Care Assistant

Children's Mercy opens new $18M clinic in Wichita. By Will Crow Children's Mercy has officially opened its doors for the new 18,000-square-foot multispecialty clinic in Wichita. Photo credit: Children's Mercy. Posted July 15, 2026 Children's Mercy has opened a new $18.3 million multispecialty outpatient clinic in Wichita, expanding its care capabilities in the area. Located at North Greenwich Road and East 29th Street N, the new 18,000-square-foot clinic features 30 exam rooms, an on-site lab and imaging room and 16 providers across 11 specialties. The clinic is expected to deliver more than 16,000 visits annually, according to a release. The clinic offically opened on July 14, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility. Children's Mercy first unveiled plans for its expansion project in Wichita in March, 2025. "Opening this new clinic is more than a milestone - it is a reflection of our belief that every child deserves access to exceptional care, and every family deserves the support to help their child thrive," Dr. Amy Fallon, President of Regional Operations, said in the release. The Wichita location features a range of full-time and rotating specialty services. Currently, the location offers cardiology and endocrinology as full-time specialties. Starting on July 20, the clinic will offer Rheumatology, with Psychology to begin sometime in September, according to the Children's Mercy website. Rotating specialties offered at the Wichita location include allergy, hepatology, neurosurgery, nephrology and urology. Additionally, the clinic offers telemedicine appointments for follow-up care or select visits.

Downtown Kansas City's momentum continues to build. By Tommy Wilson, Director of Business Recruitment & Research at Downtown Council of Kansas City For decades, Kansas City leaders, residents, businesses, and community organizations have shared a vision of a more vibrant, connected, and dynamic downtown. Today, that vision is not only taking shape - it is accelerating. Over the last twenty years, Downtown Kansas City has undergone a remarkable transformation. Historic buildings have been restored, new residential development has brought thousands of residents to the urban core, the KC Streetcar has reshaped mobility, and districts such as the Crossroads, River Market, 18th & Vine, and Power & Light have become destinations in their own right. The result is a downtown that continues to attract investment, talent, visitors, and new opportunities. What makes this moment particularly exciting is that the momentum is not slowing down. Instead, a new generation of transformative projects is emerging across multiple districts, reinforcing downtown's role as the economic, cultural, and civic heart of the region. A new era of investment. Perhaps the most visible example of downtown's momentum is the recently announced Royals ballpark district. The project would bring Major League Baseball back Downtown as part of a broader mixed-use development surrounding a new stadium in Crown Center. Beyond baseball itself, the project represents a significant investment in housing, retail, hospitality, public spaces, and year-round activity that can strengthen connections between downtown neighborhoods and create new opportunities for businesses and residents alike. Across the street from the stadium's future location, Children's Mercy has announced plans for a new acute care tower on Hospital Hill - its largest capital investment in the organization's history. The project will expand pediatric capacity, enhance specialized care, and reinforce Hospital Hill's position as one of the region's most important healthcare and research districts. Meanwhile, Kansas City's historic 18th & Vine District is preparing for a transformational chapter of its own. Plans are advancing for a major expansion of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum campus, including the development of the Buck O'Neil Education and Research Center and a new boutique hotel. Together, these investments will help strengthen one of Kansas City's most important cultural destinations while honoring a story that belongs not only to Kansas City but to the nation. Growth across every district. The momentum extends far beyond a single project or neighborhood. Along the Missouri River, Current Landing is taking shape as a new waterfront mixed-use district surrounding CPKC Stadium. Anchored by public gathering spaces, riverfront amenities, dining, retail, and future residential development, the project is helping transform Kansas City's riverfront into one of the city's most exciting destinations. In the West Bottoms, SomeraRoad is leading a large-scale redevelopment effort that combines adaptive reuse, new housing, hospitality, office, retail, and public infrastructure improvements. The vision preserves the district's historic character while creating a more walkable, active neighborhood that can attract residents, employers, and visitors alike. And at the center of downtown, Luminary Park promises to reconnect neighborhoods that were divided by highway construction decades ago. By creating a deck park over Interstate 670, the project will physically and symbolically bridge Downtown and the Crossroads while adding significant public green space to the urban core. Why this moment matters. While each of these projects serves a different purpose, together they tell a larger story. They represent confidence in Downtown Kansas City. They reflect a belief that people increasingly want connected, walkable, mixed-use environments where they can live, work, gather, and experience culture. They build upon decades of investment that have already transformed downtown into one of the Midwest's most vibrant urban centers. Perhaps most importantly, these projects are not occurring in isolation. They complement one another. A stronger riverfront supports a stronger downtown. A thriving Hospital Hill strengthens the regional economy. New cultural investments at 18th & Vine enhance Kansas City's identity. Expanded public spaces, transit connections, and mixed-use districts create a more cohesive urban experience. The result is a downtown that is becoming more connected, more resilient, and more competitive. Looking ahead. No single project will define Downtown Kansas City's future. Instead, it is the cumulative effect of hundreds of investments - large and small - that continues to move the city forward. From the riverfront to Hospital Hill, from the West Bottoms to 18th & Vine, and from Crown Center to the Crossroads, Kansas City is experiencing a level of urban investment that would have been difficult to imagine a generation ago. The momentum is real. The opportunities are significant. And the next chapter of Downtown Kansas City is already being written.

Children's Mercy names Dr. Yong Li to lead Molecular Oncology, cell therapy program. By Will Crow Children's Mercy has appointed Dr. Yong Li as the division director of Molecular Oncology & Cellular Therapeutics. Photo credit: Children's Mercy. Posted June 17, 2026 Children's Mercy has announced it has appointed its inaugural division director of Molecular Oncology & Cellular Therapeutics. Dr. Yong Li will now lead the new program dedicated to turning scientific discoveries into real-world care for kids. Li will help expand Children's Mercy's ability to offer innovative cellular and immunotherapy treatments and strengthen its partnership with the University of Kansas Cancer Center. He most recently served as a professor and Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine, where he also led the Molecular Epidemiology program. He has also held several leadership roles at Baylor College of Medicine, the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Louisville. "Children's Mercy offers world-class clinical care and a strong research foundation," Li said in the release. "I look forward to leveraging these strengths to advance innovative therapies and bring new hope to children and families facing cancer." The Molecular Oncology & Cellular Therapeutics division focuses on advancing treatment options for children with cancer and exploring therapies to benefit children with autoimmune diseases and transplant-related complications. Li will also serve as the inaugural holder of the Paul and Linda DeBruce Endowed Chair in Cancer Immunotherapy, according to a release. "Breakthroughs in cancer treatment are advancing rapidly, particularly in immunotherapy and cellular therapeutics," Dr. Steve Leeder, senior vice president and chief scientific officer at Children's Mercy, said in the release. "Dr. Li's leadership will help ensure children benefit from these innovations."