Ranken Jordan's History
Mary Ranken Jordan was a strong community leader and philanthropist. She and her husband had no children of their own, fueling her dream to help youngsters, especially those with medical needs. She conducted research to determine how she could put her resources to best use. Prominent pediatricians advised her that what St. Louis needed was a place for children to convalesce from the ravages of polio, osteomyelitis, and bone tuberculosis.
She traveled the country to research outstanding pediatric medical facilities and returned to build the state-of-the-art The Ranken-Jordan Home for Convalescent Crippled Children in West St. Louis County. Ranken Jordan opened its doors April 9, 1941. But Mrs. Jordan's work didn't stop there. She stayed involved through frequent visits with the children. Upon her death in 1962, Mrs. Jordan left an endowment to maintain her dream.
Now in 2010
Ranken Jordan is the only pediatric specialty hospital of its kind in Missouri and most of the children served are from a three-state area. Although, Ranken Jordan has also served children as far as Western Europe to the Middle East. Children from two-weeks to 21 years of age are referred to Ranken Jordan from hospitals, clinics and private physicians. The average length of stay is 45 days.
Ranken Jordan treats children with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including:
- brain injuries
- burns
- complications due to prematurity
- medical complications related to obesity
- neuromuscular diseases
- orthopedic injuries
- oxygen/ventilator dependency
- paralysis.
Ranken Jordan also attends to the child's mental and spiritual health and provides comprehensive training for parents in order to facilitate recovery and a successful return home.