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R anken JoRdan PediatRic BRidge HosPital
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By Robyn Dexter | Photos by Sarah Conard
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vid Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital supporters will be able to see the organization’s mission in action at this year’s annual golf tournament. On July 25 at Norwood Hills Country Club, golfers from around the St. Louis region, along with Ranken Jordan kids, will assemble for the 12th annual event. The Ranken Jordan participants, members of the hospital’s golf-as-therapy program, will have the chance to show off what they’ve been working on and play alongside a variety of other St. Louis golfers. The hospital’s community program is an outlet for children of all abilities and their families, and the golf program is designed to focus on the physical, social and emotional benefits children can receive through participating in a sport. They practice each week on Wednesdays, learning from golf pros. “We’re starting off with a ceremonial tee shot for differing abilities,” says Ranken Jordan CEO Lauri Tanner. “This golf tournament helps all of our participants see the work we do, whether they’re in a walker or a wheelchair or a specially made golf cart. We start the day off knowing why we’re there. We’re motivated by these kids who do so well.” Tanner says the golf tournament is a fun event to spend with friends, taking “some good golf shots and some bad golf shots.” She notes that the committee is working incredibly hard to make it a success, and they will again feature Tom Ackerman as master of ceremonies. One of this year’s participants, an outpatient at Ranken Jordan named
14 June 3, 2016 | LadueNews.com
May, has what Tanner calls a “tremendous spirit” and loves playing golf and being outside. “The beautiful part of her story is that because of her new love of the game, her parents have gotten involved, too, so they can play as a family,” Tanner says. “[May] is a great example of what we try to do here every day.” Funds raised from the golf tournament go toward programming at the hospital, where $1.5 million a year is necessary to meet its budget and take care of the kids. “We are a one-of-a-kind hospital in the country because we transition kids from hospital to home,” Tanner says. “These are the sickest kids in the system. We are that place where they can go to get better and get strong. Parents get support and training to get their child home.” Despite the constant need, the hospital has some exciting months ahead. On October 1, it plans to break ground on a 26-bed addition. “There’s a huge need,” Tanner says. “We’re full. We have patients who are ready to come here.” Tanner says they expect the building process to take 15 months, and they expect to be operational by early February 2018.
Visit rankenjordan.org or call 314-872-6512 for more information.