Thomas Aceto Jr., M.D., former chair of pediatrics at Saint Louis University and former pediatrician-in-chief at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center,
died on Monday, January 26, at his home in Dallas. He was 79.
Aceto served as the chair of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine from 1980-1990, a time marked by tremendous growth.
"Dr. Aceto's chairmanship was important here," said Robert Wilmott, M.D., chair of pediatrics at Saint Louis University. "Pediatrics was becoming increasingly subspecialized at the time. Dr. Aceto oversaw the first significant expansion of the department's full-time faculty, which lead to a number of specialties. Under his guidance, the hospital grew into what would become a nationally-recognized children's hospital with academic faculty that were doing full-time teaching, clinical care and research. It was quite an evolution."
Aceto's other lasting contributions to Saint Louis University and Cardinal Glennon include the development of the Pediatric Research Institute in 1981 and the introduction of developmental pediatrics at Cardinal Glennon. The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center, which opened in 1982 with the support of Knights in Missouri and Illinois, continues to treat children with conditions such as mental retardation, neuorological disorders, learning disabilities and autism.
"Tom was the nicest guy you'd ever meet, and he was very dedicated to children and to the development and support of our younger faculty members," said Dennis O'Connor, M.D., professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University and a Cardinal Glennon pediatrician, who was acting chairman of pediatrics when Aceto was recruited for the position.
"He markedly expanded the number of physicians at Cardinal Glennon and in particular brought about the beginning of modern neonatology and pediatric intensive care at our hospital, with his recruitment of Drs. Bill Keenan and Bob Lynch," O'Connor said.
Thousands of children with complex endocrine disorders benefited from his meticulous attention to diagnosis and thus proper treatment, according to O'Connor. Aceto also was known for his extensive research on growth hormone replacement, which led to better understanding of the physiology of growth and therapy of those children with growth disorders.
Throughout his career, Aceto remained committed to teaching medical students, residents and colleagues.
"Tom will be missed for his kind attention to individuals in all walks of life around the hospital, especially the medical students and residents," said Keenan, professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University and director of neonatology at Cardinal Glennon. "He was very interested in students and faculty development. His department rounds, which he held nearly every day, were inclusive of trainees and colleagues in other departments and became known as great social and educational events."
But, according to O'Connor, Aceto will best be remembered for his unwavering advocacy for the right of children to be safe, educated, healthy, happy and loved, as well as his belief that we need to protect and enhance the planet on which they will live.
"Tom was driven, a word used deliberately, to create a world for all children that he wished for his own," O'Connor said.
Aceto is survived by his loving wife, Arne, and by two daughters, all of whom are doctors. Susanna is a practicing dentist in Dallas and Friederika is a Ph.D. psychologist in California. One daughter, Caterina, preceded Aceto in death.
Funeral arrangements are being made in Dallas. A local memorial service also is planned for April.
-- St. Louis University News
Board of Governors Elects New Members
The Board of Governors of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation has elected Dana Beffa, the Honorable Gerald B. Cohn and Jeffry N. Quinn to three-year terms.
Beffa is vice president of employee benefits for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Cohn is a retired U.S. Magistrate Judge for the state of Illinois. Quinn is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Solutia Inc.
Glennon Security Leader Encourages Holiday Safety
The holiday season is a time of giving. Unfortunately it also can be a time of taking. Cardinal Glennon Security Team Leader Rick Hubbard encourages employees to take precautions year-round, but said that public places tend to see an increase in theft during the holiday months.
Smart Shopping
When doing holiday shopping, lock packages in the trunk after leaving the store. Don’t wait until you get to work to move them out of sight. Visible items in the back seat or on the floor make your car a more likely target for theft. “It takes 30 seconds for someone to break into your car and steal your belongings, but it only takes 20 seconds to lock those belongings in your trunk,” Hubbard said.
What's Your Car Saying?
Portable GPS systems are popular, but when you put the unit in your glove box, remember to remove the unit’s suction cup from your windshield as well. The suction cup advertises to a potential thief that you have a unit in your car.
Comment Cents
Leave large amounts of cash and other valuables at home, and remember to lock any personal items you do bring to work in a desk, locker or office. Even a trip down the hall gives someone the few seconds they need to come in your office and look around. “One thing I tell employees is if you don’t need it, don’t bring it to work,” Hubbard says.
Additional Safety Tips
It’s getting dark earlier, so be safe when going to and from parking lots. Ride the shuttle or walk with a group. If you walk, be aware of your surroundings at all times, watch for traffic, and keep your cell phone and car key handy.
Glennon Patient Enjoys Virtual Birthday Party
Glennon patient Jeremy Courtois had a “virtually” perfect sixth birthday celebration with his classmates.
“We miss you, Jeremy!” exclaimed the kindergarten class at Hancock Elementary School in Lemay as it celebrated a virtual birthday with
classmate Jeremy Courtois. Thanks to videoconferencing technology, Jeremy shared his sixth birthday with friends and teachers on November 14.
Jeremy is recovering at home after his fourth open-heart surgery, performed on October 29 by Cardinal Glennon cardiothoracic surgeon Andrew Fiore, M.D.The class enjoyed cookie cake and ice cream at their desks while Jeremy ate his birthday treats at home. “He has the same ice cream we do,” said one of the students, intrigued by the technology. “How did they mail it to him?”
Jeremy’s videoconference birthday party was made possible by the Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis, a local nonprofit educational agency that provides technology and equipment to schools in need.
“We are all just so excited about being able to do this for Jeremy,” said Katie Wilber, Jeremy’s teacher. “My students write in their journals about him every day. They ask about him all the time.”
Jeremy is showing signs of full recovery and is expected to return to school in early December. His classmates are eager to see him again.
“How are you feeling Jeremy?” the class asked in unison.
“Better. My heart’s fixed,” said Jeremy with a smile.
The Caring School Community program also helped connect Jeremy with his classmates. CSC is a nationally recognized elementary school program that focuses on building a classroom and student community.
“This program makes everyone feel involved at school,” said Assistant Principal Mike Dittrich. “Today we want Jeremy to know that he is part of this class.”
“He’s my best friend,” said Meho Zukic, 5. “When he comes back, I’m going to hug him!”
Decontamination Unit Introduced at Glennon
Jim Lehmann, hazardous materials decontamination team lead, shows employees how to use the Decon Trailer.
