Glennon Magazine 2025

Without hesitation, parents donate their kidneys to save their daughters

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

As I celebrate my third year at this remarkable hospital, I would first and foremost like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all who support SSM Health Cardinal Glennon in some way. It is thanks to the generosity of this community that our proud tradition of exceptional care can continue without regard to a family’s circumstances.

This is a very exciting time in pediatrics. We are seeing worldwide advances in technology, new groundbreaking treatments and the continued evolution of precision medicine, in which a patient’s own genetic makeup can inform what type of treatment he or she should receive. Every day, a new discovery is made that will help today’s kids live longer and healthier lives.

At Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, we are at the forefront in many clinical areas, some of which you will read about in this issue of Glennon magazine. You will hear about a new component of our GI program, the future of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery and how families are benefiting from our nationally recognized care while their babies are still in the womb.

Regardless of how you support SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, the things we are doing today have a long-lasting impact, and because of you, we are a hospital where families find hope and healing every day.

Sincerely grateful,

Andrew J. White, MD

Robert W. Wilmott Chair of Pediatrics | Saint Louis University Chief Medical Officer | SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

Andrew Fiore, MD

Peter Pastuszko, MD

Charles Huddleston, MD

Tan,

Glennon

Glennon

Homers

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

GLENNON

DOUBLE THEDONATION

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Did you know your donation could go twice as far? Many companies offer matching gift programs that can double — or even triple — your contribution to support our mission.

It’s easy to find out!

glennon.org/matching-gifts to search for your employer, or use the search bar on our donation page.

If your company matches, you’ll instantly receive their instructions on how to submit your request — making it quick and simple to multiply your generosity.

Take a moment to check — and help us bring even more hope to the children and families who need it most.

D.J. Adams

Rising high school junior D.J. Adams is a bright and energetic 17-year-old young man.

Despite being born with caudal regression syndrome (abnormal fetal development of the lower spine) and other serious medical conditions, including the absence of kidneys, D.J. has lived a vibrant life with the support of his family and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Diagnosed 31 weeks into pregnancy, parents Andrea and Ronald faced overwhelming uncertainty, but they have done everything to give him a normal childhood by encouraging independence and openness about his condition. D.J. has had a prosthetic leg since he was 15 months old, and he received kidney dialysis three times a week from ages 7 to 13 while patiently awaiting a transplant. At least seven specialists have overseen D.J.’s care throughout the years, and his parents

credit faith and the Hospital for his survival and quality of life.

D.J. received his long-awaited kidney transplant on May 8, 2021 — the day before Mother’s Day. In October of that year, D.J. was able to return to school as a full-time student for the first time. Currently, D.J. returns to the Hospital monthly for blood tests, but only annually or as needed for visits with specialty doctors. Both D.J.’s confidence and his social circle have increased tremendously. He is outgoing, happy, getting excellent grades and thriving. To celebrate his 17th birthday, D.J. decided to spend the evening at his home away from home attending the first-ever Glennon Prom.

D.J.’s resilience, kindness and joy have touched many lives, making him a beloved figure both at school and in the Hospital. His story continues to be one of courage, love and unwavering support.

First-Ever Glennon Prom

Reflections from Aaron Wright, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation’s videographer

In April 2025, the Child Life Services department hosted the first-ever Glennon Prom at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Plans for the event were originally in motion before the COVID-19 pandemic paused all progress. This year, the team finally brought the dream to life.

The Child Life Services team wanted to positively impact our teen patients by hosting a prom, regardless of their medical needs. The special night brought prom to patients who might not have the opportunity to attend their own due to illness or hospitalization.

I had the privilege of documenting the event — and what I witnessed was truly inspiring.

Patients were greeted at the Hospital’s main entrance by the Child Life Services team and guided to the event space. Professional volunteers provided hair and makeup services, and teens selected custom jewelry crafted on-site. After getting dressed, they walked a red carpet lined with hanging vines into the Danis Auditorium, beautifully decorated to match the theme, “The Secret Garden.”

A parent lounge with a live video feed allowed families to enjoy the event from a distance while still feeling connected. The evening featured a photo booth, caricature artist, delicious food and a lively dance floor.

From behind the camera, I saw pure joy, resilience and connection. The first Glennon Prom was a triumph, and I’m already looking forward to seeing what the theme will be next time.

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s Child Life Services department hosts the first-ever Glennon Prom

SCAN HERE

Thanks to You, a New Chapter Begins for Sickle Cell Patients

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital proudly celebrated the grand opening of The Crescent Club, a new book club specifically designed for our patients with sickle cell disease. This inspiring initiative was made possible through the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our teams in the Shining Star School and The Costas Center, in partnership with the local African American children’s bookstore, EyeSeeMe.

The Crescent Club was born from a simple but powerful idea: Access to books can transform a child’s future. Brenda Wilson, a teacher at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s Shining Star School, was inspired by research showing that children with books at home tend to stay in school longer and achieve academic success.

Thanks to your generosity, over 270 culturally relevant books featuring diverse characters and written by African American authors are now available to our patients. Every visit to The Costas Center means a child can take home a book, build their personal library and nurture a lifelong love of reading.

The Crescent Club is more than a book program, it’s a symbol of hope, representation and opportunity. Your support empowers our children to dream bigger and reach higher. Thank you for helping us turn the page toward a brighter future.

Honoring Every Journey: Bereavement Support

At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, we care for families at every stage of their child’s journey. Sometimes, those journeys take unexpected turns, and we offer numerous supportive services to families navigating these difficult times, including bereavement support.

Made up of a multidisciplinary group of credentialed Hospital staff, the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Caregiver Support Bereavement Committee provides compassionate, comprehensive grief support to families who have been served by the Hospital. These peer-support sessions allow bereaved families to make connections with one another, share their experiences, create

memory-making keepsakes and much more.

This year, the committee hosted a Spring Gathering where families were invited to create steppingstones in honor of their children.

“Each time we come to an event, we are welcomed with open arms. There are always lots of hugs and tears. We leave feeling loved and knowing that our son, Caide, has not been forgotten. Grief is a journey and…this committee shows us ways to cope and just keep going. There have been such nice activities and resources available for me and my family. It is nice to know we have support. Just because we left the hospital doesn’t mean they left us!”

— Dena R., Caide’s Mother

in

A patient and his siblings enjoy choosing new books at the Crescent Club Grand Opening

A patient with sickle cell disease picks a book that inspires imagination and hope

Caide lives on

cherished memories, as his family finds comfort and support through the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Bereavement Committee’s compassionate guidance and healing connection

Celebrating Miracles: NICU Reunion with March for Babies

Families came together to celebrate the strength, resilience and milestones of their NICU graduates

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis joined forces with March of Dimes to host a heartwarming reunion for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during this year’s March for Babies. The event welcomed NICU graduates of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, their families and dedicated staff to reconnect, celebrate and

reflect on their journeys. A total of 21 families and 72 individuals gathered alongside 43 staff members and their loved ones. The reunion offered a joyful space to honor the progress of children who once fought for life in the NICU and the care teams who stood by them. “It was a time to celebrate their child’s progress,” says Makailya Gergen, team captain and NICU family support coordinator. “Hearing their stories was powerful.”

Timothy Cardinal Dolan Visit

His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, made a heartfelt return to St. Louis to visit SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. During his time with us, he met with patients, staff and administrators, offering encouragement, prayer and uplifting conversation. His presence brought renewed hope to the hospital community, reminding children and families that they are not alone in their journeys.

Cardinal Dolan also toured key departments, praying for healing and expressing gratitude for the tireless caregivers. The visit reinforced his ongoing commitment to health, faith and pastoral care, and left a lasting impression on all who were touched by it.

More than just a gathering, the reunion was a testament to the strength of community. Families, caregivers and supporters came together, united by a shared mission to improve the health of moms and babies. The energy, laughter and heartfelt moments were a beautiful reminder of hope, healing and the bonds that endure long after discharge.

Cardinal Dolan visits with hospital administrators Andrew J. White, MD, (left) and Hossain Marandi, MD

Cardinal Dolan offers a prayer of comfort to a patient

Cardinal Dolan tours The Costas Center with Cardinal Glennon board member Tom Hilton

Cardinal Dolan expresses thanks to our caregivers

Glennon Around the Corner

Art, Healing and Hope in Tower Grove

On June 10, a blank wall at the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Pediatrics –Danis Tower Grove Clinic was transformed into a vibrant work of art that now greets families, staff and neighbors with a message of healing and hope. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the unveiling of a new 60-foot mural titled “Healing, Happiness and Acceptance,” created by students from Central Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) High School. The mural was designed and painted in less than 22 hours as part of the students’ final senior art project. Bright, symbolic imagery woven throughout the piece reflects themes of resilience, unity and rebirth — messages deeply personal

to the students, many of whom were affected by the tragic school shooting at CVPA in 2022. Leaders from CVPA, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and the broader community gathered to celebrate the artwork and the powerful collaboration behind it. In remarks shared at the event, speakers reflected on the importance of creative expression as a pathway to healing, especially for youth navigating trauma.

Danis Tower Grove Clinic was transformed into a vibrant work of art that now greets families, staff and neighbors with a message of healing and hope.

The SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation was proud to play a role in bringing this project to life by providing the paint and supplies used to complete the mural. What began as a student vision is now a lasting symbol of strength and compassion in the heart of Tower Grove.

Lead student artists Alex Smith and Jovi Vaughn

A collaborative mural project led by students and supported by civic and health care leaders

Glennon Around the Nation

Preparing Air Force Medical Personnel for Pediatric Combat Zone Care

In a unique collaboration,

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is the first pediatric facility in the country to partner with the U.S. Air Force to offer pediatric trauma training for military medical personnel.

“It’s a mutual benefit arrangement,” notes Lt. Col. Brian Thompson, MD, assistant trauma medical director at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and director of the Office of Military Medicine-St. Louis Region for the U.S. Air Force. “We are on active duty and train military medical personnel here. When not

teaching, we work alongside hospital staff to provide care to children at Cardinal Glennon.”

Dr. Thompson is the primary active-duty liaison between the Hospital and the Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS), a program of the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine that partners with civilian hospitals to

Trainees quickly shifted between treating an adult to comforting and treating the injured child.

“I didn’t always feel calm because the sounds and wounds were realistic,” says medic Madison Brace. “It’s a good experience to work these scenarios.”

