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An Incredible Recovery: Hiyab and Wuhbto at Ranken Jordan Their separation is complete. Their rehabilitation is just beginning.
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Through a global pediatric partnership, the girls traveled to St. Louis for life-changing medical care. Their remarkable medical journey, from multiple surgeries to a successful separation to now recovering at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, has captured international attention.
Separation was not the end of their story. Hiyab and Wuhbto’s rehabilitation is just beginning, and they will remain at Ranken Jordan as long as they need. We are honored to care for them. Follow their progress with updates on this page.
Hiyab and Wuhbto’s Story
In February 2026, surgeons at Cardinal Glennon successfully completed their cranial separation surgery. Just weeks later, they celebrated their second birthday in March 2026. ‘
Today, Hiyab and Wuhbto are recovering after their series of complex surgeries while receiving ongoing rehabilitation and medical care at Ranken Jordan.
Through a multidisciplinary therapy regimen at Ranken Jordan, the girls are beginning to take full advantage of the miracle of their surgeries at Cardinal Glennon. They are now able to participate in individually focused therapies to do the activities of daily living they could not do while conjoined.
Although they are still in the middle of an extensive medical journey, they are making progress toward one day pursuing independent lives.
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Leigh Walters Communications,
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Haley Raymond,
Leigh Walters Communications,
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Celebrating the Heart of a Champion
It’s not often when a name perfectly aligns with a person’s character. But Barb Champion is an advanced nurse practitioner who is a genuine champion for the children she cares for at Ranken Jordan, especially those with complicated burns and wounds. Because of Barb’s tireless dedication (she has even come in on her day off to care for particularly complex patients), her co-workers nominated her as a DAISY Award winner in 2021. It was no surprise to them when she was selected as a winner but it was to Barb.
Ranken Jordan Opens Magical Outdoor Therapeutic Playground
Spending time outside in nature offers proven health benefits for the mind and body. Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital has taken that concept to magical heights by creating a new Activity Canyon right in its own backyard complete with hobbit holes, animal tracks, log steppers, a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, bongo drums, whispering trees, a tea pot garden and more. These whimsical features inspire curiosity and exploration to motivate children during therapy and play.
Horticulture Therapy: Top 10 Sensory Plants
Sensory exploration of plants can provide a sense of calm, deepen our connection with nature and remind us to slow down and enjoy the details of plants. Jeanne Carbone from the Missouri Botanical Gardens joined us for a webinar highlighting the Therapeutic Horticulture team’s Top 10 Sensory Plants.
Ranken Jordan Celebrates 80 Years of Play for Healing
A year-long celebration kicked off today recognizing the 80-year anniversary of present-day Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, a unique facility that helps children with complex conditions transition safely to home.
Generosity Heals and Nurtures Over Decades
Like every teenager of every generation, 15-year-old Barbara Andrew’s social life was her primary focus in 1964. Then, just as she had begun enjoying the fun of being a high school freshman, her health took a turn.
Celebrating a Compassionate Nurse On-the-Go
After Brandi Robertson, RN, had a traumatizing experience with inadequate nursing care surrounding the birth of her first child, she had an “aha” moment that changed the course of her life. “I didn’t want anyone else to ever have to go through that,” she says. “That’s why I decided to become a nurse.”
SendAFriend Raises $60k+ and Smiles for Kids
SendAFriend is an organization that aims to share laughs and smiles in a world often consumed with bad news, discouraging events, and negativity. SendAFriend’s goals align closely with Ranken Jordan’s own mission of helping children heal physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Moreover, every month, SendAFriend donates 10% of its total revenue to different pediatric hospitals around the country, and last August, SendAFriend donated $69,623 to Ranken Jordan!
Generous Donors Answer the Call
When Shannon and Bill Willhite learned that Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital needed to upgrade its nurse call light system to better care for the growing number of children at the hospital, they answered the call. The long-time Ranken Jordan volunteers and board members generously donated the funds necessary for a more sophisticated nurse call light system, which was installed in fall 2020.
The Making of an Award-Winning Physical Therapist
Sally Katz, a physical therapist at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, understands the importance of teamwork. So, when she was recently honored with the Florence P. Kendall Service Award, established by Saint Louis University’s Program in Physical Therapy, it was no surprise when she shared the credit with her colleagues at Ranken Jordan.
Climbing Wall Opens to Encourage More Victories
With so many things closing due to the 2020 pandemic, it’s refreshing to hear about something fun and new opening. In September, Ranken Jordan celebrated the official opening of its adaptive rock climbing wall. The wall was incorporated into Ranken Jordan’s expansion in 2018. However, before it could be used, it needed a few finishing touches that required additional funding. Because of Mitchell Herndon and his generous friends and family, the rock climbing wall at Ranken Jordan was finally completed to benefits kids of all abilities.
Mary Ranken Jordan Service to Children Award 2020
The 2020 recipients of the Mary Ranken Jordan Service to Children Award are Rich and June Vandegrift.
Model MRI Donation Helps Kids Cope Through Play
At Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, play is an important part of every day for kids. Medical play, another level of play, involves using real and pretend medical items to reduce fear and help kids cope with treatments and tests. Ranken Jordan’s child life specialists educate kids about why they’re in the hospital and help them cope with their experiences through medical play. Play is familiar and comforting to kids in a new situation.
Keep up with everything going on at Ranken Jordan.
“I still think about how Ranken Jordan changed my life.”
— Kiland Sampa, Inpatient Jul-Nov 2013, Outpatient Dec 2013-Dec 2014