I was back in for two to three weeks. My mom and dad worked, so it was hard for them to be here,” she recalls. “I became close with the nurses. They would make me laugh. Sometimes nurses who weren’t assigned to me would stop in to say ‘Hi’ and chat. I felt love — like they were going beyond their jobs as nurses.”

Maggie Bick, RN, started her nursing career on September 20, 2021. As she worked on the 2 South unit, one floor below where she had been a patient, she wondered if any of her former nurses were still at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

“I didn’t remember last names, so I mentioned first names and asked if they were here. I heard that one of my favorite nurses was still on 3 South. Every now and then I would have to get supplies from 3 South and looked around to see who was working,” Bick says.

Eventually, she spotted Denise Johnson, RN, a nurse at the Hospital

for more than 20 years. “I saw her and recognized her immediately,” Bick says. “I told her, ‘You were one of my nurses and one of the reasons I wanted to be a nurse and work at Glennon. I’m a nurse on 2 South.’ She had a moment when she couldn’t remember me, but that was 10 years ago and I look a lot different than I did then.”

“She showed me pictures of when she was younger,” Johnson says. “She hugged me. I was in shock. I was literally in tears. I thought, to move somebody in that way is why you are a nurse. You take care of them. You are there for them. To think I was her favorite and helped her through what she was going through, it feels good to my heart.”

Completing her first year as a nurse, Bick has no second thoughts about her career choice. “Every day there are new things I am learning. I work with some of the most amazing nurses. They are always willing to help me. I know I was meant to go on my journey so I could care for my patients the same way my nurses cared for me.”

1: In what year did SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital open?

Glennon Trivia

Test your knowledge

2: In what country was Cardinal John J. Glennon born?

3: Who is the namesake of The Danis Pediatric Center?

Guess the Year

Bob Costas visited Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for the groundbreaking of The Costas Center

The St. Louis Cardinals acquired Mark McGwire from the Oakland Athletics

Elton John topped Billboard’s Year-End chart with his single Candle in the Wind

The Lion King Musical debuted on Broadway

Danis

Cardinal Glennon Community:

The Greater St. Louis Chick-fil-A Operating group is thankful for the opportunity to support SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

The Chick-fil-A mission goes beyond serving great food that people can feel good about — our Operators work, live and raise families just like yours across a variety of St. Louis neighborhoods and care deeply about the success and health of those communities. Our vision is to be the most caring organization by demonstrating these values:

• We’re Here to Serve

• We’re Better Together

•

We’re Purpose Driven

Life sometimes comes full circle: Following our second annual fundraiser ‘Share the Love’ in April of this year, we came to the realization that a former Cardinal Glennon kid, Camryn Akerson, was an employee at our South County Chick-fil-A location! Camryn spent the first month of her life in SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), as her care team diagnosed and treated the manifestations of VACTERL-H syndrome. Camryn experienced vertebral anomalies, cardiac problems, a limb anomaly and hydrocephalus. While Camryn faces ongoing challenges, none limited her fulfilling the roles as an ambassador for Glennon kids since 2012, being a great sister or regular classmate. Camryn demonstrates that same ‘care’ for our Chick-fil-A guests as she greets them with a smile in the drive thru line, or with a “My Pleasure!”

Fundraising across our combined 16 area locations is an integral part of how we can help philanthropic partners give back to St. Louis. Our partnership with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon has raised more than $55,000 for The Children’s Fund. These efforts support programs like Child Life, which help meet the emotional and social needs of children in the hospital and provide support and education to the whole family.

As Chick-fil-A St. Louis continues to grow in locations, we intend to grow in our support of meaningful programs like SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s Child Life — and hopefully find more wonderful ambassadors like Camryn to represent the Chick-fil-A brand!

Thank you, The St. Louis Area Chick-fil-A Team

Glennon patient Camryn Akerson, left, now an employee at a South County Chick-fil-A location

Camryn in 2013

Children’s Foundation

Published by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

3800 Park Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 314-577-5605 email: info@glennon.org

glennon.org

facebook.com/cardinalglennon twitter.com/cardinalglennon youtube.com/glennonfoundation instagram.com/cardinal.glennon linkedin.com/company/ ssm-health-cardinal-glennon

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