“You only get one life”

Michelle Mondello was breastfeeding her youngest child of three when she noticed a lump in her breast. Michelle was only 35 years old and had no family history of breast cancer. Because of her age and background, she wasn’t a candidate for regular mammograms. But after a biopsy at the Breast HealthCare Center at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Michelle was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive form of cancer that accounts for 10 to 15 percent of all breast cancers.

Get the care you need, when you need it

Knowing where to get medical care is important, especially for sudden injuries or illnesses. For health concerns, Peter Fletcher, MD, Washington University emergency medicine physician and interim medical director of emergency medicine at MoBap, advises contacting your primary care provider first unless it’s an emergency.

Mark Finds A New Path to Healing

After years of living with diabetes, Mark had developed a grade 3 non-healing wound on the bottom of his foot that kept him from standing or walking without pain. The diligent support of the Wound Healing Center team coupled with the hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Mark would find a new path to healing.

Mitral Valve Replacement

When Tina needed a new mitral valve, she benefited from BJC HealthCare’s collaborative approach to care that connected her with a multidisciplinary team of heart specialists. Her journey included seamless coordination between medical teams at two BJC HealthCare facilities: Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Missouri Baptist Medical Center (MoBap).

There’s No Place Like Home Raises Over $550,000

The Community Unites for MoBap NICU Renovation and Expansion

Event chairs from left, Roy and Lisa Kramer and Arica and Steven Harris.

On September 14, 190 guests came together at Barnett on Washington for “There’s No Place Like Home” to support the renovation and expansion of the Missouri Baptist neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The land of Oz–themed event, co-chaired by Arica and Steven Harris and Roy and Lisa Kramer, raised over $550,000. The night was filled with friendship, stories and a shared commitment to supporting the lives of the tiniest patients and their families.

Meeting the Needs of MoBap’s Youngest Patients

Each year on average, 3,600 babies are born at MoBap, and about 15% of them are admitted to the NICU at MoBap. Once there, leading specialists in premature and high-risk birth from WashU and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country, work together to offer patients and families exceptional care and support.

A Personal Connection to the Cause

Arica Harris explains why supporting the NICU renovations is so important to her. “Investing in our

children’s future and supporting our community are causes close to my heart. The NICU renovations will create a welcoming space where babies can grow and help families during a worrisome and often traumatic time so they can go home together.”

Creating a Family-Centered Environment

The plans include creating a family-centric, modernized and expanded NICU with an enhanced clinical environment. It will also feature private rooms, allowing parents to sleep or “room-in” with their infants, which increases infant bonding, breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact and provides a supportive environment for both babies and parents.

A Home-Like Atmosphere for Healing

According to WashU neonatologist and chief of newborn medicine at MoBap Barbara Warner, MD, the new MoBap NICU will create a home-like atmosphere, easing the stress many parents face while ensuring their newborns receive the individualized care they need.

A Commitment to Compassionate Care

Lisa Kramer emphasizes the importance of this renovation. “When I think of MoBap, I think of extraordinary care and compassion. Most parents-to-be don’t anticipate a NICU stay, and touring the NICU made me realize how much families need a friendly, private and comfortable environment during such a critical time.”

Her husband, Roy Kramer, added, “Through my involvement on the Missouri Baptist Healthcare Foundation board, I’ve seen firsthand the passion and dedication of the doctors and administration. They are always looking for ways to improve, and this NICU renovation is evidence of a shared commitment to provide excellent health care.”

Families Share Their Stories of Hope

During the fund-the-need portion of the event, three families whose children are NICU graduates shared their stories. Their experiences highlighted the role the NICU plays in providing exceptional care during some of the most challenging times for families.

With plans in place, construction of the new NICU will begin in 2026.

During the event, three families shared their personal NICU journeys.

When they needed it the most, the Nahliks found care and compassion in the MoBap NICU.

“They sensed our fear and were calm, attentive and honest with us. The NICU staff was amazing in both their care and compassion for our girls. We’re forever grateful.”

Ellen and Rob Nahlik, parents of twins

The Lancasters gained the support and guidance they needed in the NICU.

“We are so thankful to the doctors, nurses and staff at MoBap for their support and guidance as we navigated the NICU journey. I feel like my babies were in the best hands at Missouri Baptist's NICU.”

Abigail and Jeremy Lancaster, parents of quadruplets

To the Sappersteins, the MoBap NICU made a world of difference.

“During the hardest moments, the NICU staff knew how to support us, including being a shoulder to cry on. We've never forgotten how much that meant to us. The kindness we experienced made all the difference in the world.”

Sarah and Andrew Sapperstein, parents of twins

Douglas Copeland

Charles Houska, Adam Day, Ashley Hever and Ted Wight

Jeff Kapfer and Dr. David Sewall

James and Lesley Shekelton

Linda and Bart Haberstroh

Dr. Barbara Warner and Emcee Rene Knott

Mark Ellebrecht, Alisse Camazine, Tammi Laiderman and Steve Laiderman

Rod McCann and Cindy and Kurtis Reeg

Kelly Webb and Andy Arnold

Charlotte and Joe Moro