Dr. Thompson and his team coached throughout the simulation, discussing differences in airway

“These are opportunities to build confidence and capabilities in a safe learning environment, and we appreciate the partnership with Cardinal Glennon.”

maintain trauma readiness between deployments. Early on, the program focused on adult injuries, but the Air Force identified a critical training gap in pediatric trauma care. “Children aren’t little adults,” Dr. Thompson explains. “They require different care and treatment. Being prepared for both adult and pediatric injuries can help us better accomplish our mission.”

In one simulation, a child with a severe leg injury was unexpectedly brought into a military trauma bay.

techniques and IV fluid dosing for children. He says, “These are opportunities to build confidence and capabilities in a safe learning environment, and we appreciate the partnership with Cardinal Glennon.”

Additional Air Force personnel stationed at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon include Pediatric Intensivist Major Ashley Packett, MD, Respiratory Therapist TSgt. Matthew Maples, RT, and Paramedic TSgt. Luke Laub, EMT-P.

Lt. Col. Brian Thompson, MD (second from left) asks trainees during a simulated drill how to best evaluate and treat a pediatric patient’s badly fractured leg

A C-STARS trainee applies a tourniquet during a simulation to control bleeding on a manikin diagnosed with a severely fractured leg

Glennon Family Ties

FATHER AND DAUGHTER

Brian Eggemeyer, BA, RRT-NPS, and Abby Lindley, RN, BSN

Team members at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital consider ourselves family related by a Mission to serve others. Some of us, however, actually have hereditary family ties and choose the Hospital as our second home. Meet some of these “Glennon Families.”

Every time Abby Lindley had an appointment with her pediatrician at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, it included a visit to her dad, Brian Eggemeyer, who is manager of respiratory care and pulmonary services at the Hospital.

Over the years, Lindley got to know her dad’s coworkers well and soaked in the family feel of the Hospital — it felt like home to her. Today, she works alongside some of those same team members, and her dad, as a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nurse at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. “I always liked the vibe and the family environment, and how kind everyone was,” Lindley says. “My dad was also a pull to work here. It’s a fun bonus to get to work with him now.”

Eggemeyer says he’s happy his daughter wanted to follow in his footsteps at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. “She grew up hearing me talk about my work,” he says. “My wife is also a nurse, so Abby saw that health care was a good career serving people. We understand what each other goes through, and we can be there for each other. And I can walk down

to her floor, see her smile and then go back to work.”

Although some team members remember Lindley as a child, they’ve quickly adapted to seeing her as a skilled professional since she joined the team two years ago.

“It’s great to see Abby forge her own path,” Eggemeyer says. “The best part of working at the same place is the common bond of working toward the same Mission. I’ve stayed at the Hospital for 33 years because of the care we give and our Mission. It feels like a big family.”

Lindley agrees. “Cardinal Glennon already has a family feel, but having actual family there solidifies that. It’s fun to see my dad at work, especially when I’m having a tough day. He’ll come by and bring me a chai, and my day is made.”

Celebrities Giving Back

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The father-daughter duo — Abby Lindley, RN, BSN, and Brian Eggemeyer, BA, RRT-NPS

Glennon Firsts

Awards, Excellence and Verification

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital achieved another “first” in St. Louis. This year, our talented pediatric cardiology specialists were the first team in the St. Louis region to place a leadless pacemaker in a pediatric patient. While not suitable for every patient, leadless pacemakers are significantly less invasive to place, ideal for patients who may not require the device permanently.

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon was awarded Pediatric Sedation Center of Excellence (PSCE) designation by the Society for Pediatric Sedation. Under PSCE guidelines, our Sedation Program team is committed to the safest and most effective care in a family-centered environment while achieving the highest standards.

Children may need sedation support for certain imaging procedures, such as CT or MRI, based on their age and the type of images needed. Our team also supports patients receiving lumbar punctures or interventional radiology procedures.

Earlier this year, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon became one of only two hospitals in the nation to receive verification for its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) through the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Neonatal Excellence Program.

This new program recognizes hospitals that meet the very highest standards in neonatal care — a prestigious honor. As a Level IV NICU, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital consistently ranks among the top 50 neonatology programs in the nation according to “U.S. News & World Report.”

The Diabetes Self-Management Services Program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon received recognition from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the nation’s leading organization committed to fighting diabetes. The ADA’s Education Recognition Program assures that patient education meets national standards for diabetes selfmanagement education and support. Through support from their care team and the comprehensive education provided through this Program, patients can independently manage many aspects of their diabetes, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions and preventable chronic complications.

Pediatric Sedation Center of Excellence

American Academy of Pediatrics’ Neonatal Excellence

American Diabetes Association Recognition

Investing in the Community: Enterprise Mobility Foundation

Two institutions with similar missions to serve the community had their origins only months apart. On July 6, 1956, Cardinal Glennon Memorial Hospital opened its doors. Seven months later, on February 6, 1957, a company first branded as Executive Leasing was launched by Jack C. Taylor. Today, seven decades later, they are widely known as SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and Enterprise Mobility, partnering together to help children for 35 years.

“We support Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital because every child deserves a chance to thrive,” says Carolyn Kindle, president of the Enterprise Mobility Foundation. “Investing in their health and future

is a commitment to a brighter, more compassionate community for us all.”

Brian Rothery is vice president of government and public affairs for Enterprise Mobility, a member of the Hospital’s Board of Governors and a former patient. He sees a common thread through the successes of the Hospital and Enterprise Mobility.

“Our role on the Board of Governors is to be in touch with the needs of the community and offer guidance to the Hospital for meeting those needs,” Rothery said. “That is a parallel to what we do at Enterprise Mobility. Everything we do, from the types of cars we buy to the way we design our services

for efficiency, is all about the needs and wants of the customers.”

Executive Leasing owned seven cars when it opened its doors on the bottom level of Lindburg Cadillac in Clayton, MO. Leasing cars back then was a new idea.

In 1969, Taylor renamed the company “Enterprise Leasing” after the U.S. Navy carrier USS

Enterprise Mobility and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon have partnered for 35 years to support children

Carolyn Kindle, president of the Enterprise Mobility Foundation

Brian Rothery, vice president of government and public affairs for Enterprise Mobility

Enterprise. He had flown a Hellcat fighter airplane off the ship as a decorated pilot during World War II.

By 1989, the organization was a major competitor in the rental car business and changed its name again — to Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Its rental business blossomed with acquisitions of National Car Rental and Alamo Rent–A-Car in 2007.

As the organization continued expansion into new lines of business, it adopted a new brand in 2023 to encompass all of them: Enterprise Mobility. The new title “is meant to convey that the company is no longer a pure rental and leasing business anymore; it has expanded into a broad landscape of offerings from vanpooling to car sales and truck rentals,” reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Enterprise Mobility produced $39 billion in revenue in 2025. Forbes Magazine listed it as the country’s seventh-largest, privately owned company. Today, the organization employs more than 90,000 people and operates a fleet of 2.4 million vehicles. Through its global network of owned locations,

airport locations and franchises, Enterprise Mobility operates in more than 90 countries and territories at more than 9,500 branch locations.

Philanthropy has long been a part of Enterprise Mobility’s culture, values and DNA, a commitment inspired by its founder, who emphasized the importance of giving back to local communities. Taylor formalized the creation of

Kindle took the reins as Enterprise Mobility Foundation president from her mother Jo Ann Taylor Kindle, Jack’s daughter. She is also chief executive officer of the St. Louis CITY SC Major League Soccer club. As a member of the SSM Health Board, she serves as a key leader of the Devoted Campaign that is building the new SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

The Enterprise Mobility Foundation has contributed more than half a billion dollars to charities in the United States, with most of its grant requests being identified and submitted by Enterprise Mobility team members.

“Enterprise Mobility and Cardinal Glennon are a great fit,” Rothery says. “At Enterprise Mobility, we are passionate about St. Louis and proud to be headquartered here. We have been invested in the St. Louis community for decades. We deeply care about making sure everybody here has a chance.”

“At Enterprise Mobility, we are passionate about St. Louis and proud to be headquartered here. We have been invested in the St. Louis community for decades...”

the Enterprise Mobility Foundation in 1982. The Foundation made its first gift to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation to support the 1990 Bob Costas Benefit and has continued to benefit the Hospital by supporting its Homers for Health and Tree of Hope campaigns.

Rothery himself is a ‘Glennon kid.’ “I had a hernia surgery when I was 7 years old,” he recalls. “Back then, they didn’t do same-day surgery, so I was in the hospital two or three days. I remember it being a happy place. It was all about the people. Even though it could have been a traumatic memory, it was a happy one.”

Carolyn Kindle was a special guest on The Glennon Factor podcast. Scan the QR code to hear her inspiring conversation.

Enterprise Mobility headquarters in Clayton, MO, present day

Breaking New Ground

Written by Stephanie Stemmler

Giving Babies with Cystic Fibrosis the Chance of a Healthier Start Before Birth

Emily Cullmann vividly remembers the text she sent her parents in the wee hours of the morning after her daughter, Clara, was born in March 2025. “My parents were staying at our house while my husband and I were at the hospital,” Cullmann says. “At 3:30 in the morning, about six hours after Clara was born, I sent them a text saying, ‘She pooped!’ It was the most exciting thing to see a messy little diaper!”

The news also brought a round of cheers from doctors and nurses who cared for Cullmann throughout her pregnancy, all waiting to see if Trikafta, a medication used in-utero, helped minimize early potential complications of cystic fibrosis (CF) including bowel obstructions.

“Trikafta has been used in adolescents diagnosed with CF since 2019,” says pulmonologist Michael Smiley, MD, director of the pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Program at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. “The age threshold has been dropping, with the FDA approving its use in children aged 6 to 11 in 2021 and then in

children aged 2 to 5 in 2023,” says Dr. Smiley. “Lately, a handful of fetal centers across the country have been evaluating its use during pregnancy.”

In the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute (FCI), maternal-fetal medicine specialist Christopher Buchanan, MD, had been monitoring the uptick in Trikafta use. “I was talking with colleagues at a meeting of the North American Fetal Therapy Network, and there was discussion about starting a database of moms and babies who had CF and were treated with Trikafta,” says Dr. Buchanan, the medical director of the FCI. “There were several case studies that showed a possible

Cullmann discovered she carried a gene linked to CF early in her pregnancy. She and her husband, Paul, were shocked when he also was found to be a carrier. When her obstetrician saw a potential issue during an ultrasound, they were referred to the FCI. Both were nervous.

Complicating Cullmann’s own emotions was the fact that she is a pediatric respiratory therapist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

“There were several case studies that showed a possible benefit to using Trikafta in-utero...”

benefit to using Trikafta in utero, specifically in reducing the risk of a type of bowel obstruction often found in newborns diagnosed with CF called meconium ileus. The condition can prevent newborns from being able to have a bowel movement and often requires surgery after a child is born.”

“I am a member of the neonatal/pediatric transport team now, but when I was taking care of patients in the hospital, I would see children with CF who were really sick,” she says. “I tried to tell myself that it was going to be fine, but then wave after wave of emotions took hold and I wondered, what if it’s not OK?”

Michael Smiley, MD, director of the pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Program at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

Christopher Buchanan, MD

Emily and Paul Cullmann

Clara Cullmann

Giving Babies with Cystic Fibrosis the Chance

During her first visit to the FCI, Dr. Buchanan brought up the recent use of Trikafta during pregnancy. Dr. Smiley agreed that it could benefit Cullmann and her unborn child. “If this could help my baby have a better start in life and keep her out of the NICU and out of surgery, we were all in,” says Cullmann. “It gave me hope after the difficult diagnosis.”

Staff in the FCI and the pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Center worked together to push for insurance coverage for the medication. Specialists from

“We work collaboratively between the pediatric and adult CF centers routinely,” notes Dr. Smiley. “This, however, was the first time both CF teams have partnered with the FCI to care for a pregnant mother. The fact that Dr. Buchanan and the FCI reached out early to discuss Trikafta with us was critical.”

Today, Clara is thriving. She does need to take some supplements and special enzymes, but the family says life is good. Cullmann plans to continue taking Trikafta while she is breastfeeding.

“If this could help my baby have a better start in life and keep her out of the NICU and out of surgery, we were all in...”

SSM Health SLUCare Center for Specialized Medicine’s adult Cystic Fibrosis Center were also brought in to monitor Cullmann after she began taking Trikafta twice a day. She was on the drug for two months prior to Clara’s birth. “I can’t even put into words how much the whole team — and I mean everyone from the doctors and nurses down to the secretaries and others — was so compassionate and committed to doing what was best for me and my baby,” she says.

“Trikafta is not currently approved for treatment of pregnant women carrying a baby with CF,” stresses Dr. Smiley. “Only individuals with CF who have at least one copy of a specific mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene are eligible to take the drug, and it’s still under evaluation for use during pregnancy. But I was excited to see that Clara was born without major complications. When we did a sweat chloride test to formally diagnose CF after birth, Clara’s result was just above the level of what is considered normal and well below what we expected based upon her gene mutations and her ultrasound images.”

Dr. Buchanan says he, too, was excited after Clara was born.

“While this is just one case, it has made an impact on how I counsel patients about CF testing,” he says. “Now that there is a possible in utero treatment that can have a significant impact on babies, I encourage patients to get carrier screening for CF.”

Did You Know?

The pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is nationally accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is recognized for providing high-quality, comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for young CF patients and their families. The team also was selected as a 2025 recipient of the annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Quality Improvement Award. The honor recognizes outstanding quality improvement processes and accomplishments and was formally awarded at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference in Seattle this October.

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon pediatric respiratory therapist Emily Cullmann with her daughter, Clara

Paul, Clara and Emily Cullmann during a clinic visit at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon

At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, our patients are more than kids — they’re Little Heroes. They face big battles with even bigger hearts, and your monthly gift helps give them strength, comfort and hope along the way.

With a monthly gift of $25 or more, you’ll help provide a cozy blanket to a child during their hospital stay. But this isn’t just any blanket…

• It becomes a cape for a superhero-in-training.

• A fort for a fearless explorer.

• A shield against scary moments. Visit glennon.org/little-heroes

Scan the QR code or visit glennon.org/little-heroes to donate securely.

Written by Stephanie Stemmler

Q and A with the

Left, clockwise: Andrew Fiore, MD; Peter Pastuszko, MD; Charles Huddleston, MD; Corinne Tan, MD

For decades, Charles Huddleston, MD, and Andrew Fiore, MD, have been the heart of the nationally recognized cardiac surgery program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital — over the years caring for thousands of children with a wide range of heart conditions needing surgical repair or even heart transplants. All their success, they say, is because of a shared commitment to excellence and a team approach to care. That collegiality has been in place since the Hospital was founded, and they say the team, which now includes surgeons Corinne Tan, MD, and Peter Pastuszko, MD, along with several dedicated support teams, has an unselfish approach to helping each other do what’s best for patients.

Q. What does that “unselfish approach” mean?

Dr. Fiore: It’s about working together to achieve great results without focusing on who gets the credit. We have a group of people — from physicians to nurses and many others — who collaborate closely to care for children with heart problems. I think the process fosters excellence and innovation.

Q. The program is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best in the country. What are some of the highlights of the history of cardiac surgery at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon?

Dr. Huddleston: We have been ranked nationally for many years. I remember the talented physicians before me — Val Willman, MD, and other doctors at Saint Louis University were the first surgeons in the Midwest to perform an adult heart transplant in 1972. Their colleague, Glenn Pennington, MD, performed the first pediatric heart transplant at Glennon in 1988. He also was a national leader in the research and use of ventricular assist devices (VADs) that could be used as a bridge to transplantation.

Dr. Fiore: I’ll add that Dr. Pennington was a pioneer of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) starting in 1982, which is a heart-lung bypass device that can temporarily take over the

functions of the lungs and heart. Today ECMO can be employed emergently at the bedside in the intensive care unit or the emergency room and continues to save countless lives. Dr. Huddleston then expanded the program here to include novel treatments for congenital heart defects. With more adults than children living with congenital heart disease now, he was at the forefront of helping us establish a pediatric-to-adult congenital heart surgery program.

Q. What have been some of the biggest advances in heart care for children over the past three decades?

Dr. Fiore: A major advance has been the start of our fetal heart program, which allows us to detect heart defects before birth, plan the best approach and treat newborns within hours, often saving lives that once would have been lost. We’ve also moved toward less invasive procedures, such as valve repair or replacement through transcatheter techniques instead of open-heart surgery.

Imaging has advanced from basic ultrasound to 4D technology to showcase real-time blood flow. 3D-printed heart models are used for surgical planning of complex cases. Add in mechanical assist devices, heart transplants and highly advanced reconstructive surgeries, and the possibilities for helping children have never been greater.

Cardiac Surgery Team

Andrew Fiore, MD | Peter Pastuszko, MD

Charles Huddleston, MD | Corinne Tan, MD

Q. Dr. Tan, you joined the team in 2021. You earned your medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine and completed advanced fellowships in congenital cardiac surgery and another in surgical critical care in Boston before you returned to St. Louis. What drew you back?

Dr. Tan: Dr. Fiore was my mentor while I was training at SLU. He and Dr. Huddleston set the standard for how this program cares for children, and I wanted to be a part of that. Throughout my training, they taught with skill and compassion and always emphasized teamwork.

Dr. Huddleston: When people interview here, we always talk about the collaboration among all the cardiac surgeons and cardiologists. Even during re-certification of our heart program, reviewers noted our collegiality. That’s significant.

Dr. Fiore: I agree. It’s really a key component of our long-standing success. Collegiality helps all of us achieve excellence.

“...the full team commitment to excellence doesn’t change.”

Q. Dr. Pastuszko, you also have a long connection to our institution through your relationship with Dr. Huddleston, right?

Dr. Pastuszko: Yes. I met Dr. Huddleston in 2006 or 2007, and my own mentor spoke very highly of him. Pediatric cardiac surgery is a small field, with fewer than 200 trained surgeons in the United States. I’ve been a pediatric heart surgeon for more than 20 years, working in four hospitals before coming here. When you look at the national ranking for Cardinal Glennon, it is truly a reflection of the skill and dedication of the entire team. My goal is to continue to build upon that legacy of excellence.

Q. What sets Cardinal Glennon’s heart program apart from other programs across the country?

Dr. Pastuszko: Between the four of us here, we probably have more experience than 99% of all the pediatric cardiac surgery programs in the country. There may be hospitals that have higher volume, but patients here benefit from the combined knowledge and experience we have.

Dr. Tan: I think another advantage is that we are an academic institution affiliated with Saint Louis University School of Medicine. It’s that bridge that enables us to remain involved in research and scholarly activities. It’s a big plus because it enhances our own knowledge and can improve the way we treat patients for various cardiac conditions.

Q. What is the vision for the future?

Dr. Tan: To keep doing what we are doing. To not turn away any patient who needs us and to work together to solve the complex conditions we sometimes face. That’s how we build upon what others have taught us.

Dr. Pastuszko: No matter whether the names change, or physicians retire, the full team commitment to excellence doesn’t change.

As Dr. Fiore and Dr. Huddleston contemplate retirement, they both smile and fondly recall the many patients they have helped over the years. Says Dr. Huddleston, “One of the great things that I get to see is that many of our patients keep in touch as they become adults. I love to get Christmas cards, wedding notices and graduation and birthday cards. I keep them all. It’s a tangible reminder that what we do to care for children with heart problems has a profound positive impact as they grow into adults.”

The team emphasizes the importance of a shared commitment to surgical innovation and care

Rio and Rebel

Without hesitation, parents donate their kidneys to save their daughters

Written by Marie Dilg

One minute, Rebel Timson, age 4, and Rio Timson, age 2 and a half, are sharing a granola bar and reading a book together in the waiting room at The Costas Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. The next minute, Rio is pulling Rebel’s hair and Rebel is pushing Rio out of a wagon that, although quite large, is still too small to contain their energy. The sibling relationship may seem typical yet little else about these two is.

While still in utero, physicians diagnosed Rebel and Rio with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of cysts in the kidneys. Affecting one in 20,000 babies, ARPKD often leads to kidney failure. Approximately one third of affected children require a transplant within 10 years.

Once physicians diagnosed Rebel and Rio, providers referred the girls’ parents, Maggiee Underwood and Matt Timson, to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital — ranked among the top pediatric nephrology hospitals in the country by U.S. News and World Report — and to the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon

kidney compressed her stomach, and it became difficult for Rebel to eat and take her medications.

