Glennon Magazine 2024

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

Iam truly honored to serve as the President of the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation Board of Governors for this year and next.

When I joined the Board, I immediately recognized that I had become part of something extraordinary. The Board comprises an impressive group of individuals, and I am humbled every day to be a member. I deeply appreciate the leadership, dedication and steadfast commitment of my fellow Board members to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and the broader community.

This issue of Glennon magazine showcases some of the Hospital’s nationally ranked clinical programs, as well as supportive and complementary services designed to meet the needs of every child. We are in an exciting era for children’s health care, and we are incredibly fortunate to have Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital as a cornerstone of our community for the last 70 years.

As we look to the future, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality care to every child in need. This commitment is made possible only through the generosity of our many friends and supporters.

Whether you contribute financially, attend our events or offer prayers, THANK YOU for your unwavering support of the children and families in our region and beyond.

With heartfelt gratitude,

David L. Taiclet, Sr. President Board of Governors

Glennon LIVE

Benefiting The Children’s Fund

Glennon Sunday Where Faith and Healing Unite Homers for Health Keeps Kids in the Game

Glennon Golf Benefiting Music Therapy

Glennon Gallop Benefiting The Danis Pediatric Center

Chipping in for Children Benefiting The Dan Dierdorf Emergency and Trauma Center

Sun Run

Benefiting The Children’s Fund

Glennon Card Shoppes Benefiting SSM Health

Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

Light Up Glennon Brightens the Lives of Patients

Find Out the Latest News

CORPORATE CORNER Post Holdings

ASK THE EXPERTS How To Help Tweens and Teens Develop Healthy Relationships with Technology

GLENNON GUILD

Glennon Card and Junior Board

DEVELOPMENT BOARD Message from the President

CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK 2024 CMN Ambassadors

GLENNON FRIENDS Supporting Cardinal Glennon Kids! WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Ryan Smith

Michael Wagner

Michael Wagner, says his mother, was having “a whole lot of trouble in the early years of school” before he was referred to The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Michael built on the diagnoses, therapies and counseling he received at the Center and graduated from high school last spring. He entered community college this fall.

“Michael has been a patient at Cardinal Glennon nearly all of his life,” says his mother, Amy Wagner. “We had seen different physicians and therapists. Things just weren’t quite improving. We were initially seen at The Knights of Columbus Center in 2012 and that changed the whole trajectory of Michael’s journey.”

The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center has been serving children with special needs since 1981. Its staff includes neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, a family resource specialist, education

coordinator, social worker and research team. The Center was designated a Missouri Autism Center by the Department of Mental Health in 2007.

Michael was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder before Center staff refined his diagnoses to autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. “He was seen by the development pediatricians, the child psychologist and occupational therapist,” his mother says. “They worked on social skills, anxieties and everything else that comes with autism. It put him on a path to better communication and relationships. He was able to work through conflict with peers much more easily.”

Michael graduated from Lindbergh High School this year and is following the general studies program at St. Louis Community College − Meramec. He earned two college scholarships for writing about his successes in overcoming adversity.

“We have lots of admiration and gratitude for the providers, nurses and therapists who worked with Michael through the years,” Wagner says.

Michael graduates from The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital to College

Cardinal Glennon Achieves Adult Congenital Heart Certification

The Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital recently became an ACHD Accredited Center by the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA). The certification recognizes the attainment of rigorous standards in staffing and services required to provide comprehensive care to adults with congenital heart diseases. The program cares for more than 500 adults who were born with heart defects long considered to be diseases of childhood. Due to ongoing advancements in medical and surgical interventions, children with these diseases are surviving

into adulthood and living full lives. Their surgically repaired hearts present challenges that adult cardiologists and surgeons are not typically trained to address.

The ACHD Program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is the only program in the region staffed by physicians who are board certified in both pediatric cardiology and adult congenital heart disease.

Ugo Nwankwo, MD, is medical director of the ACHD program, associate professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and a SLUCare congenital interventional cardiologist. The program’s medical staff includes

Lisa Alderson, MD, examines an adult congenital heart patient

Lisa Alderson, MD, a SLUCare cardiologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and Attila Ahmad, MD, an ACHD and pediatric cardiologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. The program is supported by dedicated advanced practice provider, Anna Quinn, PAC, and nurse coordinator, Amileth Brooks, MSN, RN.

The ACHD Program is part of The Dorothy and Larry Dallas Heart

Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, which began caring for adults in the 1990s. There are 54 ACHD centers accredited by the ACHA in the United States and Canada.

Arthur and Helen Baer Charitable Foundation Celebrates 11 Years of Support

The Arthur and Helen Baer Charitable Foundation was founded in 1984 when highend fashion retailer Stix, Baer and Fuller was sold to Dillard’s (Arthur was the son of founder Julius Baer). The Foundation is committed to

supporting organizations in the St. Louis area that serve children and families and promote education and the arts. Since 2013, the Arthur and Helen Baer Charitable Foundation has contributed $250,000 to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital to support programs like Music Therapy. Through the universal language and healing power of music, patients of all ages experience a reduction in stress and anxiety, an increase in relaxation and even relief from pain. An ever-growing body of research supports the use of evidence-based musical interventions to support the

physical, emotional, developmental and spiritual needs of patients and their families.

The Baer family has a long history of philanthropy in St. Louis, including support for the founding of Channel 9, the first TV studio in the nation built for educational programming. With the Arthur and Helen Baer Foundation’s continued support of arts and education, they are impacting the lives of innumerable children and families every year.

Thank you to the Arthur and Helen Baer Charitable Foundation for supporting Music Therapy at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and making a difference in the lives of our patients and families!

Music Therapist Carrie Lemen works with Cardinal Glennon kid Hailey in dialysis

Children’s Trust Fund of Missouri Helps the Most Vulnerable

The Child Protection team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon

Children’s Hospital evaluates and treats more than 230 children each year who are victims of abuse and neglect. These children are among the most vulnerable patients who come through our doors.

The majority of children served by the Child Protection team are seen in the Sexual Abuse Management (SAM) clinic in the Ambulatory Care Center. Because these patients are often victims of suspected sexual abuse, their exams are extremely comprehensive, and appointments can last several hours.

In 2022, special one-time funding was announced from Children’s Trust Fund of Missouri to support facility and infrastructure improvements for organizations that work to prevent, identify and treat child abuse and neglect in Missouri. With these grant funds,

the SAM exam space received a much-needed remodel that included replacing outdated equipment, upgrading exam lighting, installing new privacy features and much more.

“This renovation has created a whole new energy for our team. There is plenty of space, the providers have all the supplies they need at hand, and most importantly, the kids seem more comfortable and at ease,” says Samantha Moellenhoff, BSN, RN, nurse navigator for the Child Protection team. “We are so incredibly grateful to have the space and the updated equipment to make sure every child finds comfort and reassurance when they come to us.”

The grant from Children’s Trust Fund also paid for new computers and furnishings for the team’s office space, as well as forensic examination and interviewing training for the SAM nurses. From the entire team, thank you to Children’s Trust Fund of Missouri for all they do to promote strong families and safe kids!

Trauma Center: American College of Surgeons Verification

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital has a long history of excellence in caring for severely injured or sick children. When we earned our designation as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center more than 30 years ago, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital was the first in the state of Missouri to do so, and today The Dan Dierdorf Emergency and Trauma Center holds this designation for both Missouri and Illinois.

In the spring of 2024, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon earned the additional honor of becoming a “verified” trauma center by the American College of Surgeons. To earn this verification,

hospitals must demonstrate the highest level of care and collaboration across nearly every medical discipline, in addition to meeting more than 100 standards in nine categories, such as data collection, community outreach, education and more.

Many of the strengths noted in our application are made possible by the generous support of our donors. Services include:

• Special Needs Tracking and Awareness Response System (STARS)

• Injury Prevention and Safety Education

• Professional Development and Continuing Education for Staff

Thanks to you, families know they are in the very best hands when their children need critical care.

The newly remodeled SAM exam room

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICUs) provide enhanced care to critically ill children when minutes matter

Glennon Around the Corner Camp Glennon

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital recently launched Camp Glennon, a new initiative designed to inspire local high school students to pursue health care careers. This program was conceived during a nursing leadership meeting, where three dedicated nurses volunteered to bring the idea to life.

Camp Glennon connects students from five area high schools with health care professionals, offering a glimpse into various medical careers. After more than a year of planning and a rigorous application process that included a personal statement on their interest in health care, the camp opened to high school juniors and seniors.

Fifteen health care professionals shared insights about their careers, including the necessary education and training needed to be successful. Students engaged in hands-on, simulated activities such as suturing, performing lumbar punctures, ventilating infants and experiencing virtual reality.

Ali Smith, BSN, RN, CPN, the camp coordinator, reflects on the event’s success: “We had the great privilege of hosting 10 bright high schoolers from our local community at our inaugural Camp Glennon. Watching their eyes light up after insightful experiences and hearing the intriguing questions to our department leaders proved that we have bright minds coming into

Camp Glennon connects students from five area high schools with health care professionals, offering a glimpse into various medical careers.

the health care field. I am confident each of them walked away with a piece of our Glennon Factor.”

Looking forward, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon plans to make Camp Glennon an annual event, continually nurturing the next generation of health care professionals.

Camp attendees practice a lumbar puncture guided by a physician

Camp Glennon opens to high school juniors and seniors

Camp attendee practices sutures guided by a physician

Glennon Around the Nation

Baby Safety 101

Since the 1980s, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital has served as the lead organization for the St. Louis coalition of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global organization dedicated to education, safety and awareness resources for children and families in collaboration with local and regional not-for-profits, community agencies, first responders and more across 13 counties in Missouri.

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of preventable death in children ages 1 month to 18 years. Many families in our community face numerous barriers that prevent them from obtaining the resources

DID YOU KNOW?

More than 1,500 first responders from 43 fire districts have received training to be Safe Sleep Champions!

and education they need to keep their babies and children safe. To address this growing need, our Injury Prevention team holds numerous classes and events throughout the community where the needs are greatest.