Twenty minutes. If a chemical disaster occurs, that’s how quickly the Cardinal Glennon decontamination team can set up a new decontamination
trailer and begin cleaning victims.The trailer, which was displayed November 19, is one of two at Saint Louis University Hospital that is available to SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in the event of emergencies. It has three portals for victim decontamination.
“This trailer is a regional asset for us,” said Jim Lehmann, hazardous materials decontamination team lead. “The increased capacity will allow us to help about 100 people in the course of an hour.”
Inside each of the three doorways are curtains with printed instructions showing users what to do. In the first section, they undress and put clothing into a bag.
In the second section, they clean off with a water and soap shower then rinse with a separate water shower.
Finally, they put on new clothes in the third section. Heavy yellow curtains ensure complete privacy for each user. There’s even a ramp and roller table for patients that need to be moved through on a back board.
A generator provides light and heat to the unit. A tankless water heater ensures that each victim has a warm shower as well.
The trailer is available to any hospital in the St. Louis area. It is stored and maintained by the building services staff at SLUH.
Glennon Nurse's Presentation Earns First Prize at International Conference
A poster presentation by Cardinal Glennon ENT nurse Barb Mossman was awarded first prize at the Society of Otorhinolaryngology Head-Neck Nurses International Conference in Chicago. The presentation described the treatment of children with eczema and was based on an ongoing study by Tom Donovan, M.D., and Elaine Siegfried, M.D., of the divisions of otolaryngology and dermatology at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. The presentation was titled, “Does Treatment of Upper Airway Infections Improve Severity of Atopic Dermatitis in Children?”
“I was in total shock when they told me I won,” Mossman said. “It was amazing at the meeting how much interest there was in this idea. People were really surprised at the results.”
More than 500 nurses attended the conference in Chicago. Mossman has been a member of SOHN for 20 years and recently finished a two-year term on its government relations committee.
Cardinals For Kids!
Catch a St. Louis Cardinals game and support the kids at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center!
The annual Missouri/Illinois Knights of Columbus Family Baseball Outing is Sunday, August 24, at 1:15 p.m. The Cardinals will take on the Atlanta Braves.
Tickets are $32, with $4 of each ticket benefitting Glennon.
To order tickets, please call the Board of Governors at (314) 577-5605 before July 31.
A Secret Weapon Against Mosquito Bites
It is mosquito season across the United States. Ken Haller, M.D., of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, told the Webster-Kirkwood Journal about an insect bite cure he carries on bicycle rides – roll-on antiperspirant.
A nurse told Haller years ago that a dab of deodorant on a bite eases the pain of the sting. “The aluminum salts in the antiperspirant help the body absorb the fluid in the bug bite. The swelling goes down and the itching stops,” he said.
The body’s immune response to a sting can be more painful than the sting itself, he said.
The complete story can be seen at this link: Complete Story
Cholesterol Drugs Recommended for Children
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that some children be administered cholesterol-lowering drugs to reduce the risks of future heart disease. The academy also recommends cholesterol screening for children who are overweight or come from families with histories of heart disease.
Ken Haller, M.D., of the SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center staff, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he suggests cholesterol screening at least once a day for a child who is overweight.
He first advises the family to pursue diet and exercise as means of reducing the child’s weight, but said the new AAP guidelines will lead more pediatricians to prescribe medication. “If you get to the point where people are just not following directions – and there’s very little hope that they will – sometimes the medication is an imperfect solution to a very complex problem.”
The complete story can be seen at this link: Complete Story
Medical Staff News
Jan. 1 - Robert G. Flood, M.D., has been appointed director of the Division of Emergency Medicine at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and an associate professor of pediatrics by Saint Louis University School of Medicine. A graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine, he completed his residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and a fellowship in emergency medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. Flood came to St. Louis from Philadelphia, where he was director of pediatric emergency medicine and an associate professor at Temple University Children’s Medical Center.
Jan. 29 - Oscar A. Cruz, M.D., chairman of ophthalmology, has been appointed to the Missouri Children’s Vision Commission by Gov. Matt Blunt. The commission will develop standardized eye screening, training and reporting procedures for children attending the state’s school districts. The commission will conduct a pilot project before making a final report to the General Assembly in 2011.
Nov. 1 - Christina Mannix, M.D., has joined the Division of Critical Care Medicine and has been appointed assistant professor of pediatrics. She graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and completed her residency at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Va. She previously practiced pediatrics at the Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation in Cahokia.
Hailstone Appointed Executive Vice President
Jan. 21 - Sherlyn A. Hailstone has been named the executive vice president and chief operating officer of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. She had been president of SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles since 2005.
Hailstone succeeds John S. Dubis, who had held the position since 1998. Dubis has become executive vice president and president-designate of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center system in northern Kentucky.
Glennon ER Dedicated at St. Anthony’s
The Cardinal Glennon Pediatric Emergency Department at St. Anthony's Medical Center was opened Dec. 10. The department is located in a new building adjacent to the main St. Anthony’s emergency department in south St. Louis County.
The Glennon facility holds 11 treatment rooms, three “23-hour” observation rooms, one trauma room and one trauma/orthopedic procedure room that are equipped for the care of infants through adolescents. The building is decorated with bright colors and child-friendly features.
The emergency department is staffed by Cardinal Glennon pediatric emergency physicians. Glennon has provided specialized pediatric services at St. Anthony’s since 2003.
University Names New Dean of the School of Medicine
Jan. 28 - Saint Louis University has named Philip O. Alderson, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine, effective April 1. Alderson currently is the chairman of the department of radiology at Columbia University and director of radiology service at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia. He also is the James Picker Professor of Radiology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University.
A nuclear medicine physician and general diagnostic radiologist, Alderson will become the 12th dean
of Saint Louis University's School of Medicine.
Alderson earned his bachelor's and medical degrees from Washington University in St. Louis. He completed his residency in radiology and nuclear medicine at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University School of Medicine. Alderson has been a professor of radiology at the College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University since 1980. He has a special research interest in molecular imaging and disorders of the pulmonary vasculature.
Before joining Columbia University, Alderson was a faculty member from 1975 to 1980 at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, starting as a part-time instructor and completing his career there as an associate professor of radiology and environmental health sciences.
