Children’s Mercy Partnership

It’s official. Children’s Mercy and Mercy Springfield Communities are now working together to enhance pediatric care so kids across southwest Missouri can get the care they need here at home.

Mercy and Children’s Mercy first announced plans to work together in 2024 after market reports showed that 1/3 of kids in the region have to leave town for specialty medical care. Their joint operating agreement took effect Nov. 1, 2025, and under the JOA, Children’s Mercy will take over leadership of hospital-based and specialty pediatric care and bring its award-winning pediatric expertise to Springfield.

As part of the partnership, Children’s Mercy will recruit and hire pediatric specialists who will be based in Springfield. Since announcing their plans to beef up pediatric care in the region, countless families have shared how this partnership will mean less time off work, less resources dedicated to travel and much less stress when navigating their children’s medical needs.

Visit childrensmercy.org/springfield

This advanced pediatric care helps families — and employers.

• Reduced absenteeism: Parents won’t have to miss full workdays traveling for pediatric specialty care.
• Stronger retention: Supportive local health access reduces family stress and improves employee stability.
• Greater productivity: Faster diagnosis and treatment means kids get well sooner — and parents stay focused at work.
• Improved recruitment: Strong local health care is a top factor for families evaluating jobs in the region.

1 in 3 children in southwest Missouri previously had to leave town for specialty medical care.

Now, many of those visits stay here at home.

When families can access the care they need close to home, everyone benefits — including the businesses that rely on those parents every day.