One of the most popular offerings is Baby Safety 101, in which expectant parents, grandparents and other caregivers receive education and resources, such as a safe sleep environment or a car seat at no cost for families in need. In partnership with local pregnancy resource centers, birthing hospitals and other community agencies, these classes have been offered at various locations for many years.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff quickly adapted to offer Infant CPR and Choking through a virtual platform. As a result, the class has expanded its reach since 2020, and families from Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Wisconsin and other states have joined our classes!

With the cost of childcare ever increasing, grandparents are

often the primary caregivers for young children whose parents work outside the home. It is vital that parents and grandparents receive consistent messages and follow consistent practices to keep children safe. These virtual classes have been extremely well received by grandparents, as many recommendations have changed since they were new parents.

Lori Winkler, MSN, RN, TNS, CPEN, and Kim Fanter, BSN, RN, CPSTI, provide baby and child safety education throughout the year

Winkler leading a Safe Sleep Champion course

What’s Your Hidden Talent?

Anyone who has met Andrew J. White, MD, is instantly disarmed by his outgoing personality and charming smile. While it is difficult to imagine that being chief medical officer of a metropolitan pediatric hospital leaves much time for hobbies, Dr. White is proof that if you enjoy something (or many things!) enough, you will make the time.

Finding His Forte

Andrew J. White, MD

“We also made a studio recording and played concerts all over Boston,” Dr. White says. He continues to play to this day, getting friends and neighbors together for openmic nights and playing for his own enjoyment.

Net Gains

Born in San Antonio, TX, into a musical family, he first picked up the piccolo at age 4, moving on to the flute as he got older. From there, he learned tenor saxophone in sixth grade and would occasionally play with The Joe Mims Band, a jazz/big band ensemble for which his father played.

At Brandeis University in Boston, Dr. White learned guitar and bass, forming a rock band that had several names, including Robert Station. He later played with another band that won the college Battle of the Bands.

Celebrities Giving Back

On Friday nights from 9 pm to midnight, Dr. White can be found hosting a weekly pickup basketball game at Holy Redeemer parish in Webster Groves. “I’ve been doing this since 1994,” he says. “This started off with just friends and colleagues, but today the game has grown to include medical students, residents, fellows and faculty from SLU and WashU.” These games are more than just good exercise. They are a unique

opportunity for younger physicians to network and for the more seasoned ones to provide mentorship and offer advice. “And when we go out for a late-night snack afterwards, the faculty pick up the check.”

Acting Fishy

“As a kid I had a lot of allergies, so fish became a hobby early on,” Dr. White says. “I was also in and around the water a lot, helping my mom with her scuba diving business.” The White children were given chores, including keeping the shop’s aquarium clean.

Over the ensuing years, the hobby became a passion. “My current obsession is the Loricariidae, and on planetcatfish.com, I am currently #7 on the Breeder Board!”

Loricariidae, otherwise known as suckermouth fish or plecos, are related to the catfish. “You only see the ‘common’ sucker fish in pet stores, but there are more than 600 species that are really impressive.”

As a pleco breeder, Dr. White attends auctions to sell his pleco babies and gives talks to other fish enthusiasts. “I currently have 20 aquariums in my house.”

5

Dr. White, (center) with his college rock band

Andrew White, MD

Glennon Family Ties

SISTERS

Maddie Bayer, RN, BSN, and Katie Bayer, RN, BSN

Those of us who work at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital think of ourselves as family related by a Mission to serve others. Some of us, however, actually are related by heredity and choose SSM Health Cardinal Glennon as our second home. Meet some of these “Glennon Families:”

Attracted by its culture of compassionate care, many members of the same family have chosen to join the team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. It is not unusual to come across relatives who work in different areas of the Hospital. What is unusual, however, is finding relatives working on the same unit — especially when those relatives are siblings.

Since working in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) from 1999 to becoming nurse manager in 2018, Casey Petry, RN, BSN, has had the privilege of working with four sets of siblings, including a set of twins. “There is no better compliment than to have one of your employees feel the environment on the unit is so great that they encourage a sibling to join the team,” says Petry. She credits the Glennon Factor and the unit’s

unique mission for the phenomenon.

“We have a very challenging work environment in the PICU due to the high acuity of our patients,” says Petry. “Our drive to provide exceptional care for our patients creates a strong bond among team members, a bond much like a family.”

Siblings who work on the same unit have found it can reduce stress and improve communication. Siblings

also can be a vital support for one another, a fact to which Maddie Bayer, RN, BSN, can attest. She has worked with her sister, Katie Bayer, on the PICU for three years.

“Working with Katie is like having a built-in mentor,” says Maddie Bayer. “When I started in the PICU and a challenging situation arose, she’d be the first person I called if I had a question. She instilled in me the confidence I needed. Watching her care for critically ill children and loving each and every patient and their families during challenging times only increases my respect for her.”

“We have good days and devastating days on the PICU,” says Katie Bayer, RN, BSN. “Experiencing those emotions not only with your friends but with your sibling makes a big difference in how you cope.”

4 5 6 7

The Bayer sisters, Maddie (Left) and Katie, working together in the PICU at Cardinal Glennon

When the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital opened in 1958, it was the first NICU in St. Louis. Two decades later, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon became the first in the region to establish a dedicated Neonatal Transport team.

Glennon Firsts

NICU and Neonatal Transport

Today, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon holds the honor of having one of Missouri’s nationally ranked NICUs, with a team of more than 20 neonatologists and scores of nurses and other caregivers. As technology advances, babies born as early as 23 weeks’ gestation today have everimproving odds of not just surviving but thriving.

Two years after the Hospital’s opening, Missouri’s first poison control center began operating out of the Emergency Department at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Calls were answered by Emergency Department staff until 1974, when a dedicated team of nurses and pharmacists began staffing the center. Four years later, the Missouri Poison Center added a toll-free number, enabling access to callers from across the state.

In 1984, our poison control center became fully accredited by the American Association of Poison Control Centers and began

Our Critical Care Transport team, now serving maternal, neonatal and pediatric patients across 120 counties, is actively involved in contributing to the advancement of evidence-based practices in transport medicine and incorporating these practices into the care of high-risk mothers and babies, as well as sick and injured children.

Missouri Poison Center

operations as the “official” poison control center for the State of Missouri.

Today, the Missouri Poison Center is utilized by 100% of hospitals in the state and fields nearly 60,000 calls per year from health care providers and the public. By utilizing the Missouri Poison Center, 76% of cases can be treated at home, avoiding unnecessary and stressful trips to a hospital. This is especially beneficial for Missouri residents who live in rural communities without a hospital close to home.

One of the earliest models of neonatal incubators Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital had the first NICU in St. Louis

Above and right: The SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s Critical Care Transport Team

Staff at the Missouri Poison Center’s headquarters in Clayton

2025 Events and Programs

Glennon

Spring,

Glennon Golf Classic September 5, 2025

Glennon Sunday June 1, 2025

Glennon Gallop September 20, 2025

Field-Side Party September 20, 2025

Sun Run October 12, 2025

Chipping in for Children October 6, 2025

Glennon Card October 17-26, 2025

Post Holdings: A growing company with a strong history in St. Louis

In a shiny, low-rise, suburban office building, across a Brentwood street from a doggie day care center, are the headquarters of Post Holdings, a $7-billion food business with 62 offices and manufacturing facilities in five countries.

Post Holdings descended from Post Foods. In 1897, founder C.W. Post introduced Grape-Nuts, one of the first ready-to-eat cold breakfast cereals. After Post’s death in 1914, the company embarked upon a century of corporate mergers and acquisitions.

Those moves led to the independence of Post Holdings in 2012. It separated from Ralcorp Holdings, born in St. Louis in 1902 when the Purina Mills animal feed

company added Ralston breakfast cereals to its lineup and became Ralston Purina.

“Since 2012, Post Holdings has completed more than 22 acquisitions, which have transformed the company into a diversified consumer products holding company,” says Diedre Gray, the company’s executive vice president, general counsel and chief administrative officer.

Most St. Louisans probably have consumed a Post product, possibly today. “Our businesses operate in the center-of-the-store, refrigerated, foodservice, pet food and food ingredient categories,” Gray says. “Our iconic brands include Honey Bunches of Oats, Fruity Pebbles™, Malt-O-Meal, Bob

Evans Farms, Kibbles ‘n Bits, 9Lives, Gravy Train, Egg Beaters, Peter Pan Peanut Butter and Ronzoni® Pasta.”

Post employs 11,500 people worldwide, with 210 in the corporate offices in St. Louis who provide business support in the areas of finance, human resources,

Caption

Diedre Gray, Post Holdings Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer

“As a proud St. Louis company with a strong history in the food industry, we focus our community support in areas that serve basic human needs of care...”

information technology, legal, procurement, quality assurance and more.

The company’s local traditions include supporting the region’s charitable causes. “As a proud St. Louis company with a strong history in the food industry, we focus our community support in areas that serve basic human needs of care, as well as food banks or causes related to food insecurity,” says Gray. “We contribute through donations, fundraising, event participation and volunteerism.”

The good causes adopted by Post Holdings include Glennon LIVE and The Children’s Fund at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Glennon LIVE is an annual gala concert held to raise funds for the Hospital’s patients and programs. Contributions to The Children’s Fund are invested in the Hospital’s greatest needs, which can include new or enhanced programs, facility updates, creation

of child-friendly and family-centered spaces and innovations in technology.

“Post was presenting sponsor of this year’s Glennon LIVE benefiting The Children’s Fund,” Gray says.

“The stories of hope shared by beneficiaries of Cardinal Glennon were inspirational. The Zac Brown Band and Adam Wainwright put on first-class performances and, most importantly, St. Louisans really turned out to support the cause. As a St. Louis company, we were proud to sponsor this outstanding event that will help Cardinal Glennon continue its mission of providing compassionate and quality care for children in our local community.”

Over the last decade, donations to The Children’s Fund have supported expansions of the Hospital’s imaging center and The Dorothy and Larry Dallas Heart Center, construction of a new inpatient cancer unit and bone marrow transplant unit, and the launch and expansion

of a music therapy program. The Children’s Fund also benefits supportive programs that are not billable to insurance, like Child Life, Duo Dog Thor, palliative care and the Shining Star School.

In addition, The Children’s Fund helped create the Special Needs Tracking and Awareness Response System (STARS), a community outreach program of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. STARS helps address the unique needs of children with complex medical issues by providing focused training to first responders and hospitals in communities where a STARS child lives. Individualized care plans are created for each child to prepare emergency services and hospital personnel for the possibility of an emergency at the child’s home.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Post Holdings is a a $7-billion food business with 62 offices and manufacturing facilities in five countries

Post Holdings was presenting sponsor of Glennon LIVE on April 6, 2024, at Chaifetz Arena, featuring Zac Brown Band

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon becomes one of the first pediatric hospitals in the country to acquire CARPEDIEM™ (Cardio-Renal Pediatric Dialysis Emergency Machine)

Modern Technology Brings Life-saving Treatments to Smaller Babies

Written by Rick Stoff

If a newborn requires hemodialysis to treat kidney failure, a few ounces of its blood must temporarily leave its body while it is pumped through a machine that cleanses it. An infant weighing 5.5 pounds, however, only has eight ounces of blood. Because of their small fluid volumes, children weighing less than 20 pounds were unable to undergo continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), even at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital where nephrologists have long been pioneers in treating neonatal kidney disease.

That changed this year when SSM Health Cardinal Glennon became one of the first pediatric hospitals in the country to acquire CARPEDIEM™ (Cardio-Renal Pediatric Dialysis Emergency Machine), a groundbreaking machine that provides continuous dialysis to small babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

“Our use of intermittent hemodialysis for babies has been unique for this region. Intermittent hemodialysis on babies is very challenging and higher risk than this new technique, which is more continuous, slower and more gentle,” says Craig Belsha, MD, professor of pediatrics in the Division of Nephrology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Invented by Italian nephrologists, CARPEDIEM™ is the first renal replacement therapy machine designed for children weighing 5.5 to 22 pounds. The purchase was underwritten by the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation.

“We had been using equipment designed for adults, with some special tubing and filters, in the pediatric intensive care unit. We would use that hemodialysis machine on children under 20 pounds when there were no other options, but it had limitations and drawbacks. The new machine gives us a means of doing continuous renal replacement therapy in newborns,” says Dr. Belsha.

Each infant hemodialysis procedure on the previous machine required exposure to foreign blood products to prime the pumping system. CARPEDIEM™ can be primed with about one ounce of blood, half of the volume used by conventional equipment. “We didn’t

have other equipment that takes such a small volume of blood outside the body at a given moment,” Dr. Belsha says.

Kidney Dialysis in Infants

“Some children are born with very small kidneys or without kidneys,” Dr. Belsha says. “They may have a urinary tract blockage or a disease that can lead to kidney failure. Some babies aren’t born with a kidney problem but are sick with sepsis or low blood flow. A heart problem or other underlying health issue can lead to renal failure and fluid overload.”

“Through urine production, the kidneys control fluid management, control salts and excrete waste products,” says Anne Beck, MD, a pediatric nephrologist and professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Craig Belsha, MD, professor of pediatrics in the Division of Nephrology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Two weeks of CRRT training prepared the nursing staff for the delivery of their new equipment

“An acute or chronic issue with the kidneys can be life threatening.” When kidney function is lacking or limited, dialysis supports the

body until the kidneys recover or the child grows large enough to undergo a transplant. “Some centers haven’t done chronic hemodialysis in newborns. We have been — we’ve had 10 patients over the past 10 years who were in the neonatal intensive care unit and needed hemodialysis to grow and go to transplant,” Dr. Belsha says. “It may take them a couple of years to grow enough.”

Dialysis may be provided in two ways. For peritoneal dialysis, a catheter is surgically placed through the skin of the belly to admit a cleansing fluid. The

peritoneum lining of the abdomen filters wastes from the blood, and then the fluid and wastes are withdrawn. “For some babies, that is not the best way to do dialysis. They have had abdominal surgery or infections or there is fluid leakage around the catheter because the skin of newborns is so thin,” Dr. Belsha explains.

A hemodialysis machine pumps the patient’s blood through a filter and returns it in a continuous loop. “The CARPEDIEM™ will need fewer blood products so the children will have less chance of exposure to antigens,” Dr. Beck says. “If the child ultimately needs a kidney transplant, there will be a reduced risk of antibodies, and it will be easier to find a new kidney match.” Children must grow to a minimum of 22 pounds to receive a kidney transplant.

CARPEDIEM™ was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020. It provides CRRT for up to 22 hours a day. FDA approval was based on data from European and US registries for patients under 22 pounds. Survival following CARPEDIEM™ CRRT was 97%,

“Our team is really excited about this opportunity.”

double the rate for machines designed for adults that have been adapted for pediatric patients.

“The system is far more accurate,” Dr. Belsha adds. “We run dialysis fluid to help clean the blood at a rate of about 300 milliliters (10 ounces) an hour. The scales can recognize if there is about a teaspoon of difference.”

Nursing Skills

“It takes a high skill set to manage these kids,” Dr. Beck says. Training was presented last summer to 15 NICU nurses who volunteered to become CARPEDIEM™ providers. “We had one week with the vendors of the machine and another week with nurses from a hospital that has a large CRRT program,” says Krista Nelson, BSN, RNC, a NICU manager. “They had to learn everything about running the pump, priming it, maintaining the lines and catheters, and following all of the patient’s vital signs to make sure it is working adequately.”

“The nurses will be experts on that piece of equipment. It will be continuously monitored while the patient is on the pump,” says NICU Manager Beth Lamkin, MSN, RN. “Our team is really excited about this opportunity.”

Dr. Beck explains, “The patient volume will be small but, for those patients, the impact will be dramatic.”

Anne Beck, MD, a pediatric nephrologist and professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Fifteen NICU nurses volunteered to become the unit’s first expert CRRT providers

As a parent devoted to the health and well-being of your children, it’s good to know that SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is committed to excellence and devoted to kids, too.

At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, you’ll find a dedicated team focused on providing a compassionate, personalized approach to nationally ranked, state-of-the art pediatric care.

And with more than 60 medical and surgical pediatric specialties, including the top-ranked cardiology program in St. Louis and gastroenterology program in the state, families near and far know they can count on us for the best care available when a complex medical condition arises.

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and you. Devoted to the health of your children, today, and always. cardinalglennon.com/usnews

A Heartfelt Legacy

Region’s Only Pediatric Marfan and Aortopathy Clinic Offers Comprehensive, Long-term Care for Children Diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome and Other Connective Tissue Disorders

Written by Stephanie Stemmler

Marin Schettler, 9, has what many say is a heart of gold. At Point Elementary School in South St. Louis County last year, Marin was voted as the “Most Kind Person” in her third-grade class. “She’s like her dad,” says Marin’s mother Molly Schettler. “He had a kind soul, too.”

In multiple ways, Marin is like her father. The two shared a love of chips and popcorn and both loved Walt Disney World®. They also shared a diagnosis of a connective tissue disorder called Marfan syndrome. “My husband, Dave, was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome when he was 5 years old,” says Molly Schettler. “It was discovered after his pediatrician noticed a heart murmur and sent him to a heart specialist.”

Marfan syndrome is part of a group of inherited disorders that affect the tissue that supports muscles, bones and organs throughout the body. It is caused by a gene variant, and parents with the altered gene have a 50/50 chance of passing the condition on to their child.

“It can affect multiple body systems, with the two most common being the heart and eyes,” says Chetana Reddy, MD, a pediatric

we can appropriately manage and treat these heart conditions.”

While some outward signs seem simple to recognize, such as unusually long fingers and a tall, lanky body, it often takes a genetic test along with an echocardiogram, eye exam and X-rays of the chest and spine to confirm the diagnosis. Even if an infant or child is gene-positive for Marfan syndrome, they may not develop symptoms or outward signs until they grow older.

“It’s not always a familial connection, and it may be diagnosed when a child is young or is a teen needing a back-to-school sports physical,” notes geneticist Stephen Braddock, MD, at SSM Health Cardinal Children’s Hospital. “Also, some people don’t even know they have the syndrome until there are problems in adulthood. There is, however, a familial link in about 75% of cases.”

“We have all the specialists available under one umbrella for comprehensive testing, diagnosis and care”

cardiologist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital who specializes in congenital and acquired heart diseases. “With the heart, children can have valve malformations or dilation of the aorta. Early detection is critical to identify valve or aorta problems, and regular lifelong monitoring is also very important so that

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon has the only dedicated pediatric Marfan and Aortopathy program in the St. Louis region. Co-led by Drs. Reddy and Braddock, the multidisciplinary program offers a one-stop clinic to obtain accurate diagnosis and treatment options for children with Marfan syndrome, Loeys–Dietz syndrome and vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

“In other places, a child may go first to a cardiologist, then to an ophthalmologist, and then maybe a geneticist, which means it might take months to obtain a formal diagnosis,” says Dr. Braddock. “Here, we have all the specialists available under one umbrella so that children can get comprehensive testing, a timely diagnosis and rapid care.”

Genetic counselor Katherine Christensen, MS, CGC, handles referrals and is the “Sherlock Holmes” gatherer of family medical history, which sometimes is difficult to find. “Often there are anecdotal mentions that a grandparent or someone in the family had a heart issue or was very tall, but there’s no mention of Marfan syndrome,” she says. “We do a lot of digging to see if we can confirm a genetic link.”

Molly, Marin and Dave Schettler

Chetana Reddy, MD, pediatric cardiologist

Stephen Braddock, MD, geneticist

A

For Marin’s father, no previous family members were diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. “He was tall (6’5”), wore glasses and had flat feet,” says Molly Schettler. “He did have heart problems earlier, including an enlarged aorta and a mitral valve prolapse.”

