A Lasting Legacy

For Margaret “Molly” Rozier Chen, M.D.,  and Heidi Sallee, M.D., a life in service came naturally. As the granddaughters of two of the founding members of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Dr. Rozier Chen and Dr. Sallee understood innately what a career in medicine meant — and both decided to follow in the footsteps of their grandfathers — dedicating their lives to serving children and families in their St. Louis community. 

A Family Affair

Margaret “Molly” Rozier Chen, M.D.’s, grandfather, Austin Sharp, M.D., graduated from Saint Louis University School of Medicine in 1950 and joined the original staff at Cardinal Glennon in 1956.

“He had great contributions to the foundation and mission of Cardinal Glennon, and he dedicated his life to the health of children and families,” Dr. Rozier Chen says. “But I didn’t know him as a pediatrician growing up. I just knew him as my grandfather.” 

When Dr. Rozier Chen was in college, her grandfather passed away—and his death left a profound impact on her, shifting her entire career trajectory.

“I met and read letters from all of his former patients and families he took care of,” she says. “It was really special. A whole new side of him was revealed to me, and it was through his death that I began to learn about his life of service. I knew then that I wanted to take care of people, to treat my patients as my own family, the way that he did.” 

From that moment onward, Dr. Rozier Chen felt called to pursue a career in medicine and was accepted to the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

"I was excited to be walking the same halls that he walked over 50 years before, and often walked by his class photo that was on display outside of the admissions office. I often imagined him giving me a little wink, letting me know that he was proud,” she remembers.

Later, when she became a member of the faculty, her grandfather’s presence was still tangible.

“On my first day as a faculty member at Cardinal Glennon, I walked into the physician’s lounge and there was his picture again, this time as a tribute to the original staff of the hospital. I saw it as another opportunity for him to be watching over me!”

Dr. Rozier Chen’s connections to the local medical community extend beyond her grandfather—her mother has been a NICU nurse at Cardinal Glennon for nearly 40 years.

“She’s the piece between my grandfather and me at Cardinal Glennon,” Dr. Rozier Chen says. “My parents have both been really supportive to me throughout my life, especially when I was choosing my career path.”

As she considered her options in college, Dr. Rozier Chen recalls many people telling her it would be challenging to balance family with a career in medicine—but her parents encouraged her, believing that both were possible. 

Dr. Rozier Chen’s reality is now the one she dreamed about, and she’s proud of the example she embodies for her daughter.

“I want my daughter to see me engaged in a career that I love, the same way that I was able to watch my mother and grandfather in their careers,” she says.“I want her to find meaning and passion in whatever path she chooses, and I hope that I can be that example for her.” 

Carrying on Her Grandfather's Legacy

For Heidi Sallee, M.D., an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, becoming a pediatrician offered her new insight into her family’s roots. After growing up in California, Dr. Sallee didn’t personally know her grandfather — Peter G. Danis, M.D., the founder of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital — but becoming a physician allowed her an opportunity to connect with his legacy.

“I think in some ways, I know him better as a physician because of hearing my family talk about his role in founding the hospital,” she says. She’s also encountered former patients of her grandfather who have mentioned the impact he had on their families. “Those stories you hear from families when he provided reassurance and caring, I love that side of medicine.” 

Since her grandfather’s career, the field of pediatrics has changed dramatically—particularly for women—and Dr. Sallee looks forward to continuing to advocate for a more equitable, compassionate world for female scientists and doctors. She believes that pediatricians can play a unique role in advancing equity.

“So many women are entering pediatrics,” she says. “It’s probably about 75 percent. I think pediatrics has been a leader in terms of how to manage family leave. We can be leaders because we’re half a step ahead of other fields of medicine.” 

As she contemplates her last few decades in the medical world, Dr. Sallee feels a deep sense of purpose.

“To me, this career has definitely always felt like a vocation—that I was being called to do this work. When I finished residency, I worked for five years in East St. Louis at a community health center, and I loved it. When you answer God’s call, you can discern it.” 

The SLU School of Medicine has played an enormous role in the lives of both Dr. Sallee and Dr. Rozier Chen—and their families have carved a path forward for the future of pediatrics.

“SLU has instilled in both of us a lot of values, including the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God,” Dr. Sallee shares. “Not only are we walking in our grandfathers’ footsteps, but we’re walking in the footsteps of everybody who came before us.”