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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
Helicopter Parenting
New Genetic Test Will Improve Autism Diagnoses for Families
Painting Pain Away: Art therapy intern helps patients pass the time in infusion clinic
Glennon Welcomes New Chair of Surgery
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.”