The couple talked at length about the risks of passing the abnormal gene to a child. After 17 years of marriage and genetic testing and counseling, they decided to move forward, knowing the 50/50 risk. “I felt great during pregnancy,” says Molly Schettler. “When Marin was born, though, we immediately noticed the longer fingers and toes. Genetic testing a few months later confirmed the diagnosis. Marin’s first cardiology appointment when she was 5 months old found that she had an enlarged aortic root.”

Doctors prescribed a beta blocker for the heart issues as well as occupational therapy to improve weak muscle tone. Last year, Marin got prescription eyeglasses. “She’s basically a regular kid, which is great,” says Molly Schettler. “I feel very empowered about handling her health issues because everyone at the Cardinal Glennon clinic has been so involved and proactive with her care and our ongoing education of the condition.”

The family is, in fact, quite knowledgeable about connective tissue disorders. Dave Schettler worked for a while at Washington University School of Medicine in a lab conducting research on FBN1, the gene involved in Marfan syndrome. His father, Richard, supported the establishment of the Marfan Foundation in St. Louis.

For years, Dave Schettler lived life to the fullest, taking the family on trips to Walt Disney World and making special memories with Molly and Marin. In 2019, however, he started having more serious problems related to Marfan syndrome. At age 42, he was

diagnosed with congestive heart failure and needed a mitral valve repair. Complications developed, requiring a lengthy hospital stay. He returned home in time to celebrate the Blues hockey team winning the Stanley Cup. Says Molly Schettler, “He was a big fan of the Blues, so it was a great time to have him home.”

A month later, Dave Schettler was working in the basement when a rapid decline in blood pressure caused him to fall. He was taken to the hospital and immediately moved to intensive care. After experiencing seizures and having a heart attack, he passed away on August 4, 2019. Marin was 4 years old.

“We’ve got a lot of good memories and a special book of photos we took of Marin and Dave together,” says Molly Schettler. “We look at it often.”

Now 9 years old, Marin entered 4th grade this fall. She still has a huge smile on her face when she looks at all the photos and listens to her mom talk about her dad.

Molly Schettler says she’s hopeful that advances in care will continue to improve the health of those diagnosed with connective tissue disorders.

Says Dr. Reddy, “We want to provide support and resources so that children with Marfan syndrome can safely live their lives and grow into adulthood. The pendulum has swung in how we care for these children, and we know now that restricting their activities is not good for their mental or physical health. Participating in recreational cardiovascular exercise is very important for their heart health and helps with muscle strength and joint pains. While it is not recommended that they engage in contact sports, children can still be quite active, and biking, running and swimming are all great alternatives.”

“We know we need annual exams, and we have to be vigilant,” says Molly Schettler. “But we are empowered to move forward with our lives, and Cardinal Glennon’s team helps us do that.”

Marin Schettler

Thank you to our annual donors for making a difference every day, every year — full circle. Scan this code to learn about The Glennon Circle and the difference member generosity makes.

Committed to what matters. Devoted to more.

Written by Marie Dilg

Breathing Easy

RESEARCH AIMS TO DECREASE LUNG INJURY IN PREMATURE BABIES WORLDWIDE

Noah Hillman, MD, is a secondgeneration neonatologist. He grew up listening to his mother, one of the first neonatologists in the country, share stories about caring for babies and saving the tiniest of newborns. Now, it has become his mission.

Dr. Hillman, a SLUCare neonatologist and the Kevin C. Beckmann Endowed Chair of Neonatal Research at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, focuses on the treatment of premature and extremely premature infants at risk of lung injury. Kevin Beckmann, president of Trident Steel Corporation, who himself was born prematurely, generously funded the chair to help all children, especially the most vulnerable, not only to survive but to thrive.

“The gestational age of babies we can save is getting younger and younger,” says Dr. Hillman. “The problem is that the lungs and the brain are the most vulnerable to injury in these babies. I focus my attention on how we might avoid placing them on breathing machines and, if we cannot avoid that, what is the safest and quickest way to get them off the machines to avoid long-term lung injury.”

At birth, almost half of all premature and low birth weight babies require some type of breathing assistance, such as mechanical ventilation. In most cases, babies require brief assistance. Some babies, however, need breathing support for longer periods of time. This increases the risk of inflammation in the lungs, and babies can develop

“I focus my attention on how we might avoid placing them on breathing machines and, if we cannot avoid that, what is the safest and quickest way to get them off the machines to avoid long-term lung injury.”

bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), scarring inside the lungs that leads to breathing problems. Most babies recover from BPD, but those who do not can suffer from long-term breathing problems.

Dr. Hillman and his team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital are working to limit the need for mechanical ventilation by using a gentler form of ventilation known as bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP). Much like a CPAP used by adults with sleep apnea, bCPAP is a noninvasive respiratory support treatment that uses heated, humidified gas to deliver pressure to premature infants with respiratory distress. The gas is delivered through flexible prongs placed in a baby’s nose. The bCPAP not only optimizes lung protection for babies, it also is less cumbersome than a ventilator and allows for more interaction between babies, their parents and care providers.

Some infants need more support than a bCPAP can provide and must be placed on a mechanical ventilator. Dr. Hillman and his team are exploring medications to help get these babies off the ventilators quickly and safely without injury to the lungs or brain.

Noah Hillman, MD, a SLUCare neonatologist and the Kevin C. Beckmann Endowed Chair of Neonatal Research at Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Christi Aberle, RN, evaluates the lung sounds on a preterm infant requiring bubble CPAP to breathe

“That is the beauty of Cardinal Glennon. We are big enough to offer top-notch care and cutting-edge research but still small enough to provide that personal touch.”

In one of the largest studies of its kind, their research found that using a combination of surfactant and the corticosteroid budesonide decreased the severity of BPD in preterm babies and increased lung function. Their findings have resulted in best practice protocols for BPD treatment.

Dr. Hillman and his team also have published numerous articles on best practice protocols for bCPAP. They developed guidelines for its use when transporting babies from one hospital to another. And, in collaboration with World Pediatrics, a nonprofit organization that helps children in Central America and the Caribbean, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon neonatologists travel abroad to

educate providers on caring for premature infants and using the bCPAP.

The Promise of Discovery

For Dr. Hillman, who splits his time between the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and his lab, the freedom his endowed chair affords him to conduct research is invaluable. “I enjoy looking at clinical data and telling stories that answer clinical questions people care about,” says Dr. Hillman, who also is associate dean of clinical research at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. “I enjoy taking care of babies, but with research you have the potential to help millions of babies throughout the world. Advancing knowledge about

what we should be doing to prevent lung injury is extremely rewarding.”

Dr. Hillman says his research would not be possible without the support he and his fellow researchers receive from private donors and the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. The foundation pays for the data analyst who conducts deep dives into medical records. This data is crucial for identifying research paths. Dr. Hillman says the foundation also funded the purchase of a highfrequency oscillatory ventilation machine to treat the sickest of newborns. Funds from the endowed chair have allowed him to develop new BPD models to test the effects of steroids on the developing brain and explore different types of bCPAP devices. The support also allows for mentorship of neonatal fellows and the development of research projects by other faculty within the Division of Neonatology.

In its 2024-2025 list of the best hospitals and specialty departments around the country, U.S. News & World Report ranked the NICU at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital as one of the top NICUs in the country. It is the fifth consecutive year the NICU has been recognized with this honor. “It’s great to be recognized for the work the division has been doing and the support we receive to advance neonatal research,” says Dr. Hillman. “That is the beauty of Cardinal Glennon. We are big enough to offer top-notch care and cutting-edge research but still small enough to provide that personal touch.”

Dr. Hillman with bCPAP ventilator

Written by Stephanie Stemmler

Holistic and Integrative Medical Care for Children with

GI Issues

Today, Tessa is a confident young teen without stomach concerns

Imagine a place where children can find holistic relief from a wide range of gastrointestinal (GI) problems. A place where both children and parents can learn about evidence-based holistic treatments — not just medications, but also herbal supplements, psychosocial care, and meditation and breathing techniques — for relief of common GI issues, such as abdominal pain, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

That place is a reality at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Earlier this year, the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology opened the IMAGINE clinic. Formally called the Integrative Medicine Addressing Gastro Intestinal Needs with Evidence program, IMAGINE is designed as a one-stop clinical program to help both pediatric patients and their families manage and improve digestive problems.

“I’m convinced that diseases of the gut are not just medical problems. They are influenced by everything in your life, whether it is social relationships, stress levels, how you are exercising or interacting with people and what you eat,” says pediatric gastroenterologist Aniruddh Setya,

MD, medical director of the IMAGINE program. “My goal is to empower children with the information and tools they need to get better.”

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s IMAGINE program is one of just eight pediatric integrative gastrointestinal medicine clinics in the country. The program is the result of a long-standing vision of Dr. Setya’s, who holds advanced certification through the Academy of Pediatric Integrative Medicine and is a member of the Integrative Medicine Special Interest Group of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN).

Life-changing Options for GI Care

Tessa Gambling, 13, was one of the first adolescents to come to the IMAGINE clinic. She had been battling chronic abdominal pain, nausea and fatigue for more than a year. “I would get anxious about my stomach to the point where I would leave a soccer game,” she says. “I didn’t want to go to school because I would have a stomach episode. My

legs would go numb, and I’d profusely sweat. There were times when I felt like my throat was closing off and I couldn’t breathe.”

Tessa’s mother, Laine Hosey, asked for multiple rounds of testing, but everything was almost normal. She learned the symptoms could be part of a mind−gut connection and found the IMAGINE clinic.

“Parents often wonder if there is something horribly wrong that a doctor missed,” says Dr. Setya. “We go over all of the symptoms in a comprehensive visit, asking what

“My goal is to empower children with the information and tools they need to get better.”

they eat, their water intake, quality of sleep, the amount of processed or packaged food they consume, school and home activities, and when they notice their symptoms.”

In addition to lab tests and an hour-long clinic exam, patients see a child psychologist, dietitian and social worker, making it a onestop option for diagnosis and treatment options. “The mind−body connection is critical to understand because we know that stress and anxiety can increase digestive problems.”

