Glennon S S M H ealth C ardinal G lennon Children’s Foundation
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Glennon’s Mighty Labrathor page 16
Fall/Winter 2019, Volume 38, Number 2
VIEWPOINT
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his summer, all of St. Louis celebrated the Blues’ first-ever Stanley Cup victory. As a member of the team from 1995 to 2005, it was amazing and
awe-inspiring for me to watch millions of people from all walks of life come together to cheer on their team. This same spirit of unity is evident each and every day at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, where talented teams of doctors, nurses and other professionals work tirelessly to provide the most exceptional, family-centered care in the region. Thousands of families each year entrust the care of their children to the skilled hands of our devoted caregivers, who are the true embodiment of the mission of Cardinal Glennon. Perhaps nowhere in the hospital is teamwork more valuable than in the Dan Dierdorf Emergency and Trauma Center, the very first Level I Pediatric Trauma center in the state of Missouri. It remains the busiest in St. Louis to this day, with more than 60,000 children seeking treatment each year for everything from sprains to seizures to life-threatening illnesses. Alongside my friend, Dan Dierdorf, I am honored to host the annual Dierdorf-Pronger Golf Classic to benefit the Trauma Center. For 34 years, the funds raised at this event have enabled the Center to update and expand several times over the years, in order to more safely and efficiently serve our patients and families. On behalf of all of the patients and families of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, thank you to all of our donors and supporters. None of the miracles that happen every day would be possible without you.
Chris Pronger Board of Governors
establish a charitable gift annuity,
When you
you will receive a fixed payment for the remainder of your life — giving hope to patients in need.
Single-Life Gift Annuity Rates*
10.5%
10%
9.3% 8.3%
8%
We invite you to join those
6%
who have created their legacy and changed lives.
7.2%
5.6%
Age 65
70
75
80
85
90+
* Annuity rate and charitable deduction depend on your age at time of the gift. Rates subject to change. Deferred annuities available beginning at age 55.
CONTACT US to receive your personal and confidential tax and income calculations offered for the rest of your life. Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation Rose Brower, Director of Planned Giving 3800 Park Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110 Toll free: 1-800-269-0552 or 314-577-5605 Tax ID: 43-1754347
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6.35%
The best gifts under the sun
for America’s only free-standing Catholic children’s hospital.
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22019CATHOLICHERALD 0 1 9 G L E N N O N M AG
Name _____________________________________________________
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Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, 3800 Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110
LETTER FROM THE FOUNDATION
Did you know? You can create a personal legacy that brings lasting hope and joy to a child:
WAYS TO GIVE
PARTNER WITH US TODAY: • Charitable Gift Annuities • Charitable Trusts • Donor Advised Funds • Volunteer
GIFTS YOU CAN MAKE TODAY: • Outright gift of cash • Securities now or later • Life insurance • Real estate gifts now or later • Outright gift of appreciated property now or later • Savings bonds now or later • Corporate Matching Gift
Dear Friends of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, What an exciting summer we have had in St. Louis! The Blues’ first-ever Stanley Cup victory, the announcement of a Major League Soccer team, and a St. Louis Cardinals season that kept sports fans on the edge of their seats. This has been an amazing year for the hospital as well. As you saw on the cover, we have a new member of our team — our Facility Dog, Thor! In this issue of Glennon Magazine, you’ll learn all about Thor’s special job with our Child Life team. This issue also highlights two of the most recent additions to the hospital’s services that your support has helped make a reality: our Healthy First Weight Management Program and our Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center, which helps children and adolescents who are experiencing issues with their digestion. I hope you’ll take the time to learn about these vital programs, as well as check out the photos from some of our events. Thank you so much for the role you play in supporting these and all of the services we provide at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Every dollar you give is valued and greatly appreciated. With your support, you are helping us reveal God’s healing presence every day. Sincerely,
Ben
efic
iary
AFTER YOUR LIFETIME GIVING: • Life insurance beneficiary •W ill or living trust beneficiary
Sandy Koller President SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
•R etirement plan gift beneficiary
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation 3800 Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 314-577-5605 or 1-800-269-0552
glennon.org
Contents Glennon Volume 38 Number 2
Published semiannually by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation 3800 Park Avenue • St. Louis, MO 63110
BOARD OF GOVERNORS Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson Chairman Of The Board Brian C. Behrens President James G. Koman First Vice President
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James G. Castellano Second Vice President Jack Schreiber Chairman, Investment Sub-Committee James F. Whalen Chairman, Finance Molly N. Cline, PhD Secretary Sandy Koller President, Philanthropy Doug Long Assistant Secretary
FEATURES
Steven Burghart Hospital President Margaret Barrett Galen D. Bingham Cheryl Boushka James G. Brennan Clayton Brown J. Michael Bruno Anthony J. Caleca Julian L. Carr, Jr. Sherri Cliffe William M. Corrigan, Jr. Bob Costas Timothy Danis Dan Dierdorf John F. Eilermann Douglas Fabick Mark Fronmuller Msgr. Vernon Gardin Dennis G. Gipson Kristin Guehlstorf Shawn Hagan Sherlyn Hailstone John F. Hefele Edward T. Hempstead John F. Herber, Jr. Edward D. Higgins Thomas E. Hilton Nicole Holland-Hong
Leslee Holliday Dennis J. Jacknewitz Candace Jennings Rusty Keeley Craig E. LaBarge James B. Lally John D. Lee Bob Leonard W. Dudley McCarter Thomas McMillin Chrissy Nardini Dennis O’Connor Christopher R. Pronger Doug Ries Jerry E. Ritter Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, FSM Farouk Sadiq Shermini Saini Steve Smoot Daniel J. Sullivan Bryan M. Swift David L. Taiclet Gregory J. Twardowski Sumit Verma Raymond T. Wagner, Jr. Todd Weaver Jim Woodcock
ON THE COVER: Thor & Glennon patient Zoey 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
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Scoops of Fun A Magical Night
Puppy Love Meet Thor
Homers for Health Home Run Derby & Holliday’s Heroes
A True Wonder Woman Kalista Rasmussen
Glennon Gallop
Record-Setting Day
Healthy First
24 DEPARTMENTS
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AROUND GLENNON
7
UPCOMING EVENTS
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GLENNON AROUND THE CORNER/GLOBE
Pull out your calendar!
Our impact grows
Chandler Street
Beyond Belief
Find out the latest news
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CORPORATE CORNER
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GLENNON AMBASSADORS
A Super Message
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ASK THE DOCTOR
Glennon Card
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GLENNON FRIENDS
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WHERE are they NOW?
John Smith
Glennon Golf
Support for Music Therapy
Sun Run
Forest Park Fun! Shaun Patterson
Shop Local, Save Local, Support Local Kids
Dierdorf-Pronger Golf 34 Years and Growing
McBride Homes
How to stay connected
All about safe sleep
Supporting Cardinal Glennon Kids!
Gregory Stewart
AROUND GLENNON /
FIND OUT THE LATEST NEWS
Hush Little Baby…. Music Therapy now in NICU
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hanks to the generosity of our donors, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon has expanded the Music Therapy Program into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). One of our two full-time music therapists, Kelli McKee, completed a specialized NICU music therapy training program and facilitates music interventions to support infants’ physical, developmental and emotional needs. One therapy that has shown immediate response is the Pacifier Activated Lullaby (PAL®) device, which was created to help address one of the greatest difficulties many premature babies experience — learning the proper muscle movements to be able to suck and feed. This FDAapproved device uses music to help premature babies learn to suckle, which in turn helps them gain weight quicker and go home sooner. With the use of PAL®, newborns hear calming music when they suck on the pacifier. “Most babies figure out within one minute that the music goes away when they stop sucking and will play again the more they suck on the pacifier.” McKee says, “One of the wonderful things is it’s loaded with
prerecorded music that is sung in a lullaby style and is appropriate for NICU babies, but the best part is that we can record mom and dad’s voice and that is actually more motivating for the babies because newborns naturally respond
Construction Update: Sleep Lab
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ediatric Sleep Services at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is growing! Over the next year, we expect a 10 percent increase in the number of children needing sleep studies in order to evaluate and diagnose issues such as snoring, sleepwalking and even bedwetting. Thanks to a generous contribution from the Glennon Guild, an organization of more than 350 women volunteers, the Sleep Lab just underwent an expansion to add another room. This expansion will enable us to conduct more sleep studies at a time, thereby decreasing wait times by more than two weeks in some cases, and improving care by getting families their results more quickly. To further improve access to care, our Sleep Medicine team has begun seeing patients at our new SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Pediatric Specialty Services in North County, and will also see patients at our brand new South County location.
4 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
to the calming voice of their parents.” Listening to music has shown to reduce infant stress and positively affect oxygen saturation levels, heart rate and respiration rate, as well as promote parent involvement and bonding.
FIND OUT THE LATEST NEWS
/ AROUND GLENNON
Lunch to Grow summer meal program has best year yet
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his summer, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s Lunch to Grow program provided 1,614 meals to children. From the day after Memorial Day through the first day of school, any child age 1-18 present in the hospital could receive a free, nutritious lunch in the cafeteria, whether they are here for a medical appointment or visiting a family member. Lunch to Grow is part of the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program, which provides kids and teens in low-income areas with a free meal when school is not in session. In recent years, much emphasis has been placed on the factors — called social determinants — that affect physical health. As health care providers, we play an active role in helping our families address such key issues as healthy home environments, food insecurity and safety, by connecting them with resources to meet their basic needs. By providing these meals, we are showing our families — especially those who may be struggling — that we are committed more than just their physical health. This program is the result of much collaboration among hospital employees, from food service, clinical providers and front-line caregivers. Congratulations to all on a job well done!
Patient reunites with nurse 20 years later A FORMER PATIENT’S MOM SHARES THE STORY OF A NURSE’S PRESENCE YEARS LATER:
“To be present for a child as they lay in a hospital bed under your care is what nurses do. To be present at that child’s wedding 20 years later is above and beyond! My new son-in-law, Andy, endured 26 surgeries at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon by the time he was 8-years-old. He loved his nurse, Clothield “Boots” Dixon, who cared for him during many of his hospitalizations. Fast forward 20 years, Andy’s nephew is at SSM Health for a minor procedure. During this visit, Andy’s brother learns that Boots is still working at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. He leaves Andy’s phone number with the staff and asked them to have Boots contact Andy because he has big news to share. Andy was excited to hear from Boots after almost two decades. He shares the news that he is getting married in just over a week and extends an invitation to Boots hoping she can attend. Much to Andy’s delight she makes time to drive more than an hour to attend his wedding and spent much of the day enjoying the reception with family and friends. I want to thank Boots for the time she spent being present for a little boy and his family while they endured so many hospitalizations but also for leaving a lasting impression that earned her an invitation to his wedding so she could be present during one of the happiest days of his life.”
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 5
AROUND GLENNON /
FIND OUT THE LATEST NEWS
Glennon Around the Corner: South County
AL N I RD A C
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SM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital just recently had a grand opening for a new pediatric healthcare specialty services center in South St. Louis County. The official first patients were seen on November 4. This is part of a goal to make health care more accessible and convenient for children and families across the region. The location is just south of the Highway 270 and Tesson Ferry exit. This center will serve as part of ongoing expansion of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Pediatric Specialty Services in the St. Louis region. This site will offer increased access and services closer to communities in South St. Louis County, Jefferson County and beyond. This means these families will be able to receive expanded high-quality, safe exceptional care from SSM Health and SLUCare providers without leaving their community Some of the unique features of this space include: •E xam room corridors end with full-width windows allowing for comforting, natural light to come inside, while maintaining calming connections to the outside. •R ain water from the site and building roof is controlled and directed to onsite rain gardens designed to help clean the water and slow the flow to municipal storm water systems. •M ore than 75 new trees were planted and the property features a picnic table, benches and bike rack.
Glennon S S M H ealth C ardinal G lennon Children’s Foundation
glennon.org
UPDATE Fall/Winter 2018 issue Lily is doing well and has returned to doing what she loves best — going to the park! She also started Kindergarten this Fall and has made lots of new friends. Her parents,
Lily: Larger than Life! page 28
Fall/Winter 2018, Volume 37, Number 2
6 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Anne and Joe wish to thank everyone who has supported them through their journey!
Glennon Around the Globe: Antarctica
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olleen Fitzpatrick, MD, a SLUCare pediatric surgeon and associate professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine took the trip of a lifetime and is truly making a difference in the world! Her trip was set against the backdrop of Antarctica, as a part of the Homeward Bound project, where for three weeks she was joined by a cohort of women leaders in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine). The 80 participants lived on a ship while taking part in learning opportunities, lectures and excursions. The voyage began December 29, 2018 and lasted for three weeks. Fitzpatrick said the inspiration to do more on environmental science and climate change came after several vacations where she was able to appreciate the wonders of nature. “I had taken a few critical vacations — along the west coast of Canada and a six-week road trip with my parents through national parks,” she said. “When you are completely awestruck by the beauty and complexity of Yellowstone National Park and you realize it’s evolved after billions of years, you think about your role in the world. I take care of children every day and you have to think about what we are leaving them.” Fitzpatrick heard about Homeward Bound in 2016, just as the first cohort of women leaders was participating in their voyage around Antarctica. The initiative
trains female leaders, who, despite making up 45 percent of the global workforce are globally underrepresented in leadership positions. Homeward Bound provides women with leadership and strategic skills, a sound understanding of the science, and a strong purposefully developed network, Homeward Bound aims to enhance their ability to impact policy and decisionmaking for a sustainable future. Fitzpatrick said one of the goals of the program is to plant the seeds for global conversations by building a place to collaborate and share ideas. Colleen Fitzpatrick, MD, (right) with fellow women leaders in STEMM.
“It is a symposium at sea. There were women from Australia, Europe, North America, Latin America, China and India,” she said. “It was exciting to do this with a group from all over the world and understand the unique challenges of each other’s cultures and countries.” Each participant has a background in STEMM, but are a mix of academics, business people, scientists and physicians. After being accepted to the program in the fall of 2017, Fitzpatrick prepared for her journey for a year by participating in video conference calls and small group trainings with members of her cohort. “We did a big group call about once a month, with sessions on visibility, strategic development, self-care and other big ideas,” she said. “We also had smaller groups to get to know one another. Each small group focused on a research area together while on the ship.” Fitzpatrick’s group looked at sustainability and recycling practices around the world. Antarctica offered a unique location to observe the influence of human activities on the environment.
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 7
AROUND GLENNON /
CELEBRITIES GIVING BACK
Celebrities Giving Back 1
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Kolten & Alyssa Wong Matt Carpenter Matt & Leslee Holliday Daniel Ponce de Leon Michael Wacha & Sarah Hoffman 6 | 7 Members of the Gateway Grizzlies Baseball Team 8 | 9 Members of St. Louis FC
UPCOMING EVENTS
/ AROUND GLENNON
Upcoming Events Join us at one our many events or programs. From ice cream to a polo match, you’re sure to find something just right. 2020 Upcoming Events
February 1, 2020 Heart & Soul
April 18, 2020 Scoops of Fun
April 24, 2020 Glennon Style
Ritz-Carlton St. Louis
May 8, 2020 Homers for Health Home Run Derby
June 7, 2020 Glennon Sunday
September 11, 2020 Glennon Golf Classic
Chase Park Plaza
Glennon Sunday
St. Louis Magic House
glennon.org
Catholic Parishes of St. Louis
Columbia Golf Club Presented in partnership with Columbia Golf Club
A 30 Year Tradition
September 19, 2020 Glennon Gallop
September 19, 2020 Field-Side Party
Kräftig Polo Club
Kräftig Polo Club
Fall 2020 Sun Run
October 12, 2020 Dierdorf Pronger Golf Classic
Wine, Dine and Divots | A White Hot Affair
Saturday, September 13 G ATES
OPEN AT
3:00 P . M . | K RÄFTIG P OLO C LUB
Boone Valley Golf Club
For more information vist glennon.org
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 9
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CELEBRITIES GIVING BACK
GLORIA! GLORIA! Congratulations to the St. Louis Blues on winning their first ever Stanley Cup earlier this year. Over the years, many players have taken the time to visit with our patients and this year the Stanley Cup even paid us a visit. Let’s Go Blues!
