SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) – Children’s Mercy, an independent children’s health system and a national leader in pediatric translational research, announced plans to build a new, dedicated pediatric outpatient facility in Springfield, furthering its commitment to improving access to specialized pediatric care in southwest Missouri.
The new facility will be located on the Mercy South Springfield campus and will span 40,000 square feet across two stories. It will house Mercy pediatric primary care and Children’s Mercy pediatric specialists, offering families a centralized location for comprehensive pediatric services.
The affiliation between Children’s Mercy and Mercy Springfield Communities is more than a collaboration—it’s a shared commitment to the health and well-being of children in the community and region. Together, the organizations are embracing a bold vision: to distinctively transform children’s health and health care in southwest Missouri by improving access, care delivery, and care coordination for children and families.
“This is not just about health care—it’s about creating a future where kids have more access to the care they need, closer to home,” said Amy Fallon, MPH, PhD, President of Regional Operations, Children’s Mercy. “By joining forces with Mercy Springfield Communities, we are ensuring that families throughout southwest Missouri can receive enhanced, expert pediatric care in a facility designed specifically for children. Our shared commitment means that children and families will benefit from coordinated services, innovative treatments, and the compassion of two organizations dedicated to making a meaningful difference in every child’s life.”
“Partnering with Children’s Mercy, a top-rated pediatric hospital in the nation, allows us to take our pediatric services to the next level,” said John Myers, President, Mercy Springfield Communities. “Their clinical expertise and child-focused approach will help us build a system that delivers exceptional care to children and families across southwest Missouri.”
Children’s Mercy is already providing management for a wide range of hospital-based pediatric services in Springfield, including:
· Pediatric Inpatient Care
· Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
· Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
· Pediatric Surgery
· Pediatric Emergency Department (Peds ED)
· Pediatric Outpatient Procedures (POPs)
· Child Life Services
· Pediatric Social Work
· Pediatric Respiratory Therapy
· Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy
Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin by the end of 2025, with an anticipated opening date in December 2026.
To ensure the partnership reflects the needs and priorities of local families, Children’s Mercy will establish a Patient & Family Advisory Council in the Springfield area.
“This council will provide valuable feedback and insights as services and programs continue to grow,” said Debbie Schwartzkopf, DNP, RN, CPHQ, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, Children’s Mercy with Mercy. “Actively listening to families allows us to understand what truly matters most to the community. Our goal is for families to feel heard, valued and confident that their needs and priorities are at the heart of everything we do.”
This commitment to listening and responding to the unique needs of each family is reflected in the real-life experiences of patients who have benefited from the expertise and compassion at Children’s Mercy.
Matney’s journey demonstrates the profound impact that having specialized pediatric care closer to home can have on a child’s health and future. Matney is 15 years old, but the Marshfield, MO teenager’s lucky number is 18. In fact, she celebrates an extra “birthday” on the 18th of every month because on February 18, 2025, she received a new immune system through a bone marrow donation from her younger brother.
Matney’s mother, Ashley, first noticed something was wrong with her active teen in the summer of 2024. Matney woke up nauseous and weak and spent the whole day sleeping. The next day, she developed a rash. Her Springfield pediatrician ordered bloodwork that showed her white blood cell count was extremely high. Matney had acute myeloid leukemia (AML). That night, Matney and her mom were on a Children’s Mercy Critical Care Transport plane to Kansas City. She had her first round of chemotherapy the next morning.
On March 18, 2025, Matney headed home to Marshfield. Her 6-month follow-up tests looked great, and she is now back to sophomore year activities including student council, learning to drive and taking care of her many pets. After high school, she hopes to pursue a career in the medical field, possibly as a child life specialist who works with therapy dogs.
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