The Glennon Factor

In Part 2 of this special two-part episode of The Glennon Factor, hosts David Hanschu and Laura Wulf are joined by Dr. Kevin Chen, Dr. Philippe Mercier, Dr. Joanna Kemp, and Dr. Nyla Ahmad to take listeners inside the historic surgery to separate craniopagus twins Hiyab and Wuhbto. The team shares how months of planning, surgical rehearsals, advanced imaging, and around-the-clock collaboration cul...

In Part 1 of this special episode of The Glennon Factor, hosts David Hanschu and Laura Wulf are joined by Dr. Andrew White, Chief Medical Officer at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, to share the remarkable story of how craniopagus twins Hiyab and Wuhbtb traveled from Ethiopia to St. Louis for lifesaving care. Together, they explore the extraordinary planning, international coordina...

When 17-year-old Brayden Baer suffered a life-threatening traumatic brain injury in a devastating car crash, his family was suddenly faced with unimaginable uncertainty. Braden and his mother, Elaine Baer, are joined by Dr. Amber Grana, a Pediatric ICU intensivist, and Mary Grace Dunham, a PICU charge nurse at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, to share the story of his remarkable recovery and...

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 hi...

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...

How would you feel if you received a scary diagnosis for your unborn child? Emily Cullmann shares her emotions after receiving news of her unborn daughter, Clara before being referred to the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute - The team she would later come to know as a "family" to her as she navigates the unknown.

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, coup...

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 in...

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital President, Hossain Marandi, MD performs a blind taste test of his favorite food - hash browns - from four different establishments (one of them being the Cardinal Glennon cafeteria).

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 transporta...

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 appointme...

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. Fo...

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 Maggi...

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 c...

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, famil...

In this highlight, Dr. Maggie Cupit-Link and Adam, introduce themselves to The Glennon Factor Podcast. The full episode explores the unique, deeply personal and intertwined cancer journeys of Dr. Maggie, who is both a pediatric oncologist and cancer survivor, and Adam, her teenage patient currently undergoing leukemia treatment.

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital President, Hossain Marandi, MD gives us his take on what “The Glennon Factor” is.   From Episode 6 - The American Dream

Sophie gives her advice to another patient that would have a similar diagnosis. It’s hard to think of any words that would be more wise than what she has to say.   From Episode 1 - The Tumor Funeral

Matt Holliday explains how his work with Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is his greatest achievement.   From Episode 05 - The Hollidays

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 decisio...

Dr. Charles Huddleston asks Jim and Shana a difficult question. As they wait for a donor for their son, they are praying for a miracle. This means, though, another family will experience tragedy. How do they cope with this?   From Episode 03 - The Transplant

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...

Jeff Windmiller, EMT recounts a challenging transport mission undertaken by a Cardinal Glennon transport team. They transported a critically ill child from another country back to his homeland of Antigua, as his father was unable to travel with him. The long journey, spanning multiple flights, required dedication and resilience from the transport team. Despite the emotional challenges, the success...

Our channel may have been a bit quiet lately, but we've sure been busy. Our podcast will be going through some changes - spoiler alert, no more seasons! We will be publishing all year round starting in 2026. For those of you who are loyal listeners, thank you so much! We can't thank you enough for all your support. And if you are new, we can't wait to share our next story with you!

In this episode of The Glennon Factor, we look ahead to what the future holds—not just for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, but for medicine as a whole. Join us for a fascinating conversation with three of the hospital’s top leaders: Dr. Hossain Marandi, President; Dr. Andrew White, Chief Medical Officer; and Michelle Romano, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer. T...