When Brittney Buford was 7 years old, she was diagnosed with diabetes. Her mother began taking her to The Danis Pediatric Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, and Buford never forgot the care and support her family received. Now a mother herself, her three young children, 2-year-old King and 18-month-old twins Kherris and Khamora, also go to the center. “When I was a kid, the staff at Danis Pediatrics supported my mother when she didn’t know what to do,” she says. “Now, they’re helping me with whatever I need. It’s the difference between being treated like just a patient and being treated like family.”
Buford began working with pediatric nurse practitioner Elizabeth Rhyne, RN, CPNP, IBCLC, when her son King was a newborn. “At one check up, Brittney told me she was pregnant with twins,” Rhyne recalls. “I admire her so much. She has such strength and determination, and her kids are her world.” The girls were prematurely born at 27 weeks. Buford kept Rhyne up-to-date on their progress. Khamora was discharged first and does not seem to have ongoing medical conditions. Kherris faced several serious health issues, and Buford eventually had her care transferred to
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. “I had been a patient there until I was 18; I knew it’s where I wanted my baby to be,” Buford explains.
Challenges Kherris has dealt with include adrenal suppression, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, some developmental delay and a gastrostomy tube for enteral feedings. She also had to have heart surgery, a daunting prospect for her mother. “The doctors and staff did so much to comfort me, and her heart surgeon, Dr. Andrew Fiore, was absolutely wonderful,” Buford says. “With Cardinal Glennon and The Danis Pediatric Center, I don’t have to worry about anything. They build a bond and create trust with their patients.”
To help manage all of Kherris’ specialists, Buford is part of the Complex Medical Program, which coordinates appointments, helps with accessibility and facilitates communication between families and doctors. Rhyne says it’s a bonus of being associated with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, and The Danis Pediatric Center has its own comprehensive array of services, including mental health, social support, foster care, behavioral health and parenting. “I’m amazed by all of the unique programs within our clinic that aren’t typically offered in an outpatient setting,” she notes. “A majority of our patients are on Medicaid, and they face a variety of challenges and high-risk social situations. It’s important that we are able to provide for them on a variety of levels, not just medical care.”
To support The Danis Pediatric Center, St. Louisians annually gather fieldside for Glennon Gallop, an exciting polo fundraiser. Due to the pandemic, this year’s event will be held virtually Sept. 19. Along with an online program and auction, the Patio Polo Package brings the party to your home with fine wine, bourbon and a polo-themed game. “The SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation always does a phenomenal job making every Glennon Gallop special, and this year will be no exception,” Rhyne says. “It will be a great way to spotlight the outstanding programs we have at the center, and the event will allow us to grow and continue supporting our families.”
Glennon Gallop, held virtually Sept. 19, supports The Danis Pediatric Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Pictured on the cover: Elizabeth Rhyne, RN, CPNP, IBCLC, Brittney Buford with daughter Khamora and son King. For more information, call 314.577.5605 or visit glennon.org/gallop.
Cover courtesy of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
Pictured at top: Brittney Buford with her children Khamora, Kherris, and King
Photo courtesy of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital