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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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Why It’s More Important Than Ever To Get Your Flu Shot
Many of us are feeling coronavirus overload. We’re tired of the threat of COVID-19 and its persistent grasp on our daily lives. Tired of worrying about every sniffle and cough. Tired of the uncertainty. To compound our concerns, flu season is on our doorstep. The good news is we are empowered to do something about it—by simply getting a flu shot. This is an illness that you can control and have an impact on because a vaccine is already available.
One Pandemic at a Time
The biggest threat across the country as we continue to see a steady rise in COVID-19 cases is what we may face in just a few months—Influenza. The 2019-2020 Influenza season was one of the most severe in recent years; the CDC reported more than 50,000,000 flu illnesses, 740,000 flu hospitalizations and 62,000 flu deaths. Of those, 188 were pediatric deaths [1]. As of August 25, COVID-19 has affected more than 5.7 million in the U.S. alone, with more than 178,000 deaths. Of those, 92 were pediatric deaths [1,2,3]. Despite the large number of COVID-19 cases both in the U.S and worldwide, there’s a lot we still don’t know about COVID-19. Evidence so far suggests that children with medical complexity (CMC) are at increased risk for severe illness and therefore our continued attention to this topic is of high value [4].
Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust Donates Patient Lifts
The Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust has given Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital $100,000 to fund power lifts to ensure safer lifting of patients as they transfer in and out of bed.
“Pandemic Delay” Keeps Challenger Baseball Players in the Dug Out
America was thrown a curveball when the COVID-19 pandemic hit this spring. We waited for months for baseball to return after an historic “pandemic delay.” While professional bats are swinging again— at least for now—one league is still waiting in the dugout: Challenger Baseball.
As Child Abuse Increases, Gift Shores Up Lifesaving Care
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the Midwest in earnest in March, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital has seen the number of children injured through abuse or gunshot violence double.
Finding the Silver Lining: Reaching More Families Virtually
Because Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital cares for fragile children with medically complex needs, protecting these children and the hospital staff members who care for them from COVID-19 has been a critical priority.
New Outpatient Pediatric Psychology Service
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital recently added an outpatient psychology service to support medically complex patients who come to the hospital for outpatient therapy or clinics.
Team Effort Sets Record in Infection Prevention
While 2020 has been heavy with worry thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the team at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital has reason to celebrate. The hospital has surpassed a full year—a record—without having a central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in any patients.
DAISY Award Winner Leaves Handprints on Hearts
Debi Kienstra, RN, BSN, was so immersed in her daily work caring for patients at Ranken Jordan that she nearly missed a special ceremony honoring her as the hospital’s second DAISY Award winner. In fact, she didn’t even know she was nominated for the award.
Hospital Week Mission Report
We’re privileged to care for some of the most medically complex children every single day. As we enter Hospital Week, I am in awe at the resilience and determination of each team member has demonstrated this past year, especially these past few months. Your hopeful spirits are contagious. Just look at Lisa Wana, one of our extraordinary children who has shown us what can happen when we never give up.
Give STL Day 2020
On Thursday, May 7th, Ranken Jordan will participate in Give STL Day, a 24-hour online fundraising event to support non-profits in the Greater St. Louis area. We are grateful for the St. Louis Community Foundation’s leadership in proceeding with Give STL Day, as well as to the Berges Family Foundation for being the Give STL Day presenting sponsor. Our hearts go out to everyone across the world afflicted directly or indirectly by the COVID-19 pandemic.
May Big FISH 2020 – Stephen Ogero
Whitney Nolden, a dietary cook at Ranken Jordan, passed the big fish onto Stephen Ogero who is part of our wonderful facilities team. Stephen is a hard worker who enjoys meeting the needs of others. He is patient, kind and thoughtful to everyone he encounters and is a shining example of Ranken Jordan’s FISH philosophy that includes Play, Make Their Day and Choose Your Attitude.
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