Aniruddh Setya, MD, medical director of the IMAGINE program

Glennon kid Tessa and her mother, Laine Hosey

For Tessa, meditation, breathing techniques, exercises and supplements such as peppermint oil and vitamin B2 got her back on track. Says Hosey, “I love the fact that the goal of treatment is to not just look at medications. At first, I thought it was a little weird and I didn’t know how all this would help Tessa, but it really did.”

Psychologist Dazialee Goodwin, PhD, also worked with Tessa’s school district to submit a 504 plan that enabled Tessa to leave school and manage her symptoms more easily. “I think the teachers were more understanding with the 504 plan in place when Tessa’s stomach issues required her to leave the classroom suddenly,” says Hosey.

“Because of the IMAGINE clinic, I no longer isolate myself or avoid a lot of food.”

Today, Tessa is a confident young teen. “I can go on vacation with my family or go on sleepovers with friends without worrying about my stomach pains,” says Tessa. “I can control most of my symptoms and not go into full-on panic mode.”

Dr. Setya stresses that not all supplements are safe. Many, in fact, don’t have evidence-based proof that they work. But there are proven supplements, including peppermint oil, magnesium and CCF tea (comprising coriander, cumin and fennel) that have robust evidence that they are effective for certain pediatric gut health conditions.

Says Dr. Setya, “We need insurance companies to recognize the value of integrative medicine and holistic treatment options because they work. It is not a replacement for all medications, but it can decrease the dependence on pharmaceuticals.”

Adds Tessa, “Because of the IMAGINE clinic, I no longer isolate myself or avoid a lot of food. I never thought breathing techniques or meditation would work so well along with the supplements, but it’s been great…and it’s a huge relief.”

Dr. Setya educates both children and parents on gut issues and treatment options

GIVE HOPE

child this Christmas

“When Juliana was diagnosed with cancer, four more days with her was unlikely,” said her mother, Stephanie. “Four months would have been a big stretch. Four years would have been a miracle, and here we are — miracle and all.”

Juliana’s battle with stage 4 Neuroblastoma has been nothing short of extraordinary. With your support, she has defied the odds, reaching milestones that once seemed impossible. Every moment with Juliana is a precious gift, and your generosity helps SSM Health Cardinal Glennon provide the life-saving care that makes these miracles possible. Please join us in giving hope this Christmas.

keeps a smile while enduring chemotherapy and treatment

Juliana, Glennon Kid

Juliana

Our beautiful Christmas tree in the Hospital atrium

SCAN TO GIVE

NOW STREAMING

—

Part 2 - It’s Complicated — Caring for Families with Complex Medical Needs

- Safety First, Healing Always: Injury Prevention and Violence Intervention

Ask the Experts: How To Help Tweens and Teens Develop Healthy Relationships with Technology

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, is calling on Congress to require safety advisories on social media platforms, much like the tobaccostyle warnings found on cigarettes. He argues that these platforms and other websites expose children to harmful material, including violence, sexual content and bullying. This, he says, is contributing to a national youth mental health crisis.

Sucheta Thekkedam, PhD, could not agree more. Dr. Thekkedam is a psychologist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in The Danis Pediatric Center. She is also the creator of a program to

encourage healthy technology use. Dr. Thekkedam says she is seeing children as young as 8 years old reporting symptoms of depression and social anxiety, which she attributes to overuse of technology and the isolationism created by the pandemic.

Q: What impact can technology have on a child’s mental health?

A: Overuse of technology changes the reward circuitry and basic structure in young brains. The vast amount of graphics and information bombarding children and teens

Sucheta Thekkedam, PhD, psychologist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in The Danis Pediatric Center

Dr. Thekkedam provides ways to encourage healthly technology use

can overstimulate their brains and diminish their ability to focus. More screen time means a more sedentary lifestyle, less in-person interaction, less sleep. None of this is good for a child’s physical or mental health.

Q: Should parents only be concerned about social media sites?

A: Any website or app that allows interaction with other people, such as online games, can be an issue. For example, YouTube is the biggest platform used by tweens and teens. Marketing companies embed ads on YouTube with this age demographic in mind. This tactic is used on all sorts of websites, geared at vulnerable brains to create addiction.

Q: Is technology addiction real?

A: Absolutely. Many sites have a reinforcing nature. Using them activates the brain’s reward center by releasing dopamine, a “feel-good chemical” linked to pleasurable activities. The instant gratification, social feedback and entertainment that technology offers becomes hard to resist — much like an adult at a casino. Breaking away from screen time can feel impossible for a kid. It causes anxiety and withdrawal. Children can become enraged, moody and unmanageable if parents try to limit screen time. It’s the equivalent of asking someone to go cold turkey from a substance.

Q: What are warning signs your child is overusing technology?

A: Secretive behaviors, such as hiding screens when a parent enters the room or trying to go online outside of adult supervision. They also might clear their internet history or texts and appear jumpy or stressed when receiving notifications. They might create new email accounts or social networking

profiles without parental consent. Parents also should look for mood changes, school avoidance or loss of interest in friends or activities.

Q: Describe Technology & Teens Youth Lifestyle, the pilot program you created to help parents and children develop healthy relationships with technology.

A: The program consists of three group therapy sessions, one for middle school students and one for high school students. The group structure allows us to reach more kids and provides them with much needed in-person social interaction. We don’t focus only on the negative impact of technology. We recognize that, like most tools, technology is not all bad. It can boost creativity and teach new skills. We encourage kids to think critically, though, about what they’re seeing and doing online. This is especially important with the rise of artificial intelligence. Tweens and teens crave independence and don’t want to be monitored all the time. We help them understand that to achieve this freedom, they need to make smart decisions about their use to build trust with their parents.

Q: What role do parents play in the program?

A: The program includes a group session for parents. We encourage them to have conversations with their children about boundaries — sooner rather than later. Instilling in their children that access to technology is a privilege, not a right, is a better foundation for everyone. We also remind parents that modeling is important because, let’s face it, many parents also are addicted to their phones and are using phones at inappropriate times.

Q: What advice do you give parents trying to establish boundaries?

A: Parents often ask how much screen time is best. On school days, two hours seems reasonable, but this depends on how your child is doing socially and at home or school. And it’s less about screen time than it is about content. Is their child passively scrolling through messages and streaming content or are they using technology to get involved in a social justice project or learning to play an instrument? Also, parents should know that just because they can see their child using technology right in front of them, it does not mean their child is safe from inappropriate images or predators.

Q: How can parents change the culture around technology in the home?

A: Encourage screen-free hobbies and social activities. Create techfree spaces and times, such as no phones at dinnertime and just before bed. Make screen time contingent on something else. For example, children can earn video game time by completing homework or chores. Find tech that supports hobbies or encourages physical activity. Most of all, don’t use text or phone calls for important conversations, and stay off your device when having conversations with your children.

SCAN HERE for more information about the Technology & Teens Youth Lifestyle program, or email Dr. Thekkedam at CGCH-PsychologyDepartment@ ssmhealth.com with TTYL in the subject line.

Glennon Card: Shop Smart, Give Big!

Each fall, the Glennon Card program offers a chance to save big while supporting patients cared for at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. By purchasing a $60 Glennon Card, the buyer receives a 20% discount at more than 340 businesses over a 10-day period in October. Plus, 100% of the card purchase is donated back to the Hospital.

Established in 2011 by the Glennon Hospital Guild, the program has raised more than $2.6 million. Proceeds from this year’s Glennon Card will benefit the Devoted Campaign for a new Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, providing therapeutic play opportunities for patients, as well as education, procedure support,

sibling support and many other vital services for patients like Anberlin.

Diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF), Anberlin Gripp has had multiple surgeries and treatments since she was a toddler.

“Cardinal Glennon has the neurofibromatosis clinic and the multidisciplinary care team I knew she needed to see her through long-term treatment,” says her mom, Jenna Gripp. As part of NF clinic, Anberlin began seeing various specialists, including orthopedists, ophthalmologists and neurologists. These visits led to additional diagnoses of food allergies and scoliosis.

Between reactions to early food allergies and time spent in restrictive casts for scoliosis, Anberlin’s eating habits became a

concern. In 2021, she spent 27 days in the Hospital where nasogastric tubes and a gastrostomy button provided supplemental feeding.

Anberlin with one of her treament casts for scoliosis

Anberlin, Glennon kid

Thanks to the Glennon Guild

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Despite tests, no definitive cause was found for her inability to gain weight. In March 2023, Anberlin was readmitted due to low BMI. An inoperable tumor on her celiac artery was discovered, and she started taking a new, lifelong medication to manage the tumor.

In June 2023, Anberlin underwent halo traction and spinal fusion, and additional surgeries are planned in the future. She is excited about her MakeA-Wish trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Orlando in late 2024, while the team at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital continues to support her journey.

Mark your calendar! Next year’s Glennon Card shopping days are October 17-26, 2025.

“... the staff take an active interest in us and work with us in every way possible to give my girl an excellent quality of life.” —Jenna, Anberlin’s mom

Saturday, December 7, 2024 • 10am – 3pm

St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles and the Glennon Guild are pleased to present a tour of beautifully decorated homes for the holidays by some of the top STL design teams and talented homeowners. Proceeds from the tour support the patients of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Scan the QR code for more information and to purchase tickets!

Co-Presidents

Karen Page

Jackie Paletta

Vice President

Traci Ragsdale

Recording Secretary

Susie Montebello

Corresponding Secretary

Connie Sigmund

Treasurer

Kim Sullivan

Assistant and Dues Treasurer

Nancy Mooney

Historians

Elizabeth Brennan

Jan Donovan

Past President and Nominating Chair

Laura Baylis

Advisors (Active Past Presidents)

Ginny Hartman

Julie Holland

Joanne Noyes

Constance Reis

Gretchen Schulte

Sue Soucy

Meg Terry

EVENTS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Collections

Clare Salmon

Erika Wegman

Deck the Halls of Glennon Homes Tour

Angela Forte

Linda Komlos

Feminine Hygiene Products Drive

Julie Sharp

Gift Tags for Glennon

Nancy Mooney

Joanne Noyes

Gina Ryan

Glennon Card

Tricia Davies

Lori Hartman

Julie Meersman

Beth Pelch

Mary Ellen Stephens

Glennon Card Shoppes Boutique

Judy Dude

Angela Forte

Kim Gorman

Guild Resource Room

Ann Brunngraber

Linda Maloney

Monica Meara

Hospitality

Jane Abele

Marilyn Berry

Barb Finnegan

Liz Mantych Marshall

Jane Megown

Margaret Spooner

Jean Wilhelm

Mary Lynn Wilhelm

Junior Board

Laura Baylis

Jan Donovan

Kim Minana

Membership

Traci Ragsdale

Prayer Committee

Katie Martin

Gretchen Schulte

Linda Tracy

Restock the Book Cart

Mary Scalzo

Volunteer Coordinator

Pam Janisch

Anberlin with mom, Jenna

Glennon LIVE

1 Kathey and Dave Taiclet, Julie and Rob Vitale

Samuel Ross, MD, and Carolyn Ross

Zac Brown

and Margaret Barrett

Ashley

Matt Carr, Chelly and Tony Caleca

This exclusive concert featured Zac Brown Band with special guest Adam Wainwright! The event highlights SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital patients, families

Glennon Sunday

Where Faith and Healing Unite

“Even though fear strikes, we know God is in control. We never really asked, ‘Why him?’ We just knew that God would be glorified through this.” — Ronda Beck, Luke’s mom

Throughout Luke’s threeyear treatment at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, the Beck family’s devout faith sustained them. Surrounded by a community of caregivers and fellow families, they found solace and strength knowing that God’s healing touch was everpresent during his treatment.

Today, Luke is in remission, a testament to God’s divine grace and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s exceptional care. Now, when Luke returns to the Hospital for follow-up

visits, he brings hand-carved palm crosses to the chapel as gifts for patients and families to offer hope and faith as they continue fighting their battles.

“Having leukemia is no fun, but my family and I are grateful to God for my healing and for the great care of the doctors and nurses at Cardinal Glennon,” says Luke.

Thank you to all the parishes of the St. Louis Archdiocese for your support of Glennon Sunday!

Luke receives a special visit from his siblings during treatment

Glennon kid Luke with mom, Ronda

Homers for Health

Meet Libby, the New Patient Co-chair!

Homers for Health has been going strong since 2012 and has made an unbelievable impact on SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, as well as on our lifetime co-chair Matt Holliday and his wife, Leslee. In fact, they consider the work they have done with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and Homers for Health to be one of their greatest achievements.

Homers for Health benefits

The Children’s Fund, which has supported many different areas at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital — from improved clinical spaces to updated technology and everything in between!

To learn more about Libby’s story, SCAN HERE or visit homersforhealth.org

In 2024, Leslee and Matt welcomed a new patient Co-chair, Libby. At age 11, Libby was diagnosed with a tumor that was successfully removed thanks to the surgeons at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Libby still sees specialists at the Hospital for follow-up care, and her mom, Michelle Cunningham, RN — a nurse at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital — is forever grateful for the amazing care they received.

“Throughout my three positions on very different teams, I have grown my network of connections and support,” says Cunningham. “Despite feeling so scared, I also felt peace knowing I trusted my colleagues...and I had faith and knowledge that our whole family was in the best hands possible.”

2024 Homers for Health Co-chairs Glennon kid, Libby, and Matt Holliday

Libby, with mom, Michelle

Libby in the hospital

Glennon Golf Classic

This year marked the 41st Annual Glennon Golf Classic hosted by Martha and Bill Hawn of Columbia Golf Club. Because Music Therapy is not covered by insurance, the Hospital relies on the generosity of our supporters and friends to make this program a reality. Golfers participated in fun on-course games, including the Ballzooka Golf Ball Launcher, which will likely make a return in 2025! We thank everyone who supported the event.

Glennon Gallop • Field-Side Party

September 21, 2024 | Benefiting The Danis Pediatric Center

This exciting polo match benefits the kids and families served by The Danis Pediatric Center at SSM Health

Hospital. The event brought together hundreds of spectators for a classic polo experience while sharing the Mission of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

1 Dan Schreiner, Nicol Potter, Nico Harriott (Match MVP), Ginny Orthwein, Sherri Karandzieff, Andy Karandzieff 2 Katie Scanlon, Amy Cabbabe, MD

3 Sandy Koller, Mike and Tina Donahoe 4 Matt Sartori, Gabby James, Drew Pikey, Lisa Dara-Sartori, Courtney Grewell, Casey Curtin

5 Andrew White, MD, Hilary Babcock, MD, Kevin Beckmann, Tami Ristow 6 Monique and Galen Bingham, Laura and Chuck Kaiser 7 Linda and Chris Koenemann 8 Stephanie Aiello, Maria Conley, Jodi Vaughn, Kelly Bagwe 9 A fashion show in white!

Cardinal Glennon Children’s

Chipping in for Children

October 7, 2024

Benefiting The Dan Dierdorf Emergency and Trauma Center

This longstanding golf tournament at Boone Valley brought out many of our corporate and individual partners again this year, many of whom have supported Glennon kids for 35 plus years.

1 Glennon kid Jimmy Williams with first place Team Purina and presenter Reed Low 2

Glennon Card Shoppes

Glennon Card supporters participated in a fun “shopportunity” organized by the Glennon Hospital Guild. 25+ businesses gathered at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac honoring a 20% discount with the use of the Glennon Card. Proceeds from the 2024 Glennon Card benefit the Devoted Campaign for a new Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, allowing for therapeutic play opportunities for patients of all ages, as well as education, procedure support, sibling support and many more vital services for our patients.

1 Judy Dude, Gretchen Schulte, Kim Gorman 2 Abby Keough Custom Creations 3 Joya 4 Eye Candy Boutique 5 Pam Janisch, Angela Forte, Judy Dude, Kim Gorman, Mary Lynn Wilhelm, Beth Schenk 6 Shoppers enjoy the 25+ Retailers 7 Gina Graphics 8 Linda Tracy, Laura Laurie, Jean Wilhelm, Ruth Redlingshafer 9 Arina’s Custom Studio 10 Kirkwood Pop Co. 11 Initial Design 12 There She Goes Boutique

Light Up Glennon

Every December | Benefiting The Children’s Fund

Each year we sing carols and turn our flashlights on, pointing them at the Hospital to remind patients we are thinking of them. This community-led event is one-of-a-kind and one of our favorite events of the year. 2024 dates: December 2 and December 16

PRESENTED BY:

THANKS to the Development Board

President Ben Albers

President Elect

Pat VanCleave

Membership Chair

Kristyn Newbern

Public Relations Officer

Macey Kuelker

Young Friends Leader

Serafina Nicolais

Secretary Anna Heine

Board Members

Sam Adler

Drennan Bailey

Liz Barrett

Adam Berge

Garrett Blair

Teresa Braeckel

Hannah Castellano

Adam Curland

Nicole Doeschot

Jason Emmanuel

Tim Fagan

Trent Gherardini

Michael Hamburg

Tommy Hill

Cory Hillman

Jeff Hrbacek

Ryan Jennings

Brian Lamping

Matt Lang

Chris Leonard

Mallory Green Lewis

Holley Maher

John Marino

Julia Masetti

Brian McGeehon

Evan McGinnis

Matt Mehner

Jeff Meyers

Adam Morgenthaler

Joe Neely

Ryan Niemann

Declan O’Neill

Nic Perez

Luke Pope

Kristen Revis

Samantha Sagakhaneh

Matt Sartori

Whitney Shurtleff

Joe Stroot

Evan Sullivan

Tracey Swabby

John Vitale

Stephen Wagner

Brandon Wappelhorst

Ben Warning

Development Board

As I reflect on my past two years as Development Board president, I am proud of what the Board has accomplished. This group has grown to 50 individuals from all over the St. Louis area who are excited for the future of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and are motivated to make a difference for the children and families that rely on its services.

When talking with potential members, we often ask their “why” for being involved. It’s an important conversation to ensure that all our members have the same commitment level toward the Mission of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

The Development Board is involved in several foundation events and initiatives. New this year, the Development Board took a lead in the Sun Run fundraising committee event held in October. Over the coming months, the Development Board will continue to help create meaningful

partnerships within our community. The future is bright for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, and the Development Board is truly devoted to making an impact.

It has been an honor to serve as president these past two years. I look forward to seeing what incoming president Pat VanCleave has in store for leading this amazing group over the next couple years. I am grateful to all the members who give of their time, talents and treasure to help support the Hospital.

Ben Albers President Development Board

Ben Albers, president of the Development Board

Development Board members attend Glennon LIVE

Charlie Walker

Charlie and Walker 2024 CMN Ambassadors

Charlie and Walker were born with congenital anomalies that led to years of hospital visits, medical treatments and surgeries. Their most complex challenges are behind them now, thanks to the guidance of their parents, doctors, nurses and therapists.

The boys are enjoying simpler, happier lives and are representing SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital as 2024 Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Ambassadors.

CMN of Greater St. Louis, one of 170 local network alliances, is a not-for-profit organization that raises funds for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Since 1988, CMN-St. Louis has raised more than $55 million to assist the hospitals in developing new programs and acquiring equipment and facilities

needed to meet the needs of the region’s children and adolescents.

“He was born on a Friday. By Tuesday we were at Cardinal Glennon, and the following Friday they were placing a dialysis catheter.”

Charlie

Charlie Erbland, now 8, was born with a bladder obstruction and kidney failure. “He was born on a Friday. By Tuesday we were at Cardinal Glennon, and the following Friday they were placing a dialysis catheter,” says his mother, Rachel Erbland.

Charlie remained in intensive care for nearly 100 days before he went home for the first time. He received peritoneal dialysis at home while his doctors waited for

him to grow big enough to receive a kidney transplant. Transplants were delayed several times because Charlie was too sick.

While the transplant team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon monitored the national donor lists for a matching kidney, one was offered by a member of the Erbland family’s church in Arcadia, MO. The donor was tested and found to be a match. Charlie received the kidney in a six-hour surgery on January 27, 2022.

