Children's Mercy

When a brain tumor threatened Mayia's life, our multidisciplinary team created a personalized treatment plan. Dr. Kevin Ginn, a neuro-oncologist and Director of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program, used a combination of 2 drugs to target a specific genetic mutation in Mayia's metastatic ganglioglioma.

Today, the drugs have halted the tumor's growth, and Mayia's care team is closely monitoring her progress. Read more about Mayia's story and the groundbreaking work of our Cancer Care team: https://cmkc.link/4edaWnz

There’s nothing like building your own little BFF! 👾🐧🐙 Liam, Layton and Arielle had so much fun at our inpatient stuff-a-bear event. Thanks to our Integrated Care Solutions team, patients are able to make their very own stuffy to play with and comfort them while they’re in the hospital. 💙

‼️ Don’t forget ‼️ Our Discover Nursing at Children’s Mercy event for nurses looking to join our team is Friday, Sept. 6 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at our Children’s Mercy Research Institute. 👩‍⚕️ We hope to see you there! Register here:

Discover Nursing at Children's Mercy: Registration - 9/6/24 Registration is required to attend. Children's Mercy emphasizes the professional value of communication. Please check your schedule and plan accordingly prior to committing. If you are unable to attend after registering, please email [email protected] as soon as possible.

As the new school year begins, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the incredible strength and resilience of all children, especially our patients who face unique challenges due to various medical diagnoses. 💪❤️

To Birdie, Teddy, Conner, Haylee, Kameron, Benji and every child stepping into the classroom this year, know that your courage and determination inspire us all. Whether you’re returning to school after a long hospital stay, managing your health while keeping up with your studies or anxiously awaiting your turn for school, you are amazing!

Going back to school is a reminder that no matter the obstacles, you have the power to achieve great things. Just like your peers, you deserve to experience the joy of learning, making new friends, and creating beautiful memories.

Here’s to a year filled with growth, laughter, and endless possibilities! 🌈📚✨ Good luck in school this year!

🍎 Happy new school year to Grady and Sully! 🍎 They’re eager to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones. Thanks to help from Children’s Mercy, Grady is able to manage his anxiety, and Sully has gained confidence in social situations and able to make new friends. Wishing you both good luck in school! 🏫✨

There’s still time to 🌈✨DREAM BIG✨🌈 with our amazing partners at Pink Dinosaur! When you purchase a Dream Big Day shirt, 100% of proceeds benefit our patients and families. Order yours by Sept. 6 and register to join in on the fun at https://cmkc.link/3XJYAOJ

Tonight, the Paralympic Games begin, and as we root on each athlete, we’re also cheering for those who help them get there - like Children’s Mercy Rehabilitation Medicine physician Dr. Mark Fisher and Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Division Director Dr. Matt McLaughlin!

In addition to the years of training to be at the top of their sport, athletes also have to be evaluated by doctors to create a level playing field for all athletes who compete in each sport.

At their day job, Children’s Mercy pediatric physicians Dr. Mark Fisher and Dr. Matt McLaughlin help kids rebuild strength and function after an injury or surgery. Outside of work, they also play a special role as International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) classifiers for sport climbing and UCI cycling in the Paralympics, to ensure fair competition. 🧗🚴‍♀️

We can’t wait to tune in to this year’s games and watch these elite athletes! Thank you, Dr. Fisher and Dr. McLaughlin, for your important role in helping athletes of all ages and abilities to play at their best! 👏

Learn more: https://cmkc.link/3MlNlVF

Oh no, oh no! Our bookshelves are running low! 📚 Research shows that reading with your baby is one of the best ways to build relationships and support their language development. Thanks to your donations, we’re able to give every baby a book when they’re admitted to our NICU, but we’re in need of more. 📘

You can share your favorite stories with a family in the hospital during our annual NICU book drive. If you’re able to donate a book from our wish list, we appreciate it! https://cmkc.link/3MpitDS

Thank you for helping us spread the joy of reading!

Back to school 🤝 back to fun! Patients Hollis, Damek, Hudsyn, Riley and Macie are so excited to be back in the classroom socializing with their peers, embarking on new adventures and learning about their favorite topics – like animals and spaceships! 🐒🛸 We are so happy for them and can’t wait to see how they thrive this school year. Good luck!

It seems like raising newborns comes with all sorts of advice... but when it comes to teens, it's a whole different ballgame. If you're struggling to connect with your teen in a way that feels authentic, read our latest Parent-ish blog for some great tips. Prefer to listen? Check our the Parent-ish podcast on this topic, whenever you listen to podcasts! 🎧

How to connect with your teen – authentically It feels like there are a lot of tips to help you prepare for taking care of a newborn – but those newborns grow up and they turn into teenagers. It’s a different ballgame to try to connect with your teen as they are finding their own interests, likes and dislikes. If you’re looking for ways t...