“Simply put, her body wasn’t growing fast enough to contain her kidney,” says Underwood.

Surgeons removed Rebel’s enlarged kidney to alleviate the pressure and placed a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) into her stomach to deliver nutrition, fluids and medications. The cysts on Rebel’s remaining kidney, however, continued to grow and her blood pressure skyrocketed. At barely 4 years old, a kidney transplant became her best option for survival.

also fitted Rio with a G-tube, and a kidney transplant became her best option for survival as well.

Rio’s ARPKD was more serious from the beginning. Following her birth, clinicians determined that Rio’s kidneys were significantly impaired due to the presence of multiple large cysts. Rio developed end stage renal disease. She was not quite 2 years old when surgeons removed both of her kidneys and placed Rio on dialysis. Surgeons

“We didn’t fully understand the transplant process or the gravity of the surgery, but once we learned we could be their donors, we had no hesitation.”

St. Louis Fetal Care Institute. Weekly, sometimes twiceweekly, visits became routine.

Rough Starts

After her birth, medication helped manage Rebel’s ARPKD symptoms but at 18 months old, her cystic growth led to significant enlargement of one kidney. The enlarged

“We knew there was no cure and both girls eventually would need transplants,” says Underwood. “We didn’t fully understand the transplant process or the gravity of the surgery, but once we learned we could be their donors, we had no hesitation.”

Katie Gruenkemeyer, RN, MSN, CPNP, a pediatric nurse practitioner with the transplant team at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, has been caring for the girls throughout their journey. “Maggiee and Matt were adamant about donating their kidneys to their daughters,” says Gruenkemeyer. “They had determination from the get-go.”

The Match Game

Chintalapati Varma, MD, surgical director of the liver and kidney transplant program at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and professor of surgery in the Division of Abdominal Transplant Surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, says hospital surgeons perform seven to 10 pediatric kidney transplants each year.

Living donor transplants are preferred because they offer higher success rates and eliminate the

Not just parents, but lifesavers, Maggiee Underwood and Matt Timson with their warrior daughters, Rio and Rebel

Katie Gruenkemeyer, RN, MSN, CPNP, pediatric nurse practitioner

Chintalapati Varma, MD, surgical director

need to join the transplant waiting list. While many parents hope to donate, medical or personal factors may present obstacles.

Underwood says she and Timson were “ecstatic” when they learned they were a match for their daughters. In October 2024, Underwood donated her kidney to save Rio’s life. In May 2025, Timson donated his kidney to save Rebel’s life. All surgeries went well.

“We pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients and families,” says Dr. Varma, who performed the donor surgeries, was lead surgeon on Rebel’s transplant and assisted with Rio’s transplant. “Our patient and graft survival rates are superb and above the national average. Living donation is an amazing gift of life, one anyone can give.”

Playing Both Sides

Underwood says being a parent-to-child donor is not without its challenges. The girls continue to require maintenance of their G-tubes. They also have small, disc-shaped ports implanted in their chests to provide easy access for blood draws and medication administration. Rebel and Rio’s parents monitor their food intake and activity levels.

“Basically, you’re playing both sides of the game,” says Underwood, who quit her job to focus on the family’s health needs. “You’re taking care of the patient, yourself as the donor, the medications, the appointments, the insurance. It’s exhausting but rewarding.”

Underwood says the family could not manage without the support of their care team members at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital — all of whom are in the same building and available at any time. “I needed to take Rebel to the emergency room one weekend for an issue with her G-tube and I reached out to Katie for guidance,” recalls Underwood. “She called me

“They have so much more energy and stamina to move around and just be normal kids.”

right back and said, ‘I’m at a T-ball game but let me walk you through this.’ It’s obvious they love their jobs and care for our kids as much as we do.”

Spiderman and Unicorns

During today’s appointment at The Costas Center, Gruenkemeyer reports the girls are flourishing. Their lab results looked good, and Rebel got clearance to play soccer. “Both girls are on multiple medications, one of which is prednisone,” Gruenkemeyer says. “If you’ve ever been on prednisone, you know it adds a little spice to your life. Moods and emotions are a little more variable on steroids, especially with toddlers. Watching Maggiee parent both girls in clinic is inspiring and admirable.”

Underwood’s patience is being tested today as the girls repeatedly ask for snacks and compete for her

attention while she tries to get her questions answered. Underwood says Rebel and Rio always have been playful children, but the transplants seem to have supercharged them. She describes Rebel as a caregiver who enjoys singing, dancing and unicorns. Rio, she says, is more of an instigator who likes to tease her sister, play Spiderman and sing Taylor Swift songs. During today’s visit, Rebel’s top-of-her-lungs rendition of “Who Let the Dogs Out” reverberates in the clinic room.

“It’s amazing to see their personalities blossom,” says Underwood. “They have so much more energy and stamina to move around and just be normal kids. It proves their condition truly was holding them back.”

Rebel and Rio having fun with the Clowns on Call in the atrium at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

Life-Changing Results:

Collaboration Between Surgery and GI Offers Expanded Options To Treat Children with Complex Motility and Colorectal Disorders

Written by Stephanie Stemmler

This year, Sadie Ewing’s summer was filled with joyful childhood activities — swimming, volleyball camp, sleepovers with friends, going out to dinner with family members and earning badges for participation in outdoor Girl Scouts activities.

“I was just being a normal kid,” the 10-year-old says with a huge laugh.

Tennis and wrestling were still on her to-do list this fall even as she tackled challenging classes in the Spectra gifted program in the Francis Howell School District in Weldon Spring, MO. “I’ve built rockets and done all sorts of things in the program,” she says. “It keeps me on my toes!”

The whirlwind of school and fun is a true about-face from early 2024 when Sadie was so hampered by gastrointestinal motility issues that she often headed home from school early, left birthday parties, was unable to play sports and worried about being able to spend long hours with friends.

“I couldn’t tell if I was going to have a problem or not,” she says. “It was kind of awful.”

Sadie was worried about something that impacts a significant number of children each year: chronic constipation that often leads to emergency trips to the bathroom whenever a child is given laxatives.

“She had the problem ever since she was a baby,” says Sadie’s mother, Lisha Ewing. “She had difficulty pooping, and we could tell it was painful. We tried different formulas, and Sadie was tested for a milk allergy and then given an over-the-counter laxative to see if it would get better.”

But the problem continued for several years until Sadie was referred to Pediatric Gastroenterologist Fernando Medina Carbonell, MD, at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. He referred the family to Dhiren Patel, MD, director of the Neurogastroenterology and Pediatric Motility Center. It is one of just a few centers in the country dedicated to diagnosing and treating various motility disorders and diseases of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) in young children and adolescents through nonsurgical interventions.

New Combined GI and Surgery Clinic Opens

“What we needed was an extension of our Motility Center that would also include surgical interventions when they were

warranted,” says Dr. Patel. “This year, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon opened the region’s first pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction Program. It includes both gastroenterologists and pediatric surgery specialists who coordinate and treat patients with colorectal and pelvic conditions that also present with impaired gut motility.”

Dr. Patel runs the new program with Co-director and Pediatric General Surgeon Shin Miyata, MD. “The benefits are two-fold,” stresses Dr. Miyata. “We have created a one-stop clinic visit where patients and families can learn about diagnostic testing as well as medical and surgical interventions all in one visit. Then Dr. Patel and I discuss various treatment options and go over next steps with the families.”

The program already is seeing patients diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease, anorectal malformations, inflammatory bowel disease, severe constipation and fecal incontinence. All undergo advanced testing, including manometry, a specialized procedure that allows doctors to assess muscle function from the esophagus to the

Shin Miyata, MD

rectum. If surgery is recommended, it can range from minimally invasive to reconstructive procedures.

ACE-ing the Problem of Severe Constipation

For Sadie, the two doctors recommended a novel device called a MiniACE (antigrade continence enema). “Think of it as an enema given from the top down versus going up through the rectum,” explains Dr. Miyata. “It is easier on the patient and is more predictable and controllable. There’s nothing ‘magical’ about it except that we can give an enema more upstream in the gastrointestinal system, but patients say there is a night and day difference in the quality of their

Both Sadie and her mom were trained to handle the flushes while in the Hospital, and it fast became an easy routine for Sadie to handle on her own. Now it’s working so well that Dr. Patel recently reduced the number of times she needed to do a flush from nightly to five days a week. The goal is to continue stepping down the number of flushes in hope that Sadie’s system will return to normal. No more constipation; no more being worried about laxatives kicking in at inappropriate times.

lives and in their ability to control constipation and fecal incontinence.”

The minimally invasive procedure involves creating a tunnel or pathway from the belly button to the colon. It creates an external hole at the belly button into which Dr. Miyata places a “button,” or one-way valve. Patients can then “flush” out the colon by injecting certain fluids through the button. “I put my medicine in a clear bag, shake it and put it in my ACE button,” says Sadie matter-offactly. “Then I set a timer and go sit in the bathroom to poop. It works every time.”

Dr. Miyata says a major plus with the ACE button is that it is reversible if the colon begins to recover and work on its own. “We can easily take out the button, and the exterior hole will close on its own,” he says.

Ewing says her daughter is now a “social butterfly” and has received friendship awards at school. She also was able to go on an all-day train trip and tour of the Missouri State Capital in Jefferson City to earn a Girl Scouts badge.

“Life-changing? Absolutely,” says Ewing. “Sadie is enjoying school and not missing out on fun events. This has made such a huge difference in our lives.”

“Life-changing? Absolutely. Sadie is enjoying school and not missing out on fun events.”

Dr. Patel and Dr. Miyata review images and plan treatment options for Sadie

SCAN TO GIVE

“ Our little boy Beckett went from running in the backyard to fighting for his life overnight. Then came the words no parent ever wants to hear: your child has cancer. My husband is a firefighter-paramedic who saves lives every day. This time, our family needed saving — and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital did just that. Beckett is here today because of their lifesaving care. This Christmas, please give to Cardinal Glennon. Your support helps save lives and gives families like mine the greatest gift of all: more tomorrows. ”

— Samantha, Beckett’s mom

Beckett , Glennon Kid and future firefigther — just like Dad!

