Maryland Heights, Mo. (Dec. 15, 2023) - Santa took a break from his busy Christmas preparations to visit Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital and deliver gifts to patients.
An annual tradition, the event was sponsored by members of the Maryland Heights Police Department and the Maryland Heights Fire Department who hosted the visit and raised money so every child could receive a gift from their wish list.
Santa arrived via police escort and spent the day at the hospital, delivering gifts ranging from gift cards to toddler pianos.
“Everyone at Ranken Jordan calls Santa’s visit ‘the best day of the year,’” said Nick Holekamp, MD, Ranken Jordan’s Chief Medical Officer. “Because the majority of our patients have complex medical conditions, they’re unable to go see Santa like other kids so we bring Santa to them. The visit is an example of events and programming we put on as part of our unique care model, Care Beyond the Bedside, which focuses on encouraging patients to get out of their hospital beds, engage with others, and heal through play.
“We would like to thank the Maryland Heights Police Department, the Maryland Heights Fire Department, and all the other local businesses and organizations that supported this event. We are so grateful for the generosity of our community and for those who bring some Christmas magic to our kids year after year.”
In addition to its Care Beyond the Bedside program, Ranken Jordan’s new research suggests more needs to be done to mitigate developmental delays in hospitalized children. This research was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Child: Care, Health & Development. Learn more about the research here.
Other local organizations that donated gifts and funds to help young patients at Ranken Jordan and their families celebrate this holiday season include: Columbia Fire Protection District (IL), the Fire Truck O’ Toys, Toys for Tots, STL Sports Outreach, Hawthorn Elementary, Mid Rivers Elementary, STLCC Wildwood Campus Student Nurses Association, Vantage Credit Union, Westport Plaza and JPMorgan Chase.
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Media Contact:
Haley Raymond
Leigh Walters Communications
(207) 227-7850
Ranken Jordan
Ranken Jordan is a pediatric bridge hospital that cares for kids from birth to 21 who are well enough to leave a traditional hospital but need help before they go home. The only hospital of its kind in Missouri and one of only a select few in the country, Ranken Jordan specializes in caring for children and their families with the most complex conditions, illnesses and injuries, bridging the gap between hospital and home. The 60-bed hospital uses an innovative care model, Care Beyond the Bedside, which gets children out of their hospital rooms, activating the healing power of play. Located in the heart of the Midwest, Ranken Jordan serves patients from across the region at its state-of-the-art facility.
PHOTO CAPTIONS - Photos can be found here.
Photo 1 - Pictured is the Maryland Heights Police and Fire Departments at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital during Santa’s visit. The departments sponsored the event and raised money so every patient could receive a gift from their wish list.
Photo 2 - Santa visits with patients Allie Haynes (age 9) from Shelby, Tenn., and Jashon Greer (age 4) from St. Clair, Il.
Photo 3 - Santa visits with patient Jashon Greer (age 4) from St. Clair, Il.
Photo 4 - Santa visits with patient Alonzo McDonald (age 5) from St. Louis.
Photo 5 - Santa visits with patient Frantayja McCullough (age 16) from Dunklin, Mo., who received a necklace.
Photo 6 - Santa visits with patient Jack Muska (age 4) from St. Charles, Mo.
Photo 7 - Santa visits with patient Jace Borum (age 1) from St. Louis City, Mo.
