Foundations for the Future: 10 Years of Research at Children's Mercy Month

June 19, 2025

This year marks 10 years of celebrating Research at Children's Mercy Month, the chance to recognize the many breakthroughs and discoveries that help kids heal, grow, and thrive.

“Really, it’s easy to understand why the idea of celebrating research grows and continues to get better and better,” said Robin Ryan, MPH, CCRP, who started Research Month 10 years ago and retired earlier this year as the Research Program Director, of Hem/Onc/BMT. “Research is amazing and when it gets talked about; it's a story that people want to hear.”

To commemorate the first known randomized clinical trial in 1747 (James Lind's scurvy study), researchers around the world celebrate International Clinical Trials Day on May 20th each year. Here at Children's Mercy, however, we started with Clinical Trials Week and have since extended the celebration to fill the entire month and recognize ALL those who take part in research.

In January, colleagues voted on this year’s celebratory theme: Foundations for the Future. May was filled with education and connection and recognized groups and individuals involved in the advancements we’ve made as a hospital. Highlights include:

An activity passport encouraged participation in Research Month events, both virtually and in-person.
A display near the Children’s Mercy Research Institute café.
A social media campaign and video takeover on Children’s Mercy channels, including posts on BlueSky and a heartwarming video on why we do research.
A lighting of The Children's Mercy Research Institute in colors of blue, green and purple from May 19-23.
An opening and closing celebration that honored the milestone.
Four Lunch and Learns provided education for all team members.
58 posters submitted for this year’s poster session (a new record).

Dolores Lamb, PhD, HCLD (ABB), CC (NRCC)

Bites and research insights

The four in-person Lunch and Learns were held in the CMRI Big Slick Auditorium and available to watch virtually via Microsoft Teams. They included:

Post Doc Talks presented by Debarpan Dhar, PhD, M.Sc, Laboratory Medicine Research, Infectious Diseases, and Chase Sakitis, PhD, Health Services and Outcomes Research.
Early Career Investigators in Developmental and Behavioral Research presented by Jenny Scheurich, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, and Alec Bernstein PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, Senior Behavioral Analyst, Developmental and Behavioral Health.
Translational Research - The Ticking Biological Clock and the Problem of Advanced Paternal Age presented by Dolores Lamb, PhD, HCLD (ABB), CC (NRCC), Doctoral Research Faculty, Urology, Director, Developmental Biology, Co-Director, Research Learning Center, with an introduction by Brooke Fridley, PhD, MS, Doctoral Research Faculty, Director Biostatistics and Epidemiology Core (BEC).
Poster Presentation Speed Rounds presented by Priscilla Flores-Ascencio, MS; Madeline Glodowski; Meagan Vacek, DO; Piyanka Hettiarachchi, PhD; Dipesh Thapa; and Eric Geanes, MS.

Stop to celebrate

We bookended Research Month with celebrations featuring giveaways, games, beverages and snacks. The kick-off celebration included tabling by research groups and teams that support research.

Toward the end of the month, a closing celebration wrapped things up with awards, a social hour and a heartwarming Connect to Purpose. The afternoon included:

A presentation from Robin and recognitions given to both Robin and Kelly Dickerson, PhD, RN, CCRP, Senior Manager, Research Education and Communications, for keeping Research Month going.
Comments from Steve Leeder, PharmD, PhD, Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer, CMRI, and Ale Quiroga, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer.
A Connect to Purpose talk from Katie Proberts, the parent of one of our research participants.
Awards presented from the poster presentations.

Top photo (L-R): Eric Geanes, Tyandra Moore. Bottom photo (L-R): Stephanie Kukora, Lynette Lartey

Research in review

Authors presented during the interactive poster session. Judges scored on clarity, impact and scientific rigor. Congratulations to this year's poster award recipients:

Best Abstract: Eric Geanes, MS, Research Laboratory Supervisor, Genomic Medicine Center
Crowd Favorite: Tyandra Moore, MS, MBA, Graduate Medical Education Coordinator
Best Trainee Poster Presentation Award: Madeline Glodowski, former Research Learner
Best Poster Presentation: Stephanie Kukora, MD, Physician, Neonatology, and Lynette Lartey, MPH, MCHES®, Research Associate Masters, Health Services and Outcomes Research

Thanks to Library Services, you can view the digital poster collection.

CM commits to more bold science for brighter futures

Even though Research Month has reached its close, Children’s Mercy will continue its search for answers and innovations every day. “We are committed to growth, but we're going to be doing it in a time of uncertainty,” said Dr. Leeder. “It's safe to say that disruption [from executive orders] is now the rule. It's not an exception to the rule. It's not going to change who we are or what we do.”

Ale added: “As we move forward, that's my ask of you: Are we thinking big enough? Are we being bold? Are we thinking about the impact that this is going to have on our patients?

Katalin Karikó received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023. But it took a long time for the world to recognize her boldness. I see the boldness in you. We can do a lot of things together. Just go for it.”

Foundations for the future

Looking into your crystal ball, how do you see the work you are doing today having an impact on children in the future? Several research team members responded; you can find their answers posted on Bluesky.

Check out the video below where our research team members answered more curious questions from kids. Hear what drives them to help the smallest patients with the biggest hearts.