D EFIN IN G M O M EN TS - Barnes-Jewish Hospital

fulfilling needs
in trying times
Dorothy Lillard and her son, Robert Harris, know
the depth of trying times. Lillard’s oldest son, Ronnie
Suggs, is in Barnes-Jewish Hospital waiting for a heart
transplant. Several months ago, Suggs was admitted
for emergency surgery and although his prospects look
much better, he is connected to a ventricular assist
device (VAD) while he waits for a transplant.
Lillard lives two hours southeast of St. Louis in
Murphysboro, Ill., and Harris lives just outside of
Chicago in Danielle, Ill. Neither has a car so when they
want to visit Suggs, transportation is a challenge.
Robert Harris and Dorothy Lillard
Even so, they have managed to visit Suggs six times
since he has been admitted to Barnes-Jewish.
One issue Lillard and Harris don’t worry about is where
they’ll stay once they arrive in St. Louis. “Barnes Lodge
is a wonderful place. Staying here has been a tremendous
help to us,” says Lillard.
“The Barnes Lodge staff has been respectful and
professional yet they make you feel at home. Everyone
here tries to accommodate whatever your needs might
be,” says Harris.
26 BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL • 2011 Annual Report
DEFINING MOMENTS
27
BARNES LODGE