OMC and Children’s Mercy to Work Together to Expand Pediatric Services in Olathe

Children’s Mercy and Olathe Medical Center to Work Together to Expand Pediatric Services in Olathe

Leaders from Children’s Mercy and Olathe Medical Center have agreed to work together to provide an enhanced level of pediatric services for children in Southwest Johnson County and the surrounding areas. Planning for the services is still in its early stages, but most likely will consist of a new facility at Olathe Medical Park (the Olathe Medical Center Campus) to complement the expansive pediatric primary care network of Olathe Health System. The new facility is initially expected to offer pediatric urgent care and pediatric specialty clinics provided by Children’s Mercy.

This announcement comes as a new obstetrics wing is under construction at Olathe Medical Center.  The new Birth Place will include a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and all the latest technology and amenities for labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care.

“We continue to be impressed with Olathe Medical Center’s extraordinary commitment to patient care and its dedication to bringing the very best in medical services to its community,” said Randall L. O’Donnell, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Mercy. “We are delighted by this opportunity to work alongside Olathe Medical to bring additional pediatric specialty services to the area.”

With hospitals in Kansas City, Missouri, and Overland Park, Kansas, Children’s Mercy is consistently ranked as of one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation by US News and World Report. Children’s Mercy also is one of only a handful of hospitals nationwide to receive Magnet Designation for excellence in nursing care. Last year, Children’s Mercy treated more than 82,000 area children in its three urgent care centers and saw more than 275,000 patient visits in its pediatric specialty clinics located throughout the metro area and across Missouri and Kansas.

The planning process will begin in September when the timeline for the project will be set.

“We have a tremendous amount of respect for Children’s Mercy,” said Frank H. Devocelle, President/CEO of Olathe Medical Center (OMC). “We completed our initial meetings with a great deal of confidence in an ongoing working relationship between the two organizations that can further enhance the care available to young families in our area.” 

Across 38 clinic locations, Olathe Health System providers see approximately 450,000 patient visits annually.  Olathe Medical Center was listed by U.S. News and World Report as one of only 137 “Best Regional Hospitals” in America for 2015-2016.

The addition of an increased level of services for children is another step in providing a full continuum of care at Olathe Medical Park. Recent and upcoming expansions of services on the campus have included:

1. The new Birth Place.  Construction is currently underway at OMC on a 105,000 square foot addition to the medical center. The new Birth Place will include a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and all the latest technology and amenities for labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care.
2. Hospice House.  The first free-standing hospice house on the Kansas side of the metropolitan area opened at Olathe Medical Park in late 2014. The need for this service has proven true as many families have received the much needed support during those vulnerable last days or weeks of life.
3. Memory Care Neighborhood at Cedar Lake Village. This addition to the senior living community opened earlier this year to provide a comfortable and safe living environment for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals at all stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s can now be cared for at Olathe Medical Park.
4. Expanded Cardiovascular Center. A major expansion of the catheterization lab of Olathe Medical Center opened in May to allow for very sophisticated treatments of heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation. 
5. Cancer Center. Construction will begin this fall on a comprehensive cancer center at Olathe Medical Park. The new facility will provide convenience for individuals and their supporters to receive as much of their cancer care as possible in one modern, high-tech, high-comfort location. 

“All of these expansions are occurring as part of our mission to meet the healthcare needs of the people in our service area,” Devocelle said. “We are here to provide quality care at all stages of life.”