10 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
CELEBRITIES GIVING BACK
/ AROUND GLENNON
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 11
CORPORATE CORNER
McBride Homes: Serving the community for seven decades
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cBride Homes has long been Missouri’s numberone homebuilder. For longer than anyone there can remember, the company’s charity of choice has been SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
can’t tell you why it was so important to him. I just know it was.” Eilermann was hired by the company as an estimator in 1986 after graduating from Missouri State University. He joined his fellow employees in volunteering
“I have been with the company 33 years and we have been involved with Cardinal Glennon much longer...”
“I have been with the company 33 years and we have been involved with Cardinal Glennon much longer,” said John F. Eilermann Jr., chief executive officer and chairman of McBride Homes. “My predecessor, Rick Sullivan, had been heavily involved with the hospital for years. I really
at the annual Columbia Classic Golf Tournament, which hit the links for the 36th year in September. “Then my newborn son was sick and had some problems. We weren’t sure, but it turned out to be nothing serious. He spent some time at Glennon in 1991. I got to see what Cardinal Glennon does for children and got to see other
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John F. Eilermann Jr.
families and the special care they received,” he said. “Supporting Glennon went from something I was doing because everybody at the company did it to something that touched me. I have been a big supporter since then.” .
John F. Eilermann Jr., (second from left) attending the Dierdorf Pronger Golf Classic. Eilermann has also been involved in the Glennon Golf Classic benefit tournament for more than 20 years.
His son, John F. “Jake” Eilermann III, is now a 28-yearold employee of McBride Homes and a member of the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation Development Board. He is currently serving as president elect. Filling a need In 1946 Joseph C. “Dick” McBride, a carpenter, realized that one of the needs facing the country’s returning World War II veterans was affordable housing. He borrowed money to buy tools and built his first home with quality as his mission. He believed, “A builder is only as good as the last house he built.” For the past two decades McBride has been the largest home builder in Missouri and is listed as the 56th largest in the United States. It also is the leading homebuilder in the country that employs members of union construction trades. The company holds a 29.9 percent share of the St. Louis-area market. It closed on 848 homes in 2018, more than the second through fiftieth-ranked builders combined. Over the 73 years since Dick McBride built that first house, his company has created more than 250 subdivisions holding 35,000 homes. Eilermann, who became CEO and chairman of McBride in 2008, has been a long-time member of the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation Board of Governors. “The biggest thing our company did was the Columbia Golf Classic Jake Eilermann, (far right) attending a Glennon Development Board event.
“Cardinal Glennon is important to us because of what it does for the community and for kids who can’t help themselves...”
which has raised millions of dollars over the years,” he said. “A lot of our company’s people came out and enjoyed volunteering for the day. It is not just the monetary support — people like getting involved and spending their time to help. “I was involved with the golf tournament for more than 20 years and chaired the committee for 18 years. Recently we decided to let somebody new take it to another level.” McBride has been a major contributor to many SSM Health Cardinal Glennon events such as
the Bob Costas Gala, Scoops of Fun and the Sun Run. “We usually choose three events a year to support with sponsorships and volunteers. My son was active in the Scoops of Fun committee this year. He thinks that is a great thing,” Eilermann said. Serving today “Now one of the needs facing young men and their families is pediatric health care,” Eilermann said. “Cardinal Glennon is important to us because of what it does for the community and for kids who can’t help themselves. It is a worldclass children’s hospital so the care is unmatched and they provide that care even for those who can’t afford it. They don’t turn anybody away. “When I found that out years ago it really stuck in my mind. A lot of people can receive that worldclass care without worrying about how they are going to pay for it. We try to step up to do whatever we can to help.”
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 13
SCOOPS OF FUN 2019
Scoops of Fun
Benefiting the Footprints Program
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coops of Fun was a great success! On Saturday, May 18, the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Development Board hosted nearly 500 people in the Magic House to create awareness of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, in particular the Footprints ProgramSM, and have some fun! At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, children from Missouri, Illinois and around the world receive exceptional care from dedicated caregivers, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Through everimproving diagnostic techniques and treatment options, we offer hope to families of children who may not have survived as recently as 20 years ago. Through our more than 60 pediatric subspecialties and the skills of our world-class doctors and nurses, we are able to help many children who face uncertain futures because of a serious or
complex diagnosis. This is where the FootprintsSM team comes in. FootprintsSM is dedicated to comfort, advocacy and support of children with complex medical issues and their families. The care coordination provided by FootprintsSM addresses not only the child’s physical needs, but the emotional, spiritual and psychosocial needs of the entire family. The FootprintsSM team interfaces with several of our specialty areas, including the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute and The Costas Center, to provide comprehensive wraparound services that involve everyone relevant to the care of the child, making sure that the family’s wishes are honored. In addition to assistance with care plans, advance directives and care coordination, families benefit from a personal relationship with a clinical
14 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
professional dedicated to their child’s well-being and quality of life. The event was a great mixture of sponsors, board members, families, and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon employees. As part of the event all guests get the sweet opportunity to enjoy unlimited ice cream and treats from a variety of vendors while exploring The Magic House during private hours. The product sponsors include Andy’s Frozen Custard, Baked Bear, Clementines, Ices Plain & Fancy, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Serendipity and Vess. This year’s activities included face painting, balloon making, and the main event — Fredbird! They all were major hits and added extra excitement to the already great space. We are looking forward to another recordbreaking year for Scoops of Fun on April 18, 2020.
PR ESEN TED BY:
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“He is the cutest thing. For being a large dog, you would think children would be intimidated by him but they aren’t. When we go for walks they come out of their rooms and wave. They are very excited to see him,” said Abbie Hedgpeth, BS, CCLS, a Child Life Specialist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Providing comfort and motivation to kids, parents and caregivers is the job description for Thor, who joined the hospital staff this summer. He is a 2-yearold Labrador Retriever, bred, raised and trained to become a pediatric hospital facility dog. “A facility dog is a service animal that works in places like court houses, schools and health care settings,” said Kim Eighmey, MA, CCLS, Team Lead for Child Life Services at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. “Facility dogs and their handlers are used to reach goals and provide interventions for clients.”
Watch the Video
getting up and walking when they don’t feel good or are in pain, Thor will come in and motivate them to walk with him. He can provide motivation for just about anything,” she said. “Kids are generally motivated by animals,” Hedgpeth added. “People can relate to Thor because he is such a loving companion — you can see the loyalty in his eyes right away.” DUO DOGS Thor came to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon from St. Louisbased Duo Dogs, a not-for-profit organization that provides facility dogs, therapy dogs and service dogs to individuals with disabilities or other special needs. Therapy dogs work with at-risk and ill populations by providing services such as emotional support and educational assistance, such as reading motivation, to schools. “Our dogs are in training from the time they are 8 weeks old to the time we send them out, which is around two years,” said Nadine Wenig, director of canine services at Duo Dogs. “They go through rigorous training before they go out to be a service dog, facility dog or therapy dog. “The foundation of training at Duo Dogs is obedience,” she said. “We have high expectations. The woman down the street can tell her pet dog to sit three times, but that’s
“If we have a patient who is post-op and having trouble getting up and walking when they don’t feel good or are in pain, Thor will be able to come in and motivate them to walk with him.” Kim Eighmey, MA, CCLS “For us, the facility dog is used for goal-oriented interventions with our patients. If we have a patient who is post-op and having trouble
not good for a service dog. By the time our dogs go out, they are doing everything on one command.” “I always say that training glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 17
THOR FACILITY DOG
Thor on his graduation day at Duo...
Rooting for his favorite team...
dogs is much like having children. Children love to be motivated and need to be told when they are doing the right thing. They also need to be told when they are doing the wrong thing, otherwise they don’t know the difference. Dogs are people-pleasers. Dogs in general love people and love to be told that they’re good.” While service dogs are bred for their social propensities, they possess individual characteristics
And thanking Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation board member, Margaret Barrett
them to be who they are.” Thor and his litter-mates were named after mythological gods and goddesses. The puppy who grew up to be the facility dog at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon was aptly named. In Germanic and Norse mythology, Thor was the hammer-wielding god who could control thunder and lightning, had super-human strength and was charged with the protection of mankind.
“I’ve seen firsthand how dogs can bring comfort and joy to children at hospitals and was thrilled to play a part in bringing a facility dog to Cardinal Glennon.” Margaret Barrett that suit them for different assignments at the end of training. “We really pick up on temperament, behaviors and personality,” Wenig said. “Personality is big. We are very blessed that we can pair our dogs to placements that fit their personalities. We don’t want to take their personalities out. We want
A NEW IDEA Eighmey said she first learned about facility dogs providing comfort and support at pediatric hospitals while attending a conference with other Child Life Specialists. “It is a relatively new phenomenon. I thought it would be an amazing addition for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.
18 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
“I made a presentation to the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation for our vision of adding a dog to our child life department team. After about six months they had identified a donor who was interested in funding the program. We were lucky. A lot goes in to starting a facility dog program.” DOGS’ BEST FRIENDS Thor’s path toward SSM Health Cardinal Glennon was launched with a lead gift from Foundation board member Margaret Barrett and her husband Tim, whose own dog is trained through Duo’s Touch program. “I’ve seen firsthand how dogs can bring comfort and joy to children at hospitals and was thrilled to play a part in bringing a facility dog to Cardinal Glennon. It was truly a joy to watch Thor graduate from Duo,” Barrett said. “I’m looking forward to seeing him put smiles on everyone’s faces in the years to come.” Additional support for the facility dog program was given by John and Helen Csik — Helen is a hospital volunteer and John serves on the Duo Dogs board of
Thor with Glennon patient Zoey
directors — and Margaret Jenks, life-long dog-lover and friend of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. “I strongly believed that Thor would be helpful for children as they are dealing with illness,” Jenks said. “The comforting presence a dog can provide is something special. I was confident that Cardinal Glennon would successfully implement this program.” Nestlé Purina, which produces Thor’s favorite food, Purina Pro Plan, has also pledged their support. For the ongoing success of this program, the hospital will rely strongly on the continued generosity of Thor’s fans. In addition to the extra staff resources required for a Facility Dog, there are additional expenses as well. “We have to be very diligent about giving him his medicine throughout
the year. His food is very important to him, of course, and we try to spoil him with treats every now and then and provide him with toys to stimulate him,” Eighmey said. “He also has to be groomed regularly in accordance with our infection prevention guidelines. Continuing funding for the program is really important.” Ideas are plentiful for integrating Thor into the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon family. “We are hoping to create miniature stuffed animals of him for patients to take home. Another idea is to create preparation books showing Thor going through procedures so our kids will know what they will be going through,” Eighmey said. “We also would like to make trading cards with his picture and fun facts that will get laughs from the kids.”
A typical workday for Thor includes up to six work sessions with patients, two 15-minute training sessions, two 20-minute exercise sessions and two 30-minute breaks, when he will go to his crate to rest and destress. Before Thor joined the hospital staff, Eighmey and Hedgpeth received a week of intense training at Duo Dogs. “We got to meet him and learn everything there is to know about taking care of a dog,” Eighmey said. “I will never look at a dog in the same way.” They will share responsibility for Thor through his career at the hospital, which is expected to last at least eight years. Both were interested in being part of the program but reluctant to be both his home caretaker and handler at the hospital. “It seemed like such a big commitment and emotional investment to have the dog at home and work with him all day,” Eighmey said. “We came up with the idea to split the responsibilities. He will go home with me and Abby will work with him during the day. “It is good for Thor, too. Duo does not like their dogs to be extremely close to only one person because they can have separation anxiety.” A NEW HOME Thor, who can respond to about 40 commands, spent his first weeks at the hospital becoming accustomed to the new surroundings before beginning to counsel patients. “Thor has a very calm demeanor and that is comforting,” Hedgpeth said. “A nurse who was participating in a mock training session was having a rough day. Within two minutes of interacting with Thor, her whole demeanor changed. “He is a dose of strength, courage, motivation, happiness, security and familiarity all rolled into one. You can’t find that in any medication.”
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 19
Watch the Video
Homers for Health
Home Run Derby and Holliday’s Heroes
T
hanks to the generosity of so many friends all across Cardinals Nation, Homers for Health had another great year! We recently caught up with this year’s Homers for Health Co-Chair, Luke Beck, and his family. Luke’s parents, Danny and Ronda, describe their son as a “ball of energy,” but also a very sensitive, prayerful and inquisitive 10-year-old. It’s All About Trust The family’s SSM Health Cardinal Glennon journey began two and a half years ago when Luke was diagnosed with leukemia. “Even though fear strikes you, we know God is in control,” Ronda remembers. “We never really asked, ‘Why him?’ We just knew that God would be glorified through this.” The strong mission focus and faith connection were a large part
of what drew the Becks to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. “In hindsight, we look back and see all of the blessings that came through this period of adversity,” Danny says. Ronda adds, “In one word, it’s all about trust. And the more children you have the more you have to trust!” The sixth of seven children in the Beck family, Luke is doing well on home chemotherapy, and was able to spend the summer doing normal things, like taking a trip to Holiday
have really stepped up, especially the older ones. They had to kind of grow up quickly.” Making New Memories Being the Homers for Health Co-Chair has been a great experience for Luke. “He was outgoing before,” Danny says. “But he has really stepped out of his comfort zone.” “Luke was forced to mature in ways that he shouldn’t have had to at his age,” Ronda adds. “Being chosen
“We are so thankful for the gift of each day and we want to share all of the blessings we have received with others.” World with his family. “He has had such a good attitude through this whole experience, even when he was hurting,” Ronda says. “And his siblings
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Co-Chair this year, he has had so much to look forward to! We are so thankful for the gift of each day and we want to share all of the blessings we have received with others.”
HRD 2019
Home Run Derby More than 200 local students, along with their coaches and families, joined Homers for Health Co-Chairs Matt Carpenter and Luke Beck at Forest Park for our annual Home Run Derby Championships in May.
St. Louis Cardinals Michael Wacha, Paul DeJong along with former Cardinal Jedd Gyorko were also on hand. Emcee duties were handled by Mason and Remy from 92.3 New Country. A huge thanks goes out to Heartland Coca-Cola,
Dierberg’s and Dietz and Watson for providing the food and beverages, to the International Association of Firefighters for grilling for us, and the dozens of volunteers that help make this fun and unique event possible every year!
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 21
Holliday’s Heroes 2019
Holliday’s Heroes It has been said of Matt Holliday that “he doesn’t say much, he just leads by example.” That certainly was not the case at our 2019 Holliday’s Heroes Celebration on August 8! Guests enjoyed a beautiful evening at Busch Stadium, starting with a cocktail hour on the field. After a dinner of casual fare in the Redbird Club, Matt Holliday took the stage with emcee Jim Hayes of Fox Sports Midwest to answer
questions posed by the audience, including Homers for Health CoChair Luke Beck and other Cardinal Glennon families. At the end of the night, Leslee Holliday joined her husband onstage to thank those in attendance for their ongoing, generous support of Homers for Health and for the hospital that holds a special place in their hearts. Homers for Health would not be such a success without the faithful support of the many donors who
22 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
continue to pledge year after year — some since the program’s very beginning! Homers for Health Co-chair Luke’s mom Ronda says “Luke is only 10 years old. We have no idea what he’s going to grow up to be, but he has hopes to grow up now. When you go through something like this, you start to understand how precious life is. This whole journey has certainly helped all of us think carefully about what is most important in life.”
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT! To register your school or local youth group, contact Ryan Jennings, Community Outreach Coordinator at ryan.jennings@ssmhealth.com or 314-678-6622.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS Abiding Savior Lutheran School Brennan Woods Elementary School Christ Prince of Peace Catholic School Christ the King Catholic School Douglas Elementary School Hancock Place Elementary School Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic School Holy Infant Catholic School Immaculate Conception Catholic School – Old Monroe Kennerly Elementary School Lovejoy Elementary School Mascoutah Middle School Most Sacred Heart Catholic School
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic School Our Lady School Parkwood Elementary School Point Elementary School Robinson Elementary School Sacred Heart School St. Alphonsus Catholic School St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School St. Gertrude School St. John Neumann Catholic School St. John the Baptist Catholic School St. John the Evangelist Catholic School St. Joseph Catholic School – Cottleville St. Joseph Catholic School – Imperial
St. Joseph Catholic School – Josephville St. Justin Martyr Catholic School St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic School St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School St. Patrick Catholic School St. Paul Catholic School St. Raphael the Archangel School St. Vincent School Sts. Joachim and Ann Catholic School Stanton Elementary School Valle Catholic School
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 23
A true
WO WO
Kalista Rasmussen
NDER MAN Kalista Rasmussen is the “Wonder Woman of the Potty.” The spunky 4-year-old stands in her favorite costume and raises her arm, telling a visitor her new super power. “I can go poop!” she said with a laugh.
That simple body function is almost a miracle for a child who has experienced constipation, stool leakage and difficulty with bowel movements since shortly after birth. “She was a fast learner, crawling at 4 months and then walking at 9 months,” said her mother Katherine. “But when it came to going to the bathroom, she just couldn’t.” At 18 months, Kalista was severely constipated on a regular basis. Referred to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Kalista was first placed on over-thecounter medications that would soften her stools. Increased doses and then a prescription laxative caused the opposite effect — diarrhea. Even changes in diet didn’t
solve the problem. And whenever the doctors tried to wean her off the laxatives, the constipation returned. “There was no real normal between the two,” said Katherine. Lucky for the family, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon had recently established a Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center, a highly specialized clinic that treats a wide range of diseases affecting nerves and muscles anywhere along the digestive tract. There are only 15-20 such centers in the United States, and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon has the only comprehensive pediatric motility center in the region and in the state of Missouri. “Motility disorders can impact the movement of food from the mouth, through the entire digestive tract and out through the anus,” said SLUCare pediatric gastroenterologist Dhiren Patel, MD, medical director of the motility center. Absorption of food and the body’s removal of waste byproducts require a careful coordination of nerve and muscle movements and the release of certain hormones as food is pushed through the system. When that process doesn’t work, Dr. Patel says, any number of symptoms can appear, including: • Severe, chronic constipation • Diarrhea • Bloating • Chronic abdominal pain • Swallowing difficulties
The Rasmussen Family
Dr. Patel leads a team that is specialty trained in advanced motility procedures to diagnose and then treat problems associated with abnormal motility. He came to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon with a vision to start the center three years ago. Already, hundreds of patients have come to the center from throughout Missouri and surrounding states. “I’m amazed at the number of patients we have seen in a short period of time, but I knew there was a need for comprehensive services here to help children with these
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 25
A TRUE WONDER WOMAN Neurogastroenteroloy and Motility containing tiny silicone rings or markers. Several days later, an X-ray shows if the rings remain in the body or were passed. “They should have been out of her system, but the x-rays showed they stopped just above her rectum,” said Katherine. “She was severely constipated and actively trying to hold back her bowel movement because it was painful to go.” Next, Dr. Patel did an anorectal manometry, using a balloon catheter to measure Kalista’s nerve and muscle coordination in the lower part of her digestive tract. He noted no physical damage but the test
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon has the only comprehensive motility center in Missouri.
Kalista with Sara, her “potty buddy” doll
problems,” he said. “We’re already seeing a need for more support staffing and equipment to meet the demand.”
Advanced Diagnostic Testing What sets the center apart is the team’s expertise and the availability of advanced motility evaluations, including high-resolution manometry, a procedure that places pressure measurement catheters inside the digestive tract to determine if nerves and muscles are functioning normally. Doctors also look for diseases that affect the lining of the intestines, inflammation in the digestive tract or other motility problems that may block or slow the passage of food. Donations made to the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation helped fund the purchase of the specialized manometry equipment. “The sophisticated catheters and monitoring equipment are expensive,” says Patel. “I’m grateful that with the donations so far, we’ve been able to purchase four of these. As our center’s volume continues to increase, I hope there is continued support.” Kalista first underwent a complete medical exam. Patel then conducted a sitz marker study. During this test, a pill is swallowed
for the treatment of migraines and urinary incontinence, its use for anal/ rectal problems is fairly new. “By injecting Botox into the anus valve, that area doesn’t contract so tightly anymore,” Dr. Patel said. “The result is that children don’t hold their bowel movements back as long as they have been, the stool diameter gets smaller, and they pass them with less effort. With the ongoing use of some laxatives, they also have somewhat softer stools. In effect, we are retraining the nerves and brain of the patients to achieve relaxation of the pelvic floor and rectal muscles and make their pushing coordination better.”
showed that Kalista pushed with her belly muscles during a bowel movement but either failed to relax or tighten her bottom muscles, resulting in constipation for years. He recommended a Botox injection into her lower pelvic muscle and anus valve to artificially prevent the muscle from contracting at the wrong time. While Botox has been used for cosmetic purposes and
Kalista received the shot while she was under anesthesia, and she was a trooper in handling it all. “I just went to sleep and I got up and it didn’t hurt,” she said matter-of-factly. Specialized physical therapy followed to teach her how to relax and then push to have a bowel movement. Despite her young age, she was a quick learner, helped along the way at home by her sister, Lydia.
The Neurogastroenterology and GI Motility team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon (left to right): Denise Alvarez, MPT; Kay Descher, PT; Judy Osterman, RN; Tamela Blacharczyk, RN, BSN; Dhiren Patel, MBBS, MD; Colleen Wilk, BSN, RN; Jennifer Kvale, RN, MSN
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Competitive swimmer Aiden Ellis says treatment in the Motility Center successfully restarted his system. He was the first patient seen in the Center.
“She had a doll named Sara with a toy potty,” said Lydia, age 7. “We all sat in the bathroom together for awhile while my sister learned how to poop again.” Kalista underwent a second Botox injection after three months and continued muscle retraining exercises. This year, she hasn’t needed any more injections and is going to the bathroom regularly. “It’s been such a relief,” says Katherine. “It was really hard to see her when she was a baby and in so much pain, trying to go to the bathroom and pushing so hard. Now she’s on a high fiber diet and we’re working to wean her off the last of the laxatives. It’s been a remarkable change.”
Keep On Swimming 13-year-old Aiden Ellis enters the swimming pool at Hazelwood Central High School, gearing up to practice his favorite stroke, the butterfly. Ellis
is a competitive swimmer, making it to the division championships last year and finishing seventh in the 50-meter fly as a member of the Heat, a regional select swim club. “I love being up on the start block and dropping my times,” he said with a smile. “It’s something I really like to do all year round.” Aiden was the first patient evaluated in SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s Neurogastroenterology and Motility Clinic with the latest technology to evaluate his entire colon. “Since he was about 4 or 5 years old, we’ve been seeing doctors
interest in competitive swimming. When the motility clinic at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon officially opened, Dr. Chatoorgoon referred the family to Dr. Patel. “I wanted to know if Aiden’s colon was working and if he really did need surgery,” said Davis. “I was very interested in the tests that were available.” Advanced manometry testing in the motility center revealed no major issues that required surgery. Instead a careful regimen of two prescription laxatives and retraining of anal canal and rectal muscles along
“Don’t be embarrassed. Tell your parents and they can find you the help you need.” Aiden Ellis around the country for chronic bowel problems,” said his mother Charo Davis. “He was severely constipated and when he was finally able to go to the bathroom, his stools were not normal.” Two years ago, Davis brought her son to SLUCare pediatric surgeon Kaveer Chatoorgoon, MD, who recommended non-surgical treatment options and behavior modifications, such as planning specific times to go to the bathroom in an attempt to retrain muscles and nerves. Surgery was discussed, but Aiden and his mom were worried that it would impact Aiden’s growing
with physical therapy turned the constipation problem around. Months later, Aiden is almost completely off the medications. “I feel like the medicines restarted my system,” he said. “If I want to go somewhere with my friends, I can do anything now. I don’t feel I have to be left behind because I’m worried.” Aiden now wants to become a doctor. Asked what he’d tell other teens if they had bowel problems? “I would tell them it can get better; you won’t have it for the rest of your life, so don’t be embarrassed. Tell your parents and they can find the help you need.”
Aiden Ellis glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 27
GLENNON GALLOP 2019
Watch the Video
Glennon Gallop & Field-Side Party
Benefiting The Danis Pediatric Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon
T
he 7th annual Glennon Gallop presented by T. Danis Charitable Trust was once again the can’t-miss event of the season! On September 21, almost 1,500 people made their way to Kräftig Polo Club in Defiance, Mo. to show their support for The Danis Pediatric Center. This event really has become two events in one, with the VIP Experience and the Field-Side Party. A record number of people attended our Field-Side Party, presented by Celebrity Cruises, this year and thoroughly enjoyed G L E N N O N G A L LO P P R E S E N T E D BY:
T. Danis Charitable Trust
the brand-new Tailgate Village! A special treat this year was live music from The Pickin’ Chicks, a three-piece bluegrass band that features two Cardinal Glennon patients! We also crowned a few of the stand-out tailgate setups for the first time, giving honors to the best overall tailgate, the best Danis Pediatric patient Jamierson decorated, the best food and the best attire worn by their prepared by Bartolino’s Family of guests! The overall winner received Restaurants, Retail Row shopping a sash and a flag, and the category and a high-energy live and silent winners also were awarded a flag to auction. The guests under the tent proudly display their achievement. also were able to enjoy mint juleps On the VIP side, guests enjoyed this year, courtesy of Celebrity fine wines from A. Bommarito Cruises and provided by Pinckney Wines, a delicious luncheon Bend, a true hot spot this year and crowd favorite!
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1 Judy and Jerry Kent 2 Jackie and Tim Danis 3 Glennon mom Jamie Montgomery 4 Tony Bommarito, Jr., Jamie Montgomery, Anne Bommarito with Glennon patient Jamierson 5 Tad and Tricia Davies 6 Molly and Doug Sansone 7 Claire and Michael Todorovich
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 29
Glennon Gallop & Field-Side Party continued
During our brief program, attendees were shown the true impact of their support when Danis Pediatric patient Jamierson, took the stage along with his mom, Jamie, and Danis Pediatrics staff. They shared Jamierson’s journey with the crowd and captured the true essence of the work being done every day at our hospital. Now 2 years old, Jamierson was first introduced to the Danis Pediatrics team right after he was born at our sister hospital, SSM Health St. Mary’s, where Danis physicians make rounds. He F I E L D - S I D E PA R T Y P R E S E N T E D BY:
was born with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), a heart defect, club feet and a host of other issues. Because of his complex issues, Jamierson has been to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon for more than 200 appointments in his young life. In addition to primary care and coordination in Danis, he sees specialists in cardiology, genetics, otolaryngology and gastroenterology, as well as the feeding team and physical and occupational therapy. He has also had surgery to correct his club feet and to repair the heart defect. Today, Jamierson is a “typical 2-year-old; into everything!” Jamie says. “Despite everything he’s been through, he’s happy all the time.” Jamierson has a long journey ahead of him, but with the expertise of Danis Pediatrics and the love
30 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
of his mom, he is expected to do quite well. “If it weren’t for Danis Pediatrics, I would not have my baby right now,” Jamie told the crowd. “I will always be grateful.” Thanks to everyone who joined us on this special day and made this Glennon Gallop one we won’t soon forget!
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1 M VP Nicolas (Nico) Harriott with Allison Engelsmann and Daniel Orthwein 2 Pickin’ Chicks, a three-piece bluegrass band — two members of the band are Cardinal Glennon patients
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 31
Illinois college student Chandler Street after successful bariatric surgery
Healthy First! Bariatric Surgery for Adolescents and Young Adults
Watch the Video
In just the past 30 years, obesity rates among children have tripled in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, 13.7 million children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years old are considered obese. While education and increased access to healthier food choices has caused a decrease in childhood obesity rates in recent years, the World Health Organization has called childhood obesity “one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century.” “It’s predicted that 60 percent of all adults and adolescents will be obese by the year 2060,” said SLUCare pediatric surgeon Gustavo Villalona, MD. “It’s a medical crisis that we need to address early in life and not later, when complications such as diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels and heart disease can negatively impact health.” In 2017, Villalona and his colleague, pediatric surgeon Jose Greenspon, MD, reviewed data of all new clinic visits at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. What they found was eye-opening.
“There were more than 600 encounters in our outpatient clinics with young patients who had a body mass index (BMI) over 35,” Greenspon said. “In 250 patients, their BMI number was over 40. It was astonishing.” BMI is a screening tool to gauge obesity. It is a formula that uses a person’s height and weight to measure percentage of body fat. Normal BMI is under 25. You are considered overweight between 25-30 and any BMI number over 30 is considered obese. For many children — and adults — changes in diet and nutrition can lead to weight loss and healthier lives. In some cases, however, more must be done to reduce weight. Within the past decade, bariatric surgery has become an option for older teens and young adults. While
the surgery is a major decision, studies now validate the benefits of bariatric surgery at a younger age, with research showing that earlier intervention reduces the risk of complications related to obesity. “A five-year study of adolescents who had undergone bariatric surgery found that they had better post-surgery outcomes than adults who had similar surgery,” said Villalona. “The adolescents lost 30 percent of their total body weight after surgery and kept it off for five years. More significantly, 90 percent of the adolescents who were diabetic prior to the surgery no longer had the disease and 70 percent were able to stop medications for high blood pressure. That’s a huge argument to say that earlier surgery is better for overall health.”
Clinical Dietician Darcy Kammeier with Chandler
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s Healthy First program is the only adolescent-specific program in Missouri and has pediatric surgeons who specialize in bariatric surgery. glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 33
HEALTHY FIRST! Bariatric Surgery for Adolescents and Young Adults The Healthy First program At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, Dr. Greenspon is the medical director of the Healthy First weight management program. Dr. Villalona serves as the medical director of its bariatric surgery component. It is the only adolescent-specific program in Missouri that has pediatric surgeons who specialize in bariatric surgery for young children. It also is one of only 13 pediatric bariatric surgery programs in the United States. “We’ve had a weight management clinic here for many years,” said Darcy Kammeier, MS, RD, LDN, a registered dietitian in the program. “The program was expanded to include a comprehensive approach to treating obesity that includes surgery as well as weight management, exercise and nutrition counseling.” Teens and young adults who are interested in reducing weight will first receive a comprehensive medical exam by physicians. They then discuss lifestyle modifications and diet changes with registered dietitians. Families may also see a physical therapist and nurse practitioner. Every Tuesday evening, the dietitians host cooking demonstrations and activities to help children and parents learn new recipes and stay active. “We ask that our families go to these events
Glennon kid Chandler Street with the Healthy First team (L-R): Education specialist Elizabeth Hagar, Dr. Greenspon, Dr. Villalona, Clinical Dietician Darcy Kammeier, Nurse Practitioner Cierra Crowley
at least once a month,” said Kammeier. “It’s a way to provide motivation and check in with the families to encourage them to live healthier lives.” Greenspon notes that weight management consultations are offered to families with children as young as 4 years old. Bariatric surgery becomes an option for children as young as 10 years of age if they meet criteria for surgery and
carry a medical complication of obesity. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon holds free information seminars about bariatric surgery on the first Wednesday of every month at 6 pm. The Healthy First program also has a monthly support group for current and new patients. A New Beginning Chandler Street is having a great start to her freshman year at
Leading Edge Research At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, researchers from Saint Louis University School of Medicine are delving into the causes, mechanisms and treatments for fatty liver disease in children. The condition, historically diagnosed in adults with diabetes or alcoholism, is increasingly being diagnosed in obese children and teens. An estimated 6 million young people in the United States now have this chronic condition, which can lead to liver scarring, inflammation and even liver failure. SLUCare pediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist Ajay Jain, MD leads several studies funded by the National Institutes of Health that are focused on fatty liver disease in children. “Along with the weight management and bariatric surgery programs here, we have several open clinical trials investigating treatments for fatty liver disease,” he said. “Our NIH funding is unique in the St. Louis region and several of these trials tailored to children are only available at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.”
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Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. “I’m super excited, because I can do things that I wasn’t able to do before,” said the 18-year-old from Newton, Ill. Street underwent gastric bypass surgery in June 2019. In just two months, she lost 25 pounds. “I can feel and see the difference,” she said. Street started gaining weight when she was in grade school. Born with extra bones in her feet and problems with her legs, she found it difficult to run or do almost any kind of exercise to keep active. “She had so much pain exercising,” said her mother, Mindy. “We eventually found an orthopedic surgeon who corrected the problems, but Chandler already had gained weight because her legs didn’t work properly.” Once the orthopedic issues were resolved, Chandler was determined to lose weight. She had a loving family and supportive friends at school, but she admitted it was difficult at first to face the problem head on. “It was kind of hard to walk into Cardinal Glennon because I had let my weight go so bad,” she said. “But I needed direction. Exercise and diet changes didn’t really fix it and I decided to have bariatric surgery.” She found a welcoming, non-judgmental environment in the Healthy First program. It gave her confidence that she was doing the right thing. While learning about diet changes, a medical exam revealed that Chandler’s weight had caused some other medical problems, including the development of fatty liver disease, a leading cause for liver transplants in adults.
“Bariatric surgery improves fatty liver disease and stops it from progressing into cirrhosis,” said Dr. Villalona. “The surgery can also turn around diabetes and hypertension, and that’s a major draw to having the surgery.” Chandler underwent a procedure called gastric sleeve surgery, which removes a portion of the stomach, thereby limiting the amount of food that can be eaten. For a month after the surgery, she was limited to an all-liquid diet, with special protein shakes and other liquids. She also had to take vitamins and other medications to ensure she was getting enough
nutrients in her body. Over the following two months, she was able to eat pureed foods and then soft foods. Right before she started college, she began eating some normal foods. “The key difference is that I now eat six smaller meals a day instead of three meals a day,” she said. “And I focus on protein and then vegetables. The program has been great to help me figure out the right foods to eat and what foods to avoid.” Chandler is one of a dozen patients who have undergone pediatric bariatric surgery at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. They range in age from 12-18 years old. Dr. Villalona notes that the majority of weight loss occurs within six months to a year after surgery. “We’ve had patients who were over 400 pounds who have had successful surgery,” he said. “One patient who was on four high blood pressure medications now is on just one. We also have had patients lose 60 to 75 pounds in the first several months.” Adds Dr. Greenspon, “About 30 percent of the patients we see don’t qualify for surgery. But even if they don’t qualify, we are fully committed to helping any child who comes through our doors with other medically supervised weight management options.”
“...The program has been great to help me figure out the right foods to eat and what foods to avoid.”
Chandler today
Want to Know More about Adolescent Bariatric Surgery? Come to one of our free Healthy First bariatric surgery information seminars held on the first Wednesday of every month. Call 314-577-5335 or email cgbariatrics@ssmhealth.com glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 35
Ben,
Glennon Kid
GIVE HOPE to a child this Christmas W
hile most kids are waking up on Christmas morning opening presents in their homes, remember there are some kids in the hospital who won’t be able to open presents around their family tree. You have a chance to give the best gift of all – hope! Your gift can make a difference in the lives of Cardinal Glennon kids who won’t be able to come home for the holidays. Thank you for giving hope to a child this Christmas.
GIVE TO GLENNON at glennon.org
Big recognition helps our smallest patients.
As a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, our team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is always ready to deliver personalized and compassionate care to pediatric patients and their families; both in St. Louis and throughout the Midwest. With over 200 SLUCare pediatric expert physicians practicing across more than 60 specialties, we provide: >> Nationally ranked programs in cardiology and heart surgery >> Life-saving organ transplant surgeons for heart, kidney, liver and bone marrow >> Introducing new programs in weight management, epilepsy and gastroenterology.
Where you need us. Access SSM Health Cardinal Glennon pediatric physicians at these ERs: >> SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis >> SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton >> SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital St. Charles >> SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital Lake Saint Louis >> Anderson Hospital - Maryville, IL >> HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital O’Fallon, IL
Nationally ranked for our regional care.
cardinalglennon.com ©2019 SSM Health. All rights reserved. STL-STL-16-168874 11/19
John Smith Glennon Kid
John’s recovery from drowning exceeded the known limits of survival His story became a Disney Studios movie
The medical diagnosis
of a miracle John Smith went off to college this Fall. According to the medical literature on drowning, he should not be there. Four years ago he survived drowning after an extreme amount of time under ice-cold water. Few people in medical history have survived as long without breathing. None have gone as long without a pulse. “If somebody thinks this wasn’t a miracle and that he survived because this was a cold-water drowning,
I’d ask them to spend 15 minutes under water without breathing and more than 40 minutes without a heartbeat,” said his mother, Joyce. “This was the hand of God holding him until the rescuers arrived.” John, then 14, was not breathing and had no heartbeat when rescuers pulled him from under the broken ice on Lake Saint Louise. They began CPR, which continued without success while they transported John to an emergency room.
After more than 40 minutes of resuscitation efforts, a weak heartbeat began, but doctors told his parents he still might not survive. If he did, he likely would suffer permanent neurological injuries. Research on drowning declared that those were nearly certainties. Two weeks later, he walked out of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, carrying his basketball.
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movie, Breakthrough, has been produced to tell the story of his brush with death. At many critical points during the days after he broke through the ice while cavorting with friends, John’s life could have — and should have — ended. According to a medical journal: The etiology of drowning is factorial, varying with both age and geographic location. As the drowning process progresses, a gradual decrease in arterial oxygen saturation is accompanied by a simultaneous decrease in cardiac output. If the hypoxic drowning process is not reversed within a few minutes, vital organs such as the brain and heart become permanently injured. Remarkably, some victims of cold-water drowning can survive without neurological deficits as a result of the protective effects of the hypothermia. The likelihood of poor outcome has been shown to increase with the duration of submersion. Intact survival is likely with submersion durations of shorter than 5 minutes to 10 minutes. However, for submersion durations of longer than 25 minutes, the likelihood
of poor outcome approaches 100%. — Pediatric Drowning: Current Management Strategies for Immediate Care, Journal of Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine, March 2005. John’s recovery exceeds the known limits of drowning survival. His mother, along with thousands of filmgoers, believe his recovery was a miracle. One of his doctors at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon disagrees that it was only one miracle. “I believe there was a series of miracles that happened,” said Jeremy Garrett, MD., a pediatric critical care medicine specialist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and a SLUCare physician.
On an unseasonably warm day in January 2014, John and two friends walked onto a frozen lake to take a picture of themselves. A weak spot in the ice gave way and they fell into the 40-degree water. John’s friends were able to hold on to the edge of the ice or crawl out of the water before collapsing with hypothermia. For a few minutes John held on before becoming hypothermic, too. He lost consciousness and slipped under the water. Emergency medicine teams quickly arrived and pulled John’s friends to shore. One of them was somehow able to tell the rescuers about John, who by then had been underwater for at least 15 minutes. It took more precious minutes for one of the responders, who had practiced water rescues just the week before, to find John with a probe pole and pull him to the surface. Rescuers continued resuscitation efforts as John was rushed to SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis. After an extraordinary eight injections of the stimulant epinephrine and two applications of an automated external defibrillator (AED), doctors told John’s mother he had died. Joyce entered the treatment room and bellowed, “Lord, please bring John back to us! God, please send your Holy Spirit to heal this boy!” To the amazement of the emergency room staff, the heart monitor attached to John began beeping. He had a heartbeat. A very weak heartbeat. Kent Sutterer, DO, whose daughter was one of John’s classmates, was the lead physician attending to John at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital. “When Joyce commanded God to restart her son’s heart and it did, it sent chills up and
...for submersion durations of longer than 25 minutes, the likelihood of poor outcome approaches 100%... Through the Ice John was adopted from Guatemala by Joyce and husband Brian Smith of Lake St. Louis, Mo., when he was 5 months old. As a teenager he was playing basketball at Living Word Christian School in St. Peters, Missouri.
John visits with Dr. Garrett at the premiere of Breakthrough.
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 39
THE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OF A MIRACLE
The cast of Breakthrough with John Smith, Joyce Smith, Dr. Jeremy Garrett and others protrayed in the motion picture.
down the spines of the folks there,” Garrett said. “It affected Dr. Sutterer in particular.” Transport to Cardinal Glennon After a transport team helicopter landed John at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, he was quickly evaluated in the pediatric intensive care unit. “We didn’t have hopes for survival. There were no signs of neurologic function whatsoever,” Garrett said. “There was a heartbeat but the heart was struggling to pump blood. His lungs were filling with fluid weeping out of his own tissues. His blood system was trying to clot and bleed at the same time. We were struggling to get adequate oxygen saturation into his blood. “His kidneys and liver were trying to fail. His bowel was sloughing mucosa. He was displaying all the signs displayed by drowners who don’t survive. That was news I didn’t want to tell the family.”
One of Garrett’s research interests is drowning. All the medical literature he had studied outlined the likelihood of dire outcomes for patients who had experienced far shorter periods without breaths and heartbeats. While John’s vital signs suggested he was not likely to recover, cold-water immersion is known to provide some protection against cellular death. “If you don’t see clinical improvement in neurologic function within 6 to 12 hours you are not going to see it. There was a high chance his heart would stop again. Even if we were able to support his body, his brain was undoubtedly going to have serious injury and maybe go on to death itself,” Garrett said. “His mother’s response was not the usual parent’s response, but Joyce is not the usual person,” he said. “She told me, ‘You don’t know our John. He is a fighter. I know he is going to pull through this. If you are
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any good at your job you darn well ought to get out there and do it!’” “Intensive” Intensive Care To provide some protection to John’s tissues and organs from further injury, the intensive care unit staff initially kept his body slightly cooled. “We gradually warmed him back up,” Garrett said. “That may have delayed us from seeing some return of brain function, but it may have helped the cells not be overly stressed and die from toxic metabolites.” John’s breathing was assisted with a ventilator on such high settings that air was escaping through his lungs and into his chest. “We made some tough choices. Luckily they were the right ones,” Garrett said. After two days, “John had gotten a little bit of cough but there was no eye opening, no environmental awareness,” Garrett said. “On the third day his mom was thinking that he was responding
to commands. We weren’t entirely convinced.” Joyce thought John was able to slightly squeeze her hand when asked a question. Garrett asked mom about topics that John certainly knew so he could test the responses. “His heroes were Michael Jordan and LeBron James. She said he knows everything about him. I said, ‘John, if you hear me, pretend your right hand is Michael Jordan and your left is LeBron James.’” Garrett asked a series of basketball questions and John correctly squeezed, ever so slightly, the appropriate hand each time. “Finally I said, ‘John, here is the trick question. Who wore number 23?’ He squeezed both hands and got it right,” Garrett said, as both wore the same number on their basketball uniforms. “We were seeing he was actually there and there was some hope he might make it through.” At the end of John’s first week in the hospital he was being weaned from the ventilator and exhibiting more indications of consciousness. He began to gesture “thumbs up” to visitors and was moved to the Transitional Care Unit. “He was able to breathe on his own. Neurologically, he was intact and responsive. He could talk a little bit but he was still weak and on tube feedings,” Garrett said. After two weeks at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, John had surprisingly improved sufficiently to be discharged. He insisted on getting out of a wheelchair to walk out the door. “His fine motor control wasn’t fully back. He continued physical therapy and got back to playing basketball,” Garrett said. “Six weeks after the event happened they had a prayer breakfast at his church. When I saw him there, that is when I knew he really did recover, as amazing as it seemed.”
John played basketball for his school before and after his accident. Might his fitness have assisted his recovery? “I’d like to say so, but we have had all sorts of other physically active folks and athletes come in after tragedy and don’t make it,” Garrett said. “A drowning of any age is not supposed to recover like that.” Hypothermia — which slowed John’s metabolism — could explain his recovery, his doctor said. “But just being cold doesn’t mean you have a chance. It was not just the miracle of survival but of not having more complications, of not losing his body from all the sickness he had and not adding secondary injury to his brain. It truly was a series of miracles.”
“Dr. Robert Ream and Dr. Teresa Andreone contributed to John’s care early on,” Garrett said. “The entire PICU team of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and physical therapists all contributed.” Robert Ream, MD, and Teresa Andreone, MD, PhD, are pediatric critical care physicians at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and SLUCare physicians. The movie was filmed in Canada. Its promotional trailer received more than 30 million online views within two days of its release. In the first three months after its release, Breakthrough grossed $50.4 million in theater receipts around the world. Much of the movie covers the period while John was unconscious. He said he does not remember the drowning or the days until he woke up at the hospital. He, too, does not understand why he survived. “I know that God has given me back my life for a reason. He performed a miracle for a reason. While it may not be clear now, I know that he has a plan and I will follow what He has in store for me.” John is a freshman at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He plans to become a pastor and basketball coach. Garrett may write a paper about John’s case for a medical journal, although he cannot fully explain John’s recovery. For the meantime, the aforementioned 2005 article remains one of the last words on the subject: Hypothermia “is postulated to play a role in protective hypometabolism that results in improved survival after prolonged submersion in cold water. A definitive physiological explanation for these rare, extraordinary outcomes, though, remains elusive.”
A definitive physiological explanation for these rare, extraordinary outcomes, though, remains elusive As far as Joyce is concerned, “This was a game of chess with God making the moves and deciding, ‘You can’t have him yet!’ I knew that God would finish the job. He wouldn’t give us half a miracle. He was going to give us the whole thing.” She also credited the prayers of the many people who supported the family. “In a world where it seems like all you hear is bad news, I’ve seen that people really do care and they really love one another.” Breakthrough Joyce Smith wrote a book about John’s experiences. It was adapted into a movie, Breakthrough, that was released by Walt Disney Studio Productions on Easter weekend in 2019. To simplify the plot, the roles of all of the physicians who cared for John at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon were combined into one character who was referred to as “Dr. Garrett.”
