Children’s Hospital Patient Recognition Wall

At St. Louis Children’s Hospital, a recognition wall honors patients as they transition from pediatric to adult sickle cell care. Sickle cell disease involves years of treatment and regular visits, during which patients and care teams build close relationships.

To acknowledge the transition in treatment, this display was developed to reflect each patient’s individual journey and foster shared experiences among patients navigating sickle cell disease together. Each patient stamps their handprint onto a plastic sheet, which is then heated to shrink into a small, unique token. These handprints are placed into acrylic containers, gradually forming a collective record of hope, connection, and resilience.

Every design detail was chosen with intention, adding layers of meaning to the display. Hexagons represent the molecular structures found in treatment compounds. The crescent imagery resembles the shape of a sickle cell, and maroon accents reference the awareness ribbon, connecting the display to the broader sickle cell community. Together, these elements form a lasting tribute to the strength of the sickle cell warriors and their ongoing journey.