Beckett held close by Dad on day one of his cancer treatment journey

In the heart of the Hospital, Beckett found comfort beneath the Christmas tree that has seen so many brave kids

Determination Takes Center Stage

After Brain Tumor Surgery

Written by Joyce Romine

Keith Urban’s high-energy concert enthralled fans at Glennon LIVE to support The Children’s Fund at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

TyTy (center) was “king for a day” at the Glennon LIVE event when he and his mom joined Grammyaward winning entertainer Keith Urban on stage at Chaifetz Arena

In January 2024, the stomach flu knocked down the Schaefer household. Like dominoes, each fell ill. And one by one, each recovered. Yet, 7-year-old Tyler, known as TyTy, struggled a little longer. After being out of school for a week, he finally returned but it wasn’t long before the school nurse called TyTy’s mom, Mackenzie Schaefer, to report he was sick again with headache and nausea.

At first, Mackenzie assumed he just went back to school too soon. But then she heard him screaming in pain in the background and knew it was something more serious. Schaefer’s mom, who is a nurse, picked up TyTy from school and determined a trip to the emergency room was necessary.

Schaefer scrambled to the emergency department with her husband Tyler and their 1-year-old and 3-year-old daughters. The closest hospital to their home in Wright City, MO, was SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake Saint Louis. “TyTy was lethargic when he arrived, but they weren’t sure what was going on yet,” Schaefer says. “He kept waking up and screaming and then falling back asleep. A tumor wasn’t even on my mind.”

That quickly changed when a CT scan showed he had a brain tumor that was hemorrhaging. “I

“He kept waking up and screaming and then falling back asleep. A tumor wasn’t even on my mind.”

tried not to lose my mind,” Schaefer remembers. “The doctor told me that the EMS team was already on its way to transfer TyTy to Cardinal Glennon.”

Doubling the Surgical Expertise and Compassion

When TyTy arrived at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, he was rushed to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) where the team inserted a drain to remove the excess fluid and ease the pressure in his skull, which was causing his pain. Surgery to remove the tumor followed. Although the diagnosis was frightening, Schaefer felt reassured that Joanna Kemp, MD, and Philippe Mercier, MD, PhD — among the best neurosurgeons in the country — were caring for her son.

Dr. Kemp, associate professor with the Division of Neurosurgery

and Pediatric Neurosurgery in the Department of Surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, is a neurosurgeon who treats a range of neurological issues, including brain and spine tumors.

Dr. Mercier, interim director of neurosurgery, director of pediatric neurosurgery, director of Surgical Epilepsy Program, and Paul C. Reinert, SJ, Chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, is a neurosurgeon with expertise in neuro-oncology and pediatric neurosurgery.

The doctors partnered to remove the clementine-sized tumor from TyTy’s brain during a complex, eight-hour surgery on Jan. 25, 2024. TyTy recovered quickly and went home two weeks later — just in time for his youngest sister’s first birthday party.

Dr. Kemp sent samples of TyTy’s tumor to other specialists around the country to confirm the diagnosis of juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, a low-grade, slowgrowing type of tumor and one that rarely hemorrhages.

TyTy with Philippe Mercier, MD, PhD, director of pediatric neurosurgery

TyTy recovered quickly and went home just two weeks after surgery

TyTy with Joanna Kemp, MD, neurosurgeon

Determination Takes Center Stage After Brain Tumor Surgery

Because the tumor was removed, serious complications were prevented and TyTy’s overall prognosis was good. He could be treated with oral chemotherapy, which has fewer side effects than more intensive intravenous chemotherapy. It also means that TyTy’s future has a strong, healthy outlook, because the tumor has a low chance of recurrence with surgery and treatment.

“I tell Dr. Kemp all the time she’s my hero,” Schaefer says. “I had trust and confidence in her. She and Dr. Mercier gave us a sense of peace knowing TyTy was getting good care. They took time to answer all our questions and came to see us every day.”

Believing in a Healthy Future

TyTy takes chemotherapy pills every day and has a CT scan every three months to monitor the tumor site. He will continue oral chemo for two years to make sure the tumor doesn’t grow back. A few months after his surgery, he was back to playing spring baseball.

TyTy graduated from physical therapy in early July and continues occupational therapy to regain hand strength. He also takes tumbling classes to improve mobility and balance, along with parkour ninja-style classes to increase agility. “TyTy has handled all this like a champ,” Schaefer says. “I don’t always tell people what TyTy has been through, because I won’t let it be a handicap for him. I

King for a Day at Glennon LIVE

One of TyTy’s “king for a day” experiences included meeting multi-platinum selling, Grammy Award-winning entertainer Keith Urban at the annual Glennon LIVE event at Chaifetz Arena on May 3. The fundraiser benefits The Children’s Fund at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation to support the Hospital’s areas of greatest need.

“I’m also thankful to everyone at Cardinal Glennon. Every time we go there, they make TyTy feel like a king.”

want him to be treated the same and expected to perform like other kids his age.”

While Schaefer is determined to help TyTy put this experience in the rear-view mirror, she says the journey has strengthened her faith. Every morning, she slips on a bracelet inscribed with “Believe.”

And she steadfastly believes in a healthy, active future for TyTy, full of fishing, baseball and teasing his little sisters, who adore him. “I’m super grateful for the way everything turned out,” she says. “I’m also thankful to everyone at Cardinal Glennon. Every time we go there, they make TyTy feel like a king.”

When Urban visited, he met kids throughout the Hospital. Urban and TyTy even played a game of Super Chexx® bubble hockey together. Schaefer quickly became a superfan. “Keith was just so down to earth and took his time talking with all the kids,” she says. “And he puts on a great concert.”

On stage, Urban asked TyTy what his favorite song was and dedicated an enthusiastic rendition of “Days Go By” to the courageous boy.

Schaefer says it was heartwarming to see the arena filled with people who came together to support the Hospital and the families it serves.

“It’s good to see the money raised go toward a good cause to help people.”

Mackenzie, TyTy and Tyler Schaefer

TyTy’s entire extended family rallied around TyTy on his road to recovery

Devote d t o the futu re o f pediatric ca re

At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, compassion drives our care and innovation shapes our future. We’re focused on what matters most — your child’s health and happiness. With expertise across 60 pediatr ic s pecialties, our providers d eliver personalize d, advanced care u s in g the latest technolo g y and treatments

We’re honored to b e nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in four pediatric s pecialties: gastroe n te r olog y, cardiolog y, nephrology and pulmonology a reflection of our commitment to excellence every day

Coming soon in 2027, we’re opening a new, stateo f-the-art hospital i n St. Louis, de s igne d with kids, for kids because every child deserves the absolute best care. Scan the QR code or visit cardinalglennon.com/FindCare to learn more about our expert pediatric care.

Ask the Experts: What Parents Should Know About Energy Drinks and Melatonin

Energy drinks are marketed everywhere — from convenience stores to social media — and they’re especially popular among kids and teens. But behind the flashy brands and bold flavors lies a growing concern among health professionals: Are these drinks safe for young people?

To better understand the risks and what parents should know, we spoke with Julie A. Weber, RPh, director of the Missouri Poison Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Q: What ingredients in energy drinks pose the greatest risk to young people, and why are they particularly harmful?

A: Energy drinks often contain caffeine from multiple sources, like green tea extract, yerba mate and guarana. There is no limit to the amount of caffeine energy drinks can contain, and the caffeine content is not required to be listed on the labels, which makes them potentially dangerous for young people. Symptoms of excessive

Julie A. Weber RPh, CSPI, director of the Missouri Poison Center based at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

caffeine consumption include:

• Sleep disturbances and insomnia

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure

• Tremors

• Dehydration

• Nervousness, anxiety and irritability

• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Q: Has the Missouri Poison Center observed any trends in energy drink-related exposures?

A: Over the last three years, we received 235 calls to the Missouri Poison Center related to energy drink consumption. Of these calls, 44% were related to exposure to children 2 years old and younger, and 31% were for 3-year-olds.

While the number of calls has increased, it is important to know that the severity of the exposures has not. In most cases, the child unintentionally consumes the energy drink, meaning they did not know they were drinking an energy drink or how much caffeine they were consuming. Only 10% of cases have been due to kids and teens purposely consuming energy drinks to increase alertness, attention or physical performance.

Q: What advice does the Missouri Poison Center offer to parents, schools and health care providers regarding energy drink consumption among children and youth?

A: Because caffeine can be dangerous in large amounts for anyone, but especially young children due to their lower body weight, pediatricians recommend that parents and caregivers limit caffeine intake in children and teens, opting for safer and healthier options like water, milk or 100% fruit juice. Children should also be taught how to read labels and recognize caffeine content in drinks. Additionally, always store energy drinks in areas where children cannot access or accidentally consume them.

Another substance is quietly becoming a staple in many households: melatonin Marketed as a natural sleep aid, melatonin is increasingly being used by parents to help their children fall asleep. But is it safe?

Q: Has the Missouri Poison Center seen an increase in calls related to melatonin ingestion by children, and what are the most common concerns reported?

A: The height of the melatonin ingestions reported to the Missouri Poison Center was between 2020 – 2023. Since 2023 we have noted a small continual decline in calls related to melatonin. Over the past five years, the Missouri Poison Center has managed 6,647 cases, 51% of which involved children ages 2 or 3.

The most common side effects of melatonin include:

• Drowsiness

• Nausea

• Stomach upset or diarrhea

• Headache

• Vivid dreams or nightmares

These effects are more likely to occur when a child ingests a larger amount. When a child has an accidental ingestion of a small amount, there are often no symptoms.

Q: Are there potential risks of melatonin use in children, especially when taken without medical supervision?

A: Some studies show that short-term melatonin use is not harmful, but remember, these products are not proven safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When something is “FDA approved,” the FDA has considered it safe and effective for its intended use. It’s gone through rigorous testing, and the FDA has determined that

its benefits outweigh its associated risks. However, evaluating the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements does not fall under the purview of the FDA. Thus, there are reports of varying dosage, improperly labeled ingredients and even risk for potential overdose to add to the concerns.

Q: What guidance does the Missouri Poison Center offer to parents considering melatonin for their child’s sleep issues, and what alternatives should they explore first?

A: Consult your pediatrician: The best advice we can offer parents is to speak with their child’s pediatrician about any sleep issues. They can evaluate if there is a behavioral or medical cause for the sleep disturbances. If necessary, they may recommend the family consult a sleep specialist who will be able to provide safe alternatives for their child.

Establish healthy sleep habits: Keeping a consistent routine is essential. Also minimize screen time and increase physical activity.