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 41
GLENNON GOLF 2019
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Glennon Golf
Benefiting the Music Therapy Program
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or the last 36 years, on the Friday following Labor Day, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital has hosted the Glennon Golf Classic at Columbia Golf Club in Columbia, Ill. This fundraising tradition began back in 1984 when Lou Mund, owner of Columbia Golf Club at the time, and Richard Dohack Sr., owner of Dohack’s Restaurant, put their heads together to create a fundraiser to help the hospital. Lou would donate the course and Richard would provide the food. Columbia Golf Club was eventually sold to Martha and Bill Hawn, who made the generous decision to continue the tradition that is the
Glennon Golf Classic. While the tournament has transformed over the years, the mission has remained the same. On Friday, September 6, more than 150 golfers gathered for the 36th annual tournament. FabickCAT, who has been involved since the tournament’s inception, attended as the tournament’s Presenting Sponsor. After a hearty breakfast, donated by Kuna Foodservices and prepared by Lisa’s Market Street Grille, golfers heard from committee co-chairs, Patrick VanCleave and Ben Albers, and local celebrities, Randy Karraker and Brad Thompson. Before they were released for play, golfers were
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reminded of the purpose behind the tournament as a SSM Health Cardinal Glennon patient sang along with Music Therapists. Much fun was had on the course as golfers participated in oncourse games such as antique long drive, closest-to-the-pin contests and celebrity relief. This year, the infamous Towel Man attended the tournament as part of the celebrity relief. The Towel Man challenged golfers to beat him at his own game by trying to throw a towel through a hole. If successful, the player received a substantial advantage on the hole. Golfers also had the opportunity for an advantage
provided by a SSM Health Cardinal Glennon celebrity on hole eight. A patient ran out after golfers balls hit the green, grabbed the ball and dropped it in the hole for an automatic birdie! The tournament concluded with a delicious meal, prizes and awards. Golfers departed for their weekends knowing that they had not only enjoyed a beautiful day of golf with their colleagues, but had made a difference in the lives of so many served by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and touched by the Music Therapy Program. Music Therapy In recent years, proceed from the tournament have funded Music Therapy. A relatively new phenomenon in the health care setting, music therapy is quickly gaining a strong body of research that shows its benefits in reducing stress and anxiety, alleviating pain and increasing self-esteem. Our
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two full-time board-certified music therapists bring the healing power of music to patients of all ages throughout the hospital dealing with a variety of medical challenges. Grateful patient Jamie-Lynn attended the 2019 Glennon Golf Classic to share her story, show off her singing skills and serve as a patient celebrity offering golfers an advantage on Hole #18. Jamie-Lynn is fighting a rare form of Leukemia and has spent a lot of time at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. She has found hope in music therapy as it provides her an outlet to the stressful treatments associated with the disease. She says that making music allows her to feel like a normal kid in the midst of a not-sonormal situation. In addition to one-on-one therapy, the therapists conduct group sessions with children in peer age groups, such as toddlers and teens. These sessions are a favorite with the patients and staff, and
promote socialization and improve emotional well-being. Because Music Therapy is not covered by insurance, we rely on the generosity of supporters of the Glennon Golf Classic to make this program a reality. This tournament would not be the successful event it is without a committee made up of community members with a passion to give back. Some of the current members have been involved for 15+ years, while this was the first year for others. If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact sara.newton@ssmhealth.com.
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1P atient Beckham and music therapist Kelli McKee 2 Trane Teams with the Towel Man 3 Ben Albers, Patrick Van Cleave, Stephanie Lieber, and Chelsea Sullivan 4 Kelli McKee and patient Jamie-Lynn
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 43
SUN RUN 2019
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Sun Run 5k & 1-Mile Fun Run Benefiting the Children’s Fund
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n Saturday, October 5, more than 1,800 people came out to Forest Park for the third annual Sun Run to support SSM Health Cardinal Glennon! This year’s Sun Run, which consisted of a 1-mile run/walk and a 5k, was presented by Walgreens. Judi Diamond served as the event’s emcee and Utopia Entertainment played tunes for the crowd, leading the group of runners in dance to warm up for the big race. Proceeds from the Sun Run benefit the Children’s Fund at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. This unrestricted support allows us to invest in new or enhanced programs, update our facilities, create child-friendly and familycentered spaces and so much more. In the last three years, unrestricted support has helped such programs as Footprints, Child Life and our
Healthy First Weight Management program. The 2019 Sun Run got underway when Sara and Tony Ward led the group in prayer with their adorable daughter, Lily and her older sister, Isabella. Sara and Tony were introduced to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon though the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute when baby Lily was diagnosed with three birth defects while she was still in the womb. All three would require corrective surgery soon after birth: Tetralogy of Fallot (a complex heart defect), an omphalocele (a condition that causes internal organs to protrude through a weak area in the abdominal wall), and a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, or CDH, a condition in which abdominal organs push into the chest cavity, hindering proper lung function.
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Lily was transported to the NICU at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon immediately after birth and spent the next few months in and out of the hospital until earlier this year when Lily underwent open heart surgery to repair her heart condition. Her CDH and ompahlocele surgeries followed just two months later. Today, Lily is bouncing back from her last surgery very quickly! Sara and Tony comment, “We are so excited for her future, one we would not have had without Cardinal Glennon.” Sara and Tony take great comfort knowing SSM Health Cardinal Glennon has the technology and people who made it possible for Lily to have her birth defects corrected, and live a wonderful, healthy life. “We put our fears and questions in their hands and spoke to our specialists
at length for how we were going to conquer each one. It made such a huge difference, and really empowered us as parents for what was ahead,” says Sara. She expresses sincere gratitude for the medical staff who showed them tremendous and continuous care and support. Currently, Lily is thriving! Sara and Tony initiated a fundraising team for the Sun Run this year, “Team Tiger Lily.” They are passionate about helping families who, like theirs, find out terrible news that their child is sick, but unlike theirs, do not have the
financial resources to pay for their care, or do not have the necessary insurance coverage. Sara says, “We were devastated and scared, but everyone at Cardinal Glennon held our hands along the way. The ability to pay for these lifesaving procedures should not be a factor in a parent’s already incomprehensible level of stress. We raise money so that the hospital can continue to provide lifesaving surgeries, procedures and care to all children who need it.” Thanks to our vendors who had booths at the Sun Run: One Life Fitness, Hire Level, Title
Partners Agency, McKelvey Homes, Lipic’s Engagement, Prairie Farms, Companion Bakery, McAlister’s Deli, Sodexo, Heartland Coca-Cola, Cardinal Glennon Sports Care, STL Academy of Family Physicians, FormFast, Walgreens, Dewey’s, D1 Training Facility, SSM Health Pediatrics Physical Therapy, 4 Hands Brewery, Corporate Image & Selfie Events USA and Abbott Ambulance First Aid. Also on hand were face painters, Juggling Jeff, Enchanted Events, The Bubble Bus, and various games for the kids. We will see you next year for the fourth annual Sun Run!
PR ESEN TED BY:
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 45
Shaun dabs tears from his cheeks as Tom Brady delivers a special message to him via video
A SUPER MESSAGE ON A SPECIAL DAY Shaun Patterson surprised by personal congratulations from a sports hero
Shaun Patterson was in tears. After years of hard work, he learned he would miss his high school graduation because he would have to remain in the hospital for weeks or months while awaiting a heart transplant. Shaun had been born with congenital heart defects that erased his dreams of playing basketball but he set other goals — earning a college degree in sports marketing on his way to a broadcasting career. A major milestone would be sharing high school graduation with life-long friends. “When it started to hit Shaun he was really down,” said his mother, Robin Gorden. “He was literally crying. He said, ‘I lost everything.’ I told him he hadn’t lost everything. I told him he was going to have a good graduation.” Even mom did not know how special — even “super” — the graduation would be.
Heart Murmurs “When Shaun was born he weighed 8 pounds and 9 ounces,” his mother said. “The day we were about to go home, the doctor heard a heart murmur. He said Shaun was in critical condition and said we needed to go to Cardinal Glennon.” A transport team took Shaun to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital on his third day of life. “We have been coming here since,” Robin said. Shaun was born with tetralogy of Fallot, a combination of four heart defects that prevents the heart from effectively pumping fully oxygenated blood throughout the body. “For the first two years we were frequently in and out of the hospital,” Robin said. “He had two cardiac catheterization procedures and a heart surgery when he was about 18 months old. He needed to have his pulmonary valve replaced
when he was 17.” “The incidence of all forms of congenital heart disease, ranging from very mild to severe, is about two percent of the general population,” said Kenneth Schowengerdt, MD, director of the Dorothy and Larry Dallas Heart Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. He also is the Wieck-Sullivan Professor of Pediatrics and director of pediatric cardiology within the Department of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is a member of the SLUCare Physician Group. “Tetralogy of Fallot consists of several abnormalities, one being an abnormal
Shaun’s hospital room was decorated to celebrate his graduation
“Unfortunately,” his mother recalled, “they said, ‘He is going to need to do a heart transplant.’” communication between the two lower pumping chambers of the heart, the ventricles. In addition there are varying degrees of obstruction of blood flow from the right ventricle to the lungs. This obstruction is related to a combination of thickened ventricular muscle tissue, an abnormal pulmonary valve and, in some instances, abnormal development of the arteries supplying blood flow to the lungs.” Throughout his life Shaun visited the Dallas Heart Center for annual checkups. His years of relatively good health ended early in 2019. “Shaun kept throwing up. I thought he had a stomach virus,” his mother said. Shaun also assumed it was just one of those bugs and insisted on dragging himself to school every day. Until the day he was so weak he slowly walked into the school nurse’s office and asked to be taken to the bus in a wheelchair for the ride home. “The school nurse called me,” Robin said. “I said, ‘I am coming to
pick him up right now and going to Cardinal Glennon. This is something deeper.’” When Shaun arrived in the Dan Dierdorf Emergency and Trauma Center he was admitted directly to the pediatric intensive care unit. Testing determined that his heart was no longer up to performing its duties. “Unfortunately,” his mother recalled, “they said, ‘He is going to need to do a heart transplant.’” “Heart transplantation is a relatively uncommon outcome for patients with tetralogy of Fallot,” Schowengerdt said. “In some cases, a patient may require one surgery for total correction and do very well into adulthood. Shaun did relatively well after his initial operations, then he began to develop failure of the heart muscle of the main pumping chambers. He developed some cardiac rhythm abnormalities as a result. Therefore his only option was to undergo a heart transplant.” glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 47
SPECIAL DAY Shaun Patterson “You will have a cap and gown” After Shaun’s name was placed on the official list for receiving a donor organ, he twice went into cardiac arrest and required resuscitation. He ultimately required surgical placement of mechanical assist devices to support his circulation while he awaited a new heart. His family and the hospital staff tried to keep his spirits up. “I told him that he was going to have a graduation. You will have a cap and gown. I will get your announcements,” Robin said. Meanwhile, Shaun was befriended by Brooke Brothers, BSN, RN, nursing care coordinator
I started being someone who could take him out of his room in the afternoons,” she said. “He needed to be with a nurse to leave the room because his heart was so sick. We needed to get him out of his room for mental health reasons. “He was a very shy, quiet kid who did not talk to anyone — his nurses or doctors. Once I started taking him outside, I was the one person he could open up to. He would tell me about his life, having a heart condition, what he was doing at school, his plans and his goals for the future. He totally touched my heart. I wanted to take him under my wings.” Much of what Shaun talked
“I wanted to do something special for him and motivate him so he would not give up as he waited for a new heart.” -Brooke Brothers, BSN, RN for the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit and transitional care unit. “I knew he was going to be here for an extended amount of time so
about was sports. “He told me everyone thought he would be a great basketball player because he was so tall but he could never
Shaun Patterson and his mom with Dr. Schowengerdt, Michael Czajka and Dr. Huddleston
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play sports because of his health,” Brothers said. “It devastated me to think that he was 18 and was going to miss his graduation, something he had been looking forward to his whole life. I wanted to do something special for him and motivate him so he would not give up as he waited for a new heart.” Shaun often talked about his favorite athletes and teams — basketball star LeBron James and the New England Patriots football team, especially quarterback Tom Brady. What a coincidence. “I have a good friend, Dan Connolly, who lives in St. Louis. He played football at Marquette High School in Chesterfield and then played for the New England Patriots — with Tom Brady — for eight seasons,” Brothers said. “I work out at the same gym as Dan and his wife. His kids and my kids go to school together. “I hated to ask him for a favor, but...“ Brothers told Connolly about Shaun. “Dan said, ‘Let me see what I can do.’” Within 24 hours Tom Brady responded to Connolly’s message.
His response? “Tom asked Dan to give him some details about Shaun so he could make the message personalized. So I did. Sure enough, I got a text message with Tom’s video for Shaun. I kept it a secret.” On the same day this was unfolding, a donor heart became available and Shaun underwent a transplant on May 22. Included on the transplant team were cardiothoracic surgeons and SLUCare physicians, Andrew Fiore, MD and Charles Huddleston, MD. Both practice at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Fiore had performed the first corrective heart surgery Shaun needed during infancy. “That was a very fulfilling moment for us because we were able to help this child from infancy, when the tetralogy was repaired, then the need for teenage pulmonary valve replacement and now, finally, a new heart in adulthood,” Fiore said. “Helping these children all along the way to adulthood is extremely gratifying for us. It is a story like Shaun’s that fuels pediatric heart surgeons to do what they do.”
Graduation Day On June 3, after the other seniors had graduated from Hazelwood Central High School, the Danis Auditorium at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon was decorated for Shaun’s own ceremony. He had spent the days since his transplant traveling in a wheelchair, but thrilled his family and care team by walking down the aisle in his cap and gown. Shaun was presented his diploma and returned to his seat. On a video monitor, larger than life, Tom Brady’s smiling face appeared. “Shaun, I just wanted to let you know that you are an amazing guy and I’m really proud of you and all the things that you have accomplished thus far,” he said. “I also hear you love sports and you love the Patriots, and I think what
may be the best idea is you analyze a few plays for me and see what you can do. “Pull up some of your favorite clips and send them to me so I can do a little evaluation. Hang tough. Take care. We’re proud of you. Congrats on your graduation and keep kicking butt.” Shaun cried again. This time he was overwhelmed with joy. He dabbed tears from his cheeks with one hand and held his diploma Shaun Patterson with Bethany Rose, RN, Christine Walthes, RN and Brooke Brothers, BSN, RN with the other as he proceeded down the aisle to football,” he said. leave the ceremony. “He has always loved sports. I Still a man of few words, he told him to go to college to do what had one comment about Brady’s you love and you’ll thrive. There is a message. “Priceless.” degree for sports management and Another commitment you can do anything with that,” his prevented Connolly from attending mother said as she sat with Shaun the graduation but he visited the in the hospital’s atrium lobby. next day and Shaun gained another She watched parents passing by with children in strollers and Patriot friend. Connolly was an little red wagons. “Since the day offensive lineman and team captain we walked in here they have always for the Patriots and won a Super been so good to us. So nice, so Bowl ring in 2015, his last season very helpful with anything we ever before retirement. For eight years needed. It has been awesome. It has his job had been protecting Tom been great.” Brady. “The outlook after heart “Dan ended up spending a transplantation is excellent now,” couple of hours at Shaun’s bedside Schowengerdt said. “There and was completely touched. They have been so many advances talked about life and goals and over the past 20 years. The everything,” Brothers said. “I see immunosuppressant medications Dan all the time and he still talks that are required to prevent organ about how much that meant to him. rejection are getting better and He says, ‘If there is anything I can better and they have fewer side do for this kid, please let me know.’” effects. The patients do very well and are unrestricted in their Onward activities, although they do require Shaun’s recovery following life-long medications.” transplant went extremely well. Although his health altered his After three months of weekly visits life plans, Shaun is ready to move to the hospital for exams he was ahead. shifted to a monthly schedule. “It is what it is. Cardinal This fall he entered classes at Glennon has been a good place Lindenwood University to study for me,” he said. “They helped me sports management. get through a lot of problems or I “I want to be an analyst and wouldn’t be here right now.” commentator for basketball and Priceless. glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 49
GLENNON CARD 2019
Glennon Card 2019 Go Paperless and Save
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his year, Glennon Card shoppers had a new option — to purchase their card digitally. The new digital option gave buyers immediate use while minimizing paperwork for merchants and card sellers. The digital card was sold on the revamped GlennonCard.org at $10 less than the paper version. “We’ve seen the digital card make and break other markets,” says Brigette McMillin, Glennon Guild President. “After heavy research, strategic planning and rigorous testing, we considered the leap to be beneficial. Our persistence paid off!” The Glennon Card is a unique, 10-day discount shopping program organized by the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s P R E S E N TE D BY:
Foundation and the Glennon Guild, a 350-member women’s organization serving the children of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Since 2011, the Guild’s Glennon Card team has raised more than $1.47 million for the hospital. Sponsored once again by Edward Jones, Glennon Card continues to raise over $250,000 each year. The number of participating businesses remains to increase: 354 local eateries, retailers and services lent their support. 2019 also marks the comeback of the Glennon Card Shoppes Luncheon and Boutique, where shoppers could use their Glennon Card discount early. In attendance was SSM Health Cardinal Glennon patient — and fashionista — Nena, who underwent a heart transplant at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s
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Hospital in March 2014, after she became sick and her heart began to fail due to blood clots in her lungs and legs. She spent 77 days at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon before receiving a new heart. “It was truly a miracle,” she says. During Nena’s stay, staff became family to Nena and the hospital became a second home. Reflecting on this experience, Nena was asked to design a jewelry set at Kendra Scott’s famous Color Bar. Nena selected earrings, a bracelet, and matching necklace, choosing the aquamarine stones as a reminder of the new life she received through her transplant. Named the “Glennon Set,” this collection was sold during the Glennon Card shopping days, with 20% of sales coming back to the hospital.
