Orthopedic Surgery Research Team
About the Team
At Children's Mercy, our Orthopedic Surgery Research team is dedicated to advancing pediatric orthopedics through innovative research. Our mission is to deepen the understanding of how orthopedic interventions can enhance health outcomes for infants and children.
Our multidisciplinary team collaborates closely to address a wide range of bone, joint, spine, and musculoskeletal conditions. By integrating expertise from various specialists, we ensure evidence-based approaches to each child's care.
Driven by the goal of improving treatment methodologies, our research efforts focus on pioneering surgical techniques and exploring non-surgical solutions. We are committed to providing the highest standard of care and contributing to the global body of orthopedic knowledge.
Involvement in the community
Our team is deeply committed to advancing access to healthcare and supporting the well-being of children and adolescents across our region. Our community-focused initiatives span a wide range of conditions, including scoliosis, slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) and osteochondrities dissecans (OCD) lesions and aim to ensure inclusive care across populations.
Our Sports Medicine team has partnered with schools and local organizations to reduce barriers to healthcare following ACL injuries and to address food insecurity among adolescent athletes. These efforts include school-level interventions and ongoing research into the impact of social determinants of health on orthopedic outcomes, including OCD lesions. We've also established a Gunshot Wound (GSW) registry, which connects victims with counseling services and safety net resources to support recovery and long-term well-being.
Recent research
Collaboration with Regional Academic Institutions
The team maintains active collaborations with the University of Kansas, Kansas City University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. These partnerships support both student education and faculty-led research initiatives.
While University of Kansas medical students do not receive formal course credit for their involvement, participation in Children's Mercy research projects offers valuable experience, mentorship and opportunities for CV-building — especially for residency and fellowship applications.
Beyond medical student involvement, Children's Mercy collaborates with faculty and researchers from these institutions on a variety of orthopedic studies, contributing to regional innovation and advancing care for pediatric patients.
Student & training opportunities
Orthopedics Surgery Research offers several education and training opportunities for postdoctoral graduates, current medical students and undergraduate students on a medical school track. To learn more, click through the links provided below.
Leader
Caleb Grote, MD, PhD, serves as the Research Director for Orthopedic Surgery at Children's Mercy, bringing a unique blend of clinical expertise and research acumen to the team. As one of the only MD, PhD orthopedic surgeons in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, Dr. Grote is dedicated to advancing pediatric orthopedic care through innovative research and comprehensive treatment methodologies.
With a distinguished background in pediatric orthopedic surgery, Dr. Grote's leadership is instrumental in driving forward our mission to improve health outcomes for infants and children. His commitment to integrating cutting-edge surgical techniques and non-surgical solutions ensures that our research efforts remain at the forefront of the field.
Dr. Grote oversees a wide breadth of research initiatives, including fracture remodeling, trauma, and post-operative pain management with a focus on opioid use in pediatric orthopedics. His work also emphasizes adolescent hip pathology and hip preservation, aiming to improve patient outcomes, enhance surgical efficiency, and refine surgical technique.
Under Dr. Grote's direction, our multidisciplinary team collaborates to address a wide range of orthopedic conditions, fostering a holistic approach to care that encompasses physical, nutritional, and psychological well-being. His vision and expertise continue to shape the future of pediatric orthopedics, making a profound impact on the lives of young patients.
- Research Areas
- Labs and Research Teams
- Baby Health and Behavior Lab
- Baby Lab
- Bactrim Lung Failure Team
- Behavioral Pain Innovations Lab
- Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition
- Community Engaged Research Team
- Developmental and Behavioral Health Research Group
- Fridley Lab
- Laboratory of Immunogenomics
- Milkovich Lab
- Nadler Lab
- Orthopedic Surgery Research Team
- Pediatric Brain Cancer Research Team/Yadav Lab
- Ramsey Lab
- Varberg Lab
- Younger Lab
Director, Orthopedic Research; Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine