Who We Are

As a parent of a child who was treated at Children’s Mercy, I knew that one day I would work for this organization. I’m a Patient Advocate and cannot believe I’ve been here for over 20 years. As a Patient Advocate, I act as a liaison to facilitate communication between the patients and staff. During my time here I have encountered many patients and families. A couple of years ago I worked with a family and shared a moment that has really stuck with me. A father of a critically ill child in the CICU called with some frustrations. Most importantly, he wanted to feel like his child was receiving the best possible care. I talked with him for a while on the phone and at the end of the call he thanked me for listening and calming him down. He also asked me if I would like to come by the room to meet his son. I had never had a parent ask me to do this and I was honored to visit the family in person. While in the room I held his son and talked with the family and the nurses. Before leaving, I thanked him for inviting me, and I’ll never forget, he told me that there was something special and calming about my presence. It was a moment that validated the importance of the work we do here. I was on vacation after the visit and when I came back, my team told me the patient had passed away. I am so grateful that I was able to play a small role in the care this family received while at Children’s Mercy. It’s the same care we strive to provide to every patient and family who comes through our doors, and I am so very proud to be a part of it.

                                                                  —Treniece Murphy, Patient Advocate

I’m a Performance Improvement Consultant at Children’s Mercy. Previously, I worked in industries like manufacturing and Aerospace. While I enjoyed working in those industries, it was mostly about improving the bottom line. At CM, my work brings me more meaning, because I contribute toward a safer, higher quality and overall better experience for our patients and families. On the Performance Improvement team, we all embrace CM values which makes it even more meaningful. At our 2nd annual Children’s Mercy Lean Summit, we showcased some of the great improvement work happening within our organization which made me realize how much of an impact my role can have on our patients. This is what inspires me every single day!

When people ask me about my experience at CM, I always share that I feel immensely grateful to work for this organization that is making an impact on kids, not only in Kansas and Missouri, but in all 50 states and countries around the globe. I’m honored to have a small part in our vision which is “to create a world of well-being for all children.”

—Shehan Fernando Performance Improvement Consultant

As the Data Analyst for the Office of Equity and Diversity, I contribute to improving the quality of care and outcomes for the patients we treat at Children’s Mercy. My role is to ensure that our organizational and systems approach to change are informed by data. Our team thrives on open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to our mission. We support each other’s growth and work together seamlessly to tackle challenges, ensuring that our collective efforts lead to meaningful improvements in our organization. The synergy in the Office of Equity and Diversity not only enhances our productivity but also makes our workplace a positive environment. As a Muslim, I’m a firm believer in equity, diversity, justice, and peace. Children Mercy has given me opportunities to reach my fullest potential and makes me feel that my voice is heard. Furthermore, as the mother of three girls, I know that my efforts as a Data Analyst will ensure the best possible care for children, which is both rewarding and motivating.

—Mehwish Ahmed, Equity and Diversity Data Analyst

I’ve been a Physical Therapist at Children’s Mercy for eight years. I always knew that I wanted to work with kids and feel inspired by my job. I love that this organization supports me as an employee by fostering innovation and career development. I also enjoy the patients and families that I work with in my role. In 2019, I had a memorable experience with a patient who was an 11-year-old with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) following an ATV accident. The first several weeks he was completely dependent, needing full assistance to lift his head and support his body weight. I worked with him in the pool on standing activities and we practiced taking steps. Over the next several weeks he started talking and walking by himself and cracking jokes. He eventually left CM for outpatient therapy and when he came back to visit, I was thrilled to see him as an independent and active kid again. During the visit, his mom thanked me profusely for never giving up on her son. Realizing the impact that I had was a game-changer for me. I love the dynamics of our PTOT team at Children’s Mercy and the fulfillment I receive in my job. When people ask me about working at CM, I share that this is a safe and fun place to work and I’m thankful to be a part of a team that strives to provide the best in pediatric care.

—Abby Blair, Physical and Occupational Therapist

I served as a Medic in the Army for six years and, through that experience, realized I loved health care. During this time, I worked with all sorts of providers but noticed that the work nurses did really had an impact on the quality of the patient experience. After completing my pediatric rotation in nursing school, I knew this was the path I wanted to pursue. I love working as a nurse and being a voice for our patients and families. Additionally, as an Emergency Room nurse, there is no end to the variety of care we provide– and we receive the necessary training to help in any situation. In the ED, we are truly a team and I am proud to be a part of something so special. 

 —Ian Harrison, Critical Care Staff Nurse, Emergency Department

My role at Children’s Mercy is important because, as an Occupational Health Nurse, I help promote the health, safety, and wellbeing of employees in our organization. I have been working at CM for seven years and wouldn’t trade this role for anything else! My personal values align with the values of our hospital – kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team, and integrity. Additionally, I work with our employee population when they are at their most vulnerable due to illness or an injury on the job. I assure them that I am here to help them during their recovery. I enjoy being able to interact with employees, connect, and provide them with the support they need. I know that my role not only contributes to safety for our employees, but also for our patients and families. This is a community, and we are all here for one another!

                                        —Erin Thomas, Staff Nurse, Occupational Health

I was with my former employer for nine years so I wasn’t sure I wanted to make the leap – but after a few rounds of interviews at Children’s Mercy I knew this is where I needed to be working. I’m a Modern Workplace Engineer with our Information Systems team. We are responsible for the user experience on every workstation and device at CM. One of the first projects I worked on when I took this role was the Clinical Badge Access (CBA) initiative. When we went “live” with it, I had the privilege of spending time with our frontline staff to evaluate their workflows and it was so fulfilling to see their immediate appreciation of the new process. While our team does not work directly with the patients and families, the decisions we make and the technologies we implement can have an impact on the clinical staff that provide direct patient care. We know that we are all a part of one team and every contribution is valuable. I’m proud to work at Children’s Mercy!

 
 
                                                                — Sean Baska, Modern Workplace Engineer

I have been at Children’s Mercy collectively for nearly 15 years. I am affectionately one of the “boomerangs” who left the organization but realized that my heart belongs to Children’s Mercy. I serve as the Manager of Patient Experience, which is a role I truly enjoy, and feel was tailor-made for me. 

My scope of knowledge spans beyond my years of professional experience. As someone who received a cancer diagnosis, I have firsthand knowledge of the patient experience. The space where my personal and professional experiences meet, is where I find my passion.

I love the variety my job offers. I might be helping inform a strategic plan one hour, and in the next providing education on the relationship between improved health outcomes and patient experience. However, my very favorite thing is hearing from the patients and families. The comments they share with us on the experience surveys are truly a gift. They are love letters to our organization, words of appreciation to our teams, expressions of gratitude to providers, and notes of renewed hope.

I believe that lives are changed every day within the walls of this organization.  I’m humbled to be a small part of that. 

—Mandy Riemer, Patient Experience Manager

I started my career at CM in 2002 – over 20 years! I’m a Staff Nurse in the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic. There are so many reasons I continue to work here – but the patients top the list! Early in my career, I will always remember a burn patient that I was fortunate to help treat for many months. His strength and fight were immeasurable. It’s because of these moments that I am encouraged by the work we do here. My own kids often ask me why I work with sick kiddos, and I share with them that it is such a gift to help someone during a tough time in their life. We get to be their helpers, hope, and sometimes a shining light. 

                                              —Amy Findlay, Staff Nurse Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

I grew up in the Kansas City area, but I attended nursing school a few hours away. During my time in school, I fell in love with pediatrics and knew that Children's Mercy had an excellent reputation throughout the state. I felt that if I wanted to start my career off right, this was where I needed to be. Each day I provide direct care as a bedside nurse to some of the most vulnerable patients in the region. During what is likely one of the worst moments of someone's life, I have the chance to make an impact that will hopefully make their time in the hospital a little more bearable. We see things every day in the PICU that are really hard but, as a team, we keep coming back because someone has to help fight for these kiddos. This is an emotionally and physically fatiguing job at times, but I am extremely proud of the work we do here. Every interaction with a child leaves an impression on me – and there are hundreds of moments with patients and families that have all played a part in who I am today. 

                                                                  —Jon Foley, ICU Staff Nurse 

I am a Program Manager of Education and Learning for the Office of Equity & Diversity but my relationship with CM really began years ago. When I was 11, I came here as a patient to receive life-saving measures. Doctors discovered that I had a tumor attached to my thymus gland and it was putting pressure on my heart. I had open heart surgery and was in recovery at CM for about 2 weeks. My mother always talks about the incredibly kind people she met—the nurses who watched after me so she could go home to shower, the volunteers who helped her navigate the hospital, the food service workers who came into my room with the biggest smiles. Working at the very hospital that saved my life is one of the best parts of my job. My role focuses on helping train and develop our hospital staff at all levels in providing exceptional and equitable care to our patients and families. Whether it is through diversity training, hosting educational learning opportunities, or providing staff with resources, my hope is that I am able to equip CM employees with the language and tools necessary to provide quality healthcare for all of our patients regardless of race, gender, sexual and gender identity, language, ability, religious, or socioeconomic status. I’m proud of the work I do here because it helps contribute to the experience of our patients and families.

—Christopher Thomas – Education & Learning Program Manager – Equity & Diversity

I chose to work at Children’s Mercy as a Field Training Officer because I wanted to work in a family-friendly environment – and CM is all about the kids! It’s my job to ensure the safety of our families and help make their day a little brighter. I also spend time helping to train and mentor other dedicated individuals as Field Training Officers. In the Security Department, we are a team, and we take care of one another just like we take care of the patients and families who visit our hospital. This is a great place and it's an honor to work here!

—Demetrius Sanders – Security Officer Armed

 I am a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the Endocrinology Clinic. I came to Children’s Mercy after my family relocated to Kansas City. When I saw this position was available, I knew that this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I watched my brother spend a lot of time in the hospital throughout his life. When I would come visit him, he would be at the nurse’s station, listening to music and laughing with the staff and I knew I wanted to work in this profession. My goal is to provide my patients with a positive experience and, even though they are kids, to include them in the decision making so I build trust from the beginning. In Endocrinology, I am able to coordinate care with multiple team members including diabetes educators, nurses, dieticians, research coordinators, social workers, psychologists and more. At Children’s Mercy, we are like family – providing support to one another so we can provide the highest level of care to our patients and families. I feel honored to work here!

—Taryn Vaeth – Nurse Practitioner, APRN II – Endocrinology

I work in the Transfer Center at our Adele Campus as a Communications Specialist. This role is unlike any other healthcare role I have had, and it has truly been a rewarding experience. As a Communications Specialist, I do a lot of behind the scenes work to make sure patients get from point A to point B. Every day is something new and I’m constantly learning. My first and most memorable experience with Transport was when my own son was transported to the ICN for RSV. I was scared but the team was so kind and ensured we felt safe and cared for during the ride. It motivates me to make sure all of our patients and families have the same experience. The Transport team is truly like a family. We go through so much together and we lean on each other for support and motivation. I don’t think I ever imagined being in this role but I’m grateful every day that I made the leap. I feel blessed and lucky to work with such a talented and compassionate team - and for a great organization.

—Janee Chapman, Communication Specialist

Building relationships and open communication is very important to me. My role as a Senior Employee Relations Representative, in the Human Resources Department, allows me to do that each and every day. No two days are ever the same!  Just when I think I have my schedule planned, one phone call can change everything.  However, that’s okay because I am here to offer support to Children’s Mercy staff and help them mitigate difficult situations. I work alongside an amazing team that is passionate about providing the right guidance to employees throughout our organization. Additionally, our leadership is top notch and really challenges each one of us to consider every aspect of every situation - to make sure we are guiding in a fair and consistent manner.  When our employees feel they are valued and have a voice, this reflects in the service they provide to our patients and families. I am both proud and honored to work here! 

—Lisa Grimsley, Senior Employee Relations Representative