Children’s Mercy announces new acute care tower at Adele Hall campus

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KQTV) -- Children's Mercy announced its expansion of pediatric care in the Midwest through the unveiling of a new acute patient tower at Adele Hall campus in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

The expansion comes following an increase in demand for highly specialized pediatric care as general hospitals nationwide reduce pediatric capacity.

According to a study done by the National Library of Medicine, between 2008 and 2018, 19.1% of pediatric units in 1,753 general hospitals closed.

"Demand is already pressing our capacity, so this is about readiness and responsibility. When a child in our community needs an ICU bed, and minutes matter, we must have the space and the very best teams ready to act," said Alejandro Quiroga, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Children's Mercy. "This investment protects our ability to say 'yes' to the next child who needs us, while strengthening the expertise, compassion and advanced care families count on. It's the same obligation we've carried for 129 years, and we're building for what comes next."

A news release from Children's Mercy shared that third party assessments by Deloitte and HDR warn that, within five years, existing capacity will meet only 67% of projected total bed needs and 40% of projected Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) demand.

The new tower will expand overall total capacity by 25 to 30% and integrate next-generation technology with more flexible spaces.

It will feature a new home for the PICU, NICU and the expansion of ED, increasing capacity. A state-of-the-art surgical center will feature future-ready technology, including robotics. The space will also have improved clinical flow and adjacency to help care teams collaborate more seamlessly.

More natural light and green space will be available to enhance patient and family comfort and healing, as well as a new lobby with dedicated spaces designed to support patients, families and staff.

The estimated cost of the project is expected to be $1 billion, which will be supported by private-public investments built on community philanthropy and long-standing collaboration.

Work is expected to begin in the fall, with the goal of completion in 2031.