Glennon S S M H ealth C ardinal G lennon Children’s Foundation
glennon.org
Luke, Glennon Kid
2019 Homers for Health Co-chair 9 Years Old and Leading the Team page 32
Spring/Summer 2019, Volume 38, Number 1
VIEWPOINT
35
years ago our twin daughters, Mary and Colleen, were born two months prematurely and spent the first several months of their lives in the NICU at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. As soon as my wife Connie and I stepped across the threshold of the door at the hospital all those years ago, we knew that this was the place we needed to be. Not only were we confident in the expertise of the doctors and nurses caring for our precious daughters, but there was a tangible presence of God that gave us instant comfort. Everyone, to a person, made us as comfortable as possible with an uncertain situation – we quickly discovered that our daughter may be having surgery, but the whole family was involved in the operation. Fast-forward 24 years to 2008 when our sweet Mary passed away unexpectedly from heart complications that she had been treated for since birth. A year later, thanks to the overwhelming support of our friends, the community and one person in particular, Steve Mattingly, who approached our family with the idea, we began the Mary McDermott 3rd Grade Basketball Tournament to honor Mary’s memory and raise funds for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s hybrid cardiac catheterization suite. To date, we’ve been fortunate to raise $435,900.00 greatly assisted in the process by our two main sponsors, Summit Strategies Group and World Wide Technology. The advanced technology in the hybrid cardiac catheterization suite allows cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons to perform sophisticated tests and a full range of procedures – from pacemakers and stents to open-heart surgery – in the same room in a single procedure. This approach reduces the time that a child has to be under anesthesia and thereby shortens their recovery. All this is possible because of the generosity of thousands of donors across the region, including everyone who has supported the Mary McDermott Basketball Tournament since 2009. When Mary passed away a grief counselor reminded us that death is the end of a life, not a relationship. It will continue to be my honor to remember the special bond that Mary had with Cardinal Glennon.
Bill M. McDermott Grateful Parent
John Smith Glennon Kid
Truly a Miracle At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, miracles - both big and small - happen every day. This has never been more true than with John Smith, a 14-year-old boy at the time, who fell through the ice and was without a pulse for nearly an hour. His miraculous story is one of inspiration and now a major motion picture, titled Breakthrough. This Glennon Sunday, be a part of making miracles possible. Make your gift today at glennon.org.
Glennon Sunday Where Faith and Healing Unite
June 2, 2019
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation 3800 Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 • 314-577-5605 • 1-800-269-0552
Made possible by YOU in 2018!
240,000
$
35,000
$
The purchase of one Giraffe Omnibed for NICU. This state-of-the-art equipment
Footprints Program This program provides comfort, advocacy and support for families of children with complex medical needs through education, respite activities practical assistance and spiritual support.
46,000
$
The cost for two Arctic Sun Cooling Systems. This sophisticated temperature management system helps some of our sickest patients who cannot regulate their body temperatures, including premature babies.
135,000
$
GE Voluson E10 Ultrasound System Improves the ability of our Fetal Care team to accurately diagnose a wide range of complex prenatal conditions in the highest-definition imaging available.
110,000
$
New Hemodialysis Equipment
Donor support enabled us to replace seven dialysis machines with the new Fresenius 2008T system. This trusted device provides the safest, most accurate care for our patients with renal disease.
Reach Out and Read Provides 50,000 new, age-appropriate books to children throughout the St. Louis area each year through more than 30 MILESTONES pediatric offices.
$
6 TO 12 MONTHS MOTOR MOTOR
0
What your child is doing
COMMUNICATION AND COGNITION
40,000
$
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90,000
MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
provides a controlled, reduced-stress environment for premature babies, much like that of a mother’s womb.
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Transport Ventilator Standardization
144,000
$
173,222 53,145 7,221
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5,732
and cloth books; and cloth books; WHAT TO READ WHAT TO READ boardboard
WHAT TO READ
Mental Health Services
DID YOU KNOW? In 2018...
200,000
$
210,000
$
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DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT
MOTOR holds head steady
board books; rhyming books; board books; rhyming books;rhyming rhym books th picture books; books that that books with with babybaby faces;faces; picture books; books boo books Outpatient Surgeries board books; rhyming books; rhym board and cloth books; WHAT picture bo board books; rhyming books; rhyming books; picture board and cloth books;TO READ search a name things nursery rhymes name things sear nursery rhymes with babythat faces; books picture that tellbooks; stories;books that longer boo sto picturebooks books; books books with baby faces; things sear nursery rhymes and alphab searchname and find books name things nursery rhymes
Donor support helps cover the cost of high-quality www.reachoutandread.org www.reachoutandread.org counseling and diagnostic services for families who lack insurance or other www.reachoutandread.org www.reachoutandread.org means to pay. reachoutandread
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation 3800 Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 314-577-5605 or 1-800-269-0552
1,737
reachoutandread reachoutandread Inpatient
Surgeries
reachoutandread
glennon.org
Contents Glennon Volume 38 Number 1
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 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: The Beck Family 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
FEATURES
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Glennon Glow
Bob Costas honored
STARS Updates
Making a difference for special kids
32 DEPARTMENTS
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AROUND GLENNON
7
UPCOMING EVENTS
8
GLENNON AROUND THE CORNER/GLOBE
Find out the latest news
Pull out your calendar!
Our impact grows
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CORPORATE CORNER
Dialysis
36
WAYS TO GIVE
Glennon Style
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GLENNON AMBASSADORS
Footprints
44
ASK THE DOCTOR
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GLENNON CIRCLE
Heart & Soul
A Night in the City of Love Pushing the boundaries Music Therapy shines Helping families along the journey
Homers for Health Making homers matter more
CMN Ambassadors
Lily Yank and Blake Bahr
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Alberici
See what works for you
How to stay connected
All about asthma
Become a member today!
GLENNON FRIENDS Supporting Cardinal Glennon Kids!
WHERE are they NOW? Joey Vitale
AROUND GLENNON /
FIND OUT THE LATEST NEWS
Firetruck O’Toys Stops at Cardinal Glennon
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his past holiday season, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital was once again visited by Fire Truck O’Toys, who brought Santa, gifts and plenty of Christmas cheer to our patients and families. Santa arrived at the hospital on the back of a beautiful vintage fire truck filled with toys for our patients. He set up shop in the atrium, where he spent the morning handing out gifts and taking photos with our families. Santa was joined by two friends, Louie from the St. Louis Blues and Bugs Bunny from Six Flags, who helped entertain everyone while waiting to see the big man himself. Fire Truck O’Toys was started in 2011 by a former Children’s Miracle Network Ambassador, Mackenzie Scott, who wanted to give back to the children’s hospitals in St. Louis. Since then, they have collected more than 23,000 toys for local patients. We are grateful for their continued support, and the support of all our donors who help us provide toys and gifts to our patients and families throughout the year.
St. Luke’s Faithful Healing Award
Mary Hope, BSN, RN with Dr. Kimberly Spence
NOMINEES
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Featured left to right:
he St. Luke’s Faithful Healer Awards honors the hundreds of caring, compassionate physicians who treat Cardinal Glennon kids around the clock. Each one deserves recognition for their life’s work. Late last year, in honor of St. Luke, the patron saint of physicians, three of our SLUCare physicians received special honors with Faithful Healer Awards. They were: Dr. Teresa Andreone (Critical Care), Dr. Kimberly Spence (Neonatology) and Dr. Rebecca Verhaeghe (Neonatology). Colleagues from their departments gave touching tributes about each of them as a person, colleague and friend. Congratulations to all! 4 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Not pictured:
Dr. Dr. (husband pictured, Dr. representing on her behalf) Dr. Dr. Thomas Bender Dr. Philippe Mercier Dr. Lauren Draper Dr. Sarah Legett Dr. Kimberly Spence Dr. Gary Albers Dr. Teresa Andreone
Samkon Gado Philippe Mercier Tony Scalzo Rebecca Verhaeghe
FIND OUT THE LATEST NEWS
/ AROUND GLENNON
New Portable Ventilators for Emergency Transport Team
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hanks to the generosity of donors, the Neonatal and Pediatric Transport Team now has new portable ventilators for use during emergency transfers of babies and children to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. The advanced ventilators are critical because respiratory problems are the cause of 36 percent of emergency transports to the hospital. “Last year, we transported more than 1,500 infants and children from outlying areas to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon,” says SLUCare physician John Peter, MD, medical director of the Neonatal and Pediatric Transport program. “Of those, more than a third had respiratory problems that needed to be addressed while en route. These new ventilators enable us to offer ICU-level, intensive ventilation to patients as quickly as possible and before they arrive at our hospital.” The transport team is now in its 40th year of operation, offering both air (fixed wing and helicopter) and ground ambulance services. The team includes nurses,
Top: One of the new portable ventilators purchased by the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation with funds from donors. Right: SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is celebrating 40 years of providing emergency transport services throughout the region.
respiratory therapists and paramedics who are based in St. Louis, Cape Girardeau and Hannibal, Mo. All have advanced training in both the care and transport of infants and children. The
UPDATE We had to share this amazing photo! Take a look at Barrett today! Barrett was featured on the cover of Glennon magazine one year ago in the Spring 2018 issue. Go Cards and go Barrett!
team also has been a leader in identifying and implementing best practices focused on enhanced patient safety and medical management protocols for children during emergency transfers. Research by the transport team led to new guidelines that help maintain core temperatures of infants by pre-warming portable isolettes prior to transport. For infants in respiratory distress, another study defined when a noninvasive ventilator could be used versus inserting a tube into the windpipe to maintain an open airway.
“We always want to facilitate a better transport experience, so we continuously work to enhance the quality of care we provide and share that information and expertise with other transport teams across the country,” says Dr. Peter. In addition to the new ventilators, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation previously supported the purchase of new, lighter, but more sophisticated, isolettes used to transport critically-ill infants.
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 5
AROUND GLENNON /
FIND OUT THE LATEST NEWS
Glennon Around the Corner: Now located in North County
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ur Love For Kids is growing! This spring, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon opened the first and only pediatric specialty services center in the North County area, making health care more accessible and convenient for local children and families. The new 15,000 square-foot facility is located at 3878 Pershall Road in Ferguson, near the Washington and Elizabeth Avenue exit off of Interstate 270. SLUCare pediatric specialists offer services including endocrinology, ENT, gastroenterology, imaging, neurology, orthopedics, pulmonology, renal/ hypertension, sleep, sports medicine and urology. This development signifies our commitment to provide high-quality, safe, exceptional care to children and families throughout our region. Enhancing the health and care of the communities in which we live and work is a core part of the mission and values at SSM Health. As a nationally-ranked children’s hospital, the fact that families will be able to go down the street instead of several miles into midtown St. Louis for certain aspects of this
care will be invaluable for many. The building also houses a location of SSM Health Medical Group Pediatrics. As this clinic began seeing patients this spring, crews continue work on the construction of a new pediatric healthcare specialty services center in South St. Louis County. Located at 13000 Butler Crest Drive, this site will offer increased access and services closer to communities in South St. Louis County, Jefferson County and beyond. This means
In another story involving this major project, it has been discovered that one of the project engineers is a “Cardinal Glennon kid”! Colten Wigger works for KAI Design & Build on the project in North County. When Colten was born in Farmington, Missouri, he was diagnosed with pulmonary stenosis and transferred to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Here doctors performed an angioplasty, followed by open heart surgery three months
6 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
these families will be able to receive expanded high-quality, safe exceptional care from SSM Health and SLUCare providers without leaving their community. Services offered at this location are expected to include endocrinology, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, ophthalmology, optometry, orthopedics, ENT, therapy services, psychology, rheumatology, sports medicine and more.
later. Colten credits SSM Health Cardinal Glennon with saving his life - and being the reason he is here today! Now 28, Colten has grown up with our doctors and staff throughout the years at the Dallas Heart Center. He says it is “really wild to see how life is coming full-circle” as he helps build a new site for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon to care for more kids like him!
Glennon Around the Globe: Cardiology Work in Honduras
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n behalf of World Pediatric Project, several caregivers and providers celebrated Heart Month in a very special way - on a mission trip to Honduras. Led by SLUCare pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Charles Huddleston, this group of physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses visited Tegucigalpa, Honduras in February on a pediatric cardiac surgery mission trip. They worked with local surgeons to identify seven children who would receive cardiac surgery. Dr. Chetana Reddy; Dr. Caroline Lee; Dr. Saar Dannon; Dr. Mike Zahra; Anne Gildehaus, APRN; Stephanie Piers, RN; Michelle Piole, APRN; Sarah Ragsdale, RN and Christine Walthes, RN were all part of the team. During their visit to Hospital St. Maria, they worked with
cardiologists, PICU physicians and nurses on the preoperative and postoperative care of the patients. Patients who had been brought to the US for surgery at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon in prior years were also seen for follow up care. Tegucigalpa is a city of more than 1.2 million people and there are limited resources to take care of the children who are born each year with congenital heart disease. The major public hospital in the city, Hospital Escuella, has a birth rate of approximately 16,000 infants per year.
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ach year, a mission trip to Honduras is coordinated by the ENT department at Saint Louis University to provide surgical care for patients at the Hospital Santos Hermano Pedro in the city of Catacamas. This multidisciplinary group consists of nursing staff, anesthesia providers, surgeons and OR technicians. Multiple procedures are performed on patients who would not ordinarily be able to receive care. It is a very busy but rewarding week for the staff involved. They say the smiles of happy patients is ample reward for the effort!
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 7
AROUND GLENNON /
CELEBRITIES GIVING BACK
Celebrities Giving Back 1
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7 1 Sportscaster Bob Costas 2 | 4 St. Louis native Nelly 3 | 5 St. Louis Cardinals Manager Mike Shildt with Fredbird 6 St. Louis Blues Pat Maroon and Jordan Binnington 7 Blues Forward Alex Steen 8 Comedian George Wallace
8 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
UPCOMING EVENTS
/ AROUND GLENNON
Upcoming Events Join us at one our many events or programs. From an online auction to a 5K run, you’re sure to find something just right. 2019 Upcoming Events
Glennon Sunday
July 1 -15, 2019 Homers for Health Online Auction
June 2, 2019 Glennon Sunday Catholic Parishes of St. Louis
glennon.org
July 25, 2019 Ambassador Choice Awards
September 6, 2019 Glennon Golf Classic
St. Louis University High School
Columbia Golf Club Presented in partnership with Columbia Golf Club
A 30 Year Tradition
September 21, 2019 Glennon Gallop
September 21, 2019 Field-Side Party
Kräftig Polo Club
Kräftig Polo Club
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
October 5, 2019 Sun Run Upper Muny Parking Lot
VE SA AVE
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220%
Glennon Card Glennon Card
October 18-27, 2019 Glennon Card Shopping Days St. Louis Area Merchants
October 14, 2019 Dierdorf Pronger Golf Classic Boone Valley Golf Club
November 16, 2019 Glennon Glow Ritz Carlton
For more information vist glennon.org
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 9
CORPORATE CORNER
Alberici Builds Cardinal Glennon — Inside and Out
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lberici Constructors Inc. has been building big things for more than a century. For more than three decades it has been building and remodeling at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital — and supporting the patients by participating in numerous philanthropic activities.
Cardinal Glennon has been great in terms of that and it makes it easy to support the hospital.” John Alberici, an Italian immigrant, founded what then was known as J.S. Alberici Construction Co. in St. Louis in 1918. The company grew as it successfully built factories and schools. In the 1960s it built auto assembly plants
“One part of our mission statement is being a responsible corporate citizen in the communities where we work...”
“One part of our mission statement is being a responsible corporate citizen in the communities where we work,” says Greg Hesser, president of Alberici Constructors. “The key aspect of a community’s well-being is the health of families. SSM Health
and some of the country’s first interstate highways. Its landmark projects include the huge Lock and Dam 26 on the Mississippi River at Alton, the Saint Louis Science Center, the Dome at America’s Center and the Enterprise Center.
10 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Greg and Juli Hesser at Glennon Glow
Since Alberici entered the health care industry, it has won contracts for $117 million in projects at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, including the recent fourth-floor renovation; new neonatal and pediatric intensive care units; physician offices; emergency unit
The fourth-floor Cancer Unit renovations at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon were unveiled July 2018 in partnership with Alberici Healthcare Constructors.
expansion; and the pediatric hybrid cardiac catheterization suite. The company employs about 1,000 people on projects stretching from the Rocky Mountains east to Pennsylvania and Ohio and south into Mexico. It provides construction services for the automotive, building, civil, energy, health care, heavy industrial, industrial process and water markets. About 500 staff members are based in and around St. Louis. “We have a company called Alberici Healthcare that does a lot of work, mainly in St. Louis and surrounding areas,” Hesser says. “It is an important part of what we do.” As a result, the Alberici staff have knowledge of the community benefits of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. “We have seen firsthand the work Cardinal Glennon does for the community. By helping children get better they also are helping families,” Hesser says. “We have families who have had newborns who have been in Cardinal Glennon for short periods or long periods of time. Thankfully that need has not been frequent but when the need has been there, Cardinal Glennon has been a great place.”
Alberici Constructors became a supporter of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon in 1987 as a sponsor of the Dan Dierdorf-Chris Pronger Golf Classic. Over the years the company and its employees have contributed to the Bob Costas Benefit, Homers for Health, Glennon Glow and the Glennon Golf Classic.
day following the hospital’s care providers on their rounds and even into the operating rooms. “The thing that was eyeopening for me was not just the compassion the doctors and nurses have for their patients but the passion they have for what they do,” he says. “Their passion is unrivaled. When you combine
“If our philanthropy leads to the recruitment and retention of the high-class personnel who are working at Cardinal Glennon, we are all for it.”
The company is exploring new ways of building SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s care and services for the St. Louis community. “We certainly are there to support the events that are fundraisers, but we are starting to become more interested in how our philanthropy with Cardinal Glennon results in better patient outcomes,” Hesser says. “That is where we think we can have the most impact.” Two years ago Hesser participated in Glennon 101, a program that offers community leaders opportunities to spend a
that passion and compassion with their skills and human talents, it is amazing. If our philanthropy leads to the recruitment and retention of the high-class personnel who are working at Cardinal Glennon, we are all for it. “If people did not need a place like Cardinal Glennon it would be a perfect world,” Hesser says. “But we are thankful that if they do, there is a high-quality provider of health care services at Cardinal Glennon for children. We are happy to support the best.”
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 11
GLENNON GLOW 2018
Glennon Glow
Benefiting inpatient and outpatient cancer services at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon
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efore the Thanksgiving holiday, Bob Costas was honored with the prestigious Glennon Award at the third annual Glennon Glow at The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis. Inspired by the Costas Center’s deep-sea décor, this year’s Glennon Glow was an exciting evening “under the sea.” Co-chaired by Jerry and Peggy Ritter and emceed by KSDK anchor Anne Allred, the black-tie affair featured a special performance by comedian George Wallace. The event once again benefited inpatient and outpatient cancer services at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. The highlight of the evening was when Kennedy, a patient at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, took to the stage to interview Bob Costas. P R E S E N T E D BY:
9-year-old Kennedy is on peritoneal dialysis every night at her home and is in need of a kidney transplant. Because of her complex medical needs, getting on the transplant list has been a long wait, but she hopes to be added this June! Kennedy was chosen by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation to ‘interview’ Bob at the event and after Bob’s acceptance speech, he was not allowed to leave the stage as Kennedy was introduced as an ‘investigative reporter.’ She had questions prepared for Bob, including a section of rapid fire items. She started by asking him what is next for him since he was leaving NBC, then asked him what are a few interviews that he has done that have stood out over his career. Then she went into
12 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
rapid fire questions asking his favorite movie, book, baseball team and so on. The crowd loved Kennedy and her personality and Bob said at one point this is an interview he will never forget. Bob had toured the hospital the Thursday before the event and Kennedy led the tour. They even stopped in the 4 North inpatient cancer unit to play a game of bubble hockey in the playroom.
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1 C raig & Andie LaBarge, Laura & Charles Kaiser 2 Glennon Kid Kennedy 3 Comedian George Wallace 4 Allen Allred, Bob Costas 5 Kennedy interviewing Bob Costas 6 Charlie Brennan & wife, Beth Stohr 7 Master of Ceremonies Anne Allred
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 13
Universe Expanding the
of
STARS Special Needs Tracking & Awareness Response System
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Kaylie Irby smiles up at two paramedics who stop by her home in St. Charles. The 6-month-old is doing well this morning even as she is surrounded by medical equipment, including a tracheostomy tube in her windpipe that is connected to a ventilator that helps her breathe. It’s another “get to know you” visit welcomed by the family so that paramedics are prepared in the event Kaylie has a medical emergency.
Kaylie represents a growing number of children in the region who are discharged from area hospitals with complex medical care needs. Many go home with sophisticated medical equipment, such as ventilators and tracheostomy tubes. It’s a trend that emergency medical services providers and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital began noticing almost a decade ago. “It’s becoming more and more common,” says St. Charles County Ambulance District paramedic Kim Aslin. “Currently I’d say about onefifth of the children in our district who have complex medical needs use trachs or ventilators in the home.” Just five years ago, an astonishing 63 percent of paramedics in the region said they had no formal training on emergency tracheostomy care. Even if they had any training, it was minimal and did not include caring for infants and toddlers. In 2014, paramedics from Rock Township Ambulance District in south St. Louis County and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s
In just one year — from 2017 to 2018 — SSM Health Cardinal Glennon saw a 41 percent increase in the number of children who had tracheostomies.
STARS-trained paramedics Kim Aslin and Danielle Carroll from St. Charles County Ambulance District stop by for a well-check visit with Kaylie Irby
Erin Irby and her daughter Kaylie glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 15
EXPANDING THE UNIVERSE STARS PROGRAM
Nicholas Salzman, STARS program liaison (second from left), and Patricia Casey, STARS coordinator (in red jacket), stand with paramedics from the St. Charles County Ambulance District, the largest ambulance district in Missouri.
Hospital set out to change that to better educate and train EMS crews how to respond to an emergency situation involving a special needs child. The result was the formation of the Special Needs Tracking & Awareness Response System, or STARS. What is STARS STARS is both a secure database and a hands-on education and training program. With a family’s permission, hospitals participating in the program enroll children in the database and give each child a dedicated number. Kaylie, for example, is STAR 105 in St. Charles County. Medical information about each child is then uploaded into the database for EMS providers to access during an emergency. The information includes diagnoses, medications, allergies, medical equipment in use, medical care plans and specific notes on average heart rate, blood pressure
and respiratory measurements. “Having this information readily available as we are heading out on an emergency call gives us peace of mind and we walk in better prepared on what to expect,” says St. Charles County paramedic Danielle Carroll. More significantly, she adds, the program encourages first responders to visit with STARS children prior to any emergency. In these no-stress visits, they can discuss daily care with families and watch routine at-home medical procedures, such as the changing or cleaning of tracheostomy tubes. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon also provides onsite training to
As medical needs change, the child’s information is updated in the database and communicated to the family’s emergency responders. At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, former Rock Township Ambulance District paramedic Patricia Casey, EMT-P, serves as the overall STARS program coordinator, overseeing the hospital’s database and training STARS first responder liaisons throughout the region. “We are growing by leaps and bounds because people are seeing how the program benefits everyone involved,” Casey says. “First responders feel more comfortable responding to emergencies,
He counts the stars and calls them all by name.
families are comforted that first responders have the information they need to take care of their
Psalm 147:4
children, and hospitals are
first responders and community hospitals to handle potential emergencies in a STAR household.
ensuring these children remain as
16 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
taking more responsibility for healthy as possible while at home and during emergency transport.”
#BecauseEveryKidCounts! The STARS program coordinator and liaison at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon regularly review emergency responses to a medical emergency involving a STARS child. Over the past four and a half years, the program has documented many lifesaving responses. Spanish Lake, Mo., toddler Sean Anderson is one of them. Born premature and with an under-developed brain and lungs in August 2017, Sean spent almost his entire first year of life in SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and then in Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital. He finally was able to go home in July 2018, discharged with a mechanical ventilator to help him breathe. One month later, the family had a medical emergency. “Sean had pulled his trach out and the machine alarms started going off,” says his mother Yolanda Clark. “The home nurse and I were there, but we couldn’t put the tube all the way back in.” They called 9-1-1 and started CPR. As luck would have it, Christian Hospital EMS had recently joined the STARS program. Sean’s emergency was their second pediatric tracheostomy emergency. “Because I was trained by Cardinal Glennon and Ranken Jordan to put in a trach, I was able to put in a smaller tube before the paramedics arrived,” says Clark. “The paramedics then took over, transported him to the hospital and the specialist was able to put the normal size trach back in.”
Members of Montgomery County Ambulance District meet with Anthony, their first STARS child in the district.
Sean Anderson, a STARS “save!”
Brian Bruemmer, one of the Christian EMS paramedics that took care of Sean, is a big fan of the STARS program. “STARS, through training and pre-arrival information, gives us the tools to confidently treat and care for patients that have complex disease processes that we don’t encounter often,” he says. Adds Clark, “We sometimes spend a lot of time explaining over and over what is normal and what is going on with our child, but with the STARS program, the first responders have all that and more. When you call 9-1-1, we know that they know who you are and have all the background on your child. In that way, the STARS program definitely gives you peace of mind.”
Reach for the STARS — “Top 10 Innovator Award” From just a handful of children, STARS now has more than 600 children enrolled throughout the bi-state region. That includes 80 ambulance districts, emergency dispatch centers and community hospitals. Joining earlier this year were Salem Township Hospital and its surrounding fire and EMS services in Illinois as well as the Montgomery County Ambulance District in Missouri. “We live in a very rural area and are usually 45 minutes from an emergency room and even farther away from a children’s hospital, if that’s where kids need to be,” says glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 17
EXPANDING THE UNIVERSE STARS PROGRAM paramedic Tim Kleinsorge, a STARS coordinator for the Montgomery County Ambulance District. “Cardinal Glennon’s STAR liaison came out to provide us with some training specific to the kids in our area and educate us on some of the most complicated situations that might arise. We also visited the kids in their homes and had some of them visit our fire stations. Our crews were very receptive and told me that they feel more comfortable knowing in advance about some of the special challenges these kids might have.” Inquiries now are coming in from across the United States. Two years ago, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital contacted SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. “We think STARS is possibly lifesaving,” says Mark Washam, RRT, MSN, CNP, FNP, an advanced practice nurse
on Cincinnati’s Pediatric Home Ventilator Program team. “Our own program started because I realized that we spend a lot of time telling other providers details about a patient but then we’d tell families to call 9-1-1 for any emergency without telling those emergency providers about the patient. They would show up and be surprised that a VERY complex patient was now sick or in an emergency.” To date, Cincinnati has about 60 patients enrolled in its version of a STARS program, focused primarily on children with mechanical ventilation at home. With the success of their start up and consultation with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, Washam says he clearly sees the value in spreading the word about the more established STARS program and integrating it into the overall
Who’s a STAR? A child can be a STAR if he or she has: » Significant developmental delay or medical complexity » Severe neurological disorders » Cardiac history » Tracheostomy and ventilator-dependence » Is on home hospice or with specific end of life plans
Kim Meyer, LPN, with Phoenix Home Care and Hospice, helps Erin Irby care for her daughter, Kaylie, in their home.
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“fabric” of 9-1-1 systems everywhere. “I think it’s just the right thing to do,” he says. “In our area, a survey of paramedics found that less than 20 percent had changed a pediatric tracheostomy tube. Now that our program is getting under way, we have received a lot of positive feedback from families and EMS/ First Responders.” At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, the goal is to populate Missouri, Illinois and the rest of the country with STARS to better enhance the emergency care of special needs children nationwide. Patricia Casey is the chair of the pediatric subcommittee of the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services’ EMS Advisory Council, which is pushing for statewide use of STARS. The program also has been featured in a widely seen webinar and profiled in EMSCPulse, a national newsletter for the EMS for Children Program. In addition, Casey presented the STARS program at the 2018 EMS State of the Sciences Conference and the 2019 “Quality and Safety in Children’s Health Conference” of the Children’s Hospital Association. Last year, the program received a “What’s Right with the Region” award from FOCUS St. Louis. This year, Casey traveled to Maryland on behalf of the STARS program to receive the national EMS10 “Top 10 Innovator” Award from the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. But while national recognition is becoming the springboard for growing awareness of the benefits of STARS, Casey stresses that the real reason for the program can be seen in the children who are helped and even saved because the communication and education program works. Kaylie’s family knows this firsthand. They have opened their hearts and their home to the STARS teams from both SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and St. Charles County Ambulance. Kaylie, who was born with a severe brain malformation,
St. Charles County Ambulance District paramedics check for updated STARS information while making a well check visit.
developed seizures and had to have a tracheostomy while in the hospital. She was discharged home with a ventilator to help her breathe and a gastrostomy tube to help her eat. One morning, her grandmother, Joanne Keough, was watching Kaylie by herself while mom Erin Irby ran a quick errand. “I heard a noise and looked over and Kaylie was turning blue and her eyes were wide open,” recalls Joanne with tears in her eyes. “She was looking at me like, ‘help me’ and I just grabbed her and called 9-1-1 and screamed into the phone, ‘Help me, STAR 105, STAR 105. She’s not breathing!’” Erin walked in right as the emergency started. She started rubbing Kaylie’s chest and got her breathing just before the paramedics arrived minutes later. “All of us knew what to do because we were trained by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and had prepared for what to expect,” says Erin. “And I think the paramedics were grateful that we welcomed them into our home and let them meet Kaylie before any emergency so that they would understand better how to care for her in times like these.”
She adds, “We call them and the STARS coordinators Kaylie’s heroes — because they are all heroes to us.” Thanks to the generosity of donors, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation funded the initial development of the STARS program and its database as well as funded an additional program liaison. Recently, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation received a multi-year grant from Missouri Foundation for Health to advance technology, which will integrate STARS into 911 systems and increase access for more children. For more information about supporting STARS, contact the Foundation at glennon.org.
