Guided by compassion and a deep sense of purpose, Cheryl Held has built a career that unites the science of health care with the art of spiritual healing. As the owner and chief executive officer of Little Flower Healing Hands, she leads with empathy and a steadfast commitment to healing through touch. Her work centers on the practice of Healing Touch, an energy therapy designed to promote balance and harmony within the human energy system. Under her leadership, Little Flower Healing Hands has become a trusted source of care for individuals seeking a holistic path to recovery and peace. Her certification from Healing Beyond Borders underscores her mastery in this specialized field and affirms her role as a leader in integrative health practices.
Ms. Held’s academic background is the cornerstone of her success. She earned a Master of Pastoral Ministry from Maryville College, now Maryville University, after completing both a Bachelor of Science in nursing and an Associate of Science in nursing from the same institution. This educational foundation provided the balance of clinical training and spiritual formation that would later define her approach to patient care. The combination of nursing science and pastoral study shaped her belief that healing requires attention not only to the physical body but also to emotional and spiritual well-being.
Before establishing Little Flower Healing Hands, Ms. Held devoted many years to clinical practice within hospital settings, where her compassion and leadership were evident. Her work at St. Luke’s Hospital allowed her to apply both her technical skills and her gift for patient-centered care. Prior to that, she spent sixteen years at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a period that proved transformative in her professional journey. There, she provided exceptional nursing care and became a trusted mentor to emerging nurses. She often describes mentorship as one of the most rewarding aspects of her career, as it allowed her to share not only her knowledge but also her belief in the healing power of kindness, patience and confidence.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Held worked at St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood, where she continued to strengthen her clinical acumen and reinforce her commitment to the values that define effective caregiving: compassion, diligence, and respect for the dignity of every patient. In addition to her extensive hospital experience, she has made lasting contributions to faith-based education. For seventeen years, she served as a Parish School of Religion teacher, guiding young people in spiritual development and community engagement. This work reflected her conviction that teaching is itself a form of healing, a way to nurture understanding, empathy, and faith in others.
Ms. Held’s professional credentials include certification as a registered nurse and as a certified nursing assistant, reflecting her comprehensive expertise in patient care. Her dual proficiency in clinical practice and energy therapy allows her to approach each client with both scientific knowledge and spiritual awareness, ensuring that healing addresses every aspect of human experience.
Outside her professional commitments, Ms. Held remains active in her community and in her faith. She is a Secular Franciscan within the Roman Catholic tradition, embodying values of humility, service and compassion. Her faith community provides both strength and inspiration as she continues to serve others through her healing ministry. Through her work, she continues to exemplify how professional excellence and spiritual devotion can coexist in harmony, shaping a legacy of care that extends far beyond clinical walls.