Store supplements safely: Treat melatonin like any other medication: Store it out of sight and out of reach of children and, if possible, in a locked cabinet to prevent accidental ingestion. Most exposures in children are unintentional and preventable.

Know how to reach the Missouri Poison Center: Save the Poison Help Line phone number (1-800-222-1222) into your cell phone, or download the Missouri Poison Center app to get immediate poison help.

Makayla, Glennon Kid

Glennon Card: Shop Smart, Give Big!

The Glennon Card is more than a discount, it’s a way to give back. Each fall, thousands of loyal cardholders plan shopping sprees, date nights and early holiday purchases around this 10-day event, knowing their participation directly supports patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

The card can be used an unlimited number of times, in-store and online, during the shopping period. Whether checking off a holiday gift list or enjoying a night out, cardholders know they’re helping children and families receive the care they need, because 100% of the card purchase will benefit the Hospital.

“...It’s inspiring to see shoppers return year after year, knowing their purchases help children receive lifesaving care.”

For a $60 donation, shoppers receive 20% off at more than 340 local businesses, including boutiques, restaurants and salons.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the businesses who participate each year,” says Karen Page, Glennon Card co-chair. “Their generosity in offering a 20% discount during the event is a true gift to our

community. It’s inspiring to see shoppers return year after year, knowing their purchases help children receive lifesaving care.”

Founded in 2011 by the Glennon Hospital Guild, the program has raised more than $2.9 million. This year’s proceeds will support the Devoted Campaign for a new Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, which will allow for therapeutic

Cardinal Glennon patient Makayla (left) finds comfort in her little sister’s company during one of many hospital stays related to sickle cell disease

play opportunities for patients of all ages, as well as education, procedure support, sibling support and many more vital services for our patients.

One of the many children impacted by this support is Makayla Cross. Diagnosed with sickle cell disease at just 6 weeks old, Makayla has faced hospitalizations, pain crises and a frightening episode of acute chest syndrome. Her family found expert care and compassion at The Costas Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

Today, Makayla is thriving. She’s found strength and joy in gymnastics, especially on the balance beam, where her determination shines. Her journey hasn’t been easy. With expert care from the team at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and her family’s support, she’s growing stronger — one backbend at a time.

Mark your calendar! Next year’s Glennon Card shopping days are October 16–25, 2026.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Co-Presidents

Jackie Paletta

Traci Ragsdale

Vice President

Kim Sullivan

Recording Secretary

Gretchyn Sussman

Corresponding Secretary

Connie Sigmund

Treasurer

Nancy Mooney

Assistant and Dues Treasurer

Tricia Davies

Historians

Elizabeth Brennan

Jennifer Simmons

Past Presidents and Nominating Chairs

Karen Page

Laura Baylis

Advisors (Active Past Presidents)

Ginny Hartman

Julie Holland

Joanne Noyes

Constance Reis

Gretchen Schulte

Susan Soucy

Meg Terry

EVENTS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Deck the Halls of Glennon Homes Tour

Angela Forte

Linda Komlos

Feminine Hygiene Products Drive

Julie Sharp

Gift Tags for Glennon

Joanne Noyes

Gina Ryan

Glennon Card

Julie Meersman

Karen Page

Beth Pelch

Mary Ellen Stephens

Glennon Card Shoppes Boutique

Judy Dude

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

Kate Ryan

Pam Janisch

Membership

Traci Ragsdale

Prayer Committee

Katie Martin

Gretchen Schulte

Linda Tracy

Restock the Book Cart

Mary Scalzo

Volunteer Coordinator

Pam Janisch

Glennon LIVE

May 3, 2025 | Benefiting The Children’s Fund

The 4th annual Glennon LIVE featured Keith Urban with special guest Karley Scott Collins to benefit The Children’s Fund at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. The event highlights the patients, families and caregivers of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital while providing a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. Special thanks to our presenting sponsors, Jim and Jennifer Koman and Post Holdings!

1 Dr. Andrea Oertel, Dr. Hossain Marandi, Chelly Caleca, Tony Caleca, Dave Taiclet, Melissa Vien, Jim Brennan, Rose Brennan 2 Dr. Andy White, Kevin Beckmann 3 Keith Urban 4 Mike King, Catherine Pelekanos, Lora McCutchen, Kevin Beckmann, Tami Ristow, Julie Cantwell, Ann Tisone, Bob Tisone, John Heinkel, Denny Moellenhoff 5 Jim Duggan, Dr. Stephanie Duggan, Saleema Smith, Kevin Smith, Carolyn Ross, Dr. Sam Ross 6 Doug Bauche, Michael Ellenhorn, Joe McKee, Steve O’Loughlin 7 Lila Kertz, Kristi Humes, Chrissy Nardini 8 Michael Ellenhorn, Laura Ellenhorn 9 Bruce Bader, Rob Vitale 10 Rusty Crutsinger, Mary Hagley, Cece Edwards, Beth Crutsinger

PRESENTED BY: Jim and Jennifer Koman

Ollie, Glennon Kid

Glennon Sunday

“It

was truly hard to adequately articulate the intense feelings of gratitude in a situation that still felt somehow unreal. How do you express to the people and institutions a ‘thank you’ for literally saving your child and giving you hope?”

— Ollie’s mom, Jennifer

When Jennifer and Brian Geen brought their 2-year-old son, Ollie, to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Pediatric Urgent Care, they never imagined the diagnosis that would follow — cancer. Their world changed instantly, but they chose faith over fear, trusting in God’s plan and the expert care at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Through months of treatment, prayer and hope, Ollie’s tumor began to shrink. The day he rang the victory bell marked the end of his treatment and the beginning of a new chapter. Today, Ollie is in remission, full of life and thriving.

For families like Ollie’s, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is more than a hospital, it’s a lifeline. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we continue to provide world-class, compassionate care to every child, regardless of their circumstances. Together, with faith as our foundation, we remain committed to healing and serving every child who walks through our doors

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

Ollie during treatment

Jennifer and Ollie Geen

Homers for Health

Kids like Libby know firsthand that hope starts here!

2025 Homers for Health Co-chairs Glennon Kid, Libby, and Matt Holliday

Fourteen years ago, Leslee and Matt Holliday, longtime ambassadors of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital,

launched the Homers for Health pledge program to support children in need. Today, they remain deeply committed to our mission of providing care to every child — regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

At Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, every child who walks through our doors receives expert, compassionate care during their most vulnerable moments. Each year, more than 200,000 children receive lifesaving treatment thanks to generous supporters like Leslee and Matt. This year, we celebrate the Holliday’s gracious offer of a $50,000 matching gift challenge! This means that our supporters made double the impact for kids who need it most.

One of those children is Libby, our Homers for Health Glennon Kid. At age 11, Libby was diagnosed with a benign tumor near her

pituitary gland. Michelle, Libby’s mother and a nurse at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, found peace knowing Libby was in the care of a dedicated, expert team. After a successful surgery, Libby is thriving and embracing her new normal.

Homers for Health has grown from celebrating home runs to symbolizing the Hospital’s expanding impact — reaching far beyond its 195 beds. As Michelle shares, “Despite feeling so scared, I had peace knowing my connections are trusted ones…and faith and knowledge that our whole family would be in the best hands possible.”

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

Libby during treatment

Libby at a recent check-up

Glennon Golf Classic

1 Kevin Beckmann, Tami Ristow 2 Kelci and Dr. Bryan Whitlow (Front) Samar Omari and Dr. Ramis Gheith, John and Michelle Riney (Back)

3 Stephanie Aiello, Colleen and Dave Brethen, Christy Thompson 4 Dudley and Beth McCarter, Dr. Andrew White, Dr. Hilary Babcock

Ginny Orthwein and Humberto Sanchez, Stephen A. Orthwein

Jackie and Tim Danis

This exciting polo match benefits the kids and families served by The Danis Pediatric Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. The event brought together hundreds of spectators for a classic polo experience while sharing the Mission of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.

Chipping in for Children

October 6, 2025

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.

Sun Run

October 12, 2025 | Benefiting The Children’s Fund

The Sun Run means more to all of us than just one day of walking/running. It’s a season of raising funds to help our patients and families and to connect as a collective hospital community and the community at large. Thanks to all who participated!

1 Joy crossing the finish line! 2 And they’re off! 3 Dr. Andrew White and Louie 4 DJ Matt from The P3 Experience and his guest DJ 5 Many of our favorite characters stopped by 6 One of our many Captains’ Club teams in Team Tent Village 7 Our friends from Sodexo kept us fed and happy 8 Walkers welcoming a wonderfully warm day 9 The ever-popular face painting 10 Glennon friends Ollie and Beckett

Glennon Card Shoppes Boutique

Glennon Card supporters participated in a fun “shopportunity” organized by the Glennon Hospital Guild. More than twenty-five businesses gathered at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac honoring a 20% discount with the use of the Glennon Card. Proceeds from the 2025 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 Kendra Scott and the Glennon Set featuring Dmiya 2 Candle scents from Glow Candle 3 Glennon Card holders find Fall must-haves!

Bears Granola, sweet support for the Kids at Glennon 5 Statement jewelry from Bowood Lane

Holiday finds, Bella Chic style

Festive flair at Donnelly Interiors 8 JuJu B’s brings fun with a spirited twist

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. 2025 dates: December 1 and December 15

PRESENTED BY:

THANKS to the Development Board

President

Patrick M. Van Cleave

Past President

Benjamin M. Albers

Membership Chair

Kristyn Newbern

Public Relations Officer

Trent M. Gherardini

Young Friends Leader

Ryan F. Jennings

Secretary

Anna C. Heine

Board Members

Sam Adler

Drennan Bailey

Elizabeth Barrett

Adam Berge

Garrett J. Blair

Teresa E. Braeckel

Mary H. Castellano

Maura P. Corrigan

Adam L. Curland

Nicole M. Doeschot

Jason Emmanuel

Alex Fabry

Timothy K. Fagan

Michael Hamburg

Cory Hillmann

Jeff Hrbacek

Macey Kuelker

Zachary Lammers

Brian A. Lamping

Matthew D. Lang

Christopher R. Leonard

Mallory G. Lewis

John J. Marino

Jack Martin

Dominic Martinez

Julia Masetti

Brian McGeehon

Evan McGinnis

Matthew Mehner

Jeffrey J. Meyers

Adam Morgenthaler

Joseph T. Neely

Serafina A. Nicolais

Ryan Niemann

Nic Perez

Luke A. Pope

Kristen S. Revis

Samantha Sagakhaneh

Matthew J. Sartori

Anna Shaver

Whitney Shurtleff

Parker Stewart

Joseph E. Stroot

Evan M. Sullivan

Tracey A. Swabby

John Vitale

Stephen Wagner

Brandon Wappelhorst

Benjamin T. Warning

Truman Webb

Katherine Wright

Development Board

The SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Development Board plays a vital role in advancing our Mission, bringing energy, generosity and community leadership to everything they do. Two annual events especially highlight their commitment: the Glennon Golf Classic and the Glennon Gallop.

At the Glennon Golf Classic, hosted at Columbia Golf Club in Illinois, Development Board members welcome golfers, sponsor teams and volunteer to ensure a fun and successful day. The tournament raises essential funds for our Music Therapy Program, helping patients find joy, comfort and healing through music.

At Glennon Gallop, held at the August Busch Polo Club, Development Board members join in the excitement of both the VIP Celebration and the lively Field-Side Party. This event benefits The Danis Pediatric Center, which provides comprehensive care for thousands of children each year. We are deeply grateful to our Development Board for their dedication, spirit and hands-on involvement. Their leadership ensures these cherished traditions not only bring people together, but also directly support the children and families who need Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital the most.

Development Board members attending Glennon LIVE event

Glennon Gallop Field-Side Party

Lily and Michael 2025 CMN Ambassadors

“Iwasborn with a broken heart, but Cardinal Glennon fixed it, so it is not broken in half anymore,” says Lily Ward. “It is a happy heart.” Lily was born with seven heart defects, along with a diaphragmatic hernia and an omphalocele, both meaning that some of her abdominal organs had developed outside of her body.

“She has had three surgeries, two that were major when she was a baby,” says her mother, Sara Ward. “She had another surgery last year to close her gastrostomy tube,

“I was born with a broken heart, but Cardinal Glennon fixed it, so it is not broken in half anymore...”

and she will need another intervention for her heart sometime in the future. We are hoping that she won’t need another full openheart surgery, and it can be done in the cardiac catheterization lab at Cardinal Glennon.”

Lily is one of the Miracle Ambassadors representing SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of Greater St. Louis (CMN-STL) in 2025.

CMN-STL is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Since 1988, CMN-STL has raised more than $65 million to help the hospitals acquire new programs, equipment and facility renovations that benefit area kids.

Lily receiving an echocardiogram

Lily MIchael

Lily was a patient at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon before she was born. Routine ultrasound scans had indicated that Lily’s heart was developing abnormally, so Ward began visiting the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute (FCI) where fetal and cardiac specialists could plan for Lily’s birth and subsequent care. The FCI was founded with support from CMN-STL.

Lily was born at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis and then transferred to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s neonatal intensive care unit. At 4 months old, she underwent open-heart surgery. A week later she went home, still being fed through a G-tube.

Now a 7-year-old first grader, Lily has no restrictions on her activities. “She does gymnastics and swim lessons and loves riding her scooter,” Ward says. “She used to be incredibly scared of the hospital. We go to yearly appointments now, and she can walk in with a smile. She is very good about anything the doctors or nurses need to do. She is learning to read and has an unstoppable love for anything covered in cheese.”

Greeting the sculptures outside the Hospital also has become a tradition for Lily. “Every time we visit, we say ‘hello’ to the giraffe and sometimes take a picture,” her mother says.

According to her mother, Lily used to be incredibly shy, but now she loves being a Miracle Ambassador. “She loves the attention,” says Ward. “It has been a very positive experience for our family to be a CMN Ambassador for Cardinal Glennon. Looking at her now, it’s hard to believe how much she has overcome. We are endlessly grateful for the doctors, nurses and staff at Cardinal Glennon.”

She adds, “Because of them we get to watch Lily grow, learn and live life to the fullest.”

Michael Loness

Michael Loness also is a Miracle Ambassador this year. Within six hours after he was born with barely functional kidneys, Michael was transferred to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. “He was immediately prepared to start kidney dialysis,” remembers his mother, Sarah Abernathy. “He received dialysis in the hospital until he was able to go home for the first time just before he turned 4 months old.”

Doctors determined that Michael required a kidney transplant but would need to undergo dialysis until he grew to 22 pounds, large enough to hold a donor kidney. He received a kidney on January 17, 2018; it was his 11th surgical procedure.

Today, his mother says, “He is seven-and-a-half years posttransplant and is a pretty typical 9-year-old boy. He has some

“He is seven-and-a-half years post-transplant and is a pretty typical 9-year-old boy...”

restrictions, like no contact sports, but there’s not much that prevents him from doing anything he wants to do. He likes basketball, throwing around a football and playing baseball in the yard with the neighbor kids. We are trying to get him into golf.”

“Transplant is not a cure, but it is a really awesome treatment,” Abernathy says. “We’re still at the hospital a lot for monthly lab work. We’re frequent flyers — even the security staff recognizes us and is like, ‘Hey Michael!’ when we come in.” Michael has become comfortable with the attention he receives at CMN-STL events. “Initially he was overwhelmed, then ended up having fun because one of his little good kidney friends also is an ambassador,” Abernathy says. “Children’s Miracle Network has always contributed to helping make hospital stays more pleasant for kids in the hospital,” she continues. “Because of donations to CMN, there are playrooms, therapy dogs, playgrounds and other things. If we didn’t have those, life would be more depressing for kids in the hospital. They are kids and need to be kids.”

Michael during a recent hospital stay

Glennon Friends

Virginia Herrmann, MD

For more than a decade, Virginia “Ginny” Herrmann, MD, quietly embraced the often-difficult journey that children and families face when dealing with life-threatening or lifelong illnesses. The renowned breast cancer surgeon — who served on the faculty of both Saint Louis University and Washington University — was a strong supporter of the Footprints℠ Program for palliative care at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital before passing away at the age of 73 following a two-year battle with cancer.

“She had a very special place in her heart for children and animals because of their innocence and because they don’t necessarily understand what’s happening or why,” notes her niece, Samantha Herrmann. “This is why FootprintsSM and Cardinal Glennon were so important to her.”

Dr. Herrmann earned her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine and, after completing a fellowship in surgical nutrition at Harvard University, returned to Saint Louis University to serve as director of nutrition support services and director of home health services before becoming codirector of the breast cancer program. A devout animal lover with multiple dogs that she loved as family, Dr. Herrmann also served on the board of the Saint Louis Zoo.

Along the way, she encouraged and supported women in leadership roles. “She

was the first female president of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition,” says Mayo Clinic endocrinologist Molly McMahon, MD, a long-time friend. “She was a mentor for female surgeons and was loved by colleagues and patients, all of whom admired her for her expertise, compassion and listening skills.”

When SSM Health Cardinal Glennon renovated its inpatient pediatric cancer unit, Dr. Herrmann made a generous contribution and continued to support the cancer

program and Footprints™ even during her own battle with cancer.

The heart of her generous spirit was her devotion to her Catholic faith. An active member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, she supported its St. Ambrose Society with both time and talents. “It was an outreach program for the poor, providing food and clothing,” says Dr. McMahon. “She always said the food was delicious and healthy, and she loved serving the food.”

“She always talked about how dedicated the volunteers were to providing meals that were nutritious and nurturing,” adds Samantha Herrmann. “She even sent me the recipe for the meatballs they would often make, and they are delicious!”

She adds, “Aunt Ginny was an incredible aunt, friend and mentor. I will never have the words to accurately describe how beautiful her heart was, how her sense of humor brought people together or how inspiring she was throughout her life.”

Virginia Herrmann, MD

Serving as a member of the St. Ambrose Society was Dr. Herrmann's passion

Dr. Hermann with her niece Samantha and nephew Dustin

Why I Give »

“We give to Cardinal Glennon because it feels good to play a small role in ensuring that St. Louis children have access to world-class medical care, regardless of their circumstances. Since we began supporting Cardinal Glennon in 2018, we have been blessed with six healthy grandchildren, which makes our giving even more meaningful. To quote our favorite band, The Dave Matthews Band, ‘When you give, you begin to live.’”

Margaret and Tim Barrett

“I support Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital to honor the memory of my mother, Sharon Malpiedi, one of the original nurses at the hospital’s opening in the late 1950s. Today the role that the hospital plays in the St. Louis community is more vital than ever. And today my mom’s legacy lives on in the work that my sister Judy and nieces, Alison, Emily and Madeline, all contribute as nurses dedicated to extraordinary care at SSM [Health] Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.”

John Malpiedi

SPOTLIGHT KENDRA SCOTT

Yachts to Sea Boatload of Toys

What began as a heartfelt response to a family emergency has grown into a beloved annual tradition. Several years ago, a close family member of the Yachts to Sea team was admitted to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital following a serious accident. The compassion and care shown by hospital staff left a lasting impression and planted the seed for something special.

That seed became “Boatload of Toys,” an annual toy drive hosted by Yachts to Sea. Each year, the team

rallies customers, staff and community members to fill a literal boat — parked right in their showroom — with new, unwrapped toys. In 2024 alone, the effort collected approximately 1,100 toys and monetary donations totaling nearly $20,000 in value. “There’s something about boating that connects people,” a team member shares.

“It’s not just about giving toys, it’s about letting the children know they’re not alone and that people care.”

Though Yachts to Sea specializes in luxury boats, they say their favorite delivery of the year is bringing the Boatload of Toys to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Their commitment to giving back reflects the same spirit of connection and care that defines the boating community and the hospital they proudly support.

Yaya the Sheep Book Donations

Mother’s Day 2020 was unlike any other for Cheryl Cheatham of Marine, IL. Due to the pandemic, she hadn’t been able to hug her children or granddaughters, and the sadness weighed heavily. On her way home that day, Cheatham passed a Poor Boy Portable Buildings store near Hamel, IL, where a small metal sheep caught her eye — again. But this time, something felt different. “Buy me and I will change your life,” the sheep seemed to say.

She brought the sheep home, placed it in her flower bed and named him Perry. To stay connected with her granddaughters during the pandemic, Cheatham began drawing daily pictures of Perry and other animal friends. After 100 drawings, one granddaughter said, “Yaya, I think you should make a book.”