Watch the Video
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 19
HEART & SOUL 2019
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Heart & Soul
Benefiting the Dorothy and Larry Dallas Heart Center
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he magic of Paris was the theme for the fourth annual Heart & Soul event on Saturday, February 2 at the Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis. Guests enjoyed a “Night in the City of Love” to benefit the programs, services, patients and staff of the Dallas Heart Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. A special feature of this year’s event was a video that showed a day in the life of a heart center patient family. This past fall, a video crew from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation spent the day with the family of then 9-month-old Emily Simon, who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and underwent her first procedure when she was just a week old. The crowd got a P R E S ENTE D BY:
glimpse of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into a single procedure: in this instance, a fourhour hybrid catheterization. Following the video, Emily’s father, Tim, spoke from the podium, recognizing all of the talented caregivers who helped take care of his daughter. “It quickly became apparent to us that we were with people who genuinely cared for us and our daughter…You experience a lot of highs and lows with patients and their families every day. My family was certainly no exception. My family had our most challenging year ever…but because of you it was our best year.” Since the event’s inception, the funds raised at Heart & Soul have helped make numerous improvements to the heart center a reality, including an expansion of the outpatient clinic and the new Electrophysiology Suite. With the advancements
20 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
in the fields of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, in addition to the lifesaving work being done at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, many children born with heart defects are living well into adulthood. In fact, there are now more adults than children in the U.S. living with congenital heart disease. Funds raised at Heart & Soul will benefit the greatest need of the Dorothy and Larry Dallas Heart Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. In the past, funds have provided new monitoring equipment for the cardiac rehab program, tools for the 3-D Printing Center of Excellence and provided staff educational opportunities, allowing members of the team to attend national cardiac conferences. Special thanks to the Keeley Companies and all of our generous sponsors and guests for making the evening another huge success for our patients and families.
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12 019 Co-Chairs along with patient Emily Simon & her family 2 Robyn Eisele, Julie Farley, Michelle Domian, Liz Cottle 3 Jessie & Greg Austermann 4 Jennifer Danker & Dr. Julie Sturm 5 Ashley & Chip Smith 6 Jessica & Dr. Jason Garnreiter 7R usty & Julie Keeley, Kathey & Dave Taiclet 8 Marcia & Bob Leonard
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 21
Sarah Campfield Betros, now 34, was the first baby at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon to be transitioned from birth to transplant on dialysis.
SA R A H BE T R OS , H ER DOCTORS AND HER NUR S E S P U S H E D THE BOUNDARIES
Medical Pioneers
Chronic childhood kidney diseases usually result from congenital anomalies. Survival may depend upon dialysis to keep the baby growing until he or she receives a kidney transplant, but many major pediatric centers do not attempt to dialyze infants. A pioneer in neonatal dialysis was SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. The first baby it transitioned from birth to transplant on dialysis, Sarah Campfield Betros, celebrates her 35th birthday this May 25.
Sarah Campfield Betros with daughter Molly
Sarah and her sister Amy developed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome — they shared a placenta and vessel connections in the womb so blood flowed unevenly between them. “Her sister was fine. Sarah had blood clots in her kidneys so they never really worked. She was transferred to Cardinal Glennon and started dialysis in her first few days,” said her mother, Linda Campfield, a retired nurse from the Missouri Poison Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. The hospital was one of the first to attempt to dialyze neonates even though the available equipment was far from optimal.
Sarah Campfield Betros with Dr. Ellen Wood, her specialist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon over 34 years ago.
“What was unique at Cardinal Glennon was that they were willing and persevered and had the dedication from the nursing staff to manage these infants...” “We take care of babies right out of the womb to 21 years of age,” says Anne Beck, MD, a SLUCare physician in the pediatric nephrology division. “There are more than a handful of major centers across the United States that are not offering infant dialysis. “What was unique at Cardinal Glennon was that they were willing and persevered and had the dedication from the nursing staff to manage these infants. They also had the financial backing from the hospital because this is not a money-making procedure. It is a large burden on many fronts,” she says. The kidneys are two beanshaped, fist-sized organs that filter blood to remove body wastes and excess water. The kidneys create urine that is sent to the bladder. The kidneys maintain the body’s balance
of water, salts and minerals and create hormones that control blood pressure, produce red blood cells and contribute to bone growth. About 27 of 1,000 children have chronic kidney disease, according to the U.S. Renal Data System. “The most common cause of kidney failure in children, especially in infants, is congenital renal anomalies,” Beck says. If children in kidney failure do not receive dialysis, she says, “They die.”
Dialysis There are two methods for overcoming kidney failure. A hemodialysis machine filters blood that is removed from the body and returned. Peritoneal dialysis places a special fluid in the abdomen, where it absorbs fluid and wastes until it is removed and discarded.
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MEDICAL PIONEERS Dialysis
Anne Beck, MD, a SLUCare physician, with dialysis patients Trust Dunn, Kaleigh Kulage, & Charlie Erbland
Typically there are 10 to 16 children undergoing treatment in the dialysis unit at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, which is staffed by six nurses. “We have more than 3,000 dialysis visits each year,” says Michelle Romano, RN, MSN, dialysis coordinator. “The kids come three days a week and can be here four hours a day.”
the original hospital,” she says. “It is fairly old and fairly small, so we only have four bays to perform dialysis.” “When infants are very small we try to start with peritoneal dialysis,” Beck says. “We put a catheter in the baby’s belly, put the fluid in and let it drain. Babies, of course, have very little tummies that can accept only a small amount of fluid.
“The kids come three days a week and can be here four hours a day.” Handling all those visits requires two shifts a day, six days a week. “This unit is one of the last parts of
They have to be big enough for a machine to do this at home, so that takes several months in the
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hospital to get them large enough. The minimum volume of fluid is 4 ounces. When they go home on that small volume they are going to be hooked up to a machine for 18 hours a day.” When hemodialysis is provided in the hospital, about 3 ounces of blood need to be cycled through the machine at a time, but an infant weighing 6.6 pounds only has 8 ounces, Beck says. “We have to prime the circuit with blood. It is very labor-intensive. Our infants run four hours. It has to be done very gently, very slowly, a minimum of four days a week.”
Trust with nurse Mary Huffman in the Dialysis Unit at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon
“Even today none of the tubing sets are made for somebody who weighs five pounds...” Revolutionary technology When Sarah Campfield Betros was born the hospital had a new hemodialysis machine, recalls Ellen Wood, MD, retired director of pediatric nephrology. “There is no way we could have taken care of Sarah with the machines we had before but there were still many issues. “Even today none of the tubing sets are made for somebody who weighs 5 pounds. Normally we didn’t want to take out more than three to five percent of the patient’s blood volume because their blood pressure drops. With her we were probably taking out close to 10 percent.” Wood cared for Sarah until she transferred to an adult hospital at age 21. When Sarah arrived in 1984, “Kidney transplants in babies were not common,” Wood says. “The initial results of infant transplants
were dismal. People were using kidneys from infants or very small children, but there was a high risk of arteries or veins clotting. In the early ‘80s people tried putting an adult kidney into a baby. The results were much better.” The goal still is to support the baby until it weighs 20 pounds, Wood says. “Sarah needed peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. She was 10 months old when she got her kidney on Easter Sunday in 1985.”
Following transplant At least 128 patients have received kidney transplants at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, says transplant coordinator Erin Foristal, RN, CCRN. The recent average has been six annually. “They come back once a month for lab work and every two months for clinic visits until they are 21.”
Improved immune-suppression medications have reduced the patients’ side effects, Beck says. “We recommend caution with football, but short of that there are no activity restrictions. They go to school, they grow, they thrive.” “Back in the ‘80s, when we started this journey with babies, we didn’t know what was going to happen,” Wood says. “Trying to get babies to transplant is fraught with many problems. Hemodialysis machines are still not the size we need so we have to do blood transfusions with every treatment.” Infants receive priority status in the US organ match system and sometimes find a living, non-related donor through internet social media, Beck says. Congenital kidney disease is treatable, “But these kids rarely are born with only a kidney problem. Those who don’t survive generally are born with a heart disease as well.” For most dialysis patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, there is one expectation, she says. “We transplant them, help them thrive and grow and then we transfer them to the adult world.” The success of kidney transplants has improved and young children are now experiencing better long-term success than adults. “We were hopeful it would take her into adulthood,” recalls Sarah’s mother Linda. “We don’t remember if anyone gave us any estimate.” Sarah and husband Mike have a daughter, 4-year-old Molly. Sarah rarely thinks about her role in medical history. “I don’t remember any of it. I felt no different than anyone else, except for going to the doctor and getting labs done and taking medicines.” But her mother recalls her remarkable recovery. “Her sister was walking at 13 months. Sarah was walking at 15 or 16 months. It was unbelievable.”
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GLENNON STYLE 2019
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Glennon Style
Benefiting the Music Therapy Program
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he luxurious Hilton St. Louis Frontenac was the setting for the Glennon Guild’s annual Glennon Style fashion show on Friday, February 22 to benefit the Music Therapy program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. More than 300 guests enjoyed an upscale cocktail reception with appetizers and silent auction, followed by the fashion show, emceed by Lisa Hart of KTVI Fox2 News. After the final fashions, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s music therapist, Kelli McKee, thanked the guests for their support of the Music Therapy program. “I truly believe I have the best job ever. From day P R E S E N TE D BY:
one, this program was immediately embraced by our staff, parents and most importantly, the young patients we care for.” Kelli was then joined onstage by special guest Erin Bode and Cardinal Glennon patient Shayla Addison to perform an original song that the trio wrote during a very special songwriting session at the hospital. Since last October, Shayla has been undergoing treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the muscle and connective tissue. She receives weekly chemotherapy, frequent blood transfusions and radiation, and every three weeks is admitted to the inpatient unit for more intensive treatments. Shayla began participating in music therapy with Kelli in January and her mother, Jayla, noticed right away how much it was helping her. “She is kind of nervous in public,”
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Jayla says, “and it has definitely made her more confident.” Shayla’s treatments often last an entire afternoon, so “it makes the time go by faster for her.” Music therapy plays a crucial role in helping children better cope with illness and hospitalization. Kelli works with patients of all ages using singing, playing instruments, songwriting and improvisation to achieve non-musical goals. The goals of music therapy often involve reduction in anxiety and depression, facilitating social engagement and allowing selfexpression for our young patients. During Shayla’s session with Kelli and Erin Bode, she chose to write about all of the wonderful adventures she would have on a perfect day. The result – a charming song called, “Best Day Ever,” which the three performed to the delight
of the audience. After Guy Phillips of KTRS, the Big 550, joined Lisa to close out the program, the evening was capped off with a special performance by Erin Bode and her band. Thanks to the generosity of so many, the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Music Therapy program is expanding! With the addition of a second music therapist, research-
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based interventions will now be offered in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to help our tiniest patients and their families bond, grow and thrive. Our therapists will also implement new projects, like a special group called Ukuleles for Dads, where fathers of babies in the intensive care units will learn songs to play for their babies and for themselves.
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At the end of the evening, Jayla was crying tears of joy. “I am so happy Shayla got to do this. Not everyone is this fortunate, and I know we’re going to get through this.” Special thanks to Dr. Brown’s Bottles and all of our generous sponsors; Guy Phillips, Erin Bode, Lisa Hart and all of our models and volunteers who helped make the evening a tremendous success!
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1 Joanne & Dr. Blakeslee Noyes 2 Kelli McKee 3 Huey Blake & Vince McDonnell 4B rittany Hartloge, Ayla Winn & B.T. Hartloge 5M ark Gorman, John Hanlon, Tiara Peach, Theresa Vella 6 Liz Basler & Jackie Paletta 7D r. Ann DiMaio, Julie Holland, Kristen Rhodes, Haley Fuller 8 Phillip Bibb & Brooke Huson
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Gracie West with siblings Bella and Gavin
Footprints Walking with families facing chronic illness
“ It is one of the most terrifying times a parent can have,”
says Jody Grizzel-West of giving birth to a child with life-threatening conditions. “We were told she may not be alive at birth.” The West family is one of hundreds who have been supported through a child’s chronic illness by Footprints, a pioneering program founded two decades ago at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
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he Footprints team has experienced these things before and are there to support you in ways you don’t realize you need,” says Jody. Her daughter, Gracie, was born in 2014 with Trisomy 18, a chromosomal condition associated with abnormalities in many parts of the body. “We had her for almost 17 months and were in and out of the hospital. Footprints is the internal village of support for families. They sit with you as friends and help decipher all the information that is given to you, listen to your frustrations if you have them and answer any questions you may not feel comfortable asking the doctors,” she says. “They work to support you in ways that allow you to concentrate on the health of your child.”
Gracie and mom, Jody Grizzel-West
Promoting excellence In 1994 the hospital’s medical ethics committee and pastoral care staff began studying the needs of children and families facing chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Around that time the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) requested grant proposals for a project called “Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care.”
The foundation received proposals from 678 hospitals and awarded grants to 22 of them. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon was one of two pediatric hospitals selected to receive a $650,000, three-year grant. Matching funds were provided by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation and the Footprints palliative care service was born on October 1, 1998. RWJF asked Footprints to develop processes for enhancing the care of children with life-limiting conditions and for their families; develop tools for educating healthcare providers on the unique needs of children with complex and life-limiting conditions; and develop research tools to evaluate and improve the quality of palliative care. The Footprints palliative care team played an important role in contributing to the knowledge base and understanding of pediatric palliative care in the early years of the field. “Since 1998 the field has grown considerably. Most children’s hospitals have a pediatric palliative care service,” says Shermini Saini, MD, a SLUCare physician in the division of pediatric hematology/oncology and medical director of Footprints. “We’re expanding the services we provide,” Saini says. “From the beginning we have provided a lot of psychological and emotional support to children and their families, primarily by a nurse-led team. In keeping with the evolution of the field of palliative medicine, we are now branching out to offer more medical support by assisting in the management of distressing symptoms, supporting families in goal-setting and decisionmaking, facilitating communication between families and medical teams and making sure families fully understand their child’s diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options.” While the RWJF grant focused on end-of-life care, the Footprints staff soon realized that other patients needed similar support.
The West family — Bella, Jody, Gracie, Chris and Gavin
“End-of-life care is a small part of palliative care,” says Lauren Draper, MD, a SLUCare physician in the division of pediatric hematology/oncology and a member of the Footprints team. “I had chronic illnesses as a child and was at Glennon a lot. I could see the impact illness has on all areas of the child’s life. There is more to taking care of them than treating their underlying diagnoses. There is taking care of the patient and whole family.”
...“There is more to taking care of them than treating their underlying diagnoses. There is taking care of the patient and whole family.” Palliative care is often misunderstood as the care provided during the end stages of an illness, however the field has evolved over time into a medical specialty with broad scope.
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FOOTPRINTS The Institute of Medicine defines pediatric palliative care as “helping children and their families live as normally as possible.” The American Academy of Pediatrics defines pediatric palliative care as “adding life to a child’s years, not simply years to a child’s life.” Palliative medicine is focused on providing an extra layer of support to patients with serious illnesses, and their families, helping them figure out their most important goals, and to live their best life in the face of serious illness. “The majority of our patients are long-term survivors of their diseases,” Saini adds. “They probably will live for many years to decades, into young adulthood and beyond. Many patients graduate from the program when their acute medical issues resolve.”
Shelby Shelby Huddleston was born five years ago in southern Missouri with Trisomy 18. “They told us she would not live to her first birthday,” says her mother Nicky. Undeterred, Shelby’s family sought care in St. Louis for her numerous health issues, which eventually included kidney cancer. Shelby underwent successful heart repairs and cancer treatment at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and
Shelby and her sisters
continues to travel from Poplar Bluff to visit her many specialists. “She does have hurdles to overcome but she is still battling. We average at least once a month for appointments and sometimes unexpected admissions. Footprints has been very supportive for our entire family,” Nicky says. “They have been huge advocates for Shelby. Since we live three hours away we often don’t have family there with us. It is nice to have the Footprints people when I need a shoulder to lean on. They understand me because they have been there from day one. Without Footprints, emotionally it would be pretty tough.”
Support The Footprints team is comprised of two full-time and two part-time nurse/care coordinators, two physicians and
Left: Shelby Huddleston Below: Shelby with siblings
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an administrative assistant. The team consulted with 106 families in 2018 and currently assists 25 to 30 in-patient families and 10 to 20 who are out-patient clinic visitors. “Our scope of service is broad,” Saini says. “Helping patients manage distressing symptoms is a major part of palliative care. Pain, insomnia, fatigue, nausea and decreased appetite can be part of their disease process or side effects of their treatments.” “We support families whether they are in the hospital or in their communities,” Draper says. “We help them navigate the health care system and we offer resources to help them through things that happen when a child is that sick. There is a loss of friends, loss of identity and loss of the family unit as it used to be.” Medical caregivers also experience stress so Footprints supports them, too, Saini says. “We meet with the nurses, physicians and support staff to talk about tough cases. After a patient death we try to debrief with the team to offer support, allow for reflection and find opportunities for education and understanding.” Footprints formally follows a family until the child reaches adulthood or for two years after the child’s passing, but family relationships with the hospital staff often continue informally long beyond that time frame. Gracie’s parents and siblings came to view much of the hospital staff as family members, Jody recalls. The Footprints and Child Life teams offered activities for Gracie’s siblings, Bella and Gavin, to help pass the time they spent in her room as Jody never left Gracie’s side. “Those are small things that meant the world to me so I could focus on Gracie’s care.” Gracie passed away in 2016. Jody remains in touch with Footprints as a
supporter and regards many staff members as friends. “They touch base every holiday, every birthday, the anniversary of the day we lost her. A mother’s greatest fear is that her child will be forgotten. It is comforting to know that someone remembers her and is thinking of our family.”
Education
FOOTPRINTS
Lauren Draper, MD, SLUCare physician
to branch into,” Saini says. “Last summer we brought on a guidedimagery coach who comes twice a week to visit with parents and help assess their anxiety and fears. It is a form of mindfulness and meditation to help parents introspect on how they are coping with their child’s situation and life in general.” HOLLY KRIEG MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT P.O. BOX 347 WATERLOO, IL 62298-347
“We teach nurses, medical students, residents and our physician colleagues how to assess distressing symptoms, how to communicate more clearly and how to assess families in order to better support them,” Saini says. “Throughout my training andAbout careerthe I was struck by how
Shermini Saini, MD, SLUCare physician
program “We remind residents that they are going to have tough conversations with families. We practice these conversations and go over the basic skills they need.”
The FOOTPRINTS program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital helps children with serious, complex illness and their families live well along their journey. For some, living well means being able to laugh and play as long as possible. It may mean a child is able to be at home with siblings, pets and other family members. For others, it may mean access to costly equipment and nursing services not many situations I found myself in covered by insurance. There are no limiting criteria for enrollment in the where I had to navigate difficult FOOTPRINTS program; all children with complex conversations illnesses are eligible. with families but I
hadn’t been adequately trained The FOOTPRINTS staff is committed to toa do it. I came to realize that is developing comprehensive, compassionate plan of care for the child that focuses on the the boat most physicians find comfort of the child and respects the values and beliefs of the family. We themselves in.coordinate I took it upon myself resources that address not only the howand to spiritual communicate better physical, to but learn the emotional support of both became child and family. and passionate about that aspect of medicine.” Each step of the way, FOOTPRINTS staff helps families continue to identify their interested in Draper became goals and hopes. Some children are not able palliative care during to survive their illness. For those families,her pediatric memoriesresidency and special moments of sharing at SSM Health Cardinal are encouraged. Handprints and footprints Glennon. remind are provided as well as “We memory books andresidents professional photographs. that they are going to have tough with The staff conversations continues to follow the familyfamilies. We through the grief and bereavement practice these conversations and go process by offering to assist families in over themaking basicfuneral skills they need.” talking with siblings, arrangements, offering support groups and etc. Close contact is maintained with each family according to their wishes, by means of phone calls, visits, notes and “It is very anxiety-provoking bereavement literature.
The Future
to have a child with a chronic illness who can have serious complications. Supporting the parents’ mental health and resilience and abilities to cope with uncertainty are areas we are hoping
Footprints is adding a licensed clinical social worker to provide further counseling and bereavement support, Saini says. A nurse practitioner has joined the team to help develop the medical arm of services provided.
By then, Gianino had become familiar with the Footprints program. “It taught and helped Holly’s parents and sister to care for her. Footprints does a lot of different things for families.” The Krieg Gianino Family Foundation formed a 10-member board of directors and continued to build the golf tournament. “We are oversold this year and next year and every year after that,” Gianino says. “When we tell our story about Footprints, people are very passionate and generous.”
13TH ANNUAL HOLLY KRIEG MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Above: William (Bill) & William (Billy) Gianino; Dennis, Cheryl & Heather Krieg Left: Holly Krieg
“Footprints depends on donations to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Holly Foundation, Saini says. “We are Among the first group of here TUESDAY as a result of the foundation’s patients enrolled in Footprints was SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 Cardinal support. Thankfully, Holly Krieg, who was born in 1978 Acorns Golf Course Glennon and private donors with hydrocephalus that led to brain Waterloo, many IL value what we bring to the care of injuries, seizures and other issues. Benefiting our hospital’s the patients.” She died in 2002 at the age of 24. Through the “After Holly died, her sister F O O T P R I N T S Watch the Video Krieg Gianinoat Heather started a golf tournament program Foundation and a in her honor to raise money for generous personal Footprints,” says Bill Gianino, a pledge from Bill member of the family that owns the Gianino, hundreds seven Gianino’s Family Restaurants of thousands of in the St. Louis area. “Heather has dollars have been worked for me for more than 20 raised for Footprints. years. After ten years, the golf “I am a very big proponent of tournament had gotten to be a lot what Footprints does,” he says. of work for the Krieg family. I told “I believe.” Heather, ‘Let me help you.’”
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 31
MAKE YOUR PLEDGE
glennon.org
Luke, Glennon Kid
2019 Homers for Health Co-chair
32 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Watch the Video
Luke Beck, Glennon Kid and the 2019 Homers for Health Co-chair
Making homers matter more
N
ow in its eighth year, Homers for Health has been a driving force behind the mission of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Since the program began in 2012 under the leadership of former St. Louis Cardinal Matt Holliday and his wife, Leslee, thousands of generous donors have helped raise vital
we rely strongly on the support of our community, friends and sponsors to help us remain at the forefront of children’s health. Homers for Health supports the ongoing needs of the hospital, funding enhancements to programs, innovations in technology and vital supportive services for more than 200,000 children and families each year. Luke with dad, Danny Beck
The support of our community, friends and sponsors help us remain at the forefront of children’s health. funds to support the programs and services of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, such as Inpatient and Outpatient Cancer Services, Telemedicine, the Imaging Center and more. This is a very exciting time at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. As medical science and technology advances,
This year, Homers for Health Chairman Matt Carpenter is joined by a very special new co-chair, 9-year-old Cardinal Glennon patient Luke Beck, who was introduced in January at the annual Holliday’s Heroes banquet. Luke’s Cardinal Glennon journey began in the spring of 2017 when he
started experiencing some unusual bruising on his arms and legs and swollen lymph nodes. Preliminary blood work done by his pediatrician showed some concerning results. The very next day, Luke says, “I was having fun playing games at my school picnic when my doctor called my mom and said we needed to go straight to Cardinal Glennon.” Upon his admission to the hospital, he was diagnosed with leukemia and immediately began an intensive
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 33
HOMERS FOR HEALTH
9 On April 4, Luke and his family helped us officially kick off the 2019 Homers for Health season at the annual Game Ball Relay. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon patients Beckham, Lily, Ben, Kaylee, Rylan, Henry and Lillian — along with their families, friends and sponsors — carried the official game ball through the streets of St. Louis to Ballpark Village, where Luke took the torch carrying the game ball into Busch stadium with former St. Louis Cardinal Jason Motte!
Above: Luke with brothers Tommy, Isaac and Jordan Right: Luke’s mom Ronda and his sisters Bridget, MaryGrace and Annelise
treatment schedule that included several visits to the hospital over the next seven months. While Luke was in the hospital, renovations had just begun on the 4 North inpatient oncology unit, located in the oldest section of the hospital. “I was sharing a bathroom with another sick kid receiving chemotherapy. My brothers came to keep me company and we passed the time watching a lot of Cardinal baseball!”
school in the fall with his class. Best of all, he is back to being a regular kid. “Having leukemia is no fun, but my family and I are very grateful to God for my healing and all the great
“My brothers came to keep me company and we passed the time watching a lot of Cardinal baseball!” Between his second and third hospital stays, a portion of the renovations had been completed, made possible in part by donations to Homers for Health. And even though Luke was in the hospital over Thanksgiving and Christmas, “My family really liked all the extra space for celebrating the holidays together. It was such a big change.” Luke is currently in remission and taking oral chemotherapy at home. He was well enough last summer to attend baseball camp, travel with his family, and even start
care of the doctors and nurses at Cardinal Glennon,” he says. As Homers for Health co-chair, Luke makes the following promise: “I pledge to be the best co-chair I can be, and to do everything I can to help support the hospital that has meant so much to my family, my friends, and me. I am excited and honored to be chosen to be a part of Homers for Health 2019!” Thanks to all who have supported Homers for Health, we can provide lifesaving care to children like Luke each and every day.
34 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
PRESENTED BY:
PRESENTED BY:
TEAM BECKHAM
TEAM LILY
TEAM BEN
TEAM LILLIAN
TEAM HENRY
R.V. WAGNER, INC.
R.V. WAGNER, INC.
TEAM KAYLEE & RYLAN
TEAM LUKE
TOM SHIPP AGENCY LLC
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 35
Did you know?
Did you know?
You can create a personal legacy that brings lasting hope and joy to a child:
WAYS TO GIVE Ben
efic
iary
PARTNER WITH US TODAY:
GIFTS YOU CAN MAKE TODAY:
AFTER YOUR LIFETIME GIVING:
• Charitable Gift Annuities
• Outright gift of cash
•L ife insurance beneficiary
• Charitable Lead Trust • Charitable Remainder Trust • Charitable Remainder • Annuity Trust • Donor Advised Funds • Volunteer
• Securities now or later • Life insurance • Real estate gifts now or later • Outright gift of appreciated property now or later
•W ill or living trust beneficiary •R etirement plan gift beneficiary
• Savings bonds now or later • Corporate Matching Gift
If interested, please contact Rose Brower at 314-633-7351, to join the many who share their good fortune through charitable giving to support our mission: Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation 3800 Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 314-577-5605 or 1-800-269-0552
36 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
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, gastroenterology and nephrology >> Life-saving organ transplant surgeons for heart, kidney, liver and bone marrow >> The region’s top two pediatric heart surgeons
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 ©2018 SSM Health. All rights reserved. STL-STL-16-168874 6/18
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 37
CMN UPDATE
Meet Lily & Blake
2019 CMN Ambassadors
I
n their four years, Lilly Yank and Blake Bahr have overcome more challenges than most people encounter in a lifetime. They haven’t been discouraged in the least. A combination of complex heart anomalies brought Lilly to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital hours after her birth. Blake entered the world with a pair of rare genetic syndromes and kidney failure, resulting in an ambulance ride to the hospital when he was two days old. They have spent months of their lives in the hospital and comfortably converse with adults. Their charisma will serve them as they represent their hospital
at fundraising events as the 2019 Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Ambassadors. CMN supports 170 hospitals across the US and Canada.
“They have been through so much and have adapted and made the most out of what they have...” Their parents refer to Lilly and Blake as worldly far beyond their years.
38 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
“They have been through so much and have adapted and made the most out of what they have,” says Blake’s mother, Heather Bahr. “People said Lilly looked like an old soul when she was born — you can see that when she looks at you,” says her mom, Lauren Yank.
Lilly Lilly was born on February 25, 2015. She has undergone five heart surgeries and another procedure to remove fluid surrounding her lungs. Lilly is small in stature for her age but large in personality, says her father Damien. “When we go the store she’ll be talking to people.
The things that come out of her mouth! People ask, ‘How old is she?’” Lilly’s heart may require additional intervention, Lauren says. “Without her heart surgeons she wouldn’t be here. Her cardiologists don’t know what her future holds. Hopefully, over time something will come up.”
“ We are truly blessed to represent Cardinal Glennon...” And, says her father, “We are truly blessed to represent Cardinal Glennon. We are positive that the phenomenal minds at Cardinal Glennon will devise a plan for Lilly in the future.” Lilly had a great time representing her hospital at her first CMN event, her mom says. “Glennon is our second home. Give her half an hour and she will talk your ear off.”
Stella, Lauren, Lily, Damien and Grayson Yank
Watch the Video
Blake Blake was born on November 11, 2014, and underwent dialysis until he received a kidney transplant on January 18, 2016. While Blake spent 135 days of his first year in the hospital, he headed home only seven days after the transplant, Heather says. “We have not been back for a hospitalization, which is unheard of.” People also remember Blake, says his father Nick. “If we go back to the hardware store a week later, people will say, ‘There goes Blake!’” Blake is a “whirlwind” who enjoys singing along with his favorite musical groups, mom says. “They tell us he will need another transplant in 10 to 15 years but medicine changes so much, who knows what will be around the corner?” In the meantime, she says, “Blake is excited to spread the word about his journey, his experience at the hospital and the amazing things CMN does.”
Heather, Blake and Nick Bahr
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of Greater St. Louis is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for St. Louis Children’s Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Since their inception in 1988, they have provided over $50 million dollars in support. All of the money raised stays local, equally benefiting these two amazing hospitals and helping them acquire new programs, equipment, and facility renovations to meet the needs of area kids.
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 39
GLENNON AMBASSADORS
Glennon Ambassadors How to Stay Connected
S
SM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation Grateful Patient Coordinator, Laura Wulf, has a quote that she holds close to her heart by Maya Angelou: “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” She sees this quote play out daily within the generosity of families she meets who become Glennon Ambassadors. Often flying low under the radar, yet having powerful impact, Ambassadors are our parents and former patients who have “lived” SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. They’ve experienced Cardinal Glennon’s mission, and have chosen to stay connected and say “yes” to opportunities, which can
further support the hospital, the staff and other patient families. “It’s my role to connect with our families, and give their gratitude, stories and feedback some ‘legs.’ Harnessing their experiences in different ways, and molding them into something the hospital or the community can identify with, learn from, or grow from...it is amazing for US, but often healing for them, too,” says Wulf. “Our Ambassadors represent a diversity of service lines, geography and time spent in the hospital, just to name a few. Their time, resources, stories and motivations for staying connected are all different. We’re very lucky to have whatever time,
talent or treasure they offer,” Wulf says. “We can never have a big enough library of Ambassadors and patient stories. Having these connections is the first step towards giving their experiences impact and purpose toward our mission.” Parents serve on hospital teams, event committees; they volunteer, they fundraise; they share their stories for various marketing initiatives and so much more! “Some families have no idea what they can or might do, and others boldly make suggestions. The first step is just making connections,” Wulf says.
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.
Meet a few of our Glennon Ambassadors and find out how they have made a difference this past year: Jennifer Walkenhorst Jennifer’s son, Conner, was born with intestinal malrotation, asplenia and a rare birth defect referred to as heterotaxy, a condition in which the internal organs are abnormally arranged in the chest and abdomen. In Conner’s instance, his heart was flipped and on the opposite side. Conner had a heart transplant at 2 months of age. Jennifer has participated on the planning committee for Heart & Soul (benefiting the Dorothy and Larry Dallas Heart Center) for two years, has been a Heart & Soul event sponsor for two years, has participated on the parent panel for Glennon 101, has participated in our Game Ball Relay event, and has also shared Conner’s story for various marketing materials and donor communications. Jennifer willingly gives back to the hospital that has been there for her and encourages others to do the same. “Cardinal Glennon’s blessings are too many to state – from the technological advances to accessible care. But the greatest blessings are the people – who have this gift of balancing their clinical know-how with their passion and compassion for people. You don’t find that everywhere, and that’s a very important thing to families. I know my dollars will make a difference to everyone, and I give to help people who cannot afford the path and treatments necessary for their children. I was raised Catholic, raised to give to others, and all babies have a right to be here and receive the care they desperately need. There is no better place – simply no better place.” - Jennifer Walkenhorst
Heather & Tom Schilly Both of Heather’s girls, Hannah and Hailey, are patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Hailey has been a “frequent flyer” since she was 18 months old, when she was diagnosed with a genetic neurological disorder called neurofibromatosis (NF). NF causes tumors to grow on or around the body’s nerves or underneath the skin. Since Hailey’s diagnosis she has had countless visits to the NF clinic, several MRI’s and two surgeries to try and remove a tumor that is behind her eye. Hailey’s sister Hannah was in a horrific accident four years ago. She fell through a glass coffee table, and broken glass cut her back so severely that it went through her back and punctured her kidney. Hannah was airlifted to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, underwent several surgical procedures and overcame many obstacles along the way. For years since their journey began at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, Heather’s family and community have organized a significantly large toy donation around the holidays each year, with 2018 being their biggest year to date. Heather and her family also participated in our Game Ball Relay event in 2018. “When you have a child that is sick or that has suffered a severe trauma you always have a fear in the back of your mind ‘what if this is bad news, or what if this belly ache is something more?’ The staff at Glennon helps make your fears disappear. It’s because of them that our family is complete, and for that we could never thank them enough. We help because we know we help put a smile on kids’ faces and that is half the battle.” - Heather Schilly
Kristyn & Kevin Newbern In late 2016, Kristyn and Kevin’s biggest concerns about becoming new parents included picking a nursery theme and making a birth plan. They went to parenting classes and read seemingly every parenting book and blog. They were so ready for a ‘happy and healthy’ baby. Everything changed at 29 weeks, when Kristyn and Kevin went to a hospital ultrasound appointment. Seven words at that appointment changed their lives: “There’s something wrong with your baby’s heart.” Their son, Luke, was born with multiple congenital heart defects (CHD). His first heart surgery was at 9 days old, and his second at 7 months old at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, with recoveries spent in the NICU, PICU and TCU areas of the hospital. Today, Luke is a thriving 2 year old, and mom, Kristyn is committed to giving back. She serves on the Sun Run Planning Committee, initiated a Sun Run fundraising team and fundraising page for two years, and shared their story for various marketing needs including our Glennon 101 parent panel and our annual Tree of Hope Marketing/Giving Tuesday campaign. “Learning our newborn son would be born with CHD — that he would require multiple heart surgeries for even the chance to survive was devastating. But Cardinal Glennon’s team gave our family hope through every twist and turn on this journey. They gave my son the chance to live, and my gratitude as Luke’s mom is truly infinite.” - Kristyn Newbern
2019
SAVE THE DATE • Ambassador Choice Awards • July 25, 2019 July 25, 2019
Visit GlennonAmbassadors.org for more details!
GLENNON AMBASSADORS
AMBASSADOR CHOICE AWARDS T H U R S D A Y, J U LY 2 5 , 2 0 1 9
Help us celebrate and recognize our caregivers! This special “Oscar-like” evening recognizes the people and the qualities that are exceptional in the eyes of our families.
P R E S E NT E D BY:
GlennonAmbassadors.org
I N FA N T C A R S E AT A N D S L E E P S A F E T Y E D U C AT I O N
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon
Safety Program
T
he SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Safety Program is dedicated to the prevention of childhood injuries through education and awareness, helping to make sure your baby is free from danger when sleeping and traveling on our roadways.
314-678-5474 or visit glennon.org/safetyprogram to learn more. Call
SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:
ASK THE DOCS
Glennon kid Elizabeth receives a breathing treatment for bronchiolitis.
Ask the docs— What should I know about childhood asthma?
O
ne in 13 Americans has asthma, including six million children and teens, reports the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Asthma is the most common pediatric chronic disease and the third-ranked cause of hospitalization for people younger than 15. Thousands of patients visit SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for asthma care, says Melissa Bommarito, CPNP-PC, nurse practitioner for the division of allergy and immunology. Morning and afternoon outpatient clinics are held every weekday.
“Both the allergy/immunology and pulmonology departments treat patients with asthma. We like to see patients with well-controlled asthma about twice a year. If they are not under very good control we see them more frequently,” she says. “Asthma is the biggest cause for missed school days,” says Laura Slamp, CPNP-PC, nurse practitioner for the pulmonary medicine division. “Asthma is fairly easy to control but if compliance is low kids can get really sick. Asthma can cause death.” About 3,600 people in the US die from asthma annually, AAFA says. What do parents ask about asthma? We asked Bradley Becker, MD,
44 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Bradley Becker, MD, SLUCare physician
Gary Albers, MD, SLUCare physician
a SLUCare physician in the division of allergy and immunology, and Gary Albers, MD, a SLUCare physician in the division of pulmonary medicine. What is asthma? Dr. Becker: Asthma is a chronic breathing problem in which people have wheezing and other symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath
and chest tightness. It makes you feel like you are trying to breathe through a straw. It is part of a group of allergic disorders that can include nose and eye allergies, eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), food allergies and a gastrointestinal condition called eosinophilic esophagitis. What causes asthma? Dr. Becker: It is due to inflammation, mucous and tightening of muscles in the airways. Allergic disorders are caused by triggers that can run in families. It is not a single-geneinherited disorder but due to multiple inherited traits. The majority of kids with asthma have exercise-induced symptoms — they cough, have shortness of breath or wheeze when they have any aerobic activity. When should parents be concerned that their child may have asthma? Dr. Albers: The scenarios would be a recurrent dry cough that is not responding to typical cough medicines and a family history of asthma or other allergic illnesses in the immediate family. Dr. Becker: Something that affects children that parents don’t always attribute to asthma is nocturnal awakening due to coughing. That can affect sleep, school performance and participation in family activities. How is asthma diagnosed? Dr. Albers: The vast majority of patients can be diagnosed by symptoms and family history. Heredity is a major predictive factor but it is not uncommon for patients to say no one else in the immediate family has asthma. Dr. Becker: We assess whether the asthma is persistent and how severe it is then start preventative therapy. We recommend therapy be continued for four, six or 12 months and then we reassess the children to see if they still need treatments or if they need different treatments.
Q: A:
When should parents be concerned that their child may have asthma? The scenarios would be a recurrent dry cough that is not responding to typical cough medicines and a family history of asthma or other allergic illnesses in the immediate family.
How is asthma treated? Dr. Albers: The mainstays are controller medicines and quick-relief medicines. Controller medicines are the most important. When you have asthma, you have inflammatory cells in the walls of the airways. An irritant triggers the inflammatory cells to release mediators. That sets the cascade going. When you are taking controller medications, over time inflammatory cells migrate out of the airway walls. You can have the same trigger exposure but you are not as prone to a severe attack. If you are wheezing and take the quick-relief medicines, you immediately feel better. The medications dilate the airways that are swollen and in spasm. But you are just as likely to wheeze tomorrow. If you are taking your controller medicines you are less likely to wheeze tomorrow. When does asthma become severe? Dr. Albers: Asthma is very treatable in 99 percent of patients. The preventative medicines are so effective that when used regularly patients are rarely in the hospital. Will a child outgrow asthma? Dr. Becker: Some children do and some don’t. It is maybe a 50-50-percent proposition.
Is asthma more common than it used to be? Dr. Becker: During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s the incidence went up more than 100 percent per decade. The great increase in all allergic disorders was believed to be due to several factors. The hygiene hypothesis states that we are living in more sterile environments and are not exposed to certain germs that historically affected humans. Then people can shift towards having allergic problems rather than fighting infections. Also, we are living in more energy-efficient, tightly-sealed homes where indoor exposures are bigger. The prevalence has flattened out over the last five to 10 years. What are the triggers for asthma? Dr. Albers: Cigarette smoke is a big issue. House dust mites and pet dander are common allergens. There are seasonal allergens — we have heavy pollen counts in the spring and go to grasses to molds to ragweed. Things keep going until the first freeze. Dr. Becker: Pests like mice and cockroaches are problems people often aren’t aware of. Mold can be a problem if there is dampness in the house. Dr. Albers: Environmental factors play a huge role. In some kids they may make the difference in being on chronic medications or not.
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 45
GLENNON CIRCLE /
SPOTLIGHT
Thank you! GLENNON CIRCLE 2018 SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital gratefully recognizes our 2018 Glennon Circle members.
President's Circle
Mrs. Margaret M. Jenks
Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Brinkmann
Heroes
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Jurgensmeyer, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Matthew A. Broom
$2,500 - $4,999
William S. Kallaos Family Foundation
Mr. Harold A. Brumleve
Mr. and Mrs. Rusty Keeley Jerry and Judy Kent Family Foundation
Mr. Clayton C. Brown Mr. and Mrs. Mike Bruno
Anonymous (5) Frank Adam Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Callahan
Mr. Bradley Aden and Ms. Susann Sullivan-Aden
Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Cliffe
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Anderson
Eugene and Connie King
Ms. Mary F. Coles
Mr. and Mrs. Al J. Koller, III
Mr. Donald R. Cummings
Dr. Teresa L. Andreone and Mr. Jon Deuchler
Mr. and Mrs. James G. Koman
Mr. and Mrs. David G. Dempsey, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Mark T. Barron, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Kotcher
Mrs. Betty J. Donahoe
Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Basler
Krieg Gianino Family Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Dave Dressel
Mr. James M. Basta
Ms. Jan Elsbach
Mr. and Mrs. James G. Berges
Mr. and Mrs. Craig E. LaBarge
Mr. and Mrs. John M. Gunther
Mrs. Patricia Berridge
Frank S. and Julia M. Ladner Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Sam A. Hamacher
Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Berron
Joseph and Elsie McBride Charitable Foundation
Mr. Michael C. Heim
Captain and Mrs. James R. Blum
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Hilton
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony M. Bommarito
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. McMillin
Mr. Kevin Hoang
$10,000 & above
Mr. and Mrs. Roger D. Miller
Mr. George F. Jokerst
Mr. and Mrs. Blackford F. Brauer
Dr. Robert E. Morley, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. K. Dane Brooksher
Anonymous (8)
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kaiser
Mr. and Mrs. Jason L. Motte
Mrs. Joyce M. Knobbe
Ms. Janice Burnett
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Albrecht
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Nardini
Mrs. Nancy Koller
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Caleca
Albrecht Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nicolais
Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Kutz
James and Mary Canova
Mr. and Mrs. Allen D. Allred
Mr. and Mrs. John T. O'Connell
Nancy S. and John C. Leahy
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew L. Carr
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy B. Barrett
Mr. and Mrs. John Pantanella
Mr. and Mrs. James J. Checkett
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Bodine
Ms. Diane F. Lutfy-Frierdich
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Quinn
Mr. James D. Clark
Mr. and Mrs. James G. Brennan
Mr. Albert F. Metzger
Mr. and Mrs. Doug A. Ries
Mr. and Mrs. George E. Meyer
Dr. Molly and Dr. Steven Cline
The Donald H. and Mary Jane Buchanan Foundation
Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation
Mr. Maurice Montgomery
Paul and Donna Collins
Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Mooney
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert D. Condie, III
Peggy and Jerry Ritter
Dr. and Mrs. Terry L. Moore
Mr. Michael C. Danis
Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Bytnar
Andrea Rizzo Foundation
Dr. and Mrs. Michael P. Donahoe
Julian and Eileen Carr Family Foundation
Mrs. Rosalinda M. Rosemann
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Morgenthaler, Jr.
Mr. Thomas J. Rosemann
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Niemann
Mr. and Mrs. John F. Eilermann
Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Ross
Team Noah Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Estopare
Mike and Lori Shannon
Mrs. Ginny Orthwein
Mr. Jeff Fischer
Ms. Mae O. Skubiz
The Pershing Charitable Trust
Dr. Colleen M. Fitzpatrick Mr. and Mrs. Frederick P. Friday
T. Danis Charitable Trust
American Direct Marketing Resources LLC
Dr. and Mrs. John R. Peter
Dr. M. Carolyn Gamache
Carol Klockenbrink Daughtry
Dr. and Mrs. Timothy W. Staed
The Herman T. and Phenie R. Pott Foundation
Mrs. Nettie O. Dodge
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stieven
Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Potter
Mr. and Mrs. William Hailstone
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy M. Drury
Mr. and Mrs. William N. Robertson
Dr. Matt Hanley
Mr. and Mrs. David Eichhorn
John S. Swift Family Charitable Trust
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Rottjakob
Mr. Robert B. Erger
John Thomas NKH Foundation
Shanahan Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Hassebrock
Mr. Douglas R. Fabick
Mr. John H. Veidt
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory S. Sigmund
Dr. Susan E. Haynes
Mr. and Mrs. Harry P. Fabick
Mr. and Mrs. James C. Wachtman
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Smith
Mr. Patrick Fahey
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Waechter, Jr.
Francis and Ruth Stroble
Dr. Robert M. Heaney and Dr. Mary Susan Heaney
Ms. Patricia Sudholt
Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Heinz
Mr. and Mrs. W. Grant Williams
Tacony Family Foundation
Joseph and Faith Herbers
Mr. and Mrs. Jake Wilson
Mr. William P. Thompson
Lynne and Ed Higgins
The Herbert A. and Adrian W. Woods Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. John M. Tracy
Mr. Maxwell L. Highley
Mr. and Mrs. Greg J. Twardowski
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hogan
Kurt and Janet Zerrusen Family Foundation
G.A. Buder, Jr. and Kathryn M. Buder Charitable Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. James G. Castellano Mr. Demetrick Coleman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Conley Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Conley, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Fronmuller Elizabeth Oakley STEM Fund William and Betty Halliday Foundation Mr. and Mrs. John F. Hefele
Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Ebel, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. James Gibbons
Ms. Susan M. Veidt
Mr. Dennis J. Jacknewitz
Dr. Virginia Herrmann
Dr. Stephen E. Vierling
Mr. Kamalakar Jasti
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew R. Higginbotham
The von Gontard Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Jennings
Mr. and Mrs. Glen Waldhoff
The Jordan Charitable Foundation
Ms. Judith A. Henke
Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Hoertel Mr. and Mrs. Justen Hong
Champions $5,000 - $9,999
Mr. and Mrs. Matt Holliday
Anonymous (6)
Mr. Charles Huck
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Antoline
Dr. Charles B. Huddleston and Dr. Marye Gleva
Mr. and Mrs. Brian C. Behrens Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Birkemier
46 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Phyllis L. Weber Mr. Wayne W. Willman Dr. and Mrs. Robert W. Wilmott
Robert E. Jones Foundation
...continued on next page
Heroes
Mr. and Mrs. Larry G. Albright
Mr. and Mrs. Rusty R. Crutsinger
Dr. and Mrs. Samuel W. Hardy
$2,500 - $4,999
Dr. and Mrs. Jorge M. Alegre
Col. and Mrs. Scott Cusimano
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Hartman, Jr.
Dr. Saadeh B. Al-Jureidini
Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Czajka
Mrs. Michelle A. Hawk
Mr. and Mrs. Ken Allman
Mr. and Mrs. David O. Danis
Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Hempstead
Mr. and Mrs. James Alverson
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew B. Danis
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Hendrickson
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Amsler, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Danis, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Auer
Dr. and Mrs. Michael E. Danter
Mr. Bradley Hill and Ms. Camille Emig-Hill
Mrs. Josephine Baer
Mr. and Mrs. William D. Davies, III
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher S. Hite
Mr. Randy Bain
Mr. and Mrs. David C. Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Hock
Mrs. Lu Barnes
Mr. and Mrs. F. Patrick Decker
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey R. Hoelscher
Mr. and Mrs. William Barrett
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph J. Decker
Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Hogan
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce R. Bartlett
Mr. and Mrs. Leon G. DeDonder
Mr. and Mrs. William F. Holekamp
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Baudison
Mr. and Mrs. Marty Delaney
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce B. Holland
Greg and Melisa Baumann
Mr. and Mrs. George T. Desloge
Ms. April J. Hood
Mr. and Mrs. Steve M. Baumer
Mrs. Mary Rose Desloge
Dr. and Mrs. Gregg Hosch
Dr. Anne M. Beck and Mr. Richard Mathis
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Deutsch
Mr. and Mrs. Albert G. Hudzik
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan J. Deutsch
Mr. James P. Hughes
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond D. Benner
Mrs. Rose Mary Dieckhaus
Mr. Timothy Hunn
Mr. and Mrs. Steven M. Bergfeld
Dr. William Ricci and Dr. Ann M. DiMaio-Ricci
Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Hurst Mr. Bart D. Inman
Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Biolchini
Dr. William R. Dodd and Ms. Eileen M. Clarke
Mr. Robert E. Bittick
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Donlan
Mr. Joseph J. Jaeger
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew P. Blassie
Mr. and Mrs. Terrance J. Donohue
Mr. William E. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bohannan
Mr. Ralph E. Dowling
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy R. Julius
Dr. Robert E. Bolinske
Mr. Jared Droste
Mr. and Mrs. John T. Kaestner
Mr. and Mrs. Mark S. Borst
Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Dryden
Mr. and Mrs. Ehab Kaiser
Ms. Cheryl Boushka
Bill and Mary DuBois Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Dwyer
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond N. Karasek, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Schenk, Jr.
Ms. Teresa Elizabeth Braeckel and Mr. Matthew P. Amen
Mr. and Mrs. James Ehler
Mr. Lawrence P. Keeley, Sr.
Dr. Kenneth O. Schowengerdt and Dr. Joyce M. Koenig
Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Braun
Mr. Jake Eilermann
Mr. and Mrs. John S. Kennedy
Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Brennan
Mr. Robert C. Elder
Mr. Paul E. Kerkemeyer
Reverend Don G. Brinkman
Mr. and Mrs. Steven G. Elfrink
Mr. and Mrs. Matt Kesler
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Brockhaus
Mr. and Mrs. John Emerson
Mrs. Ann J. Key
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brockinton
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Epstein
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Killion
Mr. and Mrs. Barry P. Brothers
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Evans, III
Mr. and Mrs. Ben King
Ms. Rose Brower
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Fafoglia
Mr. Bernard J. King
Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Brown
Mr. Mark Fedak
Ms. Barbara M. Bryant
Dr. and Mrs. Michael J. Fedak
The J.W. and Mildred A. Kisling Charitable Foundation
Mr. Giorgio Bucci
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Fels, Jr.
Mrs. Nancy Bueltmann
Ms. Audrey A. Flavin
Mr. and Mrs. Steven E. Burghart
Mr. Dennis Ford
Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Burke
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Ford
Mr. and Mrs. William K. Busch
Mr. Ralph A. Fournier
Mr. John F. Byrnes
Sam and Marilyn Fox Foundation
Carpenter Family Children's Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Steven N. Frank
Ms. Hannah Castellano
Mr. and Mrs. James Garavaglia
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew A. Chiodini
Dr. and Mrs. Jason M. Garnreiter
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Chivetta
Mr. John G. Gatewood
Dr. Catherine C. Cibulskis
Mr. and Mrs. Erich Geise
Ms. Patricia Clark
Mr. Thomas George
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Coleman, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. William P. Grant
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Condie
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Griner
Mr. and Mrs. Norman B. Conley, III
Mr. and Mrs. Cap Grossman
Mr. Joseph J. Conway
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Gundlach
Mr. and Mrs. William M. Corrigan, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Hackett
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Costello
Mrs. Kathleen M. Haferkamp
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Creech
Dr. and Mrs. Dean D. Hageman
Mr. Eric J. Crider
Dr. Kenneth A. Haller
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Crupe
Mr. Ronald P. Hamel
continued... Ms. Virginia A. Karwoski Mr. Greg Keller Mr. and Mrs. James P. Kellett Mr. Ron Koenig Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Lauer Mr. Ronald A. Lovas Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Ludeman Mr. and Mrs. William R. Maher Mrs. Anne Marshall Mr. Donald R. Martin Joanna May Mr. and Mrs. W. Dudley McCarter Mr. Donald Menkhus Mr. and Mrs. Terry Monachella Mr. Michael L. Mudd Mr. Timothy C. Oehrke Mr. Daniel Orthwein Mr. and Mrs. Timothy M. Probst Ms. Mirella Ravarino Dr. Robert S. and Dr. Sheryl Ream Mr. and Mrs. Stephen K. Rick Mr. and Mrs. James E. Ringhofer Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Rollins Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Ryan Mr. and Mrs. James A. Sandfort
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Schreiber Mr. and Mrs. Nathan J. Schulte Dale and Kristie Schulz Mr. and Mrs. Scott Seaton Gene and Joan Slay Charitable Foundation Dr. and Mrs. James A. Sloand Mr. and Mrs. Dave Snively Mr. Edward Spence Mr. Thomas J. Straatmann Mrs. Judy R. Streif Mr. and Mrs. Dave Taiclet Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Michael B. Todorovich, II Ms. Barbara A. Uhl Jack and Suzy Villa Dr. Carole A. Vogler Mr. Kyle VonBehren Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Wangard Mr. and Mrs. James F. Whalen James and Deborah Young Mrs. Elizabeth Zucker
Guardians $1,000 - $2,499 Anonymous (8) Dr. Naila A. Ahmad
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Berra, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Galen D. Bingham
Mr. and Mrs. Joel Hylen Mr. and Mrs. Russell H. Isaak
Lt. Col. and Mrs. Eugene V. Kleiser, Jr. Mr. Robert E. Koberlein Mr. and Mrs. Chris T. Koenemann Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Koenen Mr. and Mrs. James R. Korbelik Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Koster Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. Krausz
Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Galli
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart J. Krawll Mr. Jacob B. Krebsbach Mr. and Mrs. James A. Krekeler Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Kuhlman Kuhn Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Mark LaBarge Mr. and Mrs. James B. Lally Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Larrew Mr. William G. Latz Mr. Beau Laughlin Ms. Linda Legg Mr. and Mrs. Jim Lengermann Chris and Laura Leonard
...continued on next page
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 47
GLENNON CIRCLE /
SPOTLIGHT
Dr. and Mrs. Blakeslee E. Noyes
Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Ritter
Mr. Anthony Sokolich
Dr. and Mrs. Dennis M. O'Connor
Reverend Thomas M. Robertson
Mr. and Mrs. Dale E. Sondgeroth
Mr. and Mrs. James J. O'Connor, III
Dr. and Mrs. H. F. Sadiq
The Oefelein Family
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Sansone
Dr. Sherri M. Sprehe and Mr. G. David Sprehe
Mr. and Mrs. William L. Offermann
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur F. Scheer, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. St. Julian
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Oslager
Ms. Elizabeth L. Schellhardt
Ms. Teresa Rose O'Toole
Mr. William J. Schicker
Dr. Thomas P. Stanley and Dr. Julia M. Stanley
Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Palardy
Mr. and Mrs. Dale J. Schillinger
Mr. Christopher T. Parisi
Mr. Jason Schmidt
Mr. Joseph E. Pazero, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Martin P. Schmidt
Jane and Dave Peacock
Robert and Nancy Schukai
Mr. Curt Peitzman
Dr. Pamela M. Schuler
Ms. Elizabeth M. Peters
Ms. Mary Beth Schumacher
Ms. Rosemary Pitlyk
Mr. and Mrs. James Segrist
continued...
Mr. and Mrs. Brad Pittenger
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Leuthauser
Dr. and Mrs. Santiago B. Plurad, Jr.
Dr. Julie Selkirk and Mr. Andrew Selkirk
Mr. Justin Lieser
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Pohrer
Mr. and Mrs. Rodney M. Sharp
Alexander Lin and Katherine Fuh
Ms. Gloria J. Polston
Ms. JoAnn Sharpe
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Livingston
Mr. and Mrs. Marc S. Potrzeboski
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Shaughnessy
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas P. Long
Mr. Bernard A. Purcell
Mrs. Joan B. Sheehan
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Lorenz
John and Diane Rabenau
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Sheehan
Mr. and Mrs. Sean Lynch
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Rafferty
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Short
Mr. David M. Maechling
Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Ragsdale
Mr. and Mrs. Nick Simokaitis
Mr. and Mrs. Percy D. von Gontard
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Malloy
Dr. Mohammad B. Rahimi
Mr. and Mrs. Randall J. Singer
Mr. Kenny Vosholler
Mr. and Mrs. David Marchant
Mr. and Mrs. Hector J. Ramos
Mrs. Darlene Skaggs
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Voss, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Marquitz
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Rauth
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Sly
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Mayer
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Rector
Mr. and Mrs. John Small
The Honorable Ann L. Wagner and Mr. Raymond T. Wagner
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mayo
Ms. Molly K. Rejent
Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Walbrandt
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Mayo
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred O. Rheinnecker
Dr. Mary Ann Morley and Mr. Dennis L. Smith
Mr. Patrick J. McCruden and Ms. Susan Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Richter
Mrs. Elaine P. Smith
Mr. Michael Walsh
Mrs. Joyce W. Snyder
Ms. Mary D. Ward
Thank you! GLENNON CIRCLE 2018
Guardians $1,000 - $2,499
Ms. Helen A. Riechmann
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Stansifer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stoeckl Mr. Melvin C. Straatmann Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Sullivan Reverend James M. Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. Steven P. Sumner Andrew and Tricia Sutton Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Tesar Mr. and Mrs. Rick Thoman The Thomasson Eiseman Malececk Family Trust Mrs. Betty Ann Keller Timmer Mrs. Alice A. Todt Mr. Daniel A. Viers Ms. Amy Von Gontard
Mr. and Mrs. Brian T. Walsh
Mr. and Mrs. William P. McGinnis
Ms. Susan C. Weilbacher
Mr. and Mrs. Warren D. McGowan
Mrs. Joan Wennemann
Judge Mary Ann L. Medler
Dr. and Mrs. Jason A. Werner
Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Meyer
Mr. and Mrs. Hans Wiemann
Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Meyer
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Wilcox
Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie J. Meyers
Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Wilhelm
Steven and Becky Middendorf
Mr. and Mrs. William F. Willbrand, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mikolajczak Mr. James N. Mills Mr. Ronald Moellman Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Monzyk Mr. and Mrs. James W. Moore Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Mueller Mr. and Mrs. William A. Mueller Dr. Michael E. Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Murphy Mr. and Mrs. James S. Myer Mr. and Mrs. Ken Naumann Mr. Alex Nazetta Heather and Steven Nelson Mr. and Mrs. James W. Nichols Mr. Robert V. Nichols Ms. Marissa Nicolais Ms. Serafina A. Nicolais Mr. John A. Niemeier Mr. and Mrs. Daniel A. Normansell Mr. and Mrs. David Lepsky Ms. Ruth Ann Norton
48 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Doug J. Wilmes Dr. and Mrs. Joshua D. Wilson Dr. and Mrs. Warren J. Wimmer Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. Winborn Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Wiseman Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Wittenauer Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wolfe Dr. and Mrs. Patrick G. York Mr. and Mrs. Gene B. Young Ann and Ken Zimmermann Mrs. Lynn M. Zond Mr. and Mrs. Bernard A. Zyk
Will you help Cardinal Glennon kids by becoming a member of our Glennon Circle today?
A gift of $1,000 could provide an outpatient chemotherapy infusion treatment to help a child battle cancer.
A gift of $1,500 could provide Bilirubin lights for a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit who is being treated for jaundice and requires treatment for several days.
A gift of $2,500 could provide two laptop computers for kids at our Shining Star School to keep up with schoolwork and interact with peers when hospitalized for long periods of time.
A gift of $4,000 could provide a
A gift of $5,000 could provide
A gift of $10,000 could allow 13 children with kidney disease to attend Camp Okawehna and receive dialysis treatment three times a week from medical staff while attending the week-long camp.
an echocardiogram exam table which assists in the diagnosis of heart-related conditions.
hospital grade sleeper sofa that will provide much needed comfort and rest for parents who are enduring many long, sleepless nights with their sick child.
For more information please contact Lindsay Firestone at 314-678-6630 or lindsay.firestone@ssmhealth.com.
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 by our Glennon Friends visit glennon.org.