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1G lennon Patient Nena by her “Glennon Set” Kendra Scott Collection display 2 Glennon Card Co-Chairs Karen Page, Kim Sullivan, Vicki Mower, Traci Ragsdale, Connie Sigmund, Tricia Davies 3 Glennon Guild President Brigette McMillin with patient Nena
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Glennon Card Glennon Card
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PROCEEDS BENEFIT:
October 18-27
THANK YOU PRESENTED BY:
2019 participating Sponsors, Donors, Restaurants & Businesses
EATERIES 1818 Chophouse Annie’s Frozen Custard Babbo’s Spaghetteria Bahama Buck’s Original Shaved Ice Company Bartolino’s Osteria Bartolino’s South Bella Milano Restaurant Bissinger’s Bravo Cucina Café Napoli California Pizza Kitchen Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company Cleveland-Heath Companion Crushed Red Culver’s of Manchester Cyrano’s Café Deer Creek Coffee Del Pietro’s Dottie’s Flour Shop The Egg & I Restaurant Favazza’s on the Hill Giovanni’s Kitchen Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream I Love Juice Bar - Rock Hill Il Bel Lago Il Palato Jamba Juice Joe Boccardi’s Ristorante Kirkwood Brewhouse Krispy Kreme Maggiano’s Little Italy Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt at Heritage Place Mia Sorella Mike Shannon’s Grill Nothing Bundt Cakes Provinces at the Hilton Frontenac
Russell’s Café & Bakery Chesterfield Russell’s Café & Bakery Fenton Russell’s on Macklind St. Louis Pizza & Wings Sugo’s Spaghetteria Tavolo V Teaspoons Café Texas de Brazil Trainwreck Saloon Trattoria Marcella Via Vino Enoteca Walnut Grill Wang Gang Asian The Weber Grill Restaurant
Big River Running Company The Bike Center Birkenstock & More Blown Away Blow Dry Bar Blu Spero Blush Boutique The Body Shop Breeze Blow Dry Bar and Beauty Boutique Bright Idea Toys Brody’s Lamps & Accessories Brooks Brothers Calico Corners The Candle Fusion Studio Carol House Furniture Cassie’s RETAILERS & SERVICES Cat’s Meow Personalized Gift Boutique Abby Keough Custom Creations Cha Boutique The Aesthetic Center at Checkered Cottage Parkcrest Plastic Surgery Cheree Berry Paper Affton Lawn Equipment Chesterfield Jewelers AG Adriano Goldschmied Christine’s Hallmark Alex Waldbart Florist Christopher’s Allen Edmonds City Sprouts Alpine Shop Clay & Cotton Kirkwood Aly’s Interiors Clayton Jewelers Amelia’s Fine Linens Cole Haan American Image Salon College Hunks Hauling Junk & Spa & Moving Amini’s The Container Store An Olive Ovation Dapper Gents Grooming April’s on Main and Menswear Arco Lawn Equipment David Kodner Personal Jewelers Arhaus Furniture Dimvaloo Activewear The Art of Entertaining Dominic Michael Salon Artmart Dotdotdash B. Davis Design Dottie’s Flour Shop The Back Store Down by the Station The Bag Lady Drybar St. Louis - Frontenac The Bedroom Store Eileen Fisher Bella Chic Home & Gift
52 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Elegant Readers Embroider The Occasion EPB Designs Evereve The Eye Bar Eye Candy Boutique Eyewearhaus Inc. The Final Touch Finders Keepers Fleur De Chic The Flower Petaler Flyover Living Forever Tennis Fun in the Sun The Fur and Leather Centre The Fur Boutique, LLC Genovese Jewelers Giddyup Jane The Gifted Gardener GIN & KIN Gina Graphics The Glass Workbench Glenn Betz Jewelers Go Spa Online Boutique The Great Cover Up The Great Frame Up of Clayton Happy Up, Inc. Heels Boutique Hey Lottie Imagination Toys The Initial Design Iron Tribe Fitness Ivy Hill Boutique J. Crew J. McLaughlin J.A. Whitney Gift Boutique JAC DESIGNS Jake’s on Main Jeans, Jackets & Jewels k. hall designs Karen’s Couture
kate spade new york Ken Miesner’s Flowers Kendra Scott The Kerry Cottage KIND Soap Company Kirkwood Florist Klutch Boutique koho boutique KOR Komplex La Ville Boutique Lacoste Ladue Pharmacy Lalo Salon Lass & Laddie Launch Clothing & Accessories Laurie Solet Laurie’s Shoes Leopard Boutique Lilly Pulitzer LuLu Belle Children’s Boutique Lusso Madewell The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum Magnolia’s European Florals & Specialty Boutique Marketplace at the Abbey Marmi Marta’s Boutique Mary Tuttle’s Mastorakos Orthodontic Associates MI-Box Mobile Self Storage Michelle’s Millbrook Pharmacy Mister Guy Men’s Store Mister Guy Women’s Store Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams MOD Moonbeams MOss Boutique
Mueller Furniture & Mattress The Needlepoint Clubhouse Never Enough Boutique New Balance St. Louis NewSpace Home Organization The Normal Brand Old House in Hog Hollow Orangetheory Fitness Chesterfield Orangetheory Fitness Ladue Orli’s Boutique Paisley Boutique Paper Patch Paperdolls Boutique Passport Luggage Patterson Family Farms Pilates Center of St. Louis The Porch in Wildwood Pottery Barn Pottery Barn Kids Pure Barre Des Peres Rachel’s Grove Reclaim Renew Relax The Back RF Home Co Riviera Luggage Roadside Runway Boutique Running Niche Rusted Chandelier Ruth Heyman - Licensed Massage Therapist Sallie Home sammysoap Sasha Nicholas The Service Bureau Fine Stationery and Gifts Shana Watkins Photography Shine Boutique Sign of the Arrow Simple Modern Soft Surroundings
Sole Comfort Special Occasions by Paulette & Teddy Splash The Spotted Pig Stallone’s Formal Wear Stonewater Spa & Salon Story Seven Strauss Peyton Superior Healthcare Physical Medicine Sweet Be’s Sweet boutique Synergi MedSpa Three Dog Bakery Three French Hens Thro’s Tory Burch Treats Unleashed tru candle studio TUMI twigs & MOSS Two Pink Elephants Vellum Vera Bradley Vie vineyard vines Vom Fass Walter Knoll Florist Wellbridge Athletic Club West Elm What to Wear and More The White Rabbit Wild Birds Unlimited Chesterfield Williams Sonoma Wilson Lighting Woman’s Exchange of St. Louis Woodard Cleaning & Restoration Woody’s Mens Shop YLANG YLANG
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glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 53
DIERDORF 2019
Gordon Wade, Greg Brewer, Dan Dierdorf, Brian Werner, Sean Fitzgerald and Dave Bernal
Dierdorf-Pronger Golf Classic Benefiting the Dan Dierdorf Emergency and Trauma Center
T
he Dierdorf-Pronger Golf Classic celebrated its 34th year this past October and continues to benefit the Dan Dierdorf Emergency & Trauma Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. NFL Football Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf teams up with NHL Hall of Famer Chris Pronger to host this tournament every year. The tournament took place on October 15 at the Boone Valley Golf Club in Augusta, Mo. and featured five-player teams, a live auction, hole-in-one contests and attendance prizes. We were honored this year to have a few special guests playing including Ozzie Smith, Robert Gassoff, Martin Brodeur and Barrett Jackman. There was also a special moment when the Glennon1 helicopter performed a flyover at the course, much to the delight of the
players! Infants and children come to the Dan Dierdorf Emergency & Trauma Center from all over the region. As a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, we are one of the busiest emergency rooms in the city and can handle any type of emergency, day or night. In addition, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon emergency physicians are available at six hospital locations throughout the bi-state area, including north and south St. Louis County, St. Charles County and the Metro East. When minutes matter, our dedicated Transport Team is standing by to serve hospitals in 120 counties in Missouri and Illinois. This group of highly-skilled paramedics, nurses and respiratory therapists have advanced training in the safe care and transport of babies and children.
54 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
The Latest Technology for the Best Care With the advent of new technology comes the ability to provide innovative solutions for modern emergency medicine. Through telehealth technology, our emergency physicians can evaluate patients at other hospitals and provide consultation and expertise to their attending physicians. They can also determine whether the child can be cared for appropriately in their community or needs to be brought to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Thanks to everyone who generously supports this one-of-akind tournament each year. We look forward to seeing you in 2020!
PR ESEN TED BY:
There was also a special moment leading up to this year’s tournament when Chris Pronger took the time to stop by the Dan Dierdorf Emergency and Trauma Center to talk with staff and take photos. Erin Bening, Director of Emergency Services said, “The staff in our ED have had a really rough summer with all the violence in the city. The timing of Chris’s visit made a huge impact on the staff and we are so thankful for his time and support!”
1
4
2
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1 Dan Dierdorf & Chris Pronger 2 Golfers at the driving range before the tournament 3 Members of the team from Stifel 4O ne of Bodley Group’s teams led by Doug Albrecht 5S econd Place Team from Fabick led by John Fabick
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 55
Basic Car Seat Safety
Don’t put your child at risk – buckle up the right way on every ride!
Infants and toddlers must ride in a rear-facing car seat. After your child outgrows his rear-facing only (infant car seat), a convertible or all-in-one car seat should be used until he exceeds the weight or height limit. Keeping your child rear-facing as long as possible is the best way to protect his head, neck, and spine.
After your child reaches the weight or height limit on his rearfacing car seat, he is ready to ride in a forward-facing car seat. Forward-facing car seats have a harness to keep your child restrained, and a tether that will limit his forward movement during a crash. Always use the tether with a forward-facing seat!
A belt positioning booster seat should be used after your child reaches the maximum weight or height limit on his forwardfacing seat. Booster seats lift your child up so that the seat belt fits properly over his hips and shoulder. Without a booster seat, the seat belt falls on your child’s soft belly and neck instead of his strong bones.
Your child is ready to ride with only a seat belt when he is 4’9” and: 1. He can sit all the way back on the vehicle seat 2. His knees are bent at the edge of the vehicle seat with his feet planted firmly on floor 3. His seatbelt crosses the shoulder, centered over his collar bone 4. The lap portion of the seat belt lies low on his hips, across his lap 5. He can stay seated this way for the entire ride, even if he is asleep
SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:
56 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
GLENNON AMBASSADORS
A Generous Community and Grateful Patient Make Every Tuesday “Tasty” for Cardinal Glennon Parents
E
very Tuesday evening around 5:15 pm, a group of parents begin forming a line on the hospital’s 5th floor outside the Ronald McDonald Family Room. They are anxiously waiting for what has affectionately become known as “Tasty Tuesday” to begin. For some parents, this may be the only meal they’ve eaten all day. For others, it’s a much-needed and appreciated break from the bedside, coupled with the unexpected bonus of a complimentary meal and a smile from people who have “been there.” Started in October 2014, Tasty Tuesdays are coordinated through the hospital’s Glennon Ambassador
program. From Pizza Night to Italian night, dinner is served to approximately 50-80 people on average each week, made possible by generous donations from local restaurants. Parents can enjoy their dinner in the comfort of the Ronald McDonald Family Room or take their meal to go. Over the last five years, Tasty Tuesdays have become a special “healing touch” for parents. Glennon Ambassador Joe Rohatsch spearheads the weekly event. Joe is a former patient and together with Laura Wulf, Grateful Patient Coordinator, serves dinner every Tuesday. “I wanted to turn my
love for food and relationships with some restaurant owners into a way to help the hospital,” says Joe. Laura connected Joe with some other adult former patients and grateful parents, and he listened as parents discussed the power of simple comforts like food and snacks to “take the edge off” and provide a smile during what can often be longer than anticipated or stressful hospital stays. Joe was driven to maximize what he could do to make those smiles happen, and began to take action. Joe recruited a couple of local businesses in 2012, so that the hospital could offer a monthlty
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 57
15 years, the Gianino family has supported the hospital through participation in the Holly Krieg Memorial Golf Tournament. “Joe is one of our best customers. When he approached us to help with the dinner program, it was a natural connection. We love helping families at the hospital, and providing some nights where dinner is on us, and they don’t have to worry about it,” says Julie. Thank you to the following restaurants and supporters who generously give to provide Tasty Tuesday’s:
Joe Rohatsch outside the Ronald McDonald Family Room
dinner to families. It didn’t take long to recognize the impact those meals played for many parents. “So many people need food. And some of them just need to get away for a bit. But all of them are smiling when they leave. And that just feels so good,” says Joe. Wulf adds, “After just a few months of dinners, the hospital’s Food Service department took notice of the impact, and generously stepped in to provide a second meal per month for families. Joe got fired up to do more, so then he joined forces with his friend, Joe Weinmann, owner of Kenrick’s Catering. Together, they provided a third monthly free meal.” As the smiles and gratitude from families multiplied, so did Joe’s zest for expanding the effort even further. To date, he has recruited more than 15 businesses who donate meals to the program. This hearty community engagement has led to dinner every Tuesday evening for well over five years, many more smiles, and a lesser financial burden for thousands of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon families.
Joe invested in temperaturecontrolled transport boxes so that he can take care of the pick-up and delivery of food from each establishment. He truly takes ownership of the program, and enjoys giving feedback to each of the contributors. “They all ask if everyone is enjoying the food they provide. They love hearing that it makes parents smile, and that for many it relieves a financial burden. For many of them, that’s thanks enough to know that their donation is really touching someone,” says Rohatsch. Steve Weinmann of Kenrick’s Meats and Catering states, “All of us at Kenrick’s believe that part of having a business is helping others. My father and my uncle, Joe Weinmann, mentored us that way as children. I feel fortunate to continue that philosophy with Joe, and help the kids and families at Cardinal Glennon.” Julie Lang, General Manager of Bill Gianino’s Restaurant states the Gianino family got involved with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon several years ago. For close to
58 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Bartolino’s Restaurant Bill Gianino’s Restaurant Cecil Whittaker Pizza – St. Charles locations Clayton Smiles Dentistry Favazza’s Restaurant Garrett Paper Garvy’s Grill Jimmy John’s Joannie’s Pizza Joey B’s Joe Boccardi’s - Columbia Ill. Joseph Rohatsch Family Kenricks Meats and Catering River City Catering and Banquet Rizzo’s Restaurant Social House Sodexo Syberg’s Restaurants Trattoria Toscana If you own a business or know of a business who would like to be a part of the Tasty Tuesday’s dinner program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, contact Grateful Patient Coordinator, Laura Wulf at laura.wulf@ssmhealth.com or 314-678-6635.
