Today North Kansas City Hospital celebrated its birthday, one day shy of the 60-year milestone. For the occasion, balloon bouquets decorated hallways and departments throughout the hospital, and employees gathered to watch Peggy Schmitt, president and CEO of NKCH, blow out birthday candles. More than 3,000 cupcakes were enjoyed by employees and guests.
North Kansas City Hospital opened its doors as an 80-bed hospital with 200 employees. It was born out of a need for healthcare access north of the river. As the Northland grew, so did the hospital. Today, the hospital operates with 451 licensed beds, more than 3,000 employees and a medical staff of nearly 500 physicians who provide best-in-class care to patients from all over the metro.
You’re invited to follow North Kansas City Hospital’s Facebook page (facebook.com/NorthKansasCityHospital), as it celebrates 60 years in 60 days. Beginning tomorrow, each day for 60 days, the hospital will share different photos and newspaper clippings from its archives, along with other fun elements for a trip down memory lane.
Some hospital history highlights:
- 1958: Hospital opens on March 30
- 1964: Hospital expands to 180 beds
- 1972: First hospital in Kansas City to install an emergency communication system with an ambulance company
- 1982: Emergency Department designated as a Level II Trauma Center
- 1993: Outpatient Cancer Center opens on campus
- 2001: First filmless Radiology Department in Kansas City
- 2005: Pavilion project is completed, adding seven stories for inpatient beds, outpatient services and additional physician offices
- 2011: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit expands from one large, 10-bed room to an 18-bed unit with private rooms
- 2013: New Emergency Department opens, increasing capacity to 80,000 visits per year
- 2016: Three Meritas Health Express convenient care clinics open inside Northland Hy-Vee stores
- 2016 – 2017: Two wellness corners open, giving greater access to wellness education and preventative care