He served as a major in the U.S. Air Force, conducting research for the Defense Nuclear Agency at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute. Prior to that, Alderson was an instructor in radiology at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology in St. Louis.
Alderson currently is president of the American Board of Radiology, and prior to that was president of the American Roentgen Ray Society, the oldest radiology society in the United States. Alderson also served as a board member and officer of the Academy of Radiology Research, the organization that successfully lobbied for the creation of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, a new institute within the National Institutes of Health.
Alderson succeeds Patricia Monteleone, M.D., who is retiring after serving as dean for 14 years. Monteleone, one of the first women appointed to lead a U.S. medical school, has spent more than 50 years at Saint Louis University, starting as an undergraduate and including many years as a member of the medical staff of what then was called Cardinal Glennon Memorial Hospital for Children.
Glennon NF Clinic Joins National Network
Feb. 8 - The Neurofibromatosis Clinic at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center has joined a national network organized by the Children’s Tumor Foundation. This “Neurofibromatosis Affiliate Clinic” status recognizes Glennon’s high quality of care, patient service and research.
The clinic, led by neurologist Thomas Geller, M.D., was the first NF clinic in Missouri and is the only one in the state that provides patients with access to all needed specialists in one visit.
The clinic cares for patients with the three genetic disorders comprising neurofibromatosis – NF1, NF2 and Shwannomatosis. The disorders can cause tumors on nerves in the brain, spinal cord or other parts of the body. About 100,000 people in America have been diagnosed with NF.
The Clinical Care Advisory Board of the Children’s Tumor Foundation selected 21 hospitals and medical centers for listing as an affiliate clinic.
“Since our clinic was established in 1984, we’ve been providing the highest level of care for children,” said Lydia Johnson, nurse coordinator of the Glennon clinic. “This status will help families know we are following the national standards of care for NF. It will also make it easier for pediatricians to find us on the CTF web site.”
Glennon’s NF clinic includes specialists in audiology, otolaryngology, genetics, hematology/oncology, neurology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, psychology and social services. Referrals may be made to pulmonary medicine, gastroenterology and dentistry when needed.
St. Louis Cord Blood Bank Director Appointed to Federal Advisory Council
Feb. 22 -- Donna Regan, executive director of the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, has been appointed to a federal committee that will study and make recommendations on issues important to cord blood transplantation. She is the only Missourian on the council.
Regan and 22 other members will aid the Health & Human Services Advisory Council on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in determining an accreditation scheme for cord blood banks and means of increasing access to the number of cord blood units available for research. Regan will also advise the council about scientific factors that define quality in a cord blood product.
“I hope my service on the council will promote the benefits of cord blood so more lives are saved,” Regan said. “The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank has made a meaningful impact in healing the sick. I’m honored to share our experiences to advance the field in a reasonable way.”
The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, founded in 1996, stores more than 17,000 units of cord blood and has transported more than 1,300 units worldwide for transplant. The bank is one of the most active in the world. It has exported cord blood units to 175 transplant centers in 35 states and 23 countries. In 2007 the bank supplied cord blood for 158 transplants in the U.S. and 46 in other countries.
One decade ago, research was launched at Glennon’s Pediatric Research Institute to determine the effectiveness of cord blood stem cells as another option in cancer treatments once known as “bone marrow transplants.” About 70 percent of patients facing chemotherapy do not have an immune-matched relative who can donate bone marrow.
It was hoped that the hematopoietic stem cells found in umbilical cord blood might allow more children to tolerate the higher doses of chemotherapy required to thoroughly eradicate cancers and other blood-borne diseases. The stem cells then assist the body in forming new blood-making and immune-system cells.
Cord blood has been proven an extremely effective source of hematopoietic cells. Cord units have increased each patient’s likelihood of obtaining a suitable match for transplant.
The bank collects cord blood with the assistance of 28 area hospitals and 350 physicians. The cords are donated by parents after their babies are delivered.
Cord blood stem cells have been used primarily for treating pediatric patients, but new protocols are proving them effective in adult treatments as well. Some cord units donated to the bank do not contain sufficient volumes of cells to be useful in patient therapies and are designated for research use. These units are provided to research projects across the country that could lead to new stem cells treatments for Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses.
Hempstead Elected President of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Feb 27 -- Edward T. Hempstead, retired managing partner of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in St. Louis, has been elected president of the Board of Governors of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation.
Also elected to one-year terms were:
First Vice President -- Julian L. Carr Jr., partner and senior executive advisor of
Beecken Petty O’Keefe & Company of Chicago, Ill.
Second Vice President -- Marian V. Mehan, attorney with Lewis, Rice and Fingersh, L.C., of St. Louis.
Treasurer -- James G. Castellano, managing partner of Rubin Brown LLP of St. Louis.
Secretary -- Thomas E. Hilton, partner of Anders, Minkler & Diehl, LLP, of St. Louis.
Founded in 1956, SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center operates a 190-bed hospital and provides outpatient care at its main campus and 22 off-site locations across Missouri and Illinois. The center is owned and operated by SSM Health Care and is affiliated with the St. Louis University Schools of Medicine and Nursing and nine other educational institutions. Cardinal Glennon touches the lives of more than 350,000 children each year.
Costas Chair Endowed by Glennon Board of Governors
The Bob Costas Chair of Pediatric Medicine has been endowed by the Board of Governors of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. The endowment will enable the Foundation to recruit a renowned specialist in pediatric oncology or pediatric research to SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and the Department of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
The endowment honoring the renowned broadcaster was announced Saturday, April 19, at the 20th Annual Bob Costas Benefit at the Fox Theater in St. Louis. The event featured comedian Kathleen Madigan, rock group The Goo Goo Dolls and rock guitar legend Chuck Berry.
The endowment was announced by Allen D. Allred, a member of the Glennon board and planning committee chairman for Costas Benefits, which have raised more than $14 million for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.
“Cardinal Glennon has a true friend in Bob Costas, who has continued to humble us with his generosity over the years,” said Doug Ries, president of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. “This chair endowment in his name will allow us to expand our physician base and save the lives of even more children living with cancer and bleeding disorders.”
Costas is a long-time member of the Glennon Board of Governors. The hematology/oncology service at Glennon was named the Bob Costas Cancer Center in 1998. The center enables many treatments for cancer, immune disorders and blood-related diseases to be delivered on an out-patient basis at convenient hours, permitting children to maintain normal home and school activities while decreasing costs of care.
The Costas Center includes the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, which collects and banks cord blood stem cells donated by mothers who have given birth in the region. Cord blood units are successfully used as an alternative to bone marrow in transplants following chemotherapy for cancers, immune deficiencies and blood disorders. The bank is one of the largest sources of cord blood in the world and exports its products to patients around the globe.
Founded in 1956, SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center operates a 190-bed hospital and provides outpatient care at its main campus and 22 off-site locations across Missouri and Illinois. The center is owned and operated by SSM Health Care and is affiliated with the St. Louis University Schools of Medicine and Nursing and nine other educational institutions. Cardinal Glennon touches the lives of more than 350,000 children each year.
Family Centered Rounds: Moms and Dads Know Best
Cardinal Glennon’s Family Centered Rounds Include Parents in the Healing Process
Our doctors and nurses know that you can provide a wealth of knowledge when it comes to your children’s health history. That’s why SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center is moving toward family centered rounds, which means that when your child is in the hospital, the doctors and nurses will discuss his or her care with you, and seek your thoughts and advice. “There are benefits across the spectrum to this approach,” said Timothy Fete, MD, director of the Division of General Academic Pediatrics at Cardinal Glennon. “It allows you as the parent to actively participate in the daily care planning and discharge planning for your child, and it also allows you to supplement the information that the medical team has.” If you have questions about your child’s treatment, family centered rounds provide the perfect environment to get answers. In other hospitals using this method, patients are released from the hospital sooner, and parents say they feel more involved in their child’s care. Family centered rounding is beginning to take hold across the country, and Cardinal Glennon is proud to be part of the forward movement.
Pediatric Stone Center Addresses Growing Problem
Cardinal Glennon has launched the Midwest's first Pediatric Kidney Stone Center, addressing a painful problem that is increasingly common among young children.
Kidney stones are caused by diet, dehydration or genetic factors. Children are less likely to pass these stones because their bodies are smaller. The Pediatric Kidney Stone Center, headed by Urology Director Anand Paligiri, M.D., treats the stones and addresses the factors them to keep them from returning.
“Kids have a bright future ahead of them when we deal with and treat the stones early on,” Dr. Palagiri says. “Currently we offer state-of-the-art, minimally invasive techniques to remove stones, and we are in the process of developing new medication and treatment that will help the growing number of children with this metabolic condition. What we do now will impact them positively for the rest of their lives.”
In addition to Urology, the center calls on the expertise of Cardinal Glennon Nephrology and Nutrition Specialists. This multi-disciplinary approach allows patients to benefit from the full scope of medical insight available from the various specialties.
Call (314) 268-4020 to arrange an appointment.
RICHARD C. BARRY, M.D.
Richard C. Barry, M.D., died in his sleep at his home in Webster Groves on Saturday, April 26, 2008. Dr. Barry, 63, was co-director of the pediatric residency program and former director of emergency medicine at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center for three decades. He was a professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
Dr. Barry was known for his compassion in comforting children and his devotion to teaching. He greatly enjoyed teaching young doctors the tricks he had learned for districting and calming sick and injured children.
Dr. Barry, a native of New Jersey, earned his undergraduate degree at St. Peter's College in Jersey City, N.J. He came to St. Louis in 1967 to attend Saint Louis University School of Medicine and decided to enter pediatrics after his experiences at Glennon during his pediatric rotations as a medical student. “Of all the rotations, this one seemed to treat you more like a human being,” he said in an interview last year. “It got you involved. The teaching was great and the residents were great. There was a kind of community feeling.”
After serving as chief resident at Glennon in 1973-74, Dr. Barry spent two years in the U.S. Army and a year in private practice in New Jersey. He then was offered an opportunity to return to Glennon to work in the emergency department. “There was something about the people I worked with here,” he said. “It was very, very friendly. It was delightful to be able to come back.”
Dr. Barry stepped down last year from his long-held position as medical director of the Dan Dierdorf Emergency and Trauma Center at Glennon.
He worked in the emergency room Saturday. "The last day of his life was spent doing what he loved most — taking care of children and teaching others how to," said Faye Doerhoff, M.D., a colleague at Glennon.
As co-director of the pediatric residency program at Glennon and Saint Louis University, Dr. Barry oversaw the training of more than 500 doctors. He was named pediatrician of the year in 1996 by the St. Louis Pediatric Society.
Last year he said he found it deeply rewarding to guide young, nervous residents as they blossomed into capable pediatricians. “Some people make you wonder if they are ever going to make it through. They are all over the place, they’re dropping things, they’re asking, ‘What do I do now?’ By the third year they are just as smooth as can be. That is nice.”
Dr. Barry is survived by five brothers, Timothy Barry of Granger, Ind., Dennis Barry of West Belmar, N.J., David Barry of South Bend, Ind., John Barry of Lake Worth, Fla., and Christopher Barry of Woodridge, N.J.; and a sister, Barbara Herbert of Sea Girt, N.J.
A memorial service will at 4 p.m. on May 9 in the Grand Ballroom of Busch Student Center at 20 North Grand Boulevard on the Saint Louis University campus.
Pat Adamec Honored with Third Annual Ross Nursing Award
At SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center
Pat Adamec, R.N., a nurse in the Dana Brown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, was honored Wednesday (May 7) with the third annual Nancy Fedak Ross Exceptional Nursing Award.
Adamec, a nurse in the unit for 32 years, was recognized for contributions to many aspects of nursing care in the unit, particularly parent education in the skills needed to care for their children after discharge from the hospital.
“Pat is a dedicated nurse and an inspirational person,” said Lorraine Yehlen, R.N., B.S.N., M.A., vice president of patient care services. “Recently Pat served on the committee that planned the new NICU as well as implemented the move and transition to the new unit.
“Pat has been instrumental in the development of training of staff for the discharge process in the NICU. Her passion is evidenced by her work today. She is the patient/family advocate for the continuity of care through discharge and into the home. She truly values the education of our families both as inpatients and through follow-up care.”
Adamec was one of five award finalists who were honored at a Nursing Week reception. Also recognized were Becky Chambers, R.N., MSN, Transitional Care Unit; Patty Nash, R.N., NNP, NICU; Shelley Nibberich, R.N., Rehab Unit; and Karen Turner, R.N., Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
“Each nominee exhibits the traits of professional nursing that make Cardinal Glennon such a special place for children,” Yehlen said. “All were nominated by their peers. The award is based on specific projects they have completed and for being viewed as role models.”