Scan to watch! 2019
July 25, 2019
2019 ACA’s
2019 AMBASSADOR CHOICE AWARDS G R AT E F U L FA M I L I E S R E C O G N I Z E T H E E X C E P T I O N A L C A R E O F S S M H E A LT H C A R D I N A L G L E N N O N C A R E G I V E R S
“Through the generous support of the Foundation, this night has been a vehicle for the last eight years for parents to recognize and celebrate the exceptional care and power of presence that makes Cardinal Glennon such a unique and special place,” says Laura Wulf, Grateful Patient Coordinator at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. “It’s an important layer in the process of healing to be able to express gratitude. Our parents and former patients support the hospital in so many ways, but this event is the most visual and public way for them to express what inspires their gratitude in the first place.” The eighth annual Ambassador Choice Awards were presented on
July 25 among hundreds of grateful family members, hospital staff and friends in the Joseph Schulte Theatre at St. Louis University High School. “Throughout the year, families will send in stories about people who impacted them during their time at the hospital. “Their testimonies are submitted as nominations for this event, and all nominees enjoy an evening that celebrates their careers and commitment to exceptional care. As part of the evening, they each receive their own ‘Hollywood star,’ swag bag, special recognition pin, and envelope which includes their nomination. After champagne on arrival, red carpet photo ops and a fun hors d’oeuvres party, attendees enjoy a unique and intimate program in the theater. “We recruit several
families to share their testimonies on video to create a ‘movie’ for all in attendance. The snippets of this movie are designed to collectively represent what matters to all of our nominating families at the hospital. No one knows whose stories will be featured that night. It remains a surprise until event night, and those caregivers are presented with additional “Oscar-like” crystal awards. “All of our staff deserves recognition for their never-ending commitment,” says Sandy Koller, President of the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. “The compassion, impact and gratitude expressed through these public testimonies gives us cause for celebration, and it’s also a source of inspiration for anyone who is connected to our hospital.”
A R E Y O U A G R A T E F U L F A M I LY M E M B E R ?
If you wish to share your story, express gratitude to your caregivers at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, volunteer, fundraise or support other families, we invite you to be part of Glennon Ambassadors. Ambassadors support the hospital at their own comfort level, interest and schedule. For more information, visit GlennonAmbassadors.org, or contact Laura Wulf at 314-678-6635 or laura.wulf@ssmhealth.com.
2019 AMBASSADOR CHO HERITAGE AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Cristie Rossel, DNP, RN, NEA-BC “Cristie Rossel has dedicated the last 40 years of her nursing career to the patients at Cardinal Glennon. Starting as a bedside nurse in the NICU, she has continued to personally grow to a doctoral prepared director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, transport team, Access Center and St. Louis Fetal Care Institute. She has made a huge impact by leading thousands of nurses in three successful departments.” - Katie Francis, MSN, CPNP | Program Coordinator – St. Louis Fetal Care Institute Cristie has been a nurse at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital since 1975, dedicating the last 44 years of her career to the patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Starting as a bedside nurse in the NICU, she continued to grow to become a doctoral prepared director of the Dana Brown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, transport team, Access Center and St. Louis Fetal Care Institute. Cristie helped plan and design two new neonatal intensive care units at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon with state-of-the-art equipment, new styles of patient care and private rooms. She was also instrumental in bringing nurse practitioners to the NICU. Cristie was a member of the transport team and has gone on to become director. The Neonatal/ Pediatric transport team has grown tremendously in the last seven years with her guidance, adding a 24-hour access line and two satellite transport teams in Cape Girardeau and Hannibal, Mo. Cristie has directed the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute from its inception and has been instrumental in helping it to grow into a leading center in the country.
DR. PETER DANIS AWARD FOR PHYSICIAN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT John Peter, MD, SLUCare Physician “John Peter is defined by his calm demeanor and his compassionate care for children and families. He has got a way of teaching and bringing you to the answer, both in the Emergency Department or on a challenging case with our inpatient faculty. He has assisted with several challenging conversations and difficult negotiations and has been a longstanding voice of reason that can truly discern and see both sides of a situation.” - Matt Broom, MD, MBA, FAAP, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Chief Medical Officer, SLUCare Physician Dr. Peter has served on more than 30 committees dedicated towards improving our healthcare system, including communication with providers, emergency and trauma management, procedural and pain sedation, policy development and ethical review, to name a few. He has given more than 60 presentations on pediatric emergency care, and as a PALS instructor, he has educated countless healthcare professionals on how to care for our sickest, most critical patients. Dr. Peter served as the pediatric emergency fellowship director for 12 years and has guided hundreds of fellows and residents through care in one of the busiest pediatric emergency rooms in the region. Most importantly though, Dr. Peter has provided exceptional care to thousands of children, has reassured even more parents, and has been a calming force for all involved.
AMBASSADOR CHOICE HONORS RECIPIENTS Chris Hugge, MD, SLUCare Physician “Even on weekends, he would stop by after doing paperwork just to check in on Lily and he would stay to visit. And he was willing to talk about things other than cancer. He was willing to sit with me and share stories about normal events happening outside the hospital. It kept my spirits up and helped me laugh during a time that seemed so full of sadness. He is chronically optimistic in a profession that doesn’t always have a happy ending. That optimism is contagious and gives parents the hope and courage.” - Anne LaMartina Dr. Christopher Hugge is a Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is director of the Pheresis Program, administrative director of the Hemostasis Program, and a member of the SLUCarePhysician Group. Dr. Hugge has been at SSM Cardinal Glennon for 14 years.
Videos and a photo gallery of honorees can be viewed at glennonambassadors.org.
I C E AWA R D R E C I P I E N T S AMBASSADOR CHOICE HONORS RECIPIENTS (cont.) Kelly North Lepsky, MSN, BSN, RN “She is a friend, a support system for our family and a bright spot in every appointment, scan and inpatient stay. She helps us break down complex medical information, and hugs us when we cry. She will visit us in the waiting room during surgeries and keeps us updated at each step. She truly has made a very difficult road easier to navigate.” - Kim Clements Kelly has been a nurse at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon for 27 years and has served in various capacities in numerous departments. She is currently a clinical nurse for the division of neurosurgery.
Aki Puryear, MD, SLUCare Physician “I adopted my daughter who has severe physical disabilities. When I got her we were told she wouldn’t last through the first year. Dr. Puryear said from the very beginning that she would decide what she wanted to do. Four years later and he has stood by his word in fighting with me for the best life she could physically have.” - Jamie Drye Dr. Aki Puryear is a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and a member of the SLUCare Physician Group. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is an Instructor of Orthopedic Surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
Tricia Casey, EMT-P “Tricia wants to make sure when we call for help, the responders are trained and prepared when walking into our home, able to assist our special children, and able to keep us calm so that we can be parents. We are at our most vulnerable when we are at home. It is her mission to make sure that our local EMS can assist us and other families like ours when and if we have the need to call 911. Tricia has given us the gift of knowing we can call for help and we are not alone.” - Jamie Masinelli Tricia is an EMT-P who has been with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon for four years, and is coordinator of our STARS program, which has been locally and nationally recognized for ingenuity, leadership and innovation.
Darcy Kammeier, MS, RD, LDN “Darcy was the first person who told her weight loss was possible without making her feel like it was all her fault. She empowered her throughout the entire process. When things got hard, Darcy was there to encourage her. When she succeeded, Darcy was there to praise her. When she felt defeated, Darcy didn’t admonish her for what she was doing wrong, instead she showed her what she was doing right and helped her find a way to get back on the path.” - Chris Lloyd Darcy is a registered dietician with the clinical nutrition department, and has been at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon for four years. She is also the dietician that is part of our weight management and bariatric surgery team.
Dana Brown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit “Every single person from the nurses, physicians, residents, secretaries, security, transport team and even housekeeping made an impact. We cannot thank them enough for helping us survive our journey.” - Abbey Meyer SSM Health Cardinal Glennon offers a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the highest standard of care for newborns. Inside this 65 bed NICU, our highly-specialized team provides care, 24/7, including: surgical repair of complex conditions, the most advanced technology available, a full range of pediatric medical and surgical subspecialties, pediatric anesthesiologists on site, and patient transport by ambulance, helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. The infants that receive care in the Dana Brown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are living proof of the consistently high level of care our team delivers.
ASK THE DOCS
Ask the docs — Safe Sleep
D
espite nearly three decades of efforts from pediatricians and public health officials, increasing numbers of infants are dying of accidental suffocation, often while they are sleeping. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the injury category “hanging, strangulation, suffocation” accounted for 1,106 deaths of children under the age of one year in 2017, 84 percent of all infant fatalities caused by accidents. The fatalities often occur when a baby is sleeping with an adult or suffocated by a blanket, crib bumper or plush toy. The SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Safety Program is playing a role in reducing infant mortality across eastern Missouri and southern Illinois by offering almost 100 “Baby Safety 101” classes to the families of newborns each year. In addition to safety advice, participants receive items that encourage home safety and a wearable sleep sack for babies to wear in bed.
Also, families that do not have or cannot afford a safe “Pack ‘n Play” portable bassinet will be given one. Those who cannot afford a car seat will be given a certificate that may be redeemed at a SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Safety Program seat fitting. The items are provided with a grant from Kohl’s Cares, the charitable arm of Kohl’s Department Stores. Kohl’s operates 1,100 stores in 49 states, including 15 in the St. Louis area. Kohl’s has donated more than $2 million for safety programs at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital since 2006. Kohl’s Cares funding for the current year will provide 500 safe sleep packages and 500 car seats. Due to its efforts to promote sleep safety in the hospital and community, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon has been certified as a “Gold Level Certified Safe Sleep Champion” by Cribs for Kids, a national not-forprofit organization.
62 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
David Wathen, DO, SLUCare physician
Lori Winkler, MSN, RN, TNS
Baby Safety 101 classes are offered at hospitals, community agencies and public health departments in the region, often in foreign languages through interpreters. David Wathen, DO, SLUCare physician and pediatric hospitalist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is the hospital’s safe sleep champion. Lori Winkler, MSN, RN, TNS, is an injury prevention nurse and coordinator of Safe Kids St. Louis at the hospital.
How have sleep safety efforts fared in the U.S.? Wathen: “Starting in 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended ‘Back to Sleep’ practices and the numbers of sudden unexpected infant deaths declined by half by the early 2000s. But accidental suffocation has been increasing over the last 10 years. People are not sure why the improvement reached a plateau. Maybe people relaxed their efforts because they thought we had done a great job. Maybe we didn’t do enough — there are still so many causes such as crib bumpers and other things that are placed in beds and need to be removed.” How does Baby Safety 101 encourage safe practices? Winkler: “The two-hour classes focus on safe sleep practices and all aspects of child safety. The first thing I do is ask the participants to take out their phones and enter the national poison hotline number. We also talk about the other issues in childhood death listed by the U.S. Center for Disease Control — such as gun safety and water safety. The leading cause of unintentional injury from ages 1 to 4 is drowning. From ages 5 and up the leading cause is motor vehicle crashes, so that is when we focus on car seat safety.” Why is suffocation such a risk during the first year of life? Winkler: “I talk with parents about the anatomical reasons babies are at risk. Babies breathe through their noses. If the nose is covered with anything they are unable to breathe. We educate parents on the ABCDs of Safe Sleep: Alone (always), on their Back, in a safety approved Crib; pack n play, or bassinet and Do not expose to smoke and Do not overheat the baby.
Causes of Unintentional Injury Death by Age, 2017
Under 1 year
1-4 years
5-14 years
Falls Firearm accidental discharge Drowning Hanging, strangulation, suffocation Exposure to fire, smoke Poisoning Suicide Injury by firearm
13 1 43 1,106 15 9 0 13
12 31 424 110 89 29 0 80
30 30 235 71 149 45 522 438
All accidental causes
1,317
1,267
1,578
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, in 2017 there were 94 sleep-related infant deaths in Missouri and 54 of them were known to have occurred while someone was sleeping in bed with them.” How can the bed and items in it create hazards? Wathen: “There is not a lot of regulation of the baby items that are sold. The main regulation is that items can’t be flammable. Stores are allowed to sell things that shouldn’t be used, like blankets, plush toys, pillows, positioners, inclined sleepers and crib bumpers. None of those are recommended by AAP and are thought to be actually dangerous. People think soft crib bumpers protect the baby’s head if they roll into the side of the crib but babies can’t roll hard enough to injure themselves. If the baby rolls over or gets positioned next to the bumper, he can’t move away from it and can suffocate.” Winkler: “Parents are also informed of the dangers of letting their baby sleep in a car seat or inclined sleepers. Inclined sleepers may look comforting for the baby but babies have big heads and weak neck muscles. If their head tilts down, their windpipe will block off. Babies don’t snore so you’re not going to hear them struggling to breathe. The only safe sleep environment,
per the AAP, is a crib with a new firm mattress that is newer than 2011, pack’n play or bassinet. Items purchased on the internet from overseas buyers may not meet the US safety standards that do exist. I can buy a really cheap car seat online, but if it is coming from overseas the safety standards there may not be the same as ours.” Why are sleep sacks recommended and provided to parents at Baby Safety 101? Wathen: “Another recommendation from AAP is not to use loose blankets because babies can roll and become entangled in them. They cannot get out or the blankets can bunch up near the face. With a wearable blanket, you zip them up in it so that can’t happen.” Winkler: “The majority of the time in our classes is spent on safe sleep practices. Our gold standard is helping babies reach their first birthdays then grow up to become viable, productive citizens.” To learn more about SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Safety Program, go to: www.glennon.org/safetyprogram or call 314-678-5474 to register for a baby safety class.
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 63
GLENNON FRIENDS /
SPOTLIGHT
TRIBUTE
GLENNON FRIENDS Glennon Friends celebrates the faith, commitments and generosity of our supporters. Listed recognition includes: CORPORATE, ORGANIZATION & FOUNDATION PARTNERS PARISHES & SCHOOLS GIFTS OF FRIENDSHIP MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES
To view the full listing of gifts received from our Glennon Friends visit glennon.org/friends.
Marcella Kennedy
M
arcella Kennedy had what her family calls a “giving spirit” throughout her entire life. “She was a generous, honest person who was humble and loved by many,” said Mark Clonts, one of Marcella’s five cousins. Born on the 4th of July in 1932, Kennedy lived large on her birthday each year, hosting family barbeques and hoisting a special flag with the American flag on one side and a “Happy Birthday” sign on the other. “Oh, yes, she loved the 4th of July and I usually handled the grill when we celebrated when I was older,” Mark recalled. “We talked about that flag and all the happy times on that holiday during her funeral last year.” Kennedy grew up in Crystal City, Mo. She was the only child of Paul and Hilda Kennedy and never married or had children of her own. Instead, she lived in the house her father built and lavished all of her attention and generosity on her extended family and on charitable causes close to her heart, oftentimes connected in some way to children and their care. “She was born with a spinal and neck problem,” said Cherie Klosterman, another cousin. “Her mother and father didn’t have a lot of resources at the time, so they took her to Shriner’s Hospital in St. Louis for an operation.” Kennedy spent her school years in Festus, first attending Sacred Heart School and then Festus High School before graduating and going to work for the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company. “Pittsburgh Glass was the biggest glass factory under one roof in the entire United States,” said Mark. “They made plate glass for automobile windshields and for airplane bombers during World War II. Many family members also worked there, including my dad, uncles, cousins, grandparents, even myself.”
64 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Marcella worked there for 42 years in various secretarial and administrative roles. “From the time she got a job until she retired in 1992, she lived at home and put money every week into an account that she used to give money to various family members or to charity,” Cherie noted. “She cared for her mom and dad until they died and then took care of my mom and all of the aunts and uncles. She was an angel on earth, helping us all.” When she inherited money from an aunt, Kennedy created the KennedyMyers Foundation and regularly donated to her church, the Father Flannigan Boys Home, Ronald McDonald House, Shriner’s Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. “She never said directly, but I think she gave to Cardinal Glennon because it was a Catholic institution and she was very happy to help children there,” said Cherie. “She also set up college funds for her first cousins’ children. She was simply a generous, loving woman who has left an incredible legacy through her charity efforts.” Kennedy was diagnosed with colon cancer in her younger years. As she aged, the cancer returned. She passed away on December 6, 2018. In her will she divided the last of her money to charitable causes and donated her family home to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon to sell and use the funds for something that would benefit children treated at the hospital. She also donated her body to science. "When her mother was in the nursing home Marcy took the entire nursing staff out to a nice restaurant on several occasions to thank them for all they did for her mom. After she retired, she took some of her co-workers from the glass plant and all the employees at her local beauty parlor to the same restaurant on numerous occasions as her treat" said Mark. "She loved to share her wealth and good fortune with friends, relatives, the church and worthy causes.” Cherie agrees. “She’d want to be remembered for her love of family and friends.”
