North Kansas City Hospital has named Keenan Berghoff, MD, medical staff president. He began his one-year term July 1. In this role, Dr. Berghoff acts as a liaison between the medical staff and the hospital’s administration, chairs the Medical Executive Committee and provides leadership to his colleagues.
Dr. Berghoff is medical director of Bariatric Surgery, a bariatric surgeon with the Total Weight Loss Center and a surgeon with Meritas Health Comprehensive Surgery. He has served NKCH in various capacities, including as Department of Surgery chair and Surgery Advisory chair. He has been a member of the Ad Hoc, Infection Control, Medical Executive and Resource Utilization committees, as well as Medical Records chair and Operating Room Subcommittee chair.
Becoming medical staff president was a natural step for Dr. Berghoff. “My committee involvement has given me perspective on the vital connection physicians have with this organization,” Dr. Berghoff said. “One cannot function without the other. As a voice for our physicians, I want to do my part to make that connection successful – so we continue to provide the best in patient care.”
In making the announcement Interim Chief Medical Officer Steven Starr, MD, praised Dr. Berghoff’s compassion for patients and leadership style. “In addition to his deep understanding of the needs of patients in the Northland, Keenan possesses the unique ability to quickly form connections and build strong relationships,” Dr. Starr said. “I am confident he will provide an environment that fosters our culture of evidence-based patient care and collegiality.”
Dr. Berghoff applauds hospital administration’s support of physicians. “The relationship administration has with physicians is unique in that we are front and center in decision-making as we advocate for patients,” Dr. Berghoff said. “We’re fortunate we have such collegial relationship.”
A bariatric surgeon for more than 20 years, Dr. Berghoff earned his medical degree from Indiana University. He completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and fellowship in advanced minimally invasive surgery at the Texas Endosurgery Institute, San Antonio.
Dr. Berghoff is fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic Bariatric Surgery, as well as a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery. He is board certified in general surgery.
Dr. Berghoff succeeds Alexis Meredith, MD, a pulmonary and critical care medicine physician with Meritas Health Pulmonary Medicine.
About North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health
For more than 65 years, North Kansas City Hospital has been the Northland's preferred healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide hope and healing to every life we touch.
NKCH is an acute care facility with 451 licensed beds and 550 physicians representing 49 medical specialties. From our award-winning cardiovascular and orthopedic programs to our cancer, emergency, neuroscience, spine, women’s and other services, we provide a lifetime of care.
Through our Meritas Health subsidiary, NKCH offers the largest network of physician practices in the Northland, with more than 280 primary and specialty care doctors and advanced practice providers in 35 convenient locations, including an express care clinic in the 64th Street Hy-Vee store.
Our accreditations demonstrate our commitment to providing quality healthcare, including:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet®designation
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services four-star rating
- The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval® and certification for Comprehensive Cardiac Center, Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement, and Primary Stroke Center
Our oncology partnership with The University of Kansas Cancer Center provides patients with access to clinical trials and state-of-the-art radiation therapy.
Our mission, vision and values reflect a strong commitment to the health and well-being of our employees, the Northland community and beyond. U.S. News & World Report ranked NKCH High Performing in nine procedures and conditions and named NKCH a Best Regional Hospital. Forbes honored NKCH as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers, ranking NKCH the top midsize hospital and health system in the Kansas City area and No. 148 midsize company in the nation.
Each year NKCH serves more than 24,000 people through its dynamic Community Health & Wellness programs.