Children's Mercy Kansas City

Today, and every day, we are filled with gratitude for you! To the patients and families we are honored to serve, the volunteers who donate their time and talents, our generous donors who support our vision, and our incredible team members who live our mission to help kids each day, THANK YOU! ?? Wishing you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving!????

Kudos to pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Angela Turpin who received our Shining Star award as a top-rated provider! Dr. Turpin loves to put kids and parents at ease in her clinic and help them navigate whatever challenges they face. The Shining Star award is based on our post-visit feedback surveys, and families were effusive in their praise of Dr. Turpin. One parent said: “Dr. Turpin is one of the most amazing doctors I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting … She is extremely knowledgeable, understanding, flexible and empathetic to what it’s like to have [diabetes] at 13 years old. Although this is not the diagnosis anyone ever wants, especially for their child, working with Dr. Turpin has made dealing with all things diabetes manageable, and we feel like we have someone on our side that genuinely wants to help my child in any way she can. We need more doctors in the world like Dr. Turpin!” Congratulations, Dr. Turpin, on helping your patients have an outstanding experience at Children’s Mercy!

WOW! Did you hear the news? ?? ?? ?? Thanks to a (beyond!) generous contribution from an anonymous donor, anyone who donates to Illuminate, our #MentalHealth initiative, will match every dollar up to $17 MILLION! This money helps expand access to behavioral specialty care, improve early intervention and screenings, offer more inpatient beds and invest in treatment research. All here in the heartland. Looking for an easy way to thank or give this holiday week? Donate to Illuminate and double your do-good! ?? We all know a child or teen that can use expert help with things like depression, anxiety and crisis - thank you for the role you play to help them be at their best. Our goal has YOU and your loved ones at the center. Let’s do this! https://cmkc.link/4g4BacU

Help us congratulate our #EmployeeOfTheMonth, Tonja! ?? Tonja has been a nurse on our palliative care team for nearly 40 years. When asked about the most unique aspect of her role, she said, “I have the privilege of using my nursing skills with a holistic approach to listen, bear witness, communicate and empower decision making in some of the most difficult and emotionally raw times our families face. I am honored to help hold that space, and I don’t take it for granted.” Thank you for being a dedicated helping hand to our patients and families, Tonja. ??

When 2-month-old Riley came to Children’s Mercy with what his parents thought was just a cold, the last thing they expected was to learn he was actually in respiratory failure and watch him be intubated in our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Riley’s mom, Kristina, a former nurse in our PICU, found herself on the receiving end of the comfort and care she used to provide our patients and families for 9 years. This time, care for Riley came from our PICU Staff Nurse, Izzy, who brought her excellent nursing care, upbeat personality and determination to help Riley get better so his tube could be removed as soon as possible. 4 days later, Riley was extubated, and Riley’s parents credit much of his progress to Izzy’s creative solutions, positive thinking and encouragement. Riley’s parents were so grateful for Izzy’s care that they nominated her for a The DAISY Foundation Award, a nursing recognition to honor those who go above and beyond clinical care. Riley, now healthy, joined her family to celebrate Izzy receiving her award! “Izzy’s presence brought an exceptional balance of lightheartedness and humor when we needed it and attention to detail and professionalism when it was time to perform,” said Riley’s dad, TJ. “Thank you, Izzy. Your support and presence were instrumental in keeping us focused on ‘getting that tube out’ and putting our worst nightmare in the rearview mirror.” Congratulations on this outstanding achievement, Izzy! ???? Thank you for transforming a difficult journey for Riley into a one of hope and healing!

?? We’re hiring! ?? Not only are we expanding our mental health facilities to support children and teens, we’re expanding our team! ?? Our Child and Family Mental Health Teams are searching for a Master’s level Clinician or Social Worker to support youth and their families through evidenced-based child and family therapy, consultation and outpatient crisis intervention. Come join our team and be a part of our Illuminate initiative to tackle the youth #MentalHealth crisis. Learn more and apply here: https://cmkc.link/4hXWfaA #SocialWorkCareers #SocialWorkJobs #SocialWork

?? She’s finally here!!! ?? Meet Patsy, our new facility dog – a 17-month-old Golden Retriever/Lab/Doodle mix! ?? Patsy will be joining our facility dog team at the Adele Hall Campus in Kansas City, Mo., bringing comfort, motivation and smiles to our patients in the behavioral health and dialysis units along side Child Life Program Coordinator, Amanda. We’re incredibly grateful for the amazing philanthropic support that made this expansion possible. Welcome to the Children’s Mercy family, Patsy! ??

?? We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our new Mental Wellness Campus in Olathe, KS! ?? This state-of-the-art, 72-bed hospital, created in collaboration with KVC Health Systems, is the first of its kind in the Kansas City metro area. It will provide essential inpatient #MentalHealth care for over 3,400 pediatric and adult patients each year. “Many children have endured extended wait times in the emergency department due to a lack of available beds in the community and we are optimistic that this new campus will significantly reduce the time children spend in crisis waiting for the appropriate care that is needed,” said Paul Kempinski CEO and President of Children’s Mercy. As part of our $150 million Illuminate initiative, this facility will feature interior and exterior courtyards, large dayrooms, dining and activity spaces and a calming design. It will be a beacon of hope for youth struggling with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, trauma and other mental health challenges. “This new hospital is going to transform people’s lives, and for many people, it will be lifesaving,” said Kimberly O’Connor-Soule, LSCSW, President, Children’s Mercy + Camber Mental Health. We are incredibly proud to expand mental health treatment capacity and access in our region, offering a safe and healing environment for those in need. Learn more: https://cmkc.link/3Ok7IDE

“Collaboration is the key to everything,” said neurosurgeon Dr. Christian Kaufman. Thanks to extraordinary collaboration between multiple specialists, 16-year-old Braedon is now pain-free after a Children’s Mercy team removed a rare spinal mass in a series of first-of-their-kind surgeries. Braedon, a high-performing, multi-sport athlete, first thought his severe neck and shoulder pain was from a sports injury. However, specialists discovered a dangerous mass on Braedon’s spine, right at the base of his skull. A team — consisting of Dr. Kaufman; Dr. Doug Rivard, Executive Vice President and Physician-in-Chief and interventional radiologist; Dr. Shao Jiang, plastic surgeon, and an extensive support crew — devised a unique trans-oral approach to safely remove the mass through his mouth. After 3 surgeries, Braedon’s tumor was completely gone and he was finally pain-free and able to function normally. “That’s what Children’s Mercy did — they never stopped until we got it all,” said his mom, Terrah. “That’s why we continue to go to Children’s Mercy. They are the ‘don’t quit’ people!” Read Braedon’s full story: https://cmkc.link/3YUqS9z

Three cheers for our November Volunteer of the Month, Karen! ?????? Karen brings smiles to patients and families at our Adele Hall Campus as a Good Cheer Volunteer. She also gives her time to the Center for Community Connections at Children’s Mercy Clinics on Broadway. “I chose Children’s Mercy for the children,” Karen said. “The smiles are what bring me back!” Congratulations, Karen, and thank you for your dedication to making our patients and families smile!