The Glennon Factor

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.

Episode 11 Part 1 - It's Complicated - Caring for Families With Complex Medical Needs

Part 1: In this first part of our two-part series on the Complex Medical Care Program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, we sit down with Dr. Kurt Sobush and Dr. Aline Tanios, the pioneering physicians who created this transformative program. Knowing the immense challenges that families of medically complex children endure—from endless appointments to overwhelming care coordination—these dedicated doctors took it upon themselves to find a solution. They discuss how the program brings together vital resources to streamline care, reduce hospital visits, and provide holistic support for both patients and families. Tune in to hear their  “why” and the difference this program is making.

Episode 10 - The Evolution of Health Care - A Look at Integrative Medicine

In this inspiring episode of The Glennon Factor, we explore the world of Integrative Medicine with Dr. Anu French, the pioneering physician at SSM Health who blends evidence-based holistic practices with traditional Western medicine to provide a comprehensive approach to healing. Joining Dr. French are her patient, Siler, and his mother, Stacey, who share their personal journey of hope and healing through this unique program. Discover how Integrative Medicine is making a difference in the lives of patients by addressing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and learn about the innovative treatments that are helping to transform care at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Tune in to hear the bookend perspective from both the patient and the provider, and gain insights into how this program is paving the way for a more holistic approach to medicine.

Episode 09 - The Minutes That Matter - Cardinal Glennon's Transport Team

Join us for an exhilarating episode of The Glennon Factor as we spotlight the remarkable SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Transport Team! Listen as key clinicians share gripping stories from past transports, highlight the evolution and growth of the program, and provide an insider's look into their high-stakes, high-reward work. From managing patient transfers via ambulance or helicopter to coordinating complex logistics with other hospitals, this dedicated team ensures that every patient receives timely, life-saving care. Don't miss this behind-the-scenes journey into the heart of our lifesaving operations!

Episode 08 - The Glennon Guild

Join us for this episode of The Glennon Factor, where we shine a spotlight on the incredible Glennon Guild: 100 women, one mission, under one sun, brightening countless Cardinal Glennon lives. Founded in 1957, this volunteer and fundraising organization has made a profound impact on advancing the welfare of the hospital and the children in its care, hosting a variety of fundraising events and programs and raising millions of dollars throughout the years. Tune in to hear inspiring stories, learn about their upcoming initiatives, and find out how you can support their mission to bring hope and healing to the children and families we serve. Don't miss this heartfelt and uplifting episode!

Episode 07 - The S.T.A.R.S. Align

While most hospitals can state that they are open 24/7, the true continuum of care doesn’t end whenever the patient leaves the parking lot. Our patients are always our patients, and we go the extra mile to make sure that our patients are safe outside our walls. That is why, in 2014, the hospital invested in one paramedic’s vision to build a program known as STARS: Special Needs Tracking and Awareness Response  System. This one-of-a-kind, and now nationally benchmarked program helps coordinate and coach ambulance districts, fire districts and community hospitals to know the specialized needs of medically complex patients inside their coverage area and get the appropriate, specialized training to care for these patients’ needs before they even arrive at the patient’s side. Program Coordinator/Paramedic, Nick Salzman and parents, Jamie and Tim Massinelli joined us to share how the program got started and the impact it has on both sides of the 911 call. 

Episode 06 - The American Dream

He is a father of two boys. His favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. He is a refugee of the Iranian revolution and if we cued up his preferred walk-up song, it would be “Jump Around” by House of Pain.

We are talking about Dr. Hossain Marandi, President of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. After a brief icebreaker which included a tater tot taste test (tots being one of his favorite pleasures) we had the privilege of talking with our first physician president about his childhood, his family’s escape from Iran, his lifelong calling to become a physician and the subject of DEVOTION: HIS devotion to Catholic ministry, his witnessed devotion of the Cardinal Glennon health care to our community, and our combined devotion to improving the healthcare landscape within our plans for the new hospital. Perhaps it isn’t coincidence that the original vision and success of Cardinal Glennon began with Dr. Peter Danis, a devoted physician – and that the beginnings of our next 70 years will be led by Dr. Marandi, also a physician. Tune in to this priceless final episode of Season 1 and visit glennon.org/podcast for all our Season 1 episodes and podcast updates!