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. Chris Buchanan, medical director of the institute, who helped them navigate fear, uncertainty, and complex decisions. Together, they pursued an innovative and largely untested approach—having Emily take a CF medication during pregnancy in hopes of treating Clara in utero. After birth, Clara was diagnosed with CF but showed remarkably mild symptoms, likely influenced by early treatment both before birth and through breastmilk. The episode highlights not only Clara’s promising outcome, but also the evolving field of fetal medicine, the power of collaboration and research, and the hope that compassionate, cutting-edge care can offer families facing complex prenatal diagnoses.

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, coupled with the focus on individual comfort, create a unique sense of security for families choosing Cardinal Glennon.

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 Cardinal Glennon Foundation enabled the program to evolve into a flexible, sustained model that is now funded by the hospital itself.

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 transportation barriers that directly impact children’s health. The team now screens families through a well-being questionnaire and connects them to immediate and long-term community resources, while preserving dignity and building trust. Through powerful, real-life stories, the episode highlights how simple interventions — like providing a meal kit or arranging transportation for a newborn visit — can prevent larger health crises. Ultimately, Danis CARES represents a holistic, community-centered model of care that supports not just the child in the exam room, but the entire family beyond it.

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 still pending. Months later, the mother continues to express heartfelt gratitude for the support that helped her reach Cardinal Glennon during those crucial early weeks. Efforts like this at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital show the lengths taken to help care for the community.

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 more than a hobby—it’s a vital coping mechanism that helps him face the challenges of cancer.

Visit glennon.org/podcast for more information and don't forget to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.

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 like him, a promise that deeply shaped her life and career. Today, Maggie honors his memory by caring for patients wholeheartedly, believing that meaningful relationships can be as impactful as medical breakthroughs. 

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 calling as a pediatric oncologist, turning her suffering into purpose. Visit glennon.org/podcast for more information and don't forget to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.