Mary Ann and Jane Louise Thole
I
n the oncology unit of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, patient room 4304 has a plaque honoring the generosity of two sisters who put the hospital “at the top of their list” for a charitable donation to a St. Louis institution when they passed away. Mary Ann and Jane Louise Thole never married or had children. The two lived together for much of their lives in a small home on Clemons Avenue in St. Louis, quietly working and investing their savings. “They gave to several institutions, including the St. Louis Archdiocese, the Animal Protective Association and Rosati-Kain High School, where Mary graduated,” says their longtime friend Irma Zurmuehlen. “But they wanted to donate a large portion of their estate to Cardinal Glennon.” Zurmuehlen first met the Thole sisters when she went to work for them as a housekeeper. Mary, the oldest, was employed as chief of the job classification program for the U.S. Defense Department in St. Louis. Jane was a longtime secretary with Lindell Bank. Born three years apart in the 1920s, Jane passed away in 2007. Mary died in 2014. “I still miss Mary,” says Zurmuehlen. “She was like a stepmom to me. I worked for her from 1995 to 2014 and we grew to become friends over the years. Jane also was very funny and a down-to-earth person. They were two wonderful people.” The sisters and Zurmuehlen would go out to lunch together every week. When Jane was diagnosed with colon cancer, Zurmuehlen took her to her cancer treatments. When she grew too ill to go out, Jane moved to Delmar Gardens, residing there for just a few days before she passed away. Mary subsequently sold their house and moved to a senior living community. She and Zurmuehlen continued their weekly lunch outings.
50 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
“Oh, she loved to dress up proper and eat out, so we did that as often as we could,” Zurmuehlen recalls. “She also comforted me when my mom passed away, so I did feel like Mary was part of my own family and I felt like I was part of hers.” When Mary also was diagnosed with colon cancer, Zurmuehlen not only cared for her, but she agreed to take care of Mary’s dog, Abby. “I was visiting her the day she died,” Zurmuehlen says with tears in her eyes. “I sat down next to her and held her hand and I told her, ‘It’s okay, Mary, you can go and be with Jane.’ She died minutes later and I think that she waited to tell me goodbye before she passed away.” At 11 years old, Abby, Mary’s Yorkshire terrier, still resides in Zurmuehlen’s home. “Mary and Jane loved animals and kids,” she says. “I think that’s how their names and spirits will live on — in the generous gifts to Cardinal Glennon and to the other institutions that they supported.”
Why I Give » “I’ve been a nurse at Cardinal Glennon for over 35 years. Since I’m a big St. Louis Cardinals fan,
“My three daughters and I wanted to honor my wife who was dedicated to serving others. My wife and I were very fortunate that our three daughters had no problems. Being a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 20 years, I support the important work being done at the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at Cardinal Glennon. This is one reason why I give to Cardinal Glennon in addition to honoring the love of my life.”
Ed Spence
“My wife Madelyn and I are very grateful for the care our son received from Cardinal Glennon many years ago. Our son was born with a bi-lateral cleft lip and cleft palate and at the time, my family couldn’t afford the care he needed. Thanks to Cardinal Glennon, that didn’t matter, and
we have never forgotten the help we received in our son's care,
I started giving to the Homers for Health program when it started in 2012. I thought what could be better than cheering on our St. Louis Cardinals and making a difference in the life of a Cardinal Glennon kid at the same time? What started off as fun has become a yearly commitment that is very important to us. There are a lot of charities asking us for their support, however Cardinal Glennon is near and dear to our hearts and we are happy to give back to a hospital that means so much to us.”
John & Gloria Small
and thus will continue making an annual contribution for as long as we are able.”
Denny & Madelyn Banister
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 51
GLENNON FRIENDS /
THANKS to the Development Board for their continuous support of our events and programs. 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
DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Joe Stroot
President, Development Board
T
he first and only time I’ve ever spent the night in a hospital was at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in 1984. It was one of my first vivid memories as a child. I remember being afraid of what was to come: having a fear of the unknown. This fear soon subsided when I entered the building and saw a Star Wars themed hallway leading to my room. I didn’t feel like I was in a hospital anymore, I instead felt like I was in a comfortable place. I now realize how valuable that feeling is to the parents of an SSM Health Cardinal Glennon patient, knowing that their child feels safe. When I was given the opportunity to join the Development Board, this memory was the first thing that came to my mind. Not knowing what it would entail, I jumped at the chance to be able to help the hospital that took such great care of me as a child. The Development Board aims to make a difference in the lives of patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. It is our responsibility to connect our current and potential donors with the opportunities the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation provides to benefit the hospital. Members of the Development Board take great pride in organizing events like Scoops of Fun, Field-Side Party at Glennon Gallop and the Glennon Golf Classic. These events help fund programs at the hospital such as Footprints, Danis Pediatric Center and Music Therapy. These supplementary programs are part of what sets SSM Health Cardinal Glennon apart and makes it such a special place. Above all, the driving force behind my efforts and involvement with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is the mission of treating every child, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. The hospital places an emphasis not only on making sure the staff provides excellent care and the technology and equipment is state-of-the-art, but more
52 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Joe Stroot
importantly, they ensure that every child has access. Because of this, families from any financial background can focus on healing and not about growing medical bills. The Development Board has set high expectations for what we want to achieve this year. In 2018, we formed the Young Friends of Cardinal Glennon, which we will continue to grow in 2019. The group is made up of young professionals in their 20s and 30s who are committed to supporting SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and the families it serves through fundraising, volunteering and spreading awareness. This provides a wonderful opportunity for any young professional to get involved in our great events, network with other young professionals and give back while having fun. We have a very exciting schedule of events for 2019 and are thankful to the many individuals whose donations keep the mission going. I encourage all of you to get involved if you haven’t already and I look forward to celebrating a successful 2019 with you.
SPOTLIGHT
/ GLENNON FRIENDS
SPOTLIGHT
Drs. John and Mary Elizabeth Garrett
T
he call to the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation came from out of the blue. Dr. John Garrett had picked up the phone and simply said he wanted to make a gift to the Foundation and to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital to honor his wife, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Oakley. “She really cared about children,” he says fondly. “She was a great mother and she loved our two children and, really, all children. And she loved Cardinal Glennon.” Married for 63 years, the two met while at Albany Medical Center in New York. “I was a fellow in internal medicine and she was starting her pediatric residency there,” says Dr. Garrett. “She sat in front of me at a meeting of the house medical staff and I thought she had a beautiful name. After that, I took her for ice cream!” They got married in January 1952. Two children soon followed, and Dr. Mary Elizabeth put her own career on hold to take care of her family. When Dr. John Garrett was recruited to Saint Louis University School of Medicine to start an adult nephrology program and oversee one of the few dialysis programs in the region, the two moved to St. Louis. “It was a time when dialysis was still in its infancy,” he recalls. “We made our own dialysis kits for our patients. Next door, at Cardinal Glennon, they didn’t have a dialysis
program at the time, and I remember when I was called to consult on a patient who had developed a severe renal disease called acute glomerulonephritis.” Dr. Garrett subsequently transferred to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center to start its dialysis program and remained there until his retirement. Dr. Mary Elizabeth returned to pediatric medicine when their children were in their teens, training first at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. She then completed a fellowship in child psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine. In 1979, she helped to establish an adolescent and child psychiatry section at St. John’s Mercy and worked there until she herself retired. “It was Cardinal Glennon that first welcomed her back into the medical profession,” says Dr. Garrett. “We both never forgot that.” As they pursued their medical careers, they set aside money to be used for charitable donations, faithfully adding to it regularly. “We wanted it to be used for science and education and what now has become STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) training.” Shortly after Dr. Garrett retired, he saw an ad asking for physician volunteers for the Indian Health Service, a federal health program for Native Americans in the United States. He traveled to South Dakota and volunteered in an Indian hospital. The next year, both he and Dr. Mary Elizabeth volunteered and the two started making regular trips as well as making donations to help with education and technology in two Native American schools in South Dakota and southeast Montana. After Dr. Mary Elizabeth passed away after a long illness in 2015, Dr. Garrett contacted SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. “My wife’s fondness for Cardinal Glennon is what prompted
Drs. Mary Elizabeth and John Garrett
me to call,” he says. After initial gifts, a discussion and a tour of the dialysis center at the hospital, Dr. Garrett donated funds for the purchase of iPads, software and a special school network link so that children could remain connected to their schools while undergoing dialysis at the hospital. “I learned that Cardinal Glennon is the only hospital in the region to offer dialysis for unborn children and infants as well as adolescents,” he says. “I was impressed by that.” He also has discussed other ways to improve dialysis care at the hospital. “It is obvious that the dialysis program works very well in a confined space,” says Dr. Garrett. “I believe that there are more ways for me and others to help expand and enhance the dialysis service at Cardinal Glennon. And I think my wife would have approved how I have already used our funds to help children and support education here.” At 97 years old, Dr. Garrett now lives in Augusta, MO, on the same property he and his wife bought years ago as a place to relax and recharge after long days caring for patients. Still active, and still traveling to various Indian reservations every chance he gets, Dr. Garrett’s face lights up whenever he talks about his wife. “I am not the prime subject of this story,” he says matter-of factly. “In everything I do, and in every charitable contribution I make, I honor my wife and our life together.”
Dr. John Garrett in the Shining Star School glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 53
GLENNON FRIENDS /
SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT
Grace Really Likes Pancakes — And Helping Kids
W
hen she was a preschooler, two of Grace Pund's favorite activities were eating pancakes and playing waitress. At some point the idea of "kids helping kids" entered her mind and she talked about doing charitable work for children. When Grace was 5 years old, a family chat around the dining room table produced "Lovin' from the Oven," an annual pancake breakfast that benefits SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. "I really, really like pancakes," Grace says. "It's hard for us to remember how it started. It came out of nowhere." Her father, Dan, recalls that Grace also liked to play restaurant. "When she was 4 or 5 she had a tiny kitchen. When we had family gatherings, she would take everybody's pretend orders and serve them." "She had heard the term 'charity' and understood the concept of helping people," continues her
mother Jody. "We ran through ideas of what charity means and who you can help. I suggested the children's hospital. When you are 5 and think of other kids being in the hospital, you are very sympathetic." Grace is now 14 and has hosted nine "Lovin' from the Oven" breakfasts to raise $31,696 for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. "We ask people to donate what they are comfortable with," Jody says. "It can range from $10 to $250." The first eight breakfasts were held in the Pund family home. "It is a very kid-driven event," mom says. "She sends out invitations and people call to make reservations. When people call they talk to Grace. She and her cousin Peyton, who is 11, make seating arrangements the night before. They make index cards for orders that show where people are sitting and what time they will come. We hosted almost 100 people last year." Grace has inspired five friends to hold pancake breakfasts at their own homes. This year they combined their events into one in the cafeteria at their school, the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles, Mo. "It was my last year at that school, so we wanted to go out with
54 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Grace's Funky Cocoa Monkey Pancakes Prepare Bisquick pancake batter Add splash of lemon juice, a little sugar and a bit of baking powder Start pancake sizzling on griddle Arrange banana slices and mini chocolate chips on top Remove when golden brown and serve a bang," Grace says. "We wanted to do it together before we headed off to different high schools." Grace was joined by 15 classmates and Peyton's sister Mila, 5, who became a new recruit. About 200 diners visited. The favorite item was the banana-chocolate chip pancake Grace created and named "Funky Cocoa Monkey" when she was 5. After graduating from eighth grade, she will start high school next fall at Visitation Academy and continue to host pancake breakfasts. "We will do them at our house again because it brings everyone closer together...hopefully forever," Grace says. "I really, really like pancakes."
SPOTLIGHT
/ GLENNON FRIENDS
SPOTLIGHT
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Foundation Funds Inaugural James and Patricia Monteleone Endowed Professorship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology Thanks to your generous support, the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation is able to honor and support several physicians with endowed professorships. These professorships allow for more time spent with patients, more time for research into new cures, and more time for developing other SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and SLU physicians. The latest to be honored is internationally renowned gastroenterologist Jeffrey Teckman, MD, who was named the inaugural James and Patricia Monteleone Endowed Professor in Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
J
effrey Teckman, MD, wants to “engineer cures.” In his sight is a potential treatment for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency that within the next five to ten years could potentially block liver damage and the need for a liver transplant in children with this genetic disorder that affects about 1 in 3,000 babies. Dr. Teckman has been researching Alpha-1 for more than 25 years. The disorder is the most
James and Patricia Monteleone
common genetic cause of liver disease in children and can also affect adults. It also causes lung disease in adults. There’s currently no cure, but Dr. Teckman has been the leading researcher into the disease and how it progresses in children. Already, three drugs tested in his lab over the past 20 years have progressed to worldwide clinical trials. “It’s a goal and I’m optimistic that as we continue to obtain funding for research and find patients to participate in clinical trials, we’ll find an answer to how we can stop liver damage in these patients,” he says. Dr. Teckman, a SLUCare physician, leads SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital’s Division of Gastroenterology and Hematology. He joined the hospital and faculty of Saint Louis University School of Medicine in 2005, at a time when the medical school identified liver diseases as one of five core research programs. Under Dr. Teckman’s leadership, faculty and staff have more than doubled, research funding within the division has tripled, and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon now is the site of regionally and nationally respected programs for the treatment of pediatric liver diseases, nutrition and motility disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, Hepatitis B and C, and Alpha-1. “We were the only group in the region to be involved in the latest pediatric clinical trials for Hepatitis C and we’ve cured several children of this particular disease,” Dr. Teckman says. “We want to continue those efforts as well as expand research of nutrition-related diseases. We also have begun investigations into the mechanisms driving appetite
and that lead to obesity, which is a true epidemic in this country.” Dr. Teckman focused on medicine after earning undergraduate degrees in chemistry and zoology. He graduated from Washington University School of Medicine Jeffrey Teckman, MD and rapidly found kinship in the field of pediatrics and, specifically, gastroenterology. While in fellowship at Washington University, he conducted early research into the biochemical mechanisms of Alpha-1. It has been a primary focus of his research ever since, along with fatty liver disease. He has been on the faculty of Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon for the past 13 years. His endowed professorship is named in honor of pediatrician James Monteleone, MD, and his wife, Patricia Monteleone, MD, MBA, MHA, pediatrician and former dean of Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Dr. Teckman says he’s humbled that the Foundation recognized him with an endowed professorship that honors two highly dedicated physicians. “One of my main drivers is that I want to make a difference,” he says. “This generous recognition by the Foundation makes me more dedicated to use this gift wisely to continue my research, help our patients and teach the next generation of gastroenterologists.” glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 55
GLENNON FRIENDS /
SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers
E
very year, members of the St. Louis community give their time and talent to support the efforts of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. So many of our events would not be possible without assistance from our incredible volunteers who help spread our mission –
Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God – to a larger volunteer audience. Our volunteer base continues to grow every year and includes people from all walks of life – from high school and college students, to corporate America employees, hospital staff, retired individuals and many others. Volunteers report a high level of satisfaction with their experiences and often sense the positive impact of their efforts. Volunteer activities include providing support for our many large fundraising events, including registering guests, auction support and helping set up or tear down. Other opportunities include helping around the office – stuffing envelopes, making thank you phone calls and sorting toy donations. Regardless of the task at hand, our volunteers play a critical role in helping us raise the much needed funds for the hospital. How can you become a volunteer? Visit glennon.org/volunteer or email ryan.jennings@ssmhealth.com.
SPOTLIGHT ROCKING A STOCKING
Rocking a Stocking
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ogether, Working Spaces and Kimball hosted their annual Rocking a Stocking holiday party this past December at the Majorette. Local designers participated in a Christmas stocking decorating contest and winners were awarded in three categories: Best Form, Best Function and People’s Choice. Amongst the holiday festivities, the judges awarded PGAV the trophy for Best Form for their Fireplace stocking, O’Toole the trophy for Best Function for their Candy Land stocking and HOK took home the trophy for People’s Choice for their Unicorn and Dinosaur stockings. In addition to the stockings, designers collected new toys which we’re later donated to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital just before the holidays. Kala Miller, an employee at Working Spaces, shared a touching story that evening about her experience with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. “My brother was born with a very rare condition that caused him to be paralyzed from the neck down, breathe from a ventilator, and was cognitively slower. Sadly, my brother passed away in September 2017. While he had these complications his entire life, Cardinal Glennon was
56 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
always there for him. They have helped him at his worst and always encouraged him and my family to have hope and faith! Cardinal Glennon not only affects its patients, but the families of the patients. While it was so difficult seeing the hard times my brother would go through I knew he was in the best hands. I love that I now have the ability to give back to Cardinal Glennon as they gave to my family. I am beyond blessed to work for Working Spaces who hosts this incredible event each year.”
SPOTLIGHT
/ GLENNON FRIENDS
SPOTLIGHT COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
Community Fundraising
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ast December, Shelby Moneer was looking for a unique way to celebrate her niece’s first birthday. Baby Gwen was born more than three months early and spent her first 87 days in
the NICU at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. To honor her extraordinary first year, Shelby created an online fundraising page that she shared with friends and family. More than 80 donors from the community gave to Shelby’s page, which raised more than $3,000 for Cardinal Glennon kids. At Gwen’s birthday party, Shelby shared the page with her sister so she could see just how many people wanted to wish Gwen a happy first birthday. Way to go Shelby! Did you know that you can now create your own, online fundraising pages to benefit Cardinal Glennon Kids? Our fundraising pages work just like a Facebook fundraiser or Go Fund Me page, except donors can elect to cover the transaction fees so 100% of the money raised can support SSM Health Cardinal Glennon! To learn more, visit glennon.org/fundraise, or email Ryan Jennings at ryan.jennings@ssmhealth.com.
SPOTLIGHT MARY MCDERMOTT 3RD GRADE BASKETBALL
Mary McDermott 3rd Grade Basketball Tournament
T
his December marked the 10th annual Mary McDermott 3rd Grade Basketball Tournament. To date, donations from the tournament and in Mary’s honor have totaled more than $435,900. Mary’s father Bill McDermott stated, "We conduct our tournament for a twofold reason. First, to honor the memory of our daughter Mary and her association with Cardinal Glennon and secondly, to continue to raise funds for the hospital in order to assure other children quality, state-of-the-art healthcare. In short, it's plain and simple, we had 24 years with our sweet Mary because of the doctors and nurses at Cardinal Glennon.” With the support of a planning committee and countless volunteers, this year’s tournament was able to raise $40,000 for the Hybrid Cardiac Catheterization Suite at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon! The suite features a specialized procedure room that enables interventional cardiologists to work side
by side with heart surgeons to diagnose and repair specific heart problems. The group gathered at Pasta House following the tournament to celebrate many years of supporting Cardinal Glennon kids in Mary’s honor.
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 57
GLENNON FRIENDS /
SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT HOLLY KRIEG MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Holly Krieg Memorial Golf Tournament
T
he 15th Annual Holly Krieg Memorial Golf Tournament hosted by the Krieg Gianino Family Foundation was held on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Acorns Golf Course in Waterloo, Ill. This year-after-year sell-out tournament proved to be as enjoyable as ever. With the continued support of generous sponsors and donors the tournament was able to raise $153,000 for Cardinal Glennon kids! Holly Krieg was born on September 8, 1978 and was immediately taken to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon to be treated. She was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain, enlarging the head and causing brain damage. The Krieg family was told she would not live past two years old, but Holly defied the odds and lived to be 24 years old. During Holly’s time at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon she and her family were supported by the Footprints program. The Footprints team is committed to improving the quality of life for
children living with complex medical illnesses and their families. The Krieg and Gianino families carry on Holly’s legacy through this annual fundraiser.
SPOTLIGHT PRETTY BABY CONTEST
38th Annual Ballwin Days Pretty Baby Contest
I
t could be a soft smile, giggly face or deep dimples that wins the crowd over – and it wasn’t an easy decision with 34 babies in the contest this year! Their cuteness stole hearts as $3,154.25 was raised for the kids at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. To date, more than 2,134 babies have participated in the Pretty Baby Contest and raised more than $81,068.80 since the first contest in 1981. Pictured are the four winning babies from the 2018 contest!
58 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
SPOTLIGHT
/ GLENNON FRIENDS
SPOTLIGHT BASKET OF HOPE
Basket of Hope
T
he St. Louis Football Club joined efforts with Basket of Hope to deliver baskets full of books, toys, crayons, markers and stickers to Cardinal Glennon kids on February 27. Through the generosity of its donors, Basket of Hope provides gifts to children diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness. The baskets are delivered by volunteers who spend time meeting with the family. Basket of Hope customizes each basket with age appropriate toys, games, crafts, etc. for the child and siblings. Basket of Hope began in 1995 after 7-year-old Christina Brunette completed her cancer treatment at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Her family, thankful for her treatment and wanting to give back, developed the Basket of Hope program working closely with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon staff members. Basket of Hope has delivered thousands of baskets across the nation. There are currently 20 participating hospitals.
SPOTLIGHT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL
St. John the Baptist School
O
n February 15, Rose Brower, Director of Planned Giving at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation, joined St. John the Baptist School for an all school mass. After mass, Rose was presented with a check for $900 as a result of the Penny Wars to help child patients in need. Rose also visited each classroom, showing photos of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and handed out special prayer cards with patients and their stories - asking St. John’s families to pray for their patients, as they pray for our school. Great job, Jaguars!
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 59
GLENNON FRIENDS /
SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT KELLSIE'S HOPE FOUNDATION
Kellsie's Hope Foundation
K
ellsie’s Hope Foundation recently had their Trees of Hope Gala, for which SSM Health Cardinal Glennon was one of many sponsors. The event offered mini trees for patients facing cancer treatment. The itty bitty trees were delivered over the holiday season and brought joy and happiness to the children and families. Oncology/ Hematology Social Worker, Aleeza Granote shared, “This program provides families a meaningful holiday season, especially while they are here in the hospital. Often patients use the gift as a centerpiece in their room, which brings normalcy during a difficult time.” The main role of Kellsie’s Hope Foundation is to offer wishes to relapsed patients. The thought of having cancer for a second and third time is especially stressful and overwhelming. Some of their wishes have been vacations, shopping sprees, and even a first date. She adds, “We are very fortunate to
collaborate with them on so many amazing wishes. Kellsie’s Hope offers memories to patients and families at a very stressful time – it’s truly a gift.”
SPOTLIGHT ORLANDO FAMILY FOUNDATION
Orlando Family Foundation
W
hen Sam Orlando, Sr. celebrated his 60th birthday in 1999, he announced to his guests, “This has been such a terrific party! However, next year you will pay to attend and we will donate the proceeds to charity!” Fast forward 20 years, and the annual Orlando Family Foundation Gala is one of the most popular St. Louis traditions, drawing a sell-out crowd every year. Three charities’ names are drawn from a hat to receive the proceeds from that year’s event. This year, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon was one of the lucky winners, receiving a generous gift of $40,000! Special thanks to the Orlando Family Foundation for keeping this tradition alive to help St. Louis area charities make a difference in people’s lives.
60 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
SPOTLIGHT
/ GLENNON FRIENDS
SPOTLIGHT TEE OFF FOR THE KIDS
Tee Off for the Kids Charity Golf Tournament a Huge Success
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n Saturday, September 15, St. Alban Roe Council 12022 hosted its 18th Annual Tee Off for the Kids at the Missouri Bluffs Golf Club to benefit SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. The tournament, which attracted 110 golfers, was followed by a fabulous, catered dinner and a silent and verbal auction. The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center supports children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders helping them to reach their highest potential through comprehensive
evaluation, care, family guidance, education and innovative research. On December 3, 2018 a check in the amount of $28,780 was presented to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. Since its inception, Tee Off for the Kids golf outings have raised nearly $430,000. Save the date for an upcoming Trivia Knight hosted by St. Alban Roe Council 12022 on Saturday, November 23, 2019. For more information about this event, please email Gary Schoeder, Event Chairman, at gk@koc12022.org.
SPOTLIGHT TOOTSIE ROLL DRIVE
Tootsie Roll Drive
S
tarted in the early 1970’s, one of the most popular and successful fundraising programs led by the Knights of Columbus is their Drive for Persons with Developmental Disabilities aka the “Tootsie Roll Drive.” Each year thousands of Knights in Missouri mark Columbus’ birthday by taking to the their communities to collect donations outside stores, parishes and on street corners distributing tootsie rolls in exchange for donations to charitable causes. The Missouri Knights of Columbus designate 50% of their net proceeds each year to benefit the patients at the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Over six million dollars have been donated by the Missouri Knights of Columbus. Since 1981, the dedicated professionals at the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center have been providing world-class care for children with special needs. The 48th Annual Drive for Persons with Developmental Disabilities will take place the weekend of October 11-13.
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 61
GLENNON FRIENDS /
SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT GLIDE FOR GLENNON
Glide for Glennon
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he SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation Teen Board hosted its second annual Glide for Glennon ice skating night on January 4 at Shaw Park Ice Rink in Clayton. The Teen Board managed everything from start to finish, including securing the venue, deciding on flyers and selling tickets to the event. Over 100 guests enjoyed a night of skating with friends, while also learning more about the Teen Board and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Even Rally Squirrel showed up to join in on the fun and do a few laps of the rink. The Teen Board is a group of local high schools students from all over the St. Louis area who are committed to supporting SSM Health Cardinal Glennon by volunteering and spreading awareness. For more information about how to get involved, please contact Ryan Jennings, Community Outreach Coordinator at 314-678-6622 or ryan.jennings@ssmhealth.com.
SPOTLIGHT YOUNG FRIENDS OF CARDINAL GLENNON
Young Friends of Cardinal Glennon
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he Young Friends of Cardinal Glennon is a group of young professionals in their 20s and 30s who are committed to supporting SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and the children and families it serves through fundraising, volunteering and spreading awareness. Members of the Young Friends will have an opportunity to network with other young professionals, learn more about our hospital and mission, and receive exclusive access to great events, all while giving back to the wonderful St. Louis community. Each year the Young Friends host our Field-Side Party at Glennon Gallop. This one-of-a-kind event gives guests the opportunity to wear their best Kentucky Derby-themed outfits while tailgating at a unique polo match to support SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. If you’re passionate about helping kids and having fun, please consider joining the Young Friends of Cardinal Glennon. For more information or to join the Young Friends of Cardinal Glennon, visit glennon.org/young-friends.
62 • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Where Are They Now? Joey Vitale / 1985 Kidney Transplant Recipient
now Analyst for St. Louis Blues Broadcasts on KMOX Radio
THEN
Joey, Charlie & Sammy Vitale
J
oey Vitale is one of a handful of St. Louis-born athletes who have played in the National Hockey League. He spent eight years in the majors, scoring 11 goals and 33 assists before an injury ended his career. He is now a father of three and the analyst for St. Louis Blues broadcasts on KMOX Radio. He has accomplished all of that on one “super kidney” that was saved by surgery at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in 1985 when he was 3 weeks old. “I had a wonderful career. I am very blessed,” says Vitale, now 33. “I was surrounded by good teammates and good coaches. I
NOW
Chris Kerber & Joey Vitale
have a great wife, amazing kids and wonderful parents who kept pushing me along.” His story could have turned out differently had his pediatrician not noticed his congenital anomalies in the days after his birth. “I had two obstructed ureters in each kidney. The doctors recognized it and did surgery,” he says. If not corrected, the blockages would have slowed urine from leaving his kidneys and caused infections. “If they had not found the obstructions I would have had a life expectancy of five years. I had to get another surgery when I was about 2 years old and then I was supposed to be good to go.” And go he did. He was the first Children’s Miracle Network Ambassador for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. He started playing hockey, like his older brothers, at age 5. At Christian Brothers College he won three state high school championships then joined the St. Louis Junior Blues and won a national championship. He played hockey while attending Northeastern University in Boston,
where he met his wife, Brianna. An injury incurred during college hockey prompted a CAT scan which revealed a surprise — his right kidney had shrunken to 10 percent of normal size since his childhood. “My left kidney is doing twice the load. I call it my super kidney. I don’t think I ever felt any effects. It is working pretty good.” He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins and played two seasons with Wilkes-Barre in the minor leagues. He played five seasons in the NHL with the Penguins and three with the Arizona Coyotes. As he recovered from his career-ending injuries, he moved his family back to the St. Louis area. “I took a year and a half figuring out what God’s plan was for me.” Last summer he was invited to try out for the vacant job of radio hockey commentator. “I never thought about this, but I went to college to study journalism,” he says. He earned the job. “I am around great people and I love being back in hockey. It has been an amazing ride.” glennon.org Spring/Summer 2019 • 63
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*
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10%
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8%
We invite you to join those
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who have created their legacy and changed lives.
7.2%
5.6%
Age 65
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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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Dear Cardinal Glennon Family,
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2
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1 2 018 check presentation by employees at FastLane in Troy, Ill. 2 David Baker, patient 1968 3 Rooney Frese, patient in 2019 4 Logan Baker, patient in 2019
3
y name is David Baker, and along with my sister Mary Banmiller, I am happy to write this letter in regards to our love and appreciation for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Our family founded the Warrenton Oil Company in 1972 and our connection with Cardinal Glennon has been a long and caring relationship. It was October of 1968 when I, the youngest of the eight Baker siblings, was the first baby transported to Cardinal Glennon by helicopter. I was born with a heart condition, and required around the clock care from Cardinal Glennon’s highly skilled medical team. I was released 10 days after I was born, and my siblings still remember picking me from the hospital. My mother, Betty Baker, told me recently, “It was a great honor to have you spend your first 10 days of life at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.” Fifty years later, all is well, and we are honored to still be part of the Cardinal Glennon family. Today, we are blessed to have Cardinal Glennon’s facilities and staff in our hometown. Second and third generation Baker family members, along with our many employees and their families, have experienced the excellent care and healing presence only found at Cardinal Glennon. From quick doctors’ appointments to ICU stays, they all know they are getting the best care in the world for their children. We, and the entire FastLane family, wanted to give back to Cardinal Glennon, and have done so by hosting several successful fundraisers over the years for the hospital. Something we are very proud of, several years ago, FastLane became part of the Homers for Health campaign. Our family, friends, employees and customers have gone above and beyond with their dedication to the hospital. Customers come into FastLane to purchase a quick snack, and end up sharing their personal Cardinal Glennon stories with our employees. We have high expectations for our 2019 fundraising efforts, and we know we will exceed those because of the amazing community we are part of. On behalf of our family and FastLane, thank you. Thank you for every hour volunteered. Thank you for every dime raised. Without you, none of us would be part of the Glennon family.
David Baker and Mary Banmiller FastLane Convenient Stores Warrenton Oil Company
Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Saint Louis, MO Permit No. 2412
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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Luke, Glennon Kid 2019 Homers for Health Co-chair