“He went into rejection last year. Now he is in remission,” his mother says. IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) treatments boost Charlie’s immune response to prevent infections or inflammation that may be caused by the medications given to prevent his body from rejecting his transplanted kidney.

Says Erbland, “I’ll cry if I talk too much about Cardinal Glennon. I can’t imagine going anyplace else. Charlie thinks it is his vacation spot because they make it so much fun when he goes there.” She credits the Hospital’s Child Life specialists for providing play therapy and activities to help Charlie tolerate the monthly IVIG infusions he receives.

“Charlie’s favorite nurse is Debbie Christmann, his IVIG nurse,” Erbland says. “She is the only nurse he wants to do his infusions. He has a stuffed bear wearing a nurse outfit that he calls Debbie Bear.”

Last summer was Charlie’s first with good health and without a dialysis catheter — both had prevented him from swimming.

“For him, swimming is a big thing, sometimes four or five times a day,” Erbland says.

While Charlie is somewhat of a homebody, says his mother, he has also followed older sister Sadie into tap dancing. “She is his best friend in the world. He saw her dancing and wanted to do it with her. He loves being on the stage. He is living his best life.”'

Walker

Prenatal tests determined that Walker Lydick was developing with Down syndrome, which results from having an extra copy of chromosome 21. The extra chromosome creates mental challenges and physical anomalies, such as heart, tongue and lip defects.

Walker thrived after birth but was unable to urinate. He required a catheter and later a surgical procedure to enlarge his urethra. He also needed surgeries to repair a heart defect and to improve his lip and tongue function and ability to eat.

A week before scheduled heart surgery, Walker suffered heart failure and was rushed by ambulance to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. After his heart was repaired, he was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). “It was the scariest thing I have ever been through in my life,” says mother, Gretchen Lydick.

“But on day five our little warrior got to come home. He still has issues with his bladder, but otherwise he is perfect. He is as healthy as he can be and loving life. He is the happiest little ball of energy you’d ever meet.”

The Lydick family, who

“He is as healthy as he can be and loving life. He is the happiest little ball of energy you’d ever meet.”

live in North City, IL, say they are looking forward to working with the team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon to provide Walker with the best life he can have and to show people the potential of children with Down syndrome.

Walker, the youngest of three boys, is now 3 years old. “He doesn’t need any specific care now. We always have routine checkups,” Lydick says. “Walker knows a lot of people there. He is the friendliest little thing. We call the hospital our second home. I absolutely love Cardinal Glennon. They have been so wonderful to us. They make us feel like family.”

The Lydick family

Charlie in recovery after surgery

Glennon Friends

TRIBUTE

Robert W. Wilmott, MD

Robert W. Wilmott, MD, who served as pediatricianin-chief of SSM Health

Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital through one of its most significant periods of growth and advancement, passed away from cancer on May 19, 2024.

Dr. Wilmott, 75, was born in London and earned his medical degree from University College London, which awarded him a research doctorate to study the treatment of children with cystic fibrosis. After a fellowship in pediatric intensive care at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, he came to the United States. Dr. Wilmott held positions at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Wayne State University in Detroit and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where he was director of the Pulmonary, Allergy and Immunology division.

Dr. Wilmott came to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon in 2001 and remained through 2019. He simultaneously edited the Journal of Pediatrics and was a principal author of the

authoritative textbook “Kendig and Wilmott’s Disorders of the Respiratory Tract in Children,” published by Elsevier and currently in its 10th edition. He also served as dean of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine for three years before his retirement.

When he took over the department of pediatrics, “there was much work to do,” says Andrew J. White, MD, current

pediatrician-in-chief of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

“He put tremendous effort into every aspect of the job. He nearly doubled the number of faculty and size of the department.” Dr. White holds the Robert W. Wilmott Endowed Chair of Pediatrics that honors Dr. Wilmott.

“His energy, his enthusiasm and his relentless optimism struck you,” says Blakeslee Noyes MD, professor of pediatrics in the division of pulmonology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

“It’s hard to overstate what he accomplished. He launched so many programs and initiatives.”

Dr. Wilmott is survived by his wife of 42 years, Cathryn; his sister, Rosemary Wilmott; four daughters, Jenny Wilmott, Francesca Wilmott, Gina Reed and Annabelle Wilmott; five grandchildren; and innumerable grateful patients.

“It’s hard to overstate what he accomplished. He launched so many programs and initiatives.”

Gina Reed, Francesca Wilmott, Jenny Wilmott, Dr. Wilmott, Cathy Wilmott and Annabelle Wilmott

Robert W. Wilmott, MD

Dr. Wilmott, Dr. White, Fred Pestello

Why I Give »

"We are deeply moved and inspired by Cardinal Glennon. Their staff and volunteers emulate the heart and hands of Jesus dedicated to serving all children in need. We are encouraged and hopeful as Cardinal Glennon strives to advance medications, cures and treatments. Witnessing Cardinal Glennon’s unwavering commitment to each child and their family, makes it easy for us to support the Hospital. Every day, Cardinal Glennon touches countless lives, fosters community and makes the world a better place."

Brigette and Tom McMillin

“I was one of the first patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital when it first opened in 1956. I had been seriously injured in a backyard accident where I was burned on both my back and the right side of my head. Until I was 17 years old, I would visit the Hospital at least once a year for reconstructive plastic surgery. Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital provided a safe place where kids like me, who would be teased or bullied in the outside world, could find others in the same condition. It was our secret safe harbor, and I valued it very much. That is why I donate. ”

Jim Reynolds

“Since 1981, I have been an active volunteer and fundraiser for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. This commitment was sparked by a chance encounter with one of my former special education students who was hospitalized at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for several weeks. Witnessing the dedication and care provided by the nurses to the children during my visits was truly inspiring. ”

Pete Schumacher

SPOTLIGHT KENDRA SCOTT

Mary Carroll Alonso Golf Tournament

In 2002, Mary Carroll Alonso was diagnosed with melanoma cancer, and the family’s world was turned upside down. With six kids under the age of 19, the family faced significant financial strain. To help, friends organized a silent auction at SLU High School. Sadly, she passed away on March 13, 2004. To honor Alonso’s memory, her father Ed suggested holding a charity golf tournament on June 10, the birthday she shared with her mother, Jean.

Always held in June, this annual event raises funds for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, where Alonso worked as a NICU nurse. For over 20 years, the tournament has grown, weathering heatwaves, floods and even COVID-19. This year, registration sold out in five hours. Through this golf tournament, participants have celebrated Alonso’s love for babies, family and a good party.

Series Six — Charity of the Month of May

Series Six is a St. Louisinspired apparel company known for its retro designs. In addition to selling St. Louis-themed apparel, they create charityof-the-month shirts. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital was thrilled to partner with a staple of St. Louis as the featured charity of the month in May 2024. Series Six designed an SSM Health Cardinal Glennon shirt, which we sold at our gift shop and Series Six sold in their store.

Together, we raised $11,000 for the patients and families of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Thank you Series Six for not only the collaboration but for the design!

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon employees wearing their Series Six shirts

Series Six's SSM Health Cardinal Glennon shirt, available to purchase on their website

John Thomas NKH Foundation

Cindy and Sean Graham’s world revolved around their 3-year-old daughter, Annabella, and the impending arrival of their son, John Thomas (“JT”).

JT was born in June 2012, following a healthy pregnancy. However, within two weeks, he began experiencing frequent seizures. After a series of tests, JT was diagnosed with nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH), a rare genetic metabolic disorder. The prognosis was bleak with doctors giving him a 50% chance of survival. Refusing to accept this, the Grahams sought a second opinion at

Tee Off for the

Kids

For more than 20 years, the Knights of Columbus Council 12022 with St. Alban Roe in Wildwood, MO, has hosted an annual golf tournament — Tee Off for the Kids — with a portion of the proceeds benefiting The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. In 2019, they added an additional event — Trivia Knight — with a portion of the proceeds also supporting The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center. Throughout the year, this dedicated group of Knights works to ensure that, year after year, their golf tournament and trivia night are successful on top of other obligations for their parish and council!

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Under the care of Stephen Braddock, MD, and his team, JT began to defy the odds. With new medications and therapies, JT gradually reached milestones, like drinking from a bottle, rolling over and eating solid foods. Now 12 years old, JT continues to make progress at his own pace, bringing joy to his family with his words, like “sissy,” “happy” and — the best of all — “love you.”

In response to JT’s diagnosis, the Grahams’ neighborhood, led by Thomas Swoboda, founded the John Thomas NKH Foundation. The foundation supports families affected by NKH through research and assistance with medical bills and equipment. Family and friends of JT rally around him each summer by putting on an amazing golf tournament that has been going strong for eight years! The funds not only support Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, but research into NKH at the University of Notre Dame and University of Colorado.

JT, Glennon kid

Knights of Columbus Council 12022 donating a portion of the proceeds from their golf tournament and trivia night to The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center

Oakville Tigers Reunion

In 1976, the Oakville Tigers from Oakville High School in south St. Louis County had a remarkable soccer season, culminating in winning the Missouri State Soccer Championships with a 23-3-2 record.

In 2015, after a teammate’s tragic death, the team reunited and decided to support each other and the community. It was proposed to start a donation reflecting their championship year, and Gary Ullo suggested SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital as the recipient.

“Many of us played college and pro soccer, earned scholarships and got our degrees, leading to successful futures,” says Ullo. “Our donation symbolizes our families coming together to help the children in our community.”

From the first reunion with 16 attendees, participation has grown each year to more than 80 attendees in 2024, and more are expected for the 10th

Rally on the River

For the past 12 years on Memorial Day weekend, the Knights of Columbus Council 1952 in Evansville, IL, hosts “Rally on the River,” a Jeep and 4x4 event that encourages participants to stop at more than a dozen local bars and restaurants throughout Randolph County. This dedicated group of Knights gathers their local community together for a fun-filled day to raise muchneeded funds for The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

reunion in 2025. Over the years, the group has raised more than $22,000. All alumni are welcome, including football players and coaches, as they continue to support the Hospital.

