Maryland Heights, Mo. (July 30, 2024) – In honor of her 90th birthday, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital has dedicated a permanent space in the hospital to longtime volunteer and Creve Coeur resident Pat Chambers.
Named Pat’s Miracle Corner, the space is Ranken Jordan’s official welcome space and visiting area for families, an appropriate location for those who know Chambers.
Chambers has been volunteering at Ranken Jordan for nearly 20 years and her current role is to greet outpatients and their families as well as caregivers and families visiting inpatients.
Ranken Jordan specializes in caring for children with the most complex conditions, illnesses and injuries, so families are often experiencing very tough times. Pat is known for listening to their struggles and celebrating with them when they experience good news, often telling them “Every time I come through those doors, I know I’m going to see a miracle.”
Ranken Jordan and Chambers’s family organized a dedication ceremony for Pat’s Miracle Corner Friday, June 21. Also in honor of Chambers’s 90th birthday, her family raised more than $10K for the hospital.
“I am incredibly grateful for this honor from Ranken Jordan,” Chambers said. “The people, patients, and families at Ranken Jordan are so special to me. One of my favorite things is speaking to families and comforting them. Ranken Jordan is a very special place in St. Louis and I am humbled that they have named a space after me.”
Ranken Jordan CEO Shawn Dryden spoke at the dedication and said Chambers is an example of how vital volunteers are to Ranken Jordan, providing friendly faces and help to patients and families who need it.
“Pat is always willing to listen to caregivers and parents, which is an important part of our mission,” Dryden said. “Our ultimate goal is a world where every child with complex medical needs lives their best life and part of creating that experience is taking care of our patients’ families and, just like Pat, supporting them through their journey. I would like to thank Pat for being such a valued volunteer at Ranken Jordan–we are very fortunate to have her!”
Chambers started volunteering at Ranken Jordan in 2006, first helping patients in the warm water therapy pool. In 2013, she lost her leg due to an infection, but didn’t let that stop her from volunteering. She later became a greeter.
In her professional life, Chambers spent many years working for the Parents as Teachers Association and traveled to most 50 states. She was also a PAT coordinator in the Pattonville School District, retiring in 2006.
To learn more about Ranken Jordan, visit rankenjordan.org.