The Exceptional Nursing Award is presented by Don Ross and his wife, Nancy Fedak Ross, who was a nurse at Glennon. She worked on 2 South, which then was a burn unit. She remained at Glennon for six years and advanced to assistant head nurse before leaving the hospital to raise three sons.
“I am thrilled to be with all of you during Nurses’ Week here at Cardinal Glennon to recognize all nurses and to present the Exceptional Nurse’s Award,” Mrs. Ross said. “In my opinion, you’re all winners, so I thank you all.”
“This is for every bedside nurse,” Adamec said as she held the award. “I have worked almost my entire career in this unit. I have the most responsible, beautiful people to work with. The support from one another is outstanding.
“Our goal is to try to help our families go home with the greatest skill that they could possibly have, to have our kids be cared for at home as well as they were cared for in the hospital. It means so much to the families we work with. Our faces will be with them forever.”
“This is a very special honor,” said Glennon President Doug Ries. “Nancy’s love of children was evident during her time here and she has continued to support children’s causes. She has been a phenomenal volunteer and is interested in so many community activities surrounding children. We are honored to have Nancy with us this afternoon to witness the presentation of the award that deservedly bears her name.”
Discussing Vaccines and Autism
The continuing controversy over links between vaccines and autism were discussed on KSDK-TV by Rolanda Maxim, M.D., medical director of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.
"According to multiple, peer-reviewed research studies published in very well-respected journals in the U.S., United Kingdom, Sweden and Denmark, there's no link between vaccinations and autism," she said. "There's no link between MMR vaccinations and autism. And there's no link between mercury compound vaccines like Thimerosal, that's included in some of the vaccines, and autism.
"We do suspect that (autism) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by abnormal brain development that happens early, even before the baby was born."
The complete story can be seen at ksdk.com
Dialysis Treats Shake Things Up
Nancy Lawson, RD, LD, sips
a nutritional shake with patient Ryan. "Fredbird Fizz" may sound like the name of a Busch Stadium snow cone or ice cream flavor, but it's actually something much more filling and much more close to home.
This high-calorie shake, made with low-phosphorus, low-potassium ingredients, was designed by a Cardinal Glennon clinical dietitian to help kidney dialysis patients gain weight. One Fredbird Fizz packs about 425 calories per 8-ounce serving.
"Patients on dialysis shouldn't have too much of the minerals phosphorus or potassium in their diets," said Nancy Lawson, RD, LD. "These shakes not only address their diet restrictions, but also provide them with a fun way to get the calories they need to grow and develop."
Executive Chef Tim Lanigan created the shakes based on patients' favorite baseball teams. In addition to the Fredbird Fizz, they also tried Bronx Bombers, because one patient is a huge Yankees fan. When it's time to guzzle, the room divides into girls vs. boys to see who can down their shakes fastest.
The shakes are just one way that Lawson continually assesses the intake of dialysis patients to make sure they are getting the nutrients they need to grow and stay strong.
Conference Room Honors Glennon Icon
Sr. Noreen McGowan, FSM, has been serving Cardinal Glennon since it opened in 1956. She has filled the hearts and minds of many Glennon employees, and now she has a room that will extend her legacy even further into the future. The ground floor Glennon Hall Conference Room will now be known as the Sr. Noreen McGowan Room. “Sr. Noreen has been an important member of the Glennon family since we opened our doors in 1956,” said Glennon President Doug Ries. “She’s a part of our living history, and we dedicate this room in her honor to ensure that she will be a part of our future for years to come.” Sr. Noreen was Glennon's first director of nursing and continues to contribute to daily operations today. Many nurses who studied under Sr. Noreen at Saint Louis University were touched by her enthusiasm and pursued careers in pediatrics. Employees are impressed by her vivid memory — Sr. Noreen remembers names of patients she treated more than 50 years ago. In addition, Cardinal Glennon’s annual nursing conference bears her name.
Glennon Welcomes New Pediatric Surgeon
Cardinal Glennon is pleased to welcome pediatric surgeon Tarun Kumar, M.D., to its staff.
Dr. Kumar comes to Cardinal Glennon from West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown, West Virginia. His surgical capabilities include general pediatric surgery, neonatal surgery, minimally invasive procedures (laparoscopic and thoracoscopic), urology procedures, trauma and same day surgery. Dr. Kumar has been appointed an assistant professor of surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
Glennon Brings Pediatric Surgery to St. Charles Kids
St. Joseph Medical Park Joins St. Anthony’s in Bringing Quality, Convenient Surgical Care to Families
Samantha Voepel of Lake St. Louis was a little nervous about her tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, but she and her mom were comforted by the staff and nurturing atmosphere of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center’s new Pediatric Surgery Center at SSM St. Joseph Medical Park.
Samantha, 16, a junior at Timberland High School, was Dr. John Park’s first patient on July 10 in the new Cardinal Glennon pediatric surgery center in St. Charles County. Convenience was the biggest factor for Samantha and her mom when they chose Cardinal Glennon’s new surgery center. They live just six miles from St. Joseph Medical Park.
“Samantha needed surgery right away, and we were able to get in much sooner here,” said Cindy Barry, Samantha’s mom. Cardinal Glennon also has a pediatric surgery center at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in South County, bringing trusted Glennon care to convenient locations throughout St. Louis.
“Our surgery centers bring convenience to the community, but they also add a measure of medical and nursing excellence,” says Susan Staub, executive director of Glennon Care for Kids. “At St. Joseph Medical Park, parents will find pediatric surgeons and pediatric anesthesiologists who are highly trained to work with children. Caring for children is at the center of everything we do.”
Dr. Park will perform ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeries every Thursday in the new center.
For more information on St. Joseph Medical Park, and all of Cardinal Glennon’s off-site locations, please visit www.cardinalglennon.com/closetohome.
Helicopter Parenting
They used to be called "overprotective" parents. Now popular culture has labeled them as "helicopter parents" who hover too closely overhead and smother their child's independence and growth.
As children grow, parents need to begin stepping back and allowing children to advocate for themselves, said Kenneth Haller, M.D., in an interview on KMOX-AM in St. Louis. "That's the only way kids will be able to learn the skills they'll need to take care of themselves when they become adults."
