ST. LOUIS (June 4, 2012) – Grateful families of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center held the first annual Ambassadors Choice Awards event on Sunday, June 3, honoring the doctors and caregivers who saved the lives of their children.

More than 250 were in attendance at the inaugural event, kicking off the newly formed Glennon Ambassadors Program, designed for grateful families who want to “give back” to the medical center through service, stewardship or peer-to-peer support. The ceremonies began with a video presentation honoring each of the nominees, including testimonials from grateful families and patients, followed by a prayer service and dinner.

Grateful families were solicited to nominate a doctor or caregiver who profoundly impacted the lives of their children and family based on their level of service and dedication.  Dr. William Keenan was the Lifetime Achievement recipient for his 32 years of work at the medical center. Glennon Ambassador Bill McDermott said “Dr. Keenan has been the heart and soul of Cardinal Glennon for decades, he is the epitome of what a doctor should be at a Catholic children’s medical center: a caregiver who instills comfort to a troubled family worrying about a sick child.”

The Glennon Ambassador team started planning their first inaugural event last fall and aspire to grow their organization in the years ahead. “Our grateful patient families wanted to have a chance to not only thank their caregivers, but celebrate the work that is performed at our world-class pediatric medical center”, said Dan Buck, Executive Director of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation.

Awards were given in the following caregivers; Exceptional Service; Sr. Judith Carron, R.S.M, David Ish, TRS, Loretta Laurent, CCC/SLP; Nursing Care; Marsha Steffen, R.N., Matt Lunneen, R.N., Susan Rozier, R.N., Medical Care; Andrew Fiore, M.D., Blakeslee Noyes, M.D. Craig Belsha, M.D., and Lifetime Achievement: Dr. William Keenan, M.D.  For more information about the Glennon Ambassador Program please visit glennonambassadors.org.

Photo caption: (front row, left to right) Loretta Laurent, CCC/SLP., Laura Wulf, Glennon Ambassador Coordinator; Sr. Judith Carron, R.SM., Marsha Steffen, R.N., Dr. William Keenan, M.D., Matt Lunneen, R.N., Susan Rozier, R.N., (back row, left to right) Dan Buck, Executive Director-Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation, Andrew Fiore, M.D., David Ish, TRS, Blakeslee Noyes, M.D.; Sherlyn Hailstone, President, SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center; Craig Belsha, M.D.