Our Mission • Our Stories

At SSM Health, we believe in the Healing Power of Presence.While we do not discount the physical healing that takes place across our system, we know that exceptional health care is more than medicine. It is how we choose to care for our patients and customers: by taking the time to listen, to understand, to answer questions, to hold hands, or even to pray. These are the moments when we reveal God’s healing presence in a powerful and enduring way.

This heritage of healing began in 1872 when five Catholic sisters arrived in St. Louis from Germany. They had just $5 between them, but they carried the faith and compassion to begin the extraordinary ministry that would become SSM Health. Our founding sisters were fully present to the needs in front of them by listening, understanding and being available for the poor and suffering.

They took to the streets to care for those stricken by epidemics of small pox and typhoid fever, putting their own lives at risk. While the sisters couldn’t always cure, they brought something just as important. They brought hope and healing to men, women and children in their darkest hours. They were a presence.

Today, more than 33,000 dedicated employees and physicians carry on this incredible legacy. This book is a celebration of you, and of your deep-rooted commitment to providing personal and compassionate care to each and every person who enters our facilities.

The stories that follow are inspiring examples of how the Healing Power of Presence comes to life at SSM Health.

Our Mission • Our Stories

Our Mission: Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.

1“They made me feel at home.” - Patient letter

Coping with the loss of a loved one is difficult for anyone, but for a child, the process can be even harder. The SSM Health Hospice and Home Health Foundation’s annual Camp MAGIC helps children learn to process these emotions and begin to heal.

Across SSM Health, our employees rally around each other during times of personal strife and tragedy. It’s part of who we are; our healing presence extends not only to the patients we care for, but also to our colleagues and friends.

When Sharan Hutton, financial assistance analyst, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, she received excellent care from SSM Health Cancer Care – and an outpouring of unwavering love and support from her work family. Sharan’s coworkers held awareness days in the office to spread her story and provide encouragement as she went through treatment, raised funds to help with medical bills and other expenses, and sent up a ceaseless string of prayers for her recovery and continued health.

“We’re not just coworkers. When one of us struggles, all of us struggle,” said Angie Echols, Sharan’s supervisor. “When you put yourself in a position where you can give, you really start becoming the Mission and Values of SSM Health.”

Unwavering Love and Support

The Prayer CircleA fairly young man was in the ICU for a few days, and had spent a good deal of time intubated, with no visitors.

As he was being discharged, Chaplain Paul Deutsch was just beginning the oncology prayer circle. The young man slowed down and stopped to listen. Paul asked the man if he would like to join, and he accepted and joined the circle. Paul said a prayer for the man and the staff. When everyone left to go back

to their duties, the man stayed behind and talked to Paul. He told Paul he recognized his voice, and that he was grateful to him for stopping in to pray for him each day throughout his stay; that Paul’s prayers had helped him pull through.

“Even if you think I did not hear you when I was glassy-eyed, I heard you every time,” the patient said.

2 3“They are moving mountains!” - Note from a local first responder

I Can CopeBy Paul Deutsch, chaplain

I have seen the Lord, in the sorrows on your face, In this place of pain, A glimpse of God’s grace.

I have seen great strength, in the moments that we share, In your choice to live, With hope, not despair.

I have seen healing, despite answers not our choice, Brokenness mended, Faith that finds a voice.

Your life inspires me, your story I gladly hear, It says, “I can cope,” When God draws us near.

Fredbird Pays a VisitJo has loved the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team since she was a young girl. Even now, 84 years old and an SSM Health at Home hospice patient, Jo’s passion for the game has not diminished. She keeps the Cardinals game day schedule close – hanging on the wall next to her hospital bed. So, when Jo’s care team learned that she had never actually experienced a game in person, they found a way to bring the Cardinals to Jo.

Team members from SSM Health at Home and pastoral care coordinated a surprise visit from Cardinals mascot and fan-favorite Fredbird. Upon seeing him, Jo burst into joyous laughter that continued for nearly 10 minutes while Fredbird delighted her with his playful antics. He also autographed an official St. Louis Cardinals t-shirt and presented it to Jo with lots of hugs and bird smooches.

“We received a patient from an outside hospital who had a hip fracture. Her husband had passed away two days prior and his funeral was on Sunday. Unfortunately, it was not possible for her to be discharged in time to attend her husband’s funeral.

I called Information Services and shared our story with Kaisang. He immediately said he would get Skype set up on a laptop so we could use it on Sunday.

I explained that I did not have anyone on the unit on Sunday that was tech savvy so was worried about how we would make sure the Skype worked. He said, ‘No worries. I will set it up.’

He set up the program so all the staff had to do was turn on the computer, and then he gave me detailed instructions and left his phone number on the laptop in case they had trouble. I thanked him for his assistance and willingness to work to ensure we could relieve some of the stress the family was having. He looked at me and, with a big smile on his face, said, ‘It is my pleasure.’”

- Barb Hauge, RN, BSN, MSN, nursing director

Helping a Patient ‘Be There’

A patient who had suffered a stroke shared with Sierra Benard, nurse tech and unit secretary, that she missed being able to read her Bible since the stroke had impaired her vision. Sierra stayed after work to read the Bible with her, sing hymns and pray.

Comforting Care“As Mike, the ECHO technician, took Ceci out of my arms, she began to whimper, and as he laid her on the table for her ultrasound, she began to cry. My heart raced while Ceci’s cry continued to grow in intensity. Nothing I tried stopped her tears, and this just reminded me of the fact that there was nothing I could do to heal her either.

And then, something unexpected happened.

Mike, bent down next to Cecilia, and in a soft voice, he began to sing: “The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round.” Ceci’s cry stops. “All through the town,” he cooed sweetly, and Ceci smiled. Her blue eyes were transfixed on him, and he looked lovingly back at her. While Mike sang, I cried.

My child was at the cardiologist; my child was having an ECHO done on her heart. I was standing

in a children’s hospital. And amid all of these unhappy things, I was witnessing the most beautiful thing ever: someone loving my child. A complete stranger treating my child with unimaginable kindness.”

The Wheels on the Bus - Patient letter

4 5“Mom couldn’t have been in a better place before her Father called her home.” - Patient letter

Carrying a Colleague Through Tragedy“Little did I know when I walked in the doors to start my new career at St. Mary’s that a mere six weeks later I would find out over the phone in the employee parking lot that my 21-year-old son had died in a horrible car accident the night before.

“As I tried to compose myself and find my way into the building until my family arrived, a kind woman heading to her car after her shift asked me if I needed help as she saw me struggling to make my legs function and heard me shriek in despair. Within minutes, Chaplain John Froiland was called to my side to pray with me. As I waited for my family, I was comforted with whatever I needed.

“The following days, weeks and months brought me complete support and prayer from my new teammates – a team that would continually make sure that I was practicing self-care and ensuring time and again that I had what I needed.

“I cannot tell you how comforting it was when I returned to work to know that I was surrounded by

such truly caring people and had a chapel available, just down the hall from me, any time I needed it. This was good, as it would be my first stop each day for many, many days, to get myself in the right mindset to start my day and provide me with the strength to keep going, step by step, living life without one of my children…and when I find days where I cannot even explain the struggle, it is nothing short of amazing to have the silent understanding from this great team. 

“I so appreciate [my coworkers] for practicing what [they] preach and providing such a selfless example, and for showing that revealing the healing presence of God isn’t just about our patients, but in the compassion and care we show for each other. The past year would have been very different for me without each of you and your support of me – from the smallest smile each morning on up to the biggest hugs, I am so grateful to have had you to help carry me through the most painful time of my life. A million times over – thank you!”

- Crystal Schuring, executive assistant

“Maggie is especially good with those who are very sick, in pain or dying. She seems to know who needs her most and is especially loving to those individuals, melting into their hugs and cuddles.”

- June Hertzler, pet therapy program volunteer

Kelli McKee, music therapist, shares laughter and song with a patient. “You can immediately tell the connection Kelli has with her patients and their families. I believe in the healing power of music… at times, it has left me in tears it is so beautiful!” said a coworker.

“I had just spent several days at St. Anthony as a patient, and on top of that we had just lost a 16-year-old in our community and another 16-year-old in the ICU; my husband’s best friend’s mother had passed; and we got news that my friend’s father has stage 4 lung cancer. I walked in to work the day after all those horrible events, with Deana. Deana could see it on my face. I confided in her. She hunted me down later, not even knowing where my office was and offered her presence again... and chocolate. She has a heart of gold.”

