The Glennon Factor

Episode 15 - We Help Kids Do Hard Things

How many people does it take to help kids do hard things? It takes a whole Child Life Services team...but unfortunately we could only fit a select few in our podcast studio. In this episode we are joined by Justine Bautista, Certified Child Life Specialist and facility dog handler, Brenda Wilson, schoolteacher from the Shining Star School, Scott Duell Certified Music Therapist, and last but certainly not least...Duo Dog Thor – our beloved facility dog. Tune in to hear what role Child Life Services plays in the well-being of our patients and some incredible stories from the impact of their care.

Ep. 15 Sneak Peek

March is Child Life Month, a time to celebrate this incredible team, which includes child life specialists, hospital school teachers and creative arts therapists who help kids feel safe and supported during their hospital visits. Their impact is felt every day at Cardinal Glennon and what better way to start the month than with Episode 15 of The Glennon Factor featuring some of our Child Life Services Team.

Episode 14 - Two Beats, One Legacy: Inside Our Heart Program with Dr. Fiore & Barb Kountzmann

What does it take to become a nationally ranked heart program? Who built the first ECMO machine used at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon roughly 50 years ago? What do world-renowned pediatric heart surgeons do in their free time? All these questions and many more get answered in this insightful episode of The Glennon Factor. We are honored to be joined by recently retired cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Andrew Fiore and clinical nurse for the division of cardiothoracic surgery – Barb Kountzman, RN. Listen as this incredible pair of Cardinal Glennon legends uncover some history and legacy behind our program, advancements in the field, expectations for the future generation of caregivers and what they are most proud of in their extensive careers.

Ep. 14 Sneak Peek

On Episode 14 of The Glennon Factor, Dr. Andrew Fiore explains how teamwork has elevated Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital Congenital Cardiac Surgery Program to a nationally recognized level - because it's not about "me" or "I", but "we" as a team.

Episode 13 - Why Every Children's Hospital Needs - The Snack Cart Ladies

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon is blessed to have these three guests rounding in the hall every week – spreading joy to the parents and staff. These three volunteers - Lisa, Kenda and Claudia are affectionately known as the “Snack Cart Ladies” and they are all Cardinal Glennon parents who know what it is like to “Move In” while their child spends an extensive amount of time receiving care. They give back to other parents going through their own journey and the staff who helped care for their own kid. Tune in to hear stories from these Cardinal Glennon moms and why they choose the snack cart to pay it forward…because sometimes something as simple as a snack can add that glimmer of brightness to an otherwise dreary day.

Ep. 13 Sneak Peek

A small snack brings a big impact. On Episode 13 of the Glennon Factor we are sitting down with our "Snack Cart Ladies" who are former Glennon moms who know the journey of moving "in" to Cardinal Glennon firsthand. Every week, they roll the snack cart through the halls, spreading comfort one snack at a time to all of the parents & staff who are on their own journey.

Episode 12 - Safety First, Healing Always: Injury Prevention and Violence Intervention

In this episode of The Glennon Factor, we explore the responsibility of our Level 1 trauma center to keep children safe, with a focus on injury prevention and violence intervention. Join Lori Winkler, MSN, RN, TNS, CPEN, injury prevention nurse coordinator at Cardinal Glennon, and Melik Coffey, MSW, LCSW, coordinator of the Life Outside of Violence (LOV) Program for the St. Louis region, as they share their experiences and insights from years of working together.

From promoting safety in the car, on the road or in the water, to promoting a safe environment at home, Lori leads efforts that protect children from preventable injuries. Melik works passionately for victims of violence, helping them recover physically and mentally through comprehensive support and education. Together, they discuss the social determinants of health that disproportionately affect underserved communities and the crucial steps being taken to build a safer, healthier future for every child.

Tune in to hear their stories and learn how the village mindset is essential in ensuring the safety and well-being of our children.

Episode 11 Part 2 - It's Complicated - Caring for Families With Complex Medical Needs

Part 2: In this second part of our series on the Complex Medical Care Program, we’re joined by Dr. Aline Tanios, Dr. Michael Smiley, and the inspiring Watson family—parents Rose and Demetrius, and their 7-year-old daughter, Lavender, affectionately known as 'The Queen.' Lavender was born with Trisomy 18, a condition often described as 'incompatible with life,' but her story is one of defying the odds every step of the way. In this heartfelt episode, we hear how the Complex Medical Care Program has supported Lavender and her family through some of the most challenging moments, and how they’ve found strength, hope, and a new perspective on life through this journey. This is a powerful story of resilience, love, and the importance of compassionate care.