Dr. Haller's is a member of the division of general academic pediatrics at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's' Medical Center and an associate professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
He encouraged parents to remain a part of the growing child's life without hovering. "Questioning is not bad as long as parents are willing to listen and there is true dialogue. When it results in uncompromising demands, however, it can become a real barrier to the child's maturity and self-reliance."
Dr. Haller's discussion has been picked up by news media across the country. For more of his advice for parents, click on this link: http://www.kirotv.com/education/17163553/detail.html
New Genetic Test Will Improve Autism Diagnoses for Families
A new genetic test at Cardinal Glennon is helping physicians provide a greater number of definitive diagnoses to patients with autism and other developmental disorders. Cardinal Glennon is one of the first hospitals in St. Louis to provide Chromosomal Microarray Analysis, a method that allows cytogenetics technicians to look at a patient’s entire genome — all of his or her DNA — at a much higher resolution to find gene abnormalities.
“A huge benefit of the new technology is that it reduces anxiety for family members by improving the diagnosis and eliminating the wondering of ‘What’s wrong with my child?’” said Jacqueline Batanian, Ph.D., director of Molecular Cytogenetics. “In addition, Chromosomal Microarray Analysis will help the doctor to watch for and predict health problems that are associated with the child’s syndrome.”
By viewing the entire genome at a much higher resolution, physicians can make definitive diagnoses for up to 20 percent of patients with developmental disorders. Previously, only about 7 percent of suspected cases led to definitive diagnoses. “This test will lead to new and better therapies in the future to help even more children,” Dr. Batanian said.
Painting Pain Away: Art therapy intern helps patients pass the time in infusion clinic
Patients receiving infusions in Hall 4 of the emergency department at Glennon usually visit for several hours at a time, so a summer art therapy intern from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville has been a welcome distraction for them over the past few months. Rosemary Barnes, who has a degree in art and psychology and is pursuing her masters in art therapy counseling, said drawing and painting also provides patients with an outlet for their feelings and frustrations. “The reasons we draw are different,” Barnes said. “Sometimes it is to relieve stress or help change a problem, and other times it’s just to take a child’s mind off of things.”
Most of the drawing and coloring is spontaneous, but if kids have trouble getting started, Barnes encourages them to draw something fun they are going to do later in the day. Sometimes, they draw a favorite person, place or thing. The children’s art works done in water colors, glitter pens, paint and sponges are masterpieces in their own right. “The pictures are incredible, especially the stories behind them,” Barnes said. “Sometimes what the kids come up with is really amazing.”
Glennon Welcomes New Chair of Surgery
The Department of Pediatric Surgery welcomes the arrival of Dennis W. Vane, M.D., MBA, FACS, FAAP, who is the new surgeon-in-chief and the Eugene Lewis Jr., MD, Chair of Pediatric Surgery.
Dr. Vane joins Charles Andrus, M.D., FACS, and Tarun Kumar, M.D., in the department. He comes to Cardinal Glennon from his position as Surgeon-in-Chief at Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care (Burlington, Vt.), and as chairman of the Division of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Vermont.
“It is an honor and privilege to lead the surgical team at Cardinal Glennon,” Dr. Vane said. “I look forward to our team providing the community with state-of-the-art surgical expertise in the atmosphere of outstanding quality and caring that are synonymous with this institution.”
President Announces Transition to SSMHC Role
Ries Has Served 25 Years; Hailstone will assume role Oct. 6
Doug Ries, longtime president at Cardinal Glennon, has announced that he will transition from that role on Oct. 6. Ries, who has led Cardinal Glennon since 1983, will now serve as senior network executive for university affiliations with SSM Health Care - St. Louis.
“I feel honored to have served here as president for the past 25 years,” Ries said. “Cardinal Glennon, the employees who serve here, and the patients we care for will always hold a special place in my heart.”
In his new role, Ries will focus on creating and expanding non-pediatric relationships with academic health institutions.
Executive Vice President Sherlyn Hailstone will succeed Ries on Oct. 6. Prior to joining Cardinal Glennon in March 2008, Hailstone was president of SSM St. Joseph Health Center. “Doug’s legacy of leadership and vision is evident throughout Cardinal Glennon. When you consider all that the medical center has accomplished, it really puts into perspective the immense value of a strong leader,” Hailstone said. “I am excited to assume this new responsibility and plan to keep our mission vibrant and focused on enhancing medical services to our children and their families.”
Glennon Transport Team Responds to Hurricane Gustav
Respiratory therapist Carl Cook (from left), traveled from Spirit Airport to Lafayette, La., with transport nurses Dana Rolland and Terry Cuellar, and respiratory therapist Sandra Bates.
Cardinal Glennon is hundreds of miles away from Lafayette, La., but when four members of the Transport Team received a call Sept. 4 to help victims of hurricane Gustav, they met the challenge without question.
Flight nurses Terry Cuellar and Dana Rolland and respiratory therapists Sandra Bates and Carl Cook boarded an aircraft that night as part of a nationwide relief effort to help transport patients in the storm-affected communities.
“To put their families on hold like that was a really courageous thing to do,” said Karen Zahn, team leader for Transport Services. “Our employees got great experience in emergency management.”
While there, Rolland was paired with a paramedic from California and a pilot from Florida on an adult-equipped helicopter. Their mission was to pick up a 16-month old PICU patient and transport him from Shreveport to his home in Lake Charles.
“It’s not like working here, where you are in constant contact with Medical Control,” she said. “There, you had to make judgment calls in the air. The baby was very sensitive to the vent on the aircraft, and I didn’t have Carl (Cook) with me, so I ended up bagging him (manually pumping air to help him breathe) for more than an hour.”
The team stayed in a hotel crowded with evacuees and linemen, who were there to restore electricity. Hospitals were run on limited capacity, and the local Wal-Mart’s shelves were bare, Rolland said.
The nurses who traveled at a moment’s notice were not the only ones working overtime. Zahn said when Glennon got the call at 2 p.m. Sept. 4, transport nurses already at work helped pack and organize equipment for the others’ trip. The team was able to leave by 9 p.m. the same night. Air Methods, national organizer for the transplant teams, said it was the fastest deployment by a neonatal team they had ever seen.
