Children’s Mercy hosted a topping off ceremony last week for families, team members and community leaders to celebrate the expansion of their multi-specialty clinic, that has been a cornerstone for families in Wichita since 2012.
The new 18,000 square foot standalone facility will be designed to optimize space, foster collaboration and allow for expanded services, according to Lisa Augustine Sr. Manager, Media Relations
On track to open in the summer of 2026, Children’s Mercy Wichita will have 16 in-person providers in 11 specialties, 30 exam rooms, and an on-site lab and imaging.
Amy Fallon, MPH, PhD, President of Regional Operations, shared what it means to bring the renowned Children’s Mercy “built for kids” experience to the families of south central Kansas.
“This expansion will help address the growing needs of the community and serve more than 10,000 pediatric patients in the region. It means shorter travel times, faster access to specialists, and care that’s delivered with compassion and understanding,” said Amy. “Every detail of our care — from the size of the equipment to the tone of our conversations — is designed with children in mind. We are excited to bring more to the families of Wichita.”
Event attendees inscribed the ceremonial beam with their names and messages of gratitude for the future of children in south central Kansas. It was more than a construction milestone. It symbolizes the region coming together to build something extraordinary for its youngest members.
The expansion deeply resonates with Ruse Brown, a father and lead donor, who shared his family’s journey with Children’s Mercy in Wichita and Kansas City. Ruse shared the life-changing impact Children’s Mercy had on his two children, Nora and Bennett, and explained how relieved he is that families are now able to receive world-class care close to home. “Not having to spend days in Kansas City worried about a hotel or taking time off work, but to have specialists in our backyard is amazing,” Ruse said. “We’ve seen team members walking the halls that treated our kids and still remember our kids’ names. This speaks to the quality of the organization and that kids aren’t just a patient or a chart — it’s truly family care.”
Mary Ann Queen, MD, FAAP, Vice President and Associate Chief Medical Officer for Regional and Outreach Services, has been part of the Wichita clinic from day one and reflected on its growth. “Children’s Mercy has been in this market since 2012 providing world-class pediatric care in more than 30 specialty clinics, including Cardiology, Endocrinology and Nephrology,” Dr. Queen said. “We’re thrilled to expand our ability to deliver exceptional clinical care to more children and families in the region.”
Ale Quiroga, MD, MBA, President and CEO, closed the event with an inspirational reflection of what the beam means for the Wichita community and beyond.
“Children’s Mercy is built for kids,” said Ale. “We’re not just building a clinic — we’re building brighter futures. With this single beam, we are bringing care closer to home for Wichita patients and families.”