Children's Mercy teams up with University of Kansas medical facilities on pediatric program

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A group of Kansas City-area hospitals have joined forces to build a comprehensive interstate pediatric program for Kansans and Missourians focused on care, education, research and advocacy.

The hospitals involved include Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, The University of Kansas Hospital, the University of Kansas Medical Center, and The University of Kansas Physicians.

The program, still in its infant stages of finalization, hopes to provide the best care for children and their families, said Dr. Michael Artman, the Pediatrician-in-Chief and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Children's Mercy Hospital and UMKC School of Medicine.

"By centralizing physician leadership and integrating best practices and resources, we believe we can achieve that goal better and more quickly," Artman said.

Artman will lead the new integrated pediatric program. Chet Johnson, M.D., Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center, will direct the effort at the medical center.

"The path we are announcing today will strengthen the services we offer our patients and allow our specialists to serve even more children," said Bob Page, President and Chief Executive Officer of The University of Kansas Hospital.