“This is a lot of work for the people who were stayed back in St. Louis, too,” Rolland said. “They were just as important in this situation. There was a lot of extra call taken so we could continue to function at full capacity here.”
Glennon’s Health Care Heroes
Bucholz
Richard Bucholz, M.D., interim chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Cardinal Glennon, was among the St. Louis Business Journal’s 2008 Health Care Heroes winners.
Keenan
William Keenan, M.D., director of neonatal services at Cardinal Glennon, was a finalist in the physicians category. In addition, former Cardinal Glennon resident Akwi Asombang, M.D., was a finalist in the public policy category. Asombang is now chief resident in internal medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
They were among 20 St. Louis-area medical professionals recognized for outstanding professional accomplishments at the annual “Health Care Heroes” ceremony held by the St. Louis Business Journal in October. The heroes, described as “extraordinary folks who take an extra step to advance the field of knowledge or care for those in need,” were profiled in the October 3 issue of the newspaper.
Bucholz received the innovation award for his invention of computer-assisted, image-guided technology that helps neurosurgeons perform precise brain surgeries and improve patient outcomes.
The technology is less invasive and more efficient. Dr. Bucholz told the Business Journal that at least 50,000 people have been operated on with the help of his invention.
“It’s one of those things where my hobby and occupation are perfectly aligned,” he said in his award profile. “I see professional solutions through my hobby, and the two naturally feed off each other. To me, that’s the essence of keeping yourself engaged in your professional life.”
Asombang
Keenan was a finalist in the physician category for his pioneering efforts to improve neonatal resuscitation skills. He assisted in creation of a curriculum that teaches health care workers how to resuscitate newborns in distress. The Neonatal Resuscitation Program is used by nearly 2.4 million health care professionals in 106 countries. Since the program’s adoption, the death rate of babies has dropped 70 percent in the U.S. and 40 percent in China. The incidences of brain damage and other disabilities also have fallen.
Asombang was a finalist in public policy for helping Africans in St. Louis and across the globe. Born in Cameroon, Asombang is president of African Refugees and Immigrant Services (ARIS), a non-profit organization that helps African refugees transition to life in St. Louis.
Asombang also has started the Pan-African Organization for Health, Education & Research (POHER), which is building a community center in Zambia. She recently was honored by the Association of American Medical Colleges for her volunteer work.
The Glennon Guild and St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles
Present St. Louis’ Premiere Living Green Showhouse
With the combined efforts of fabulous sponsors and interior designers, the 2009 St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles Living Green Showhouse, benefiting SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medial Center, might just be the most successful green show house in the Midwest.
The house, built by Janssen Building & Development Corp. Inc. atop a hill on the picturesque grounds of Tapawingo Golf Course, will feature individual spaces transformed by some of the city’s most talented interior designers to showcase stylish interiors with an eco-friendly point of view. The house will be open to the public for tours beginning Saturday, October 18, and closing on Sunday, November 9. Proceeds will benefit pediatric resuscitation and life support training and equipment at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.
Visit www.stlouishomesmag.com and click the Living Green link to see photos of the Showhouse in progress.
The Living Green Showhouse
On the grounds at Tapawingo National Golf Course
13363 Maple Drive, Sunset Hills, Missouri 63127
(From Interstate 270, go west on Gravois west and make a right turn on West Watson before crossing the Meramec River. Then turn left into Tapawingo at Gary Player Drive and pass the clubhouse to the top of the hill. The house is on the left side of the street.)
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Tickets: $15
Available at Dierbergs, Plaza Frontenac and at the door.
For information, call 268-2700, ext 6101.
Special “Living Green” Events
Meet the designers and discuss their green inspirations.
Tuesday, October 28, 5 to 8 pm
Color/Safe: Inside & Out
Tuesday, November 4
Benjamin Moore, 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Summer Classics, 1:30 to 2 p.m.
Greenscape Gardens, 2 to 2:30 p.m.
Butler Durrell Security, 2:30 to 3 p.m.
Green Details
Wednesday, November 5
Halcyon Shades, 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Closet Factory, 1:30 to 2 p.m.
St. Louis Tile & Stone, 2 to 2:30 p.m.
Kohler, 2:30 to 3 p.m.
How to Make a Beautiful Bed
Williams-Sonoma Home
Thursday, November 6, 1 to 4 p.m.
SLHL Cooking School w/ Harvest
Thursday, November 6, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
$35 per person
RSVP by calling 314-542-0178, ext.30
The Design Therapy Session
Caryn Burstein, Kris Keller & Barb Slavkin
Friday, November 7, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Synergy & Energy
Butterfly Energy Works
Friday, November 7, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Let Energy Star® Work For You
Construction Appliance Supply
Saturday, November 8, noon to 12:30 p.m.
Recycling Old Carpet into New
Shaw Carpeting
Saturday, November 8, 1:30 to 2:00 p.m.
PICU Honored by Variety Club
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center was awarded the 2008 Stellar Performance Award at the St. Louis Variety Club’s annual Allocation Luncheon on November 5 at the Chase Park Plaza.
Since 2005 the Stellar Performance Award has been given to a few top agencies each year who have “demonstrated commendable service and adherence to the mission of the agency.” Kim Ames, director of Critical Care Services, accepted the award, which the PICU also won in 2005.
Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis serves children with physical and mental disabilities in the Greater St. Louis region.
Helping Injured Kids Is One Goal of Endowed Pediatric Surgery Chair
Dennis W. Vane, M.D., M.B.A., chief of the division of pediatric surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and surgeon-in-chief of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, has been named the inaugural holder of the J. Eugene Lewis Jr., M.D., Chair in Pediatric Surgery.
Funded by the Board of Governors of Cardinal Glennon’s Children’s Foundation, the chair is named for James Eugene Lewis Jr., M.D., who served as the chief of pediatric surgery from the time Cardinal Glennon opened in 1956 until his retirement in 1983. The formal ceremony investing Vane was held Tuesday, November 18.
“The honor of being the inaugural named chair is truly humbling, and the fact that this chair is named for an individual like Dr. Lewis makes this even more humbling and certainly the highest honor of my career,” Vane said. “Dr. Lewis is one of the icons of pediatric surgery and the contributions he has made to our field are far too numerous to enumerate. The fact that I was even considered for this position and that Dr. Lewis is a part of the investiture ceremony is more than I can put into words.”