Knights of Columbus Council 1952

Superhero Fun Run

King of Kings Preschool prides themselves on recognizing the uniqueness of each child and offers opportunities for growth by providing a positive, creative, stimulating and developmentally appropriate playbased Christian environment in which children can develop and learn. Throughout the year, the preschool offers opportunities for students and their families to gather in positive ways. One of those annual gatherings is the Superhero Fun Run. On this day, the King of Kings community comes together to support a cause bigger than themselves. Children are given capes and enjoy a

short race with a finish line ribbon at the end. Proceeds from the event benefit SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. This year’s run took place on November 9.

A student at King of Kings dressed for the Superhero Fun Run

Students enjoying the Superhero Fun Run

Lawrence Loftus

For much of his adult life, Lawrence Loftus was a fixture at local church picnics in south St. Louis where he was an active member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. A devout Catholic, Loftus spent many Saturdays and Sundays visiting different parishes and attending church functions.

“He loved going to church picnics,” recalls his nephew, Rick Loftus. “He was very outgoing and was never a homebody, always keeping himself busy with family and friends, visiting nursing homes, and participating [in] and sponsoring charitable events.”

Lawrence Loftus supported multiple Catholic organizations and causes during his lifetime. Upon his death in April 2023, he left a significant donation to the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital to advance the care of children in the St. Louis region. “I think he always felt blessed to be able to help as many

people and charities as he could, and he was such a proud Catholic,” says Rick Loftus. “He wanted to make a difference while alive, and he was truly generous with both his time and his donations.”

Lawrence Loftus earned a degree in finance from Saint Louis University and worked for almost 30 years in the bond department at a local bank. He was frugal with his own spending, but took great delight in sharing his wealth with others. He also took great delight in spending time with his nephew. “We used to go hunting for rabbits when I was younger,” laughs Rick Loftus. “My dad and him were close in age, and we bonded because my dad would often go to St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues hockey games with him, and I’d tag along. When I went into finance and got my degree, he counseled me at the beginning of my career, and I was very appreciative of that.”

In his later years, Lawrence Loftus took an avid interest in family history, often looking at photos with Rick’s wife, Carol, and selecting many to scan into memory books. Says Rick Loftus, “We both loved Uncle Lawrence dearly. He lived a long life, but we think his legacy lives on, not only in us, but in all the good things he did over the years.”

Lawrence Loftus

Marty, William, Robert, Lawrence and Richard Loftus

Lawrence Loftus, Mary Ney and Matthew Loftus

Michael Gave Back. A Lot.

Michael Wagner was a frequent visitor to The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. He saw a need: expanding the diversity of prizes in the Treasure Box. “Patients get to pick something from the Treasure Box after their visits,” says his mother, Amy Wagner.

Michael continues, “We noticed there wasn’t a lot of variety in the box. There weren’t things for boys and girls. Sometimes there wouldn’t be things for kids of some ages. We thought, ‘What is something we could get that would benefit the most patients?’ Then one of us said ‘puzzles.’”

Michael thought puzzles would be helpful “for the tactility and problem-solving benefits to the emotional sense of accomplishment when that last piece is placed,” his mother says. “Michael’s goal was to provide a

small spark of joy to the children.”

In 2012, Michael began collecting age-appropriate jigsaw puzzles. “Our first-year goal was 100 puzzles, and we got 1,000. It grew from there,” Michael says.

Michael continued his campaign, which he called the “Piece of Our Heart Program,” soliciting donations from family, friends and 350 Facebook followers. After delivering hundreds of puzzles, he asked center staff to suggest other items and added sensory fidget spinners, playdough, toy cars, and books for patients and parents.

Nina Kreikemeier

Nina Kreikemeier comes to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital weekly to volunteer in our 2 South playroom. She was honored with the Making A Difference On AND Off the Field National Award, presented by Buddy’s HELPERS. This organization focuses on “using the power of sport to engage and educate student athletes about the power they have to make a difference off the field in the game of life.” Nina is a defender for the St. Joseph's Academy lacrosse team and has a love for volunteer work. She donated her award money to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Nina didn’t know what was happening when she walked into the gym to find out that the all-school pep rally was for her. “I was so surprised,” Nina recalls. “I thought I was just meeting with my coach to discuss the upcoming season. I didn’t know where to go or who to look at — I was kind of just looking around because I was confused. But it was such a good surprise. I’m so happy!”

Also diapers and baby wipes.

“A family can be there for hours and might not be prepared,” Michael explains. Michael ended his campaign this year after donating more than 10,000 items. “I was very happy to know there are a lot of good people left in the world,” he says.

When asked what the award means to her, Nina replies, "It means the world; it really does because I can see how happy it makes all the kids that I volunteer with. So then that filled me up with joy by seeing them happy.”

Kreikemeier receiving her Making a Difference award

Michael Wagner with his donations

Where Are They Now?

Ryan Smith / THEN: Cardiology Patient now Volunteer and Client Development Associate

When Ryan Smith was 5 years old, he couldn’t walk across a room without losing his breath and collapsing. He wasn’t expected to live to see his sixth birthday.

When Smith walked across the stage at his college graduation in May, however, his lungs were full and his future unlimited. “I only have a future because my team at The [Dorothy and Larry] Dallas Heart Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital gave me one,” says Smith. “As I walked across the stage, I reflected on how grateful I am for my doctors and my amazing family who supported me every step of the way. I kept fighting and I had people fighting with me. They wouldn’t let me give up.”

Smith’s journey began in Jamaica where he was born with a congenital heart defect known as tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. The condition left him without critical connections between his heart and lungs. Smith’s mother, Beryl Headly, traveled for miles trying to find care for her son, even going on television to plead for help. His case caught the attention of St. Louis-based World Pediatrics, which contacted Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, one of the organization’s largest partners in providing care for children from developing countries.

In 2007, the organization flew Smith to St. Louis, and within days he suffered a significant stroke. Doctors admitted Smith to the intensive care unit at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital where he spent several weeks. As soon as he recovered, members of his heart team, who had decades of expertise in complex heart reconstruction behind them, got to work. Team members performed surgery to improve blood flow to Smith’s lungs by inserting an artificial heart shunt, or bypass tube, to take the place of nonexistent pulmonary arteries. The procedure moved more oxygen to his lungs as well and stimulated the growth of his pulmonary arteries. Almost immediately, Smith’s once blue lips and gums turned pink.

Over the next five years, Smith traveled back and forth between Jamaica and St. Louis to undergo three open-heart surgeries and numerous other cardiac procedures. To Smith, the members of his care team were superheroes. To the care team, Smith was the sweet boy who couldn’t get enough of the Hospital’s dino chicken nuggets, which led Barb Kountzman, RN — one of Smith’s favorite nurses — to nickname him “Chicken Charlie.” “She still calls me that when I come for my annual checkups,” says Smith, “and if you see red lipstick on my cheek, I guarantee it came from Barb.”

Each time Smith traveled to St. Louis, he stayed with his host family, Julie and Rusty Keeley, and their three sons. The Keeleys are generous donors to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation and recipients of a leadership award from World Pediatrics. Rusty Keeley also serves on the Hospital’s Board of Governors. Smith says he feels as close to the Keeleys as he does to his family in Jamaica. He became so connected to the Keeleys that when the time came for him to start high school in 2016, Smith chose to live with the Keeleys full time.

After graduating from high school, Smith enrolled in Saint Louis University’s Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business, earning a degree in marketing in 2024. Post graduation, he landed a job as a client development associate with World Wide Technology in St. Louis.

“It’s hard to put into words what it’s like to be given a second chance at life,” says Smith, who volunteers for World Pediatrics and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. “I’m alive. I’m breathing. I have friends. I graduated college, all because my team at Cardinal Glennon was there for me. And now I want to use my life to be there for others, to be their superhero.”

NOW THEN

Glennon

Volume 43

Published annually by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski

Chairman of the Board

David L. Taiclet, Sr. President of the Board

Galen D. Bingham

First Vice President

Anthony J. Caleca

Second Vice President

Susan R. Conrad

Secretary

James F. Whalen

Chair, Finance/Investment Committee

Sandra S. Koller Foundation President

Hossain Marandi, MD Hospital President

Douglas P. Long Assistant Secretary

Margaret B. Barrett

Brian C. Behrens

Tony Berg

Cheryl C. Boushka

Phillip C. Boyd

Clayton C. Brown

Joseph Caro

Matthew L. Carr

Sharon A. Cliffe

William M. Corrigan, Jr.

Robert Q. Costas

Timothy J. Danis

Daniel L. Dierdorf

Kelli J. Fabick

Jeremy Fotheringham

Mark J. Fronmuller

Dennis G. Gipson

Kristin J. Guehlstorf

Shawn Hagan

John F. Herber, Jr.

Thomas E. Hilton

Nicole Holland-Hong

Leslee Holliday

Susan M. Huber

Jeffrey C. Kaiser

Chase K. Kane

Lawrence P. Keeley, Jr.

John D. Lee

Robert G. Leonard W. Dudley McCarter

Thomas P. McMillin

Matthew M. McTague

Chrissy L. Nardini

Bhavik R. Patel

Christopher R. Pronger

Jason P. Riney

John S. Ross, Jr.

Brian D. Rothery

Molly M. Sansone

John A. Schreiber

Steven R. Smoot

Mark E. Stallion

Kelvin J. Taylor, Sr.

Linda K. Tracy

Gregory J. Twardowski

Sumit Verma

Kevin L. Williams

Benjamin M. Albers President, Development Board

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

Jacqueline H. Paletta Co-President, Glennon Guild

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

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

For nearly 70 years, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon has been a servant to the St. Louis region and beyond. We are a devoted partner in the health and well-being of every child and family we serve, thanks to the generosity of our many friends and partners.

We hope you enjoy reading about many of the things made possible by your generosity this year. Your giving, prayers and support of our patients and families not only sustain the Hospital today, but also serve as important investments in the future of pediatric health care in our region for generations to come!

As we close the book on another year, we pause and reflect on how blessed we are to have so many generous friends who are committed to the future of our region’s children. We give thanks for each and every one of you.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Sandy Koller President SSM

Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

info@glennon.org

glennon.org

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