Meet Hiyab and Wuhbto

Dr. Andrew White serves as the Chief Medical Officer for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital as well as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Dr. White is a pediatric rheumatologist and immunologist, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of rare childhood diseases. With nearly two decades' experience solving medical mysteries, he is one of a handful of pediatricians in the world who cares for children with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu disease. HHT is a genetic disorder that leads to abnormalities of the blood vessels, causing frequent nosebleeds, vascular changes of the skin, lips, tongue and fingers, and abnormalities called arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the lungs, brain and other organs. Dr. White studies outcomes and complications related to HHT, JIA, lupus, and dermatomyositis. He is a member of the Global Research and Medical Advisory Board of the HHT Foundation International and its HHT Guidelines Expert Panel. Dr. White has also participated in numerous medical mission trips to provide care to communities in need across the globe. It is through partnerships built from his medical mission work that SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital became aware of twins Hiyab and Wuhbto. Dr. White was instrumental in bringing the twins to Cardinal Glennon for the expert care they would have been unable to receive in their home country. View Dr. White's physician profile.

Dr. Joanna (Jo) Kemp was the lead neurosurgeon for the separation of conjoined twins, Hiyab and Wuhbto. Dr. Kemp treats patients of all ages, including newborns, children, and adults. She specializes in craniofacial and other congenital brain/spine disorders; hydrocephalus; spinal dysraphism/myelomeningocele; brain and spine tumors; head trauma; traumatic brain and spine injuries; spasticity; epilepsy; vascular malformations; idiopathic intracranial hypertension; and neuro-oncology. Dr. Kemp employs evidence-based medicine in every case, educating her patients and their families accordingly. Her patients appreciate the compassion, trustworthiness, and knowledge she brings to their care, thoroughly answering questions and reassuring them throughout the treatment process. Dr. Kemp is also an associate professor with the Division of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery in the Department of Surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, and a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. View Dr. Kemp's physician profile.

Dr. Philippe Mercier is a neurosurgeon with expertise in: epilepsy surgery; neuro-oncology; trauma; spine surgery; pediatric neurosurgery; pain surgery; hydrocephalus; and spasticity surgery. He provides comprehensive care using the latest medical advancements, including image-guided stereotactic surgery and endoscopic cranial surgery. He also performs minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. Mercier is a Professor in the Department of Surgery, Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery and Surgical epilepsy and hold the Paul C. Reinert, S.J. Chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery at SSM/Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Dr. Mercier is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and member of the American Association of Neurosurgery, the Congress of Neurological Surgery, the American Epilepsy Society, and the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. View Dr. Mercier's physician profile.

Emily Fleckenstein, PA-C is a certified physician assistant specializing in pediatric neurosurgery. She cares for newborns, children, and adults, and sees patients throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Emily provides comprehensive care for a wide range of neurosurgical conditions, including craniofacial and other congenital brain and spine disorders, hydrocephalus, spinal dysraphism and myelomeningocele, brain and spine tumors, head trauma, traumatic brain and spine injuries, spasticity, epilepsy, vascular malformations, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. In addition to seeing patients in clinic, she assists in surgeries, performs bedside procedures, and helps ensure smooth workflow for the inpatient neurosurgical service. Her special medical interests include hydrocephalus and shunt management, neuro-oncology, and traumatic brain injuries. Emily is passionate about bridging the knowledge gap between surgeons and families, helping parents fully understand their child's condition so they can be active participants in care. She is a member of the American Association of Neurologic Surgeons (Advanced Practice Provider Member), the Missouri Academy of Physician Assistants, and serves on the Community and Collaboration Committee of the Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital Advanced Practice Provider Council. View Emily Fleckenstein, PA-C provider profile.

Dr. Kevin Chen was the lead plastic surgeon for the separation of conjoined twins, Hiyab and Wuhbto. Dr. Chen specializes in craniofacial surgery for pediatric and adult patients. His skills also include facial reconstruction after traumatic injury, facial paralysis surgery, facial cosmetic surgery, cleft lip and cleft palate repair, skull and jaw repair, general pediatric plastic surgery, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), facelifts, and blepharoplasty (eyelid lifts). Dr. Chen uses the latest advances in his practice, such as distraction osteogenesis - a bone lengthening technique - and incorporates novel materials into facial reconstruction procedures. His research interests include applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning for plastic surgery; 3D printing; novel imaging techniques to limit radiation; and novel biomaterials. Dr. Chen serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and is the head of the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital 3D Printing Lab. Dr. Chen also makes medical mission trips to offer pediatric plastic surgery to refugees. View Dr. Chen's physician profile.

Dr. Plikaitis specializes in pediatric and adult plastic surgery, including cleft lip and palate. She performs skin cancer reconstruction and surgeries for ear and hand deformities, tissue expansion, facial trauma, and vascular malformations. She is an associate professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and serves as a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. View Dr. Plikaitis' physician profile.

Dr. Naila Ahmad was the lead anesthesiologist for the separation of conjoined twins Hiyab and Wuhbto. She is a professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and serves as director of the Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship Program at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Dr. Ahmad is board-certified in anesthesiology and pediatric anesthesiology and has extensive expertise in caring for children with complex medical needs, including congenital heart disease. She serves as director of pediatric cardiac anesthesia and adult congenital heart disease and has developed multiple perioperative protocols to support the safe care of pediatric cardiac patients undergoing complex procedures. A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Ahmad has trained pediatric anesthesiology fellows, residents, medical students, nurse anesthetists and other members of the care team throughout her career. Her commitment to children extends internationally through medical missions with the World Pediatric Project, during which she provided anesthesia services and pediatric cardiac anesthesia training in St. Vincent and Panama. Dr. Ahmad completed her pediatric anesthesiology fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital and earned her medical degree from King Edward Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan. View Dr. Ahmad's physician profile.