Why I Give »
Our nephew, Donnie Traiteur, Jr. was born with Hydrocephulus and immediately transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon where he was not expected to live more than a few days. Through the wonderful care of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and his nurturing family, he lived to age 27 and was an inspiration to all of us.
We love to show our support through Homers for Health. This program is a great marriage of St. Louis and Cardinal Glennon. We are “fans” of both! Bob and Pat Dillman
I have been giving to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon for over 35 years to say thanks for the treatment I received and the compassion they gave my mom. I was born with a clubfoot and required five surgeries, beginning when I was a year and a half old. At this same time, my mom became widowed and was left with my sister and me. Mom often told me about the support she received from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, and how these services were provided. I can’t imagine how she made it through those times, yet I know it was because of the help and support she received from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. I played sports growing up, including baseball, water and snow skiing and hockey. I would never have been able to do these things without the care I received from Cardinal Glennon.
As thankful as I am for the care I received, I also give to Cardinal Glennon as a way to say thanks for all they did for my mom.
Our son Scott was born on February 21, 1972 and was diagnosed with Tetrology of Fallot. Scott had open heart surgery at Cardinal Glennon in December 1976 to repair his heart problems.
We have continued to support the hospital each year on Glennon Sunday through the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Scott went on to college and received a Ph.D. in biology at Penn State University. He currently works for the USDA in California as an Entomologist.
Linus and Mary Lee Portman
Over the years I have done my best to give back in order to help other children and families who may be going through an experience like my mom and I did.
Allen Minks
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GLENNON FRIENDS /
SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT
THANKS to the Development Board for their continuous support of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. President
Joseph E. Stroot President-Elect
Jake Eilermann Secretary
Teresa E. Braeckel Public Relations
Benjamin M. Albers Young Friends Coordinator
Alexander J. Wasson Board Members
Hannah Castellano Jeremiah Dellas Dana Ferrick Lacie Good Marcy Handlan Zachary P. Kratofil Richard H. Kuhlman Brian A. Lamping Christopher R. Leonard John J. Marino Serafina A. Nicolais Michael F. Niemann Declan C. O'Neill Andrea Ramsey David Rath Nathan G. Riner Matt Sartori Patrick Sheley Tracey A. Swabby Patrick M. Van Cleave Lauren Vandegriffe John Vitale Brandon Wappelhorst
Reflections Life Planning Forum
O
n August 29, 34 guests attended our first Reflections Life Planning Forum. The event was held at the Missouri Athletic Club West. This free life planning forum covered selected topics preparing families for end-of-life decisions. These expert presenters revealed essentials for important life issues that are designed to help you and your family prepare for unexpected situations in life. Planning tools on hand included planned giving documents, church-approved health care directives for Missouri and Illinois, and even a funeral planning guide to share with family and loved ones as these critical decision points are discussed.
The Reflections Life Planning Forum is designed for all ages and phases of life. The speakers share authentic endof-life issues. Afterward, you will be at peace knowing these decisions can be modified as needs change to serve you well, and your loved ones, throughout any age of life. We will be offering two forums in 2020. We hope you will be able to join us. The feedback from the guests in attendance was amazing! Watch for future dates and locations on our website or give us a call early next year and please remember to attend and invite your family and friends to join you.
The REFLECTIONS panel of experts
Ethics: Moral Understanding Rev. Charles Bouchard, OP, S.T.D. Peace for faith and family Senior Director, Theology & Sponsorship Rev. Charles Bouchard, OP, S.T.D. Catholic Health Association St. Louis, MO
Wills and Trusts: Financial Certainty Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP, S.T.D.,of is mind senior director, theology & Peace for sponsorship at the Catholic Health Association of the United States your loved ones
(CHA). He assists the Catholic health ministry nationwide as an author, educator and consultant onChallis the church's theological and ethical T. Jack & teaching. He is also executive editor of Health Care Ethics USA. Andrew M. Mitchell
Philanthropy: Legacy for All Peace for your heart and soul Adam Ford
Health Care Directives: Legal Harmony Peace with medical decision Paul Gantner
Prior to joining CHA, Fr. Bouchard served as provincial of the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great from 2011 to 2015; as vice president for theological education at Ascension Health from 2008 to 2011; and as president and associate professor of moral theology at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis for 18 years. He was instrumental in beginning Aquinas' Master of Arts in Health Care Mission program, as well as the nation's only Catholic doctoral program in preaching. He writes and lectures on issues in health care, health care ethics, Catholic identity in sponsored institutions, and the intersection of political life, religion and faith. Recent publications include "Whatever Happened to Sin: Virtue, Friendship and Happiness in the Moral Life," published by New Priory Press in 2013, "Sexuality and Morality: Answers for Modern Foundation Catholics," published Children’s by Liguori Publications in 2014, and "How to Listen to a Sunday Homily," published by Sunday Bulletin in June-July 2017. In addition, he edited a volume of essays on theology and health care entitled "Incarnate Grace: Perspectives on the Ministry of Catholic Health Care,” published by the Catholic Health Association in 2017.
Fr. Bouchard entered the Dominicans in 1974 and was ordained in 1979. He completed doctoral studies in moral theology at The Catholic University of America in 1987. 66 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation ©The Catholic Health Association of the United States
SPOTLIGHT
/ GLENNON FRIENDS
SPOTLIGHT HOME RUN DERBY
Home Run Derby
W
ant to learn more about the Home Run Derby program and how your child’s school can help support the patients and families of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon? Feel free to reach out to our community outreach coordinator, Ryan Jennings to receive an informational packet
that you can share with your school’s principal. We are always looking for more schools and local youth groups to join the program and help us hit a home run for children in need! You can reach Ryan at ryan.jennings@ssmhealth.com.
SPOTLIGHT VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers
W
e would like to say a special thank you to all of the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation volunteers who have helped us be so successful in 2019. Whether they are helping at some of our big events, or assisting with different projects around our office, all our volunteers
play a vital role in helping us support the life-saving misson of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Want to join in on the fun? You can visit glennon.org/volunteer today and register to receive information about all our upcoming volunteer opportunities.
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 67
GLENNON FRIENDS /
SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT PEREGRINE SOCIETY
The Peregrine Society Sponsors Fun Mother's Day Weekend
T
he Peregrine Society has generously sponsored a Mother’s Day weekend for Costas Center Families for the past 30 years. A total of 14 oncology patients and their families were able to spend time together participating in fun-filled activities. Families enjoyed trips to Silver Dollar City, Dolly's Stampede, Incredible Pizza, other restaurants and more! Hematology/Oncology Social Worker, Aleeza Granote shared, "Our families had a wonderful time making special memories together. When a child is diagnosed with cancer it can be challenging and life altering. It can be hard for families to focus on life outside of the oncology diagnosis, but this trip gave them the opportunity to be a family and have normality. Families felt this trip allowed them to focus on each other, meet new families that share similar experiences and have a great time!” Collaborating with the Peregrine Society has
helped to create meaningful opportunities for our families during an incredibly stressful time. We are so grateful for their ongoing support.
SPOTLIGHT TEAM NOAH FOUNDATION
Team Noah Foundation
T
he Team Noah Foundation was created in 2011 in honor of a little boy who lost his life to Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) at just 10 weeks old. Their mission is to support families dealing with, and bring awareness to the number one birth defect, CHD. They do this through a variety of fundraisers including cycling events and an annual trivia night. The group donates funds to the Footprints Program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. The Footprints Program features a specially trained
68 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
team dedicated to comfort, advocacy and support of children with complex medical issues and their families. The care coordination provided by Footprints addresses not only the child’s physical needs, but the emotional, spiritual and psychosocial needs of the entire family. In addition, the Team Noah Foundation donates therapeutic heart pillows, which are given to patients after heart surgery, and swaddling blankets, which are used for babies in the NICU.
SPOTLIGHT
/ GLENNON FRIENDS
SPOTLIGHT SOUND OF HEALING
Sound of Healing
I
n early March, our child life and music therapy teams received a complete mobile music studio from The Sound of Healing. The Sound of Healing is a local non-profit started by a pediatric cancer survivor who experienced the healing power of music first hand during his treatment. The donated music studio includes a laptop, microphone, headphone and keyboard, and will allow patients to create
music without leaving their bed. Through community support, The Sound of Healing has been able to provide mobile music studios to multiple hospitals over the past few years. We are excited to see the impact his generosity has on our patients and can’t wait to hear what they create.
SPOTLIGHT ST. CHARLES ROSARY RIVER RUN
St. Charles Rosary River Run
T
he second annual St. Charles Rosary River Run 5k took place in early June. Due to flooding in the area, the run had to be relocated from Frontier Park to Blanchette Park last minute, but everyone still showed up to support a great cause! More than 120 runners and 47 sponsors attended and collectively raised over $4,000 to support the children and families served by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. John Smith, former Cardinal Glennon patient and teen whose story is told through the film “Breakthrough,” kicked off the run by sharing his story and the impact the hospital had on his life. Over the last two years, the St. Charles Rosary River Run has raised more than $9,000 in conjunction
with the Glennon Sunday appeal. This appeal began when the hospital first opened its doors, calling on the community for support to build a place where any child in need of care would be welcomed.
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 69
GLENNON FRIENDS /
SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT LONDERIDERS RAFFLE RUN
LoneRiders Raffle Run
I
n 2010, at the age of 18, Tyler TeBrink was diagnosed with Rheumatic Fever and received lifesaving open heart surgery at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Tyler and his family spent many weeks in the hospital during this time and found solitude in the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms located in the hospital. Here, Tyler's family was able to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the
hospital, take a shower, do laundry, get a snack and nap in the loungers. At that time, a group of friends from the motorcycle group called The LoneRiders developed a Charity Poker Run to raise money for the family's medical bills. The family was grateful for this generous gesture, however asked if the proceeds could be given back to the two organizations that made a tremendous difference in Tyler's life, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and the Ronald McDonald House of St. Louis. Fast forward to June 2019, when the group hosted their 9th annual Charity Raffle Run featuring motorcycles, cars, prizes, raffles and much more. Over the years, the LoneRiders have raised over $65,000 for the two charities. The TeBrink family is forever grateful to these organizations for their continued support of children and families in the St. Louis community and beyond.
SPOTLIGHT KIDS 4 KIDS
Kids 4 Kids SEMO Donation
E
arlier this year, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon was the recipient of a local child’s incredible generosity. In 2017, 5-year-old Benny decided he wanted to help other children not be bored while staying in the hospital, so he and his family started Kids 4 Kids SEMO. Through multiple fundraisers throughout the year, Benny raises money to purchase thousands of toys that he then donates to multiple children’s hospitals. This year, Benny and his brother helped deliver more than 1,000 toys and even got to meet a member of our child life team who wanted to say thank you in person. Way to go Benny!
70 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
SPOTLIGHT
/ GLENNON FRIENDS
SPOTLIGHT FRIENDS OF KIDS WITH CANCER
Friends of Kids with Cancer Donates Cookie Kits for Families
T
hrough the thoughtful efforts of Friends of Kids with Cancer, families were able to make yummy memories with their loved ones. Friends of kids donated cookie kits for families. Inside each of the kits were various baking tools, cookie mixes, and decorations. So many of our families really appreciate basic household items and these cookie kits were a perfect way for families to come together. Oncology/ Hematology Social Worker, Aleeza Granote shared, "These kits included everything our families needed to make delicious cookies together. Baking together reminded families that even small moments at home are great opportunities to bond. It showed an easy way to make time at home a little more special. Activities like this help bring normalcy to families during a difficult time." Aleeza added, "We are very lucky to collaborate with Friends of Kids with Cancer on so many meaningful projects. They help our patients and
families create special memories during a stressful time."
SPOTLIGHT CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK
Miracle Treat Day
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ach year, our friends at Children’s Miracle Network and Dairy Queen host Miracle Treat Day, when the community can purchase any Blizzard Treat at participating DQ locations and help support kids in need. This year Troy Bader, President and CEO of American Dairy Queen Corporation visted
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon to deliver Blizzards to our families and staff. Hospital President, Steven Burghart joined Troy and together they brought plenty of smiles to our families. As a national partner of CMN Hospitals for 35 years, the DQ brand has raised nearly $150 million for local children’s hospitals in U.S. and Canada. In the St. Louis area alone, DQ operators have raised more than $1 million in the last five years. We are so grateful for their continued support!
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 71
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Where Are They Now? Gregory Stewart / THEN: 28-day old Liver Transplant Patient
now Laundry Assistant, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital
THEN
C
all it a mother’s instinct. Amy Flores’s baby was full term in April 1995 but she said “something in her gut” told her that there was something very wrong with her son Gregory after he was born. “He was lethargic and hard to wake up,” she says. “He wasn’t eating very well and couldn’t keep anything down.” Ten days later, after switching formula and trying other suggestions from the pediatrician, she brought Greg into the doctor’s office and asked to be seen. After a physical exam, the doctor immediately called the emergency room at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and told Amy to take her son directly to the hospital. “By the time we got there, Greg was arching his back and having seizures; it was so very scary at the time,” she recalls. After comprehensive testing, the family was told the diagnosis: Greg had cirrhosis of the liver. Doctors were putting him on the list to get a liver transplant. Says Amy, “I didn’t drink; I didn’t smoke, and there was no history in our family
NOW
of liver disease. I just thought it might be the flu or a bad virus or something like that.” Thankfully, 18 days later, a donor liver became available. Greg was in the neonatal intensive care unit for more than two months before being transferred to a regular room in July 1995 and finally discharged. Ongoing medical complications kept the family going back and forth to the hospital every month for more than a year. While his liver worked fine, Greg also was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease that makes it hard for the heart to pump blood. As he grew older, he was diagnosed with Asperger’s, a form of autism. He went to Lindbergh High School in south St. Louis County and was one of few special school district students to be nominated to participate in a work project, first at Friendship Village, and now at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. Says Greg, “I like working at St. Mary’s. I run carts up to the floors and pick up and make deliveries for the laundry department.” He moved from a part-time to full-time
job with benefits at SSM Health St. Mary’s several years ago and has since received Employee of the Month and Customer Service Awards. Amy Flores beams as she talks about her son. “They told me when he was little that he would never walk or talk or even dress himself, but look at him now!” The family still comes to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon to pick up medicine for Greg. This past Mother’s Day, Amy, who is an independent makeup consultant, made and filled more than 100 special bags for moms that she hand-delivered to parents at both SSM Health St. Mary’s and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. “I wanted to pay it forward,” she says softly. “Cardinal Glennon, for me, is the most amazing hospital that I have ever experienced. Everyone is kind and caring and sensitive to your needs. I still know some of the NICU nurses and I owe them my child’s life. Because of them, Greg really is a miracle.”
glennon.org Fall/Winter 2019 • 72
Dear Friends,
F
or the last two years, we have had the privilege of partnering with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Every day, we hear stories from our diners about
what a special place it is, and we are honored to align ourselves with an organization that has been a pillar of the St. Louis community since 1956. Through our annual cookie drive, our guests have contributed nearly $40,000 to SSM Helath Cardinal Glennon so far and we look forward to many more years of partnership! McAlister’s comes from humble beginnings, and our goal of serving delicious food and encouraging a sense of community has never changed. We always believe in going the extra mile for our guests, just like the caregivers at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon go above and beyond for their patients and families. I would like to offer a hearty thanks to all of our guests who have made our annual cookie drive such a success, and thanks to everyone at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon for what you do every day for the children of the St. Louis community and beyond.
Sincerely,
AJ Baird President of Operations
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Children’s Foundation Published by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation 3800 Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 314-577-5605 • 1-800-269-0552 email: info@glennon.org glennon.org
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