Back in 1962, Shawnee Mission Medical Center’s (SMMC) founders had a vision of a hospital that served one important purpose—caring for the growing Johnson County, Kansas community. Starting out as a one-story, 65-bed community hospital, SMMC has evolved into a world-class health center that not only serves patients at its Merriam location at I-35 and 75th Street, but at many points throughout Johnson County and the Kansas City metropolitan area. To better reflect its expanded reach and services, SMMC has named its network of healthcare facilities and providers Shawnee Mission Health.
“Our future is about more than being a hospital,” said Ken Bacon, president and CEO of Shawnee Mission Health (SMH). “When the community hears the name Shawnee Mission Health, they should think of a network of healthcare facilities and providers working to exceed expectations by delivering quality care with compassion.”
The hospital will continue to be referenced as SMMC, while the Shawnee Mission Outpatient Pavilion in west Lenexa—featuring a full-service emergency department, imaging, bariatric surgery, primary care and more—has been renamed to Shawnee Mission Health Prairie Star. In the future, the network will add Shawnee Mission Health Blue Valley, a third, major healthcare facility in southern Johnson County near 159th Street and Highway 69.
What Shawnee Mission Health means for you
For many area residents, connecting to the SMH network starts with their primary care physician. Scott Woods, chief operating officer of the Shawnee Mission Physicians Group said, “Day in and day out, Shawnee Mission Primary Care (SMPC) touches the lives of residents throughout the community. We’re dedicated to their long-term health and well-being, and if more serious health challenges occur, we can provide crucial access to the specialists at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.”
Currently, there are six SMPC locations throughout Johnson County, and a seventh location will open this summer at 151st Street and Nall, SMH’s first location in Leawood. For immediate care in less serious situations, there’s Shawnee Mission Urgent Care located at 91st Street and Quivira.
SMH also extends throughout the area’s business community. The CorporateCare Occupational Health Network is the only locally owned and operated occupational medicine offering.
From a patient’s point of view, Bacon said, “It is important to choose a doctor and an urgent care or emergency room in the Shawnee Mission Health network. Having a doctor who is part of this larger network means you are receiving the same coordinated, compassionate care from individuals who live the mission, vision and values that are Shawnee Mission Health.”
Shawnee Mission Health wants you to be well and stay well
SMH will continue its long-term commitment to the health and well-being of the community.
“We offer one of the most comprehensive schedules of community wellness classes in the area, support groups to help individuals manage their health, and massage therapy to focus on well-being,” said Bacon. “Our associates have truly embraced the philosophy of providing much more than medicine, and our community recognizes this. Shawnee Mission Medical Center is not only the most preferred hospital by Johnson County residents, but also has the highest patient satisfaction scores in the region.”
Visit the new SMH website at ShawneeMission.org.
