Neonatology - Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for High Risk Newborn

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Neonatology department at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to high risk newborns and newborns with genetic birth defects in Missouri, Kansas and the Midwest region.

How is the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Children's Mercy Hospital different?
Our Level IV Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides the most advanced technology in neonatal and surgical care available in the Midwest region, including ECMO and nitric oxide therapy. Patients and referring physicians have immediate access to our board-certified neonatologists and pediatric subspecialists who support the intricate medical and developmental needs of sick infants and high risk newborns. We also provide the only 24-hour per day ground and air transport service in the region dedicated to neonatal patients in Missouri, Kansas and entire Midwest.

Why is Children's Mercy the best children's hospital for neonatal care?
Children's Mercy accepts referrals from all regional hospitals and provides the area's only comprehensive medical and surgical management service for technology dependent infants and high risk newborns. Despite an increased severity of illness, our organized, comprehensive discharge care has resulted in significantly shorter lengths of stay for neonates, compared to the national average.

What type of facilities does the neonatal intensive care unit and neonatology department have for high risk newborns?
Our 42-bed nursery is very different from most units in the Kansas City metro area. We have designed the nursery to have more space between each clinical unit, noise control measures and customized lighting. The nursery environment remains relatively quiet and restful in comparison with other intensive care areas. This parent-friendly facility allows for more frequent and longer visits. We encourage the parents to participate in the care of their high risk newborn. Our parent-friendly facility allows for more frequent and longer visits. Parents are encouraged to participate in the care of their high risk newborn.

For more information on neonatology at Children's Mercy, see the following care cards:

Neonatal Hearing Screening

Neonatology Staff

Castro, Lisa , MD
Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine
Ekekezie, Ikechukwu , MD
Neonatologist; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Medical Director, Donald W. Thibeault, MD Neonatal Research Laboratories
Gratny, Linda , MD
Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Director of Home Ventilator Program; Director of St. Joseph Medical Center and St. Mary’s Medical Center Nurseries
Hall, Frederick , DO
Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Director of Medical Services/Medical Compliance; Director of the Shawnee Mission Medical Center Nursery
Jackson, Jodi , MD
Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Johnson, Paul G. , DO
Hospitalist in Neonatology; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Khmour, Ayman , MD
Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Kilani, Ramzi , MD
Neonatologist; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Kilbride, Howard , MD
Section Chief, Neonatology; Director, Intensive Care Nursery; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Director of North Kansas City Hospital Nurseries
Knapitsch, Amy C. , MD
Special Care Clinic; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Lachica, Charisse I. , MD
Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Manimtim, Winston , MD, FAAP
Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
McNellis, Emily , MD
Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Director of Transport
Merrihew, Michelle , DO
Hospitalist in Neonatology; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine
Murthy, Vydehi , MD
Hospitalist in Neonatology; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Okah, Felix , MD
Neonatologist; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Director, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program
Olsen, Steven L. , MD
Neonatologist, Assistant Professor, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Oluola, Okunola , MD
Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Oshodi, Adebayo , MD
Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Pallotto, Eugenia , MD
Neonatologist; Associate Medical Director, Intensive Care Nursery; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Medical Director of ECMO
Pettett, Gary , MD
Neonatologist; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Director, Office of Research Integrity; Fellow, Center for Practical Bioethics; Director, E.Grey Dimond Program in International Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Robertsen, Christine , MD
Pediatrician in Neonatology; Director, Special Care Clinic-Neonatal; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Sharma, Jotishna , MD
Neonatologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Sheehan, Michael , MD
Neonatologist; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Director of Truman Medical Center Nurseries
Truog, William , MD
Neonatologist; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Sosland Chair in Neonatal Research; Vice Chairman of Academic Affairs-Faculty Development
Turnbull, E. Wendy , PhD
Developmental Psychologist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine