Donors Invest in the Future of Children's Health
Children's Mercy Kansas City endows 3 extraordinary faculty and colleagues
Children’s Mercy Kansas City formally invested three endowed faculty positions in the fields of health outcomes, nursing leadership and fetal medicine at the 2024 Investiture Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
The Children’s Mercy Research Institute served as the perfect setting to celebrate the elevation of this esteemed group of clinicians, researchers and leaders to academic medicine’s highest achievement and the generous donors who made these endowed positions possible.
Donor investment in endowed faculty positions is highly impactful for an academic health center like Children’s Mercy. Each creates a stable financial foundation that supports the holder’s salary, research and academic activities. As a result, these positions help attract and retain top-tier physicians and researcher by providing them with the resources and recognition need to purse innovative work. They signify a commitment to excellence in pediatric health care, encouraging continuous advancements in medical research, leadership and patient care.
“Endowed faculty positions represent one of the most meaningful forms of philanthropy - leaving a lasting legacy that directly impacts children’s health and well-being. These positions are not only prestigious, but also essential for fostering an environment of innovation and excellence in pediatric medicine,” said Paul Kempinski, Children’s Mercy President and CEO, Alice Berry, DDS, and Katharine Berry, MD, Endowed Chair in Executive Leadership. “The impact: best-in-class experts and care for children and families who call Kansas City and our region home.”
2024 Honorees
Brooke Fridley, MS, PhD
Stanley H. Durwood Foundation Endowed Chair in Health Outcomes
Stephanie Meyer, MS-FNP, RN, NEA-BC
Bernell Hevner O’Donnell, RN Endowed Chair – Chief Nursing Officer
Laura Vricella, MD, FACOG
Elizabeth J. Ferrell Chair in Maternal Fetal Medicine
Thank you to the Stanley H. Durwood Foundation, Dr. Randall and Melva O’Donnell and Jim and Elizabeth Ferrell for their visionary leadership and generosity in establishing these vital positions to ensure Children’s Mercy remains a center of excellence for children and families in our community. Together, we are building a world of well-being for all children.