We are LOVING seeing our patient’s first day of school photos! Cheers to Rory, Charles, Sophia, Luke, Jack and Lily for heading back to class. 👀 We spy a future doctor in here! 😍 Whatever you all decide to do, we are so proud of each of you. Have a wonderful year! 📚🍎

Kansas Citians have been warned to stay inside today due to the high temperatures. 🥵 With school and sports in session, it’s easy to wonder if your child is prepared or at risk under the blazing sun. Check out our Parent-ish blog for warning signs and ways to prevent heat-related illness. https://cmkc.link/3P2nnIZ

Preventing heat-related illness Preparing for the return of school sports can any student-athlete excited, but during these hot summer months as the temperatures continue to rise, it’s important to be aware of heat-related illnesses. You don’t have to just be a football player doing 2-a-day outdoor workouts to be affected by h...

If your kids play contact sports, chances are, you’ve worried about concussions. 🏈 ⚽ 🏒 Our pediatric sports medicine physician, Dr. Brian Harvey, shares tips for parents of athletes with Wichita Mom on how to prevent, recognize and treat concussions in kids and teens.

-Prevent: Use protective equipment, follow the rules of the game and avoid head contact as much as possible. Don’t hesitate to ask the coaching staff about concussion protocol and prevention.

-Recognize: Only 10% of concussions result in loss of consciousness. Instead, watch for signs like headache, nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and confusion or “brain fog.”

-Treat: Have your child evaluated by a physician after any suspected concussion. Do not let them return to play until they are cleared – the average recovery time is 3-4 weeks.

Read more:

What Parents of Athletes Need to Know About Concussions According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10% of all contact sport athletes sustain concussions yearly.

Moms with a heart for helping have a new way to support babies in the NICU, both at Children’s Mercy and across the country. Thanks to the great efforts of our lactation team, we are now an official milk depot for the Mothers' Milk Bank, a nonprofit organization that collects, processes and distributes 700,000 ounces of donated breast milk each year.

Breast milk has significant health benefits for babies, especially those who are preterm or have health conditions. We’re thrilled to be able to connect moms who have extra breast milk with the babies who need it most – including patients right here in our NICU.

Lindsay is our first milk donor, generously donating 540 ounces to NICU babies. Help us say thanks to Lindsay and all moms who are able to donate!

Interested donors who have extra breast milk can reach out to the Mother’s Milk Bank to learn more about the donation process at: https://cmkc.link/3YPHMpY

“There were several times we thought Brecklynn wasn’t going to live. But we’ve had an awesome amount of support here at Children’s Mercy,” shares Brecklynn’s mom, Amber.

Strong, 💪 sweet 🥰 and bright ☀️ 9-month-old Brecklynn has faced immense challenges, including probable VACTERL association disorder and a restricted rib cage. Her condition causes spine, kidney, esophagus and heart defects as well as limb abnormalities. After experiencing severe vomiting episodes at 3 months old, she was transferred to Children’s Mercy, where she has received extraordinary care. Several intubations led Brecklynn’s care team to recommending a tracheostomy, which has made a world of difference in her day-to-day life.

Brecklynn’s trach has enabled her to progress significantly in the last 6 months that she’s been in our PICU. So much so, her mom Amber is expecting she will be able to go home in September.

“The doctors and nurses have been phenomenal and Brecklynn’s care in the PICU has been exceptional,” Amber said. “With Children’s Mercy, we found that trust, which made all of our struggles a lot easier.” 🩷

We’re so proud of you, Brecklynn! Keep shining!

Have you dreamed of becoming a pediatric nurse and helping kids heal? We’d love for you to join us at our Discover Nursing at Children’s Mercy event on Sept. 6 from 1 to 5 p.m.! Learn about current openings, meet unit leaders and staff and hear from our talent acquisition team. We hope to see you there! Register here: https://cmkc.link/4cEiYVl

After a tragic event, people often wonder what the coping and processing journey will look like. The truth is, it's different for everyone. Use resources from our Developmental and Behavioral team to reflect on how your child may be doing, learn more about their reactions and how to get support.

https://cmkc.link/3UELi4s

6 months after Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting, child survivors are 'not the same kid' Six months after the Feb. 14 parade, survivors under 18 years old respond differently to loud noises, celebrations and things they used to love to do. In this installment of “The Injured,” we meet kids who survived the mass shooting only to live with long-term emotional scars.

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

You already know our Ward Family Heart Center is amazing, but now there are even more reasons to celebrate! Our Heart Center, in partnership with Saint Luke's Health System Mid America Heart Institute, has earned accreditation from the Adult Congenital Heart Association for our joint program that cares for people with . This achievement is a testament to the incredible teamwork and dedication of our entire team to improving patient care. 💪❤️

Hats off to the team members from both hospitals who provide exceptional care and support to both kids and adults with CHD. 🌟

Read more: https://cmkc.link/4fUXTsr

It may be a little nerve-wracking for kids when they hear it's time for vaccines at the doctor. But no matter your child's age, there are things you can do to help them feel more comfortable. Our latest Parent-ish blog covers things like distractions and comfort kits to make your next round of immunizations a breeze:

Tips to make your child comfortable during immunizations Summer days by the pool are ending and the back-to-school to-do lists are being completed. In between supply shopping and meeting the teacher, make sure to schedule time for your child’s school immunizations.  Whether your child is starting preschool or their senior year, shots can be nerve-wrac...

Happy first day of school to Logan! 🎒 He couldn’t be more excited to be with his friends and teachers again. He loves school so much! 🏫 For both Logan and his family, returning to school means routine, structure and consistency which helps them thrive. We hope it’s a wonderful year of growth and learning for you, Logan! Good luck! 🌟💙

We 🌈DREAM BIG🌈 for kids like Elena! Elena was born with a cleft lip and palate, and by the time she turned 1, already had 3 surgeries. at Children’s Mercy. While Elena has more surgeries ahead, her mom and dad are confident that with the help of their Children’s Mercy team, she will continue to grow up healthy and strong.

“We’re thankful for Elena’s surgeon and everyone at Children’s Mercy who has helped us on this journey.” said Evelin, Elena’s mom.

Visit https://cmkc.link/3XJYAOJ to make a donation and help raise awareness and critical funds for children and families at Children’s Mercy, like Elena!

🎉 It’s Olivia’s first day school! 🎉 She’s thrilled to be back with her friends and being “top dog” at school as an 8th grader! 🏫 Liv loves the diverse activities and can’t wait for art animation class with her best friend. With the help of Children’s Mercy Beacon Clinic, Olivia and her family have worked on a smooth transition of care each year and they’re so excited for her to get back to the classroom!🌟 Have an amazing year, Olivia!

In celebration of the and preparation for the , some of our best gathered to compete in the Children’s Mercy Olympics! Physical Therapists, Anthony and Abby as well as Child Life Specialist, Lauren faced off on our weekly morning show that’s streamed to patient rooms with games of cookie face, defying gravity and a dance-off.

Each of them won a game, so there was a 3-way tie for the gold medal! 🥇Thanks for being champions for our patients, Anthony, Lauren and Abby! 💙

Most of the time, our patients are our VIPs, but for this special event, parents of kids with heart conditions got the royal treatment at our Heart Parent Symposium. 🤩

Thanks to our Cardiac Patient & Family Advisory Council in collaboration with our Ward Family Heart Center team, parents and caregivers got a behind-the-scenes look at the cardiac catheterization lab and operating room, plus updates on the latest advances in heart research. They also had the opportunity to learn about trauma-informed parenting and connect with other families who are going through a similar situation. 🩺

We 🫶 our incredible parents!

We recently had the honor of hosting Dr. Mahlet Abayneh, a neonatologist, and Redeat, a neonatal nurse educator, from St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College-SPHMMC in Ethiopia. Having completed our Certificate Program in Pediatric Bioethics (the first program in the U.S.!), they came to share their experiences and lessons about our bioethics practices. This collaboration supports our commitment to advance pediatric bioethics and enhance neonatal care globally, and we are grateful to do it together. https://cmkc.link/4fJBfTP

Here at Children’s Mercy, we know every person has greatness to offer. We’re hosting our Access Your Abilities career fair to share exciting opportunities with people in the intellectual or developmental disabilities community from 2 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 28. Please share with your friends and family so they can bring their unique and special talents to our team. Register here: https://cmkc.link/3yz9ZH1

Want to help kids fight cancer? Lace up your shoes and join us on Aug. 25 for the Head For The Cure 5K in Kansas City! We’re proud to partner with Head for the Cure to support pediatric brain cancer research, resources and patient care. Whether you run, walk or cheer, your participation makes a difference! Together, we can provide vital resources and support to families facing this challenging journey. Sign up here: https://cmkc.link/3AztbEX

🗣️ KCMO, stand up! It’s 816 day and tonight, our Children’s Mercy Research Institute is lighting up red and blue to celebrate YOU! ❤️💙

Our coworkers often become like family. But, during our 2nd annual Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) Friends and Family event, our team member’s real families got a chance to witness firsthand the compassion, resilience and unwavering commitment that defines Children’s Mercy. 🫶🏥

One PICU Nurse, Emily, showed her parents and fiance a care room example and walked them through simulations of her job. “I talk about my job with a lot of pride and honor. My loved ones got a sneak peek into something I’m very passionate about — helping the sickest kiddos in the region,” said Emily.

Thank you to Emily, and all of our team members for their dedication to helping patients!

🎉📚 Help us cheer on Boyer for the first day of school! 🎒 This year he’s excited to meet new friends and enjoy recess. 👫⚽ For Boyer and his family, going back to school means gaining independence, and we couldn’t be more proud of him! Boyer’s family also wants to share a heartfelt thank you to his pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Tiffany Musick for her amazing support and quick, kind responses to all of their questions. 💙 Here’s to a fantastic school year, Boyer! 🌟