Since then, Cheatham has created 45 characters and published 13 children’s books, including picture books, coloring books and activity books, all hand-drawn and award winning. For every book sold, Cheatham donates a copy to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Mid-America Transplant, schools and libraries. More than 1,800 books have been donated so far. Cheatham’s favorite memories include bringing her granddaughters along to donate them. “We talk about why we’re doing this and how important it is to help,” she says. Her motivation is simple. “There’s no shortage of sick children who need a smile. If a book can make their day a little less scary, it’s worth everything.”

Cheryl Cheatham with her three granddaughters, Riley, Lizzie and Ellie

“Boatload of Toys,” is an annual toy drive hosted by Yachts to Sea

GiFT: Giving is a Family Tradition

The partnership between Giving is a Family Tradition (GiFT) and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is a powerful example of how community support can transform the health care experience for families in crisis. Founded by a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, GiFT is dedicated to supporting families with critically ill newborns, especially during the difficult transition from hospital to home.

GiFT’s mission is to empower NICU families by fostering resilience, hope and healing during and after the NICU journey. Through education, donations of critical infant care supplies and community-building, GiFT works to improve family health outcomes and reduce infant mortality in the greater St. Louis area.

At Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, this mission

comes to life through tangible relief for families facing emotional and financial strain. GiFT provides customized care packages filled with newborn necessities and emotional support resources. These efforts ensure that no family leaves the NICU feeling alone or unprepared.

By addressing gaps in postdischarge care, GiFT empowers families to focus on healing and bonding, rather than logistics and expenses. The collaboration with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon not only enhances patient outcomes but also reinforces a culture of holistic, family-centered care.

Together, GiFT and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon are transforming moments of vulnerability into opportunities for hope and resilience — one family at a time.

To learn more about GiFT and how they empower NICU families, visit givingisafamilytradition.org.

June Jessee Memorial Foundation

Inspired by the courage of June Jessee, a young girl who faced life-limiting neurological conditions without a clear diagnosis, the June Jessee Memorial Foundation (JJMF) was created to support families navigating similar paths. JJMF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping children with complex neurological conditions and their caregivers by addressing families’ physical, emotional and financial needs.

While no two journeys are alike, JJMF understands the shared challenges these families face. Many of them include patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, where JJMF provides care packages to families in the neurology and pediatric intensive care units.

“When families first arrive at the hospital with new symptoms, it can be frightening and isolating,” a JJMF team member shares. “Our care packages are a way to say, “You’re not alone.”

“The staff is always so kind and gracious,” they continue, "It’s a joy to connect with people who share our mission of supporting children and families, and that is why deliveries to Cardinal Glennon is memorable.”

Giving back means more than providing resources — it’s about building community.

“We hope families feel seen and supported, even if we never meet face to face. JJMF is here when they’re ready.”

Year after year, JJMF remains motivated by the children and caregivers they serve. Whether through financial assistance, community events or a simple act of kindness, their goal is clear: Make life a little easier for families raising children with complex neurological conditions.

June Jessee Memorial Foundation delivers care packages

Gwendolyn’s Gifts Smile Bags

Gwendolyn Marie

Kramer was born

Sept. 23, 2014, a beautiful 6 lb., 12 oz. baby girl, but she was later diagnosed with a rare, progressive neurological condition. Gwen’s life was filled with love, sunshine and strength. She passed away peacefully in May 2023, but her legacy lives on through Gwendolyn’s Gifts, a not-for-profit founded by her parents, Erin and Mark Kramer. What began as a mission to make Gwen smile every day has grown into a powerful source of support for families with children in palliative and hospice care throughout the St. Louis region.

Gwendolyn’s Gifts provides “Smile Bags,” grocery and gas

cards, assistance with household bills, and funeral support to offer moments of light during life’s darkest times.

The Kramers’ connection to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital runs deep. “We’re so fortunate to have incredible pediatric care in our community,” says Erin Kramer. “Giving back is my personal medicine. It allows me to say Gwen’s name and love her legacy.”

Erin Kramer’s most meaningful moments include collaborating with the Footprints℠ and Complex Medical Care programs and speaking to students at Saint Louis University School of Medicine about compassionate care. “We walk this journey, so we know how to serve others walking a similar path,” she says. Motivated by Gwen’s enduring spirit, Gwendolyn’s Gifts continues to bring hope and healing, one smile at a time.

Ways to Give

Gwendolyn Marie Kramer

Leonard A. Woker

According to those who knew him, Leonard A. Woker was not a merchant who threw his coins into a pot to hear them clink but was humble in his generosity. Guided by a strong faith, the devout Catholic used his wealth to help others in the most meaningful ways possible, including generous bequests to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Woker grew up in St. Louis and, after graduating from high school, was drafted by the U.S. Navy where he served on three different Navy ships in two different conflicts — World War II and the Korean War. After serving his country, Woker returned to St. Louis to earn his engineering degree from Saint

Louis University. In 1949, Woker joined Texaco where he spent his entire career working as a geophysicist for the oil company’s operations in North and South America and West Africa.

According to his nephew, Allen Hampton, Woker enjoyed travel and photography, but he cherished his faith. Woker, who died in 2024 at the age of 101, gave unselfishly to the various Catholic parishes where he worshipped, donating to Saint Louis University, the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Jesuits of the USA Central and Southern Province. He also supported area food banks and other Catholic charities.

Woker helped pay for his eight nieces and nephews to attend college, and he provided for his two sisters when they required nursing home care. When Woker moved into a nursing home himself, Hampton says he attended Catholic Mass as often as he was able. “He

gave generously of his time, talent and money,” says Hampton. “It was his way of celebrating and propagating his faith.”

Mended Little Hearts® Bravery Bags

More than a decade ago, a personal journey led Paula Carr to a lifelong mission of support and advocacy. After her son was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and underwent three major surgeries, she knew she wanted to help other families facing similar challenges. Today, her son is thriving at age 25, and her passion for giving back is stronger than ever.

Now serving as the regional leader of Mended Little Hearts® of Southern Illinois and St. Louis, Carr coordinates the creation and delivery of “Bravery Bags” to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and other local facilities. These bags are filled with comfort items and essentials designed to support children

with congenital heart defects and their families during hospital stays.

“The first time I dropped off the bags, my heart exploded with compassion,” Carr says. “I just knew this was what I was destined to do.”

Mended Little Hearts® is a national not-for-profit organization that provides peer support, education and resources to families affected by congenital heart disease. Through her leadership, the local chapter continues to bring hope and comfort to families in need.

Her motivation is simple: “I want parents and children to have something that helps them feel seen, supported and a little less alone.”

Leonard A. Woker

Woker with his sisters, Wilma Hampton (left) and Celeste Lambing on Saint Louis University's campus

Woker's 8th grade graduation class from Our Lady of Sorrows. Woker is the second student on the left in the second row

Where Are They Now?

Kaja Horton, RN / THEN: Neurology Patient now Emergency Department Nurse

Each time Kaja Horton visited SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital for her CT scans and MRIs — and there were many — she looked forward to the little notes the radiologic technologist handed her when she finished.

“Sometimes the note had a smiley face,” she recalls. “Sometimes the note said, ‘Awesome job’ or ‘You did a fantastic job on your pictures today,’ or ‘Have a good day.’ They got down on my level to explain things, so I was never fearful. It felt like a warm place to be.”

At age 2, Horton was diagnosed with a condition that required surgery to place a shunt in her brain, which would drain fluid to other areas of the body where it could be absorbed. Horton had shunt revision surgery at age 18 after hitting her head during a soccer game. Her condition required regular scans to check the functionality of her shunt. Now 24 years old, Horton had her final scans at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital a year ago. She received a note from the technologist saying she did a great job.

The care Horton received inspired her to become a health care provider and to work at the Hospital. When she graduated from nursing school in 2023, Horton only applied to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Horton is now a nurse in the emergency department where she crosses paths with members of the neurology team that took care of her for more than 20 years, including Joanna M. Kemp, MD, and Anne Gildehaus, APRN, CPNP-AC.

“They walked alongside my story, helping me by making sure I was safe and healthy enough to go home and function,” Horton says. “When I see neurology patients come through the emergency room with shunt malfunctions, I know the signs and symptoms, and I want to help these kids and all other kids in the way I was helped.”

Horton also says that seeing the care her younger brother, Kaiden, received at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital emboldened her desire to become part of the Hospital family. Kaiden had cardiac issues that required several hospital stays and

surgeries. “I witnessed one of his first seizures when I was about 7 years old,” Horton says. “I watched the nurses and doctors take care of him and our family. It was my path to do the same.”

In her encounters, both as a patient and employee, Horton says she feels SSM Health Cardinal Glennon providers are true to the Hospital’s mission of revealing the presence of God through compassionate care.

“That’s what makes Cardinal Glennon stand out,” says Horton. “Health care is more than medicine. I know it wasn’t just the doctors and nurses walking alongside me and my brother. It was the healing power of God. Working here is a way I get to show the work that God is doing through me.”

Horton says her shunt continues to function well, and she remains healthy. She hopes to earn her master’s degree in health administration so she can have an even greater impact on the care of patients at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon and beyond.

Glennon

Volume 44

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

Brian C. Behrens

Tony Berg

Cheryl C. Boushka

Phillip C. Boyd

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

Amanda Fritz

Mark J. Fronmuller

Kristin J. Guehlstorf

Shawn Hagan

John F. Herber Jr.

Thomas E. Hilton

Nicole Holland-Hong

Susan 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

Mark E. Stallion

Kelvin J. Taylor Sr.

Linda K. Tracy

Sumit Verma

Kevin L. Williams

William F. Lueckenhoff Chairman, Knights of Columbus Board of Visitors

Jacqueline H. Paletta Co-President, Glennon Guild

Patrick M. Van Cleave President, Development Board

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

Since our very beginning, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon has flourished because of a community who believed that all children deserved to receive the most exceptional health care, regardless of who they are or where they come from. Today, we continue that legacy thanks to friends like you.

This issue of Glennon magazine highlights many of the ways that philanthropy touches every corner of the Hospital, from the tiniest babies in the neonatal intensive care unit to former patients coming back “home” to work at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital as adults!

None of this is possible without you.

As 2025 draws to a close, we are even more steadfast in our resolve to provide the very best care available for our region’s children. It is because of your generosity that we remain committed to our Mission: Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Sandy Koller President

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation

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

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