Clinical Care Impact
You fuel best-in-class pediatric care
When Brexley was only 18 days old, she stopped breathing while her family was driving in Kiowa County, Kansas. Her parents, Gracie and Kahl, dialed 911 as they tried to resuscitate their daughter.
Master Trooper Evan Jacks of the Kansas Highway Patrol answered the call and performed infant CPR until Brexley regained consciousness and started crying.
Brexley was taken to an area hospital and then transferred to a medical center in Wichita. There, an echo cardiogram revealed Brexley had heart issues, and she was transferred again to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Mercy Kansas City.
As the only Level IV NICU in a 200-mile radius, at Children’s Mercy families have access to a full range of more than 400 newborn medicine specialists, highly trained pediatric nurses and anesthesiologists and specialized equipment for our tiniest patients.
Without Children’s Mercy, we wouldn’t be where we are. They have some of the biggest minds and hearts you’ll ever meet.
An innovative two-step treatment
Brexley went on to have two heart surgeries at the Ward Family Heart Center at Children’s Mercy. The team of 35 pediatric cardiologists and heart surgeons provide nationally recognized care for children with all types of heart conditions. The size and scope of the program means we care for some of the most complex kids, and our outcomes continue to surpass the national average.
By altering his approach and technique, Dr. Edo Bedzra, Heart Center congenital cardiac surgeon, and Director of Cardiac Surgical Innovation was able to operate without putting Brexley on a heart and lung machine or cooling her body, which cut down on potential side effects and risks.
Brexley spent a couple weeks in the hospital recovering, gaining weight and lowering her blood pressure. Back home, Brexley is growing fast and sleeping well. She visits her cardiologist every two weeks to monitor her progress.
In appreciation
Gracie and Kahl said that everyone at Children’s Mercy—from the transport team to the NICU and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit staff to the Ronald McDonald volunteers—were compassionate and made a very scary process much easier on them.
The comprehensive, leading edge care Brexley received through the Ward Family Heart Center is just one example of how your support makes possible the highest standards of pediatric clinical care and nationally ranked outcomes for families.
Angels work there. Have faith because they’ll take care of you and get you through it. They know what they’re doing. They are truly amazing.
We are building a network of expert care for kids
Your investment in world-class clinical care at Children’s Mercy reaches children from across the heartland, all 50 states and 14 countries each year. To ensure children have access to care nearby, our outreach locations serve patients across western and southern Missouri and all of Kansas. Together, with Children’s Mercy Affiliated Practices (CMAPs) in the Kansas City metro, we are building a robust network to advance our shared commitment to providing world-class care for all kids in our communities.
Extending care to children throughout our communities
From life-saving support when every second counts to diagnosis and treatment plans, Children’s Mercy Affiliated Practices work together by sharing expertise, best practices and collaborative solutions with like-minded pediatricians to improve how care is delivered.
CMAP Growth: Total number of CMAP physicians and nurse practitioners
Leaders in pediatric care
With your help, Children’s Mercy is recognized as one of the nation’s leading independent children’s health systems and the place families turn to for holistic pediatric care.
|
Patient visits |
|
|---|---|
| 6,687 | Home care visits |
| 53,771 | Primary care visits |
| 53,346 | Telemedicine visits |
| 196,770 | Emergency/Urgent care |
| 344,193 | Outpatient visits |
| 594,734 | Total visits |
*Statistics as of fiscal year 2024.