Children’s Mercy teams with KVC Health Systems for innovative care
In an effort to enhance mental health services in Olathe, Children’s Mercy and KVC Health Systems have joined forces to unveil a groundbreaking mental wellness campus.
This collaboration is a pivotal step in addressing the need for comprehensive mental healthcare in the region. The project is not just about building a hospital; it’s about fostering mental health for individuals and families.
The $53 million mental wellness facility is a testament to the shared vision of Children’s Mercy and KVC Health Systems. It features a 72-bed hospital with distinct units catering to pediatric and adult patients. The facility will be a world-class inpatient mental health healing campus with three separate 24-bed units – 48 pediatric beds and 24 adult beds, six private courtyards, walking paths, and dining and activity spaces.
The two entities, along with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver II, former Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman and Sunderland Foundation Chairman Kent Sunderland, broke ground last summer. The project is on target to be completed by the end of 2024.
The magnitude of this project wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support from the State of Kansas, the Sunderland Foundation, and other private donors have played roles in providing financial backing for this venture. Notably, the federal award (SLFRP 1176) granted by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to the State of Kansas underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing mental healthcare infrastructure.
Jason Hooper, CEO of KVC Health Systems, discussed the transformative impact this project will have on the community.
“We feel a sense of urgency to partner in new, transformative ways to expand help for children and adults experiencing acute mental health crises,” Hooper said. “It’s been absolutely inspiring to see so many step forward, including Children’s Mercy as our JV collaborator and the Sunderland Foundation and the State of Kansas as lead supporters. Mental health deserves our urgent action, and we want the community to know that there is hope and help for anyone who is hurting.”
Camber Mental Health, KVC’s nonprofit subsidiary will operate the hospital and brings a wealth of experience as the region’s leading provider of inpatient children’s mental health treatment. With the opening of the new hospital, approximately 150 jobs are expected to be created, not only contributing to economic growth but also offering valuable employment opportunities in Olathe.
The collaborative efforts of Children’s Mercy and KVC Health Systems mark a monumental leap forward in revolutionizing mental healthcare in Olathe. The innovative endeavor is more than just a facility; it represents a commitment to providing world-class mental health services, creating jobs, and supporting the overall well-being of individuals and families in the community.
Paul Kempinski, President and CEO of Children’s Mercy, is thrilled with the commitment both KVC and Children’s Mercy are making to the area of mental health.
“Our country is facing a mental health crisis. This collaboration demonstrates our joint commitment to providing resources and creating greater capacity across Kansas and Missouri to serve children requiring more complex care,” Kempinski said at the groundbreaking last summer. “We continue to see an increasing need for these services each year. In 2022 alone, Children’s Mercy provided care to nearly 3,000 children in our emergency department with acute mental health needs. This new hospital will take a significant strain off area emergency departments that are not well-suited to facilitate care for patients in mental health crisis by increasing access to acute inpatient care designed specifically for their needs.”