- Sherita Beasley, RN, ASU/PAT Manager

A Heart of Gold

6 7“There are not only the angels in Heaven, but the angels that walk among us here on earth. You are all angels.” - Patient letter

“The nurses and doctors were incredible with my 6-year-old daughter,

who had to have surgery. They were so sweet to let her keep her favorite stuffed bunny “Carrots” with her, and they performed everything on Carrots first. My daughter had to be put under, and the anesthesiologist had Carrots wear the gas mask first. They listened to Carrots’ lungs, then to my daughter’s. It was so sweet. My daughter does not easily warm up to people, but she was so comfortable with all of them by the time they wheeled her back to surgery that it didn’t even faze her a bit.”

Carrots Gets Surgery Prep - Patient letter

“I was recently at your hospital with my Grandmother. She left two days ago, and I’ve been trying to explain for the last 48 hours now why she can’t go back. It’s not working!

Thank you for your wonderful, kind service to the community and my family.” - Patient letter

“The presence of the nursing staff as we were exiting her room was profound. Many reached out their hands, or offered whispered words of support. Coincidence? Possibly. But, we are a faith-filled family and know that God knows when we need Him the most. The nurses and doctors who were with us those horrible, worried hours were comforting to our family. God put those people on that shift, during that time for a reason!”

- Patient letter

Comfort for Our FamilyJason gets to know firefighter and paramedic John Herman during a firehouse visit coordinated by the Special Needs Tracking and Awareness Response System program, or STARS. SSM Health works with local families and first responders to provide training and education for paramedics, create individualized emergency care plans and protocols for local children with special needs and allow the children a chance to get to know the first responders who would care for them in case of an emergency.

STARS

Aloka Amarakone, MD, noticed that a patient was behaving out of character during a routine visit, frequently looking down and shaking his head. After persisting in speaking with the patient for some time, the patient opened up and talked with him. He told Dr. Amarakone that he was going to commit suicide, and he had taken the day off work to do it. The patient was young – in his early 20s – and Dr. Amarakone immediately called the patient’s mother and had him admitted to the ER. Because Dr. Amarakone listened and paid attention to nonverbal cues, he saved the life of that young man that day.

Follow-up Visit Saves a Life HandsBy Rachel Robison, grant writer

When I look at my hands, I see

an extension of my body,

the expression of my spirit,

grounding another to a moment

by the power of a touch.

With my two hands,

I help,

I serve,

I console,

I heal,

by reaching out to others,

by sharing in their burdens,

and serving as part of the whole.

And in so doing,

I reveal God’s healing presence,

by honoring Him with the work of my hands.

“My husband is on Medicaid spend-down status, and the Medicaid office had rejected several of his statements. Dealing with insurance and Medicaid can be so stressful, but when I called your hospital for assistance, Jane was extremely kind and professional. She did not rush me or make me feel like a nuisance. She did a thorough review of all months, took care of all actual and potential problems for Medicaid and resent the bills for me. She told me if I have any more issues to please feel free to contact her.

Your medical and clinical staff takes excellent care of my husband, but this kind and professional person took excellent care of me! Her help was such a relief. She made my day.”

She Made My Day - Patient letter

Amazing - Patient letter

8 9“It is with tears in my heart that I tell you we were treated like kings and queens.” - Patient letter

Ken and Doris, Lifelong SweetheartsKen and Doris were lifelong sweethearts. They had begun dating at 15, and had spent their entire lives together. When they came to stay at SSM Health St. Mary’s Care Center Memory Care Unit, they had been married for more than six decades, and it was clear they could not be separated. Ken told his caregivers, “I just want to be able to hold my sweetie, to be able to lie next to her.” The unit’s policies meant Ken and Doris were in separate rooms, separated by a hallway, but nurse Heather Stapelmann was determined to find a way for them to be together. After much research, planning and troubleshooting,

staff at the care center were able to gain approval for a double bed, and set about arranging one room as Ken and Doris’ bedroom, and the second room as their living room.

Ken and Doris spent six months living together until Ken’s health started to fail. Again, the staff pulled together to make sure Ken and Doris could remain together despite the challenges it posed. A few weeks later, Ken passed away in bed, lying next to his “sweetie.” As he took his last breath, she lay next to him, holding his hand.

Laura Jelle, president of SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo, works alongside the imaging team, getting to know the team members and the work they do each day to ensure each patient receives exceptional care.

10 11“They treated me like I was the only patient in the hospital.” - Patient letter

Midwives of the Soul - Patient letter

Honoring Our Vets - Patient letter

Stephanie Hall met Dr. Saadeh Al-Jureidini on the day she was born, upon being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. More than three decades later, she calls him her “hero and second dad;” here, they are dancing at her wedding.

At the time this photo was taken, Stephanie was experiencing heart and immune system failure, but thanks to two additional surgeries by SSM Health doctors, she is now doing well. “My story begins with a diagnosis, but because of everything my doctors and nurses have done for me over the past 30 years, I do not feel like a diagnosis or prognosis, but a person - and I cannot thank them enough for that,” Stephanie said.

Physicians Become Family

12 13

During the 2016 SSM Health Leadership Conference, attendees from across the system took time to write letters of gratitude to veterans. These letters were delivered during “Mail Call” on Honor Flight trips, during which veterans are transported to Washington D.C. to visit the national memorials that honor their service and sacrifice.

The Presence of GodBy Shirley Owens, clinic representative

With each morning, we are blessed to begin anew, A fresh start to become a better me and you.

The presence of God thickens the air I breathe, My heart is joyful because He is all I need.

Throughout my years, I came to know the wonderful feeling of grace, The whisper in my ear, the gentle touch across my face.

The mighty presence of God that allows me to help another, With a message, a prayer, a listening ear for a sister or brother.

Just knowing God’s presence is all around me, Blesses my soul to be all He created in me to be.

“She made me feel blessed she was our nurse.” - Patient letter

When John and his family made the difficult decision to place John in hospice care, Marie, his wife of 73 years, was worried she would never again be able to hear his voice. Her hearing aid had broken, and she had been waiting on the repair for weeks. Nurse practitioner Candace Counts recognized how distraught Marie was at being unable to hear her husband and his caregivers, and offered her a disposable stethoscope to use in place of her hearing aid. Thanks to that simple gesture, Marie was once again able to hear John say, “I love you.”

John and Marie, Partners for Life

Collin, a 14-year-old patient, wanted to go on a first date – and when he thought about who he’d like to spend a nice evening with, he chose his beloved oncology nurses! With a little help from SSM Health social workers, Collin gave each of his dates a rose and sparked conversation with some kid-friendly one-liners before the group headed out in a limo for dinner.

Katie Allen, RN, used her lunch time to get a pair of glasses fixed for a patient. These glasses had no arms on either side of the lenses. The patient had been tying them around his head with a piece of elastic. Katie took it upon herself to run to a local eye clinic and get the glasses repaired. The patient was grateful to have wearable glasses again.

Seeing a Chance to Help

Presence: A BlessingBy Adrianne Gasper, nurse practitioner, palliative care

I sit at your bedside. Looking from one face to the next.

I dole out Kleenex as the eyes overflow.

I settle under the weight of fear and sadness as we define new hope.

Celebrating life as the end draws near.

This is the humbling and beautiful journey I step in and out of.

These are the aching and longing hugs I bear witness to.

I press my palm to my heart. To keep it from spilling out.

Such a blessing is love, but at times a burden too.

No words are needed.

Only to share a space. To share a tear.

To experience divine presence.

14 15“He helped me when I wouldn’t let anyone help me.” - Patient letter

A Constant Presence - Patient letter

“For three days, our family kept anxious vigil by my son’s bed, praying and telling him over and over again how much we loved him. During this incredibly stressful and intimate time, your staff – the doctors, nurses, aides, therapists, technicians, custodians, food servers and all others who keep your ICU running seamlessly – were a constant presence, keeping us updated on the latest test results, advising us on what to expect and explaining the next steps, always reassuring us with their optimistic conversation, smiles, laughter and encouraging hand squeezes. Their professionalism and compassion buoyed us, gave us the strength to dare to hope that our son would emerge from this frightening experience stronger and better.”

After a simple procedure, a patient expressed that it was very important to him to be able to walk out of the office instead of using a wheelchair - but he seemed a little unsteady. Nurse Amy Schlimpert wrapped an arm around him and told him, “I’ve got you. Let’s go.”

A Second Mom and a Second Chance - Patient letter

“When Helen heard I was fighting for my life on another continent after being attacked by wild chimpanzees, she immediately took action and adamantly made my case to those in charge, saying that if I didn’t make it to SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, I wouldn’t survive. With that, Helen secured my fate and brought me home – a young man with no health insurance and probably over a million dollars of needed care. I had never met this woman, and yet she was doing everything in her power to bring me home alive and set me up for world-class care.

More importantly, Helen became a second mom to me. She brought me delicious food to fatten me up, told me every day how proud she was, gave my mangled cheek kisses, made sure I had everything I needed to heal and thrive and embraced me the way only a mother can. Without Helen, I can say with strong confidence that I would’ve died in that hospital in South Africa. My family, friends, and I owe everything to her.”

- Andrew Oberle, patient

Powerful PresenceBy Jennifer Hendrix, provider credentialing supervisor

The power of each person’s presence is an incredible command. The ability to ease one’s tensions with a gentle touch to their hand.

How a simple smile, can take one’s worries away in the blink of an eye. Replacing the angst with lightness and love, it’s in endless need of supply.

The laughter and encouragement of another, a true blessing indeed. Individuals who offer belief, provide courage for another person to succeed.

The company of another can lift one’s spirits, when they can no longer stand. Constantly reinforcing as a community, we need to offer empathy to understand.

The heartbreak of missing a person’s existence when they are no longer here. Reminders to take care of and bid full attention to those in proximity, while they are near.

Each day a new chance to make a difference to impact another’s heart. Cherish the presence of others, every day is a good day to start.

Feeling Safe - Patient letter

16 17“Everyone here has been so wonderful and supportive. I don’t even want to go home!” - Patient letter

“The spirit is what does the heavy lifting. The body knows what to do, but if you can bring a will to live into the

conversation, that leads the way in healing.” – Liz Allen, chaplain

“After you get your stitches, you tell the doctor that your animal needs sewn too…thankfully the doctor agrees to do the exact amount that you have, and in colorful stitch!”

- Patient Facebook post

“While we were in the NICU with our twins, Whitney and Hannah’s empathy made a profound difference in our lives. Earlier this year, we went through the unexplainable heartbreak of losing our stillborn daughter, Isabella. After learning of our loss, Whitney and Hannah continued to be a positive and calming presence as we adapted to the ever changing and ongoing battle of the survival of our twins. Hannah and Whitney made extra efforts in meeting our twins’ demanding care, keeping us updated on all tests and procedure results.

Sadly, our twin son, Ian, was diagnosed with intracranial hemorrhaging and necrotizing

enterocolitis. After three weeks of life, we made a loving decision to let Ian go. Whitney and Hannah demonstrated a sense of commitment to their jobs and wholeheartedly assumed their nursing responsibilities on his last day of life – a day in which neither nurse was assigned to work. Both nurses were by our side throughout the entire process of letting Ian pass away.

We’ve entrusted our children’s lives in Whitney and Hannah’s hands; and they unconditionally treat our children like their own family.”

Dr. John Phelan visits 90-year-old Mary Jean to celebrate a successful cardiac procedure to reverse her congestive heart failure. Thanks to the procedure, Mary Jean was able to attend her granddaughter’s wedding.

Helping an Important Wedding Guest

“My life has been forever impacted by my service to the Haitian people through medical mission trips. I could not have prepared myself for the heartache I would see from the mothers I watched who held their dying children in their arms, or seeing so many people without basic human needs being met – the opportunity to share my faith, love and gifts was overwhelming and humbling.”

- Lisa Austin, RN, patient ambassador

Each OtherBy Deloris Duarte, registration scheduling representative

No matter the type of day rain or shine…

Smiles that bring warmth and joy…

A simple gesture like a hug…

The holding of someone’s hand…

An ear to speak our mind to…

A shoulder to lean on when times are hard…

You never know what someone’s life is like one day, be this person to someone today, tomorrow and forever…

We all need the presence of one another from the older to the younger…

Entrusting Children’s Lives - Patient letter

18 19“Thank you for making a real and profound difference in the world.” - Patient letter

20

“Mother Odilia reverenced the people she served as gifts, bearing promises. She didn’t see only what she

wanted to see in them but took pains to encounter the mysterious secrets of their being. She fostered a

creative interdependency in which the mystery of life unfolded. It is my personal belief that this accounts

for the quality of her presence and the quality of her relationship with people – how she appeared to

them, how she appealed to them, how she went out to them. Because when we open ourselves to receive,

then people somehow or other intuit that they have something to give us. More often it is the best of

themselves that they offer, a sense of worth, human dignity, self-respect, realization of potential.”

– Sister Mary Francine Burkert, sixth Superior General

©2017 SSM Health. All rights reserved. SYS-SYS-16-278296 4/17

Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.