Health
KC health commission expands anti-violence effort
For several years, the Kansas City, Mo., Health Commission has delved into the city’s violent crime problem by trying to stop the spread as if it’s a communicable disease. The commission’s main vehicle for this approach has been the Aim4Peace program, which (among other things) sends trained “interrupters” into the streets to help curb the…
Truman opens new cancer center
The new Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Center at Truman Medical Centers started treating patients this week, the hospital said Wednesday in a news release. TMC announced the project in June after receiving a $2.3 million gift from the R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation. Annette Bloch’s husband, Richard, battled cancer for more than two decades before dying…
Improvements suggested for regional health initiative
Leaders of a key initiative to coordinate and expand healthcare services for the region’s low-income residents must sharpen its focus and do a better job of measuring its outcomes, according to a review by an outside consultant. Known as the Regional Health Care Initiative, the effort operates through the Mid-America Regional Council. Major funding…
Truman Medical Centers CEO to retire in July
Truman Medical Centers announced Friday that CEO John Bluford will retire this summer after 15 years in the position. His retirement is effective July 18, according to a news release. Bluford turns 65 on May 1. Bluford is working with a committee that includes TMC board members and appointees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City…
Physicians urged to help stop violence in KCMO
The physician community can play a key role in helping reduce the shootings and killings plaguing the urban core of Kansas City, Mo., the leader of an international violence-prevention organization argued during a visit to the city this week. But the contribution won’t come through patient care, said Dr. Gary Slutkin, an epidemiologist who advocates…
Profile: Angela Broderick Bedell, executive director of Metro Med
Angela Broderick Bedell, 48, took over as executive director of the Metropolitan Medical Society of Greater Kansas City (Metro Med) in May. The society, which dates back to the late 1800s, is a membership organization for physicians practicing in the Kansas City area. It has about 2,000 members, including students and retirees. Bedell has held…
KU Eye plans centennial events
Mike Sherry – The Hale Center for Journalism The Ophthalmology Department at the University of Kansas Medical Center is marking its centennial this year through several public events aimed at raising awareness and promoting vision care. The department, also known as KU Eye, has its main office in Prairie Village, Kan. It is the only…
New building, funding drive on tap for KU Hospital
The University of Kansas Hospital announced plans Monday to build a 92-bed neurosciences and surgical oncology facility at its Kansas City, Kan., campus, and hospital officials said they have secured $3.5 million in philanthropic support for the project. Hospital officials said civic leaders Deanna and Greg Graves have pledged $1 million towards the “Cambridge North”…
Health law helps thousands of area Latinos, feds say
Approximately 95,000 uninsured Latinos in Missouri and Kansas combined are eligible for health coverage through the marketplaces established by the federal health reform law, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The department broke out state-specific numbers in the report, which concluded that approximately 8 in 10 of…
Free dental care on way from UMKC
Mike Sherry – The Hale Center for Journalism Dental students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City are set to provide free services for low-income individuals next month. The students selected 240 patients during a day-long event at the school Saturday. Students selected the participants from approximately 350 individuals who showed up at the event. Organizers…