Vane joined Glennon in August. The international reputation of the university and medical center and their state-of-the-art surgical facilities were only part of the attraction, Vane said. “What sets SLU and Cardinal Glennon apart from other institutions I have worked at and been associated with is the way these institutions live their missions. Never once since I arrived here has anyone even mentioned the economic status or insurance status of the children we serve.
“The attitude of everyone who works here is ‘how can we make this a better experience for the children that have to be here?’ This atmosphere is palpable and contagious and you can feel it when you walk in the door. I'm proud to be a part of that.”
As holder of an endowed chair, Vane is recognized as one of Saint Louis University’s finest scholars, who will spur his colleagues to conduct life-changing research and encourage students in their chosen careers, which influences them for life.
He praised the generosity of donors who support endowed chairs because they help secure the future of academic medicine. “Positions like this allow individuals like me to concentrate on the areas of academic medicine that we love: taking care of children, no matter what their economic status; teaching the next generation of physicians; and furthering our knowledge through clinical and basic research,” Vane said. “Positions like this also provide support so that we can mentor young faculty and help them develop their careers so that they can become the leaders of tomorrow.”
Before coming to SLU, Vane had been chairman of pediatric surgery at the University of Vermont and surgeon-in-chief at Vermont Children’s Hospital. He also served as associate professor of surgery and pediatrics at Indiana University.
A native of New York City, Vane earned his bachelor’s degree at Cornell University and his medical degree at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. He completed his general surgical residency at Indiana University College of Medicine and his residency in pediatric surgery at the Ohio State University. He also received a master’s degree in business administration at the University of Vermont.
Vane is a nationally renowned pediatric surgeon who holds appointments as an officer or member of more than 20 international professional organizations. He has written more than 100 manuscripts and book chapters about experimental and clinical research for the care of children. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple peer-reviewed journals and has been recognized as an outstanding teacher and educator. His research interests include trauma care and emergency medical services for children.
Vane’s wife Jerrie is a practicing nurse. They are the parents of two adult sons.
Green Gives Back
The Cardinal Glennon Guild, in partnership with St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles and ASID, presents the 2008 Living Green Showhouse benefiting SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center. The Showhouse, located two miles west ofI-270 in Sunset Hills overlooking the beautiful Tapawingo National Golf Club, will be open to the public with Cardinal Glennon sponsorship from October 18 to November 9.
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center first opened its doors in July 1956. The sun displayed prominently atop the SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center name has been the hospital's symbol for many years. It means hope, warmth, caring, commitment and excellence. The childlike handwriting of the hospital's name embodies the reason for the hospital's existence: We are here for the children, now and in the future.
As the motto states, "At Cardinal Glennon, our love for kids just keeps on growing."
The proceeds from the 2008 Living Green Showhouse will be donated to the Pediatric Resuscitation and Life Support Training program, which will purchase high-tech equipment and simulators that provide training for the medical staff ¬without risk to patients. Simulators are used to advance technical skills, improve teamwork, develop communication skills, give hands-on experience and allow errors to occur without harm. Discussions following the exercises allow trainees to review the proper actions and reactions, ensuring that the medical staff will be better prepared for many kinds of emergencies.
For more information, please call the Glennon Guild office at 314.268.2700 ext. 6l0l
Board of Governors Elects New Members
The Board of Governors of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation has elected Dana Beffa, the Honorable Gerald B. Cohn and Jeffry N. Quinn to three-year terms.
Beffa is vice president of employee benefits for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Cohn is a retired U.S. Magistrate Judge for the state of Illinois. Quinn is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Solutia Inc.
Board of Governors Elects New Members
Adolescence brings a shift in sleep patterns that make it more difficult for teens to wake up early and function alertly, said Shalini Paruthi, M.D., a pediatric sleep specialist and member of the division of pulmonary medicine at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.
Paruthi was interviewed by the St. Louis Beacon to discuss a research study published in the December 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. The study found that allowing teens to sleep in and start school one hour later reduced the risks of their involvement in car crashes by 16.5 percent.
When adolescence begins, teenagers naturally begin staying up one hour or more each night, making it more difficult for them to awaken for the previously-scheduled school time.
"This shift occurs biologically, affecting their circadian rhythm. We don't know exactly why this occurs, but there is a natural shift in circadian rhythm in the teenage years," Paruthi said. "For most of us, small shifts in our biological clock are not major and we are able to adjust.
"Most teenagers will be shifted by only an hour while others may shift two hours or more. This can cause problems getting up in the morning."
Vallee L. Willman, M.D.
Vallee L. Willman, M.D., a pioneering heart surgeon at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, died Sunday, February 8, 2009. He was 83.
Dr. Willman joined the surgical faculty of St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1956, the year the new Cardinal Glennon Hospital opened. He was the first surgeon to perform a heart transplant in the Midwest and performed some of the earliest open-heart procedures on children as pediatric heart surgery was becoming a subspecialty.
Dr. Willman operated on patients at Glennon and Desloge Hospital until 1970, when he became chairman of the medical school’s surgery department. He retired in 1996.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Melba; eight children, Philip Willman, Elizabeth Murphy, Susan Willman, Stephen Willman, Mark Willman, Jane Turner, Vallee Willman Jr. and Sarah Cuneo; and 18 grandchildren. Another son, Timothy, died in 1975.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier College Church at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6.
Cardinal Glennon President Hailstone appointed to MHA Board of Trustees
Sherlyn Hailstone, president of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, has been appointed to the Missouri Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees. Her term began February 20 and will continue through the end of 2009.
As a member of the board, Hailstone will oversee the administration of MHA and the development of association policies.
"We are pleased to have someone with Sherlyn's depth of experience assume this important leadership role," said Marc Smith, MHA president.
The Missouri Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association in Jefferson City that represents 152 Missouri hospitals.
Dana Brown NICU Receives certification from OptumHealth
The Dana Brown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Cardinal Glennon has received its second certification from OptumHealth Neonatal Centers of Excellence. It is the only St. Louis hospital that has received the designation and one of only two hospitals in Missouri to earn the recognition. The certification recognizes NICU centers that meet clinical qualifications for excellence.
This is the second time that Cardinal Glennon has qualified for the list generated by OptumHealth, a UnitedHealthcare venture that provides information about quality and services to its consumers.
Other hospitals receiving the certification include Johns Hopkins, Phoenix Children's Hospital and Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.