SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center will host a dedication and blessing ceremony for “Cardinal Glennon Air,” a helicopter to be used exclusively to transport young patients to the expert care at SSM Cardinal Glennon.
Fast access to a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center can mean the difference between life and death for children who are severely sick or injured. SSM Cardinal Glennon’s dedicated pediatric/neonatal transport team flies about 275 patients to the hospital each year, on a helicopter previously shared with another pediatric hospital.
The new “Cardinal Glennon Air,” through a partnership with Air Methods/ARCH Air Medical Service, will allow the pediatric/neonatal transport team constant access to a dedicated helicopter that can travel throughout the region and quickly bring seriously ill patients back to SSM Cardinal Glennon.
Caleb Ortbals was one such patient. When Caleb was born at a St. Louis area hospital, he inhaled blood and developed a hole in his lungs—a life-threatening issue. Caleb was immediately flown to Cardinal Glennon for emergency treatment in the Dana Brown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a Level III NICU staffed to care for the sickest babies.
Nearly two years later, Caleb is a happy, healthy boy with enough energy to fuel his own helicopter.
“Just a few minutes after Caleb was born, his obstetrician came in to baptize him; I understood then how severe he was,” said his mother, Staci Ortbals. “But he was able to quickly get the level of care that he needed. I can’t imagine my life without that helicopter ride to Cardinal Glennon. The transport team saved my baby’s life.”
Reporters, photographers and videographers are invited to meet Caleb and Staci, along with the Cardinal Glennon Pediatric/Neonatal Transport Team, at the “Cardinal Glennon Air” blessing and dedication on Thursday, June 30.
What: Blessing and dedication of Cardinal Glennon Air
When: 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30
Where: SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, 1465 S. Grand Blvd., 63104
Visuals: Colorful helicopter, young patient in helicopter, tour of interior of pediatric trauma helicopter
Contacts:
Ashley Wiehle, pager 294-2416
Mary Aita, pager 294-8124