The Glennon Factor

Mary Grace Dunham, PICU charge nurse at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, reflects on Brayden’s early signs of recovery, noting how remarkable it was that he could track movement and engage with the team despite a traumatic brain injury. The conversation turns emotional as his family recalls the first time he spoke again—simply asking for a chip—an ordinary moment that felt extraordinary in his journey b...

In this episode, listeners follow Emily and Paul Cullmann’s journey after learning during pregnancy that they are both carriers of Cystic Fibrosis, giving their daughter Clara a 25% chance of having the disease. Referred to the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, they were guided by experts including Katie Francis, program coordinator of the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute, and Dr. Chr...

Barb Kountzman - RN believes Cardinal Glennon fosters trust through personalized care, beginning in fetal care and pre-op, where staff build genuine relationships with families. She emphasizes their excellent surgical outcomes, but also highlights the compassionate support they provide, acting as a comforting presence for families navigating challenging times. Barb's honesty and transparency, coupled with the focus on individual co...

Dr. Joshua Arthur explains that the Danis CARES Program addresses the profound social needs many pediatric patients face, such as food insecurity, which he describes as both tragic and motivating for continued intervention. He reflects that routinely asking families about their social challenges has significantly deepened trust and transformed his long‑term relationships with patients. When the initial grant ended, support from the...

In this episode of The Glennon Factor, we explore the Danis CARES program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and how it’s redefining pediatric care at the Danis Pediatrics Center. CARES — Connection and Resource Equity Services — was created after research revealed that a significant number of families were facing challenges like food insecurity, housing instability, and transportation barriers tha...

Fatima Negron-Krauss, the office lead of the Danis CARES Program in the Danis Pediatrics Center, tells a story of a new mother of a one‑week‑old baby called to cancel a bilirubin redraw because she had no transportation to the hospital. After the appointment staff alerted Fatima, she arranged a ride for the family and also helped secure transportation for the baby’s upcoming weight‑check appointment while their insurance was ...

Adam Brandt, a teenage oncology patient at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital,, finds strength and escape through dirt bike racing, which gives him an adrenaline rush and a sense of normalcy. “Adam’s Pit Crew” represents the close group of family and friends who support him at races, fueling his bike and cheering him on. But it's also the same people supporting him through his cancer journey. For Adam, racing is...

Dr. Maggie Cupit-Link reflects on her friendship with a 13-year-old fellow cancer patient she met during treatment when she was 19. He became like a younger brother to her. Despite knowing he would die, he showed remarkable wisdom and encouraged Maggie, even telling her their friendship made his cancer journey worthwhile. In a final hospital visit before he went home on hospice, he reassured Maggie that she would go on to help kids...

Dr. Maggie Cupit-Link was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at 19, just as she had been selected for a prestigious cancer research position at St. Jude, forcing her to put her dreams on hold. During a difficult year of treatment, the resilience and hope she witnessed in other children inspired her to survive and dedicate her life to helping patients. Today, she feels blessed not only to have overcome cancer but also to fulfill her calli...

This episode of The Glennon Factor explores the deeply personal and intertwined cancer journeys of Dr. Maggie Cupit-Link, a pediatric oncologist and cancer survivor, and Adam, her teenage patient currently undergoing leukemia treatment. The conversation highlights how unexpected diagnoses disrupt identity, friendships, and life plans, while also forging profound connections between patients, families, and caregivers. Dr. Maggie sha...

Dr. Andrew White, Chief of Medicine at Cardinal Glennon, shares how augmented reality is transforming neurosurgical planning. Physicians can now visualize and interact with a patient’s brain and vascular system in 3D using VR headsets, allowing for precise mapping and simulation of surgical procedures. This cutting-edge technology is already being used in real cases to improve outcomes and decision-making.

From Episode 18 - ...

Music Therapist, Scott Duell, describes the profound impact of heartbeat recordings at Cardinal Glennon, highlighting the gratitude expressed by families who receive them, emphasizing it as a cherished moment captured in time. Music therapists also create personalized songs, incorporating the patient's heartbeat as the song's foundation, using meaningful melodies to provide comfort and remembrance for grieving families. They consid...