No parent wants to consider that a child may have to contend with a debilitating illness or injury, but it’s an unavoidable fact that some children’s days are filled with medical treatments and procedures rather than playing with friends or going to school. Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital is dedicated to making the transition between hospitals and home as smooth as possible. It’s the area’s first and only pediatric bridge hospital, and its model of care allows young patients to play, grow, learn and interact with others.
“Ranken Jordan is unique from a traditional acute care hospital—you won’t find services like an emergency room, surgical suite or advanced imaging department,” president and CEO Shawn Dryden explains. “We provide the important steps between the hospital and home in the continuum of care for the 1% of patients who have complex medical needs and conditions. We offer them and their families the support they need to live their best lives.” The hospital refers to its treatment model as “Care Beyond the Bedside.” It allows for experiences that more closely mirror school, daycare or home by getting patients out of their rooms and into play spaces, activity areas, therapy rooms and the hospital grounds.
An integral part of Ranken Jordan’s approach to care is play. “It’s a natural part of how kids advance physically, socially, emotionally and neurodevelopmentally, and it’s our central therapeutic element,” Dryden says. “Our campus was designed to facilitate growth and exploration—it’s an adaptive playground inside and out.” The hospital’s campus includes a six-hole putting green, playgrounds, a rock climbing wall and more to encourage patients to spend as much time outside of their rooms as possible.
Ranken Jordan is continually evolving its services to better meet the needs of its patients. It has introduced the Optimization Zone (OZ), a play-based learning program designed for patients under the age of 5. This in-house preschool aims to reduce the adverse developmental impacts that accompany long-term hospitalization. The hospital also has developed a position called Patient Play Associate. These members of staff are dedicated to ensuring kids play and have fun. “The families we serve face so many challenges within the health care system as well as outside of it,” Dryden says. “We think holistically about the services and support they need.”
Despite having opened in 1941, Ranken Jordan may not be a household name for many St. Louisans. One of the ways the hospital raises public awareness and funds is the annual Ranken Jordan Beyond Gala. This year’s event will be held Sept. 27 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Guests can look forward to an evening of cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, and a celebration of the children the hospital has served. The event is chaired by Lesley Shekelton, who also serves as presenting sponsor. “Lesley has been a tremendous support for our patients, families and employees,” Dryden notes. “We’re thrilled to have her leading the gala this year.”
The theme of the Beyond Gala will be “Together We Shine: A Night of Hope & Healing. “The event is such an inspiring and uplifting night,” Dryden says. “It’s an opportunity for the St. Louis community to come together and support Ranken Jordan’s young patients and their families.
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital provides care between traditional hospital treatment and home for children from birth to age 21. Its Beyond Gala is Sept. 27 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Pictured on the cover: Beyond Gala chair Lesley Shekelton with Ranken Jordan patient Lisa W. For more information, call 314.872.6400 or visit rankenjordan.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured at top: Beyond Gala chair Lesley Shekelton plays with a Ranken Jordan patient.
Photo courtesy of Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital