Children's Mercy Kansas City

Are you a health care professional who cares for trauma patients? Join us Sept. 5 at Children’s Mercy Park for our Pediatric Trauma Conference to learn, network and share ideas with our expert Level 1 pediatric trauma care providers from Children’s Mercy and around the nation. This conference is ideal for pre-hospital providers of all levels, including ED and ICU nurses, respiratory therapists and other health care professionals. Register here: https://cmkc.link/3LKKKo8

For the 1 in 20 couples who suffer from recurrent pregnancy loss, a new study by our Genomic Medicine Center offers hope. Researchers Elin Grundberg, PhD, and Dr. Tomi Pastinen received a $3.3 million grant from the National Institute of Health to study the genetic determinants of pregnancy loss. The team will use data from the Genomic Answers for Kids program, electronic medical records and the cutting-edge HiFi-GS sequencing tool in the quest to find out why some couples wrestle with recurrent pregnancy loss. Find out more: https://cmkc.link/4dmqHIe

🥁 Introducing…Brendan, the namesake of our Brendan Tripp Elam Transplant Center! Brendan received a life-saving liver transplant at age 10, and is now a recent college graduate and competitive athlete. Brendan and his family are huge supporters of our pediatric transplant program, which has some of the best outcomes in the nation for heart, liver and kidney transplant patients. ❤️ Brendan is a testament to the world of possibilities that transplant can provide to kids with serious health conditions. He recently won 8 medals at the Transplant Games of America in Birmingham, Alabama! 🎉 Brendan wowed us all with his fast pace, moves on the basketball court, and incredible singing voice. We are so proud of him and his amazing accomplishments! 🏅🏀🎤

Congratulations to Dr. Ryan Koehler who was recently named Division Director, Sports Medicine. Dr. Koehler joined the faculty at Children’s Mercy Kansas City in 2023. Learn more: cmkc.link/Koehler

Help us celebrate our most recent Shining Star of the Patient Experience, endocrinologist Dr. Jennifer Boyd! 🌟 Dr. Boyd has been a beacon of compassion and excellence at Children’s Mercy for over 12 years. Dr. Boyd is most motivated by helping children and families transition from struggling with the many diabetes tasks to finding that inner-drive to change habits. She says that watching that transformation take place brings her joy! Parents rave about Dr. Boyd’s exceptional care. “Dr. Boyd is a phenomenal physician, and we feel so fortunate to have found her,” one parent said. “She checks every box we desire for someone to help us medically. She relates to our child, to us, is medically competent, responsive and overall the best doctor we could ask for.” Thanks for all you do, Dr. Boyd! 👏

We’re celebrating a champion of inclusion – Michelle Wimes (she, her, hers), our SVP and Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer – on receiving the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce Ally of the Year Award! 🏆 Michelle’s powerful words resonate deeply: “Allyship is a verb – it necessarily demands that we show up every day as best we can advocating for inclusion and equity for all.” Congratulations, Michelle! Your commitment to our vision of creating a world of wellbeing for all children – as well as all our team members –inspires us to do our best work. 🙌🎉 #Equity #Inclusion

We are excited to welcome Dr. Jake Dahl as our new Division Director, Otolaryngology. Dr. Dahl is a Complex Pediatric Otolaryngologist and has significant experience in basic and clinical research as well as patient quality and safety work. Learn more: cmkc.link/Dahl.

What’s camp week without a sliming?! Norah, Rosilyn, Shaylie and other patients had way too much fun at today’s camp activity – watching our team members, Shelbi, a music therapist and Nick, a medical interpreter along with special guest, Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell get doused in green goo 🤪 Most of us would do just about anything to see these kids smile, and slime sure does the trick! 💚 https://cmkc.link/4cYmZ7O

Some of our favorite employees are wagging their tails with joy over NutriSource Pet Foods generous investment in our Facility Dog Program! 🐕🦺🎉 Just like their human colleagues, our Facility Dogs need time away from work to have fun, act silly and run out their zoomies. Hunter, Jellybean, Litta and Dusty are over the moon for their new fenced in respite area, made possible by our wonderful community of champions and our partnership with NutriSource & KLN Family Brands. “The unconditional love of a dog can do so much to lift spirits during a stressful, difficult time for kids and families. We know that sometimes the best medicine comes with four legs, a wet nose and a wagging tail,” 💙 said Chase Rasmussen, President of KLN Family Brands.

Children’s Mercy innovation, combined with quick-thinking team members, recently saved a life at our community partner, Operation Breakthrough. Our float pool nurses, Kaylea and Bridget, were filling in as school nurses for the day when they were called to help a teacher who was having a severe allergic reaction! Tiffany, an Operation Breakthrough teacher, was experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis, including swelling, hives, difficulty breathing and itching in her throat, after eating avocado. Nurses Kaylea and Bridget rushed across the building with a portable AED pack, which was specially created by Children's Mercy employees for our outpatient clinics. In addition to an AED, the rescue packs are stocked with emergency equipment like EpiPens and oxygen to help during a crisis. Tiffany was stabilized, treated at a hospital, and was back at work the next day. We’re so thankful for our agile nurses who did not hesitate to jump into action and the innovative emergency packs that made all the difference!