Whether praying by a patient’s bedside, providing compassion and support to those battling illness or encouraging wellness through health-related events, Shawnee Mission Health team members pride themselves on their ability to deliver care for the whole person—mind, body and spirit.
It started with a simple idea back in 1962: Provide quality healthcare for residents of growing Johnson County founded on Adventist principles. More than 55 years later, SMH has expanded its reach and draws patients from throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area and around the Midwest. SMH’s recent momentum is due in part to our 15-year partnership with Adventist Health System.
Starting on Jan. 2, 2019, SMH—along with AHS’s wholly owned nation-wide facilities—will become AdventHealth, a fully-integrated health system focused on caring for the whole person. With this change, SMH will offer the Kansas City community the same compassionate care, expert medical advice and leading edge technology they have come to trust. Patients can rest assured knowing there is no change in ownership and SMH’s commitment to whole-person health and healing will continue for years to come.
“Shawnee Mission Health has always focused on caring for the whole person—body, mind and spirit. It’s what we’re known for in Kansas City,” said Sam Huenergardt, president and CEO of SMH. “This name change is a testament to our continued growth and commitment to provide whole-person healthcare.”
Whole-person care is what Adventist founders believed in more than 150 years ago when they began their first healthcare program. The idea of whole-person care is rooted in the belief that it takes more than a healthy body to truly feel your best, and it’s what sets SMH apart from other healthcare organizations in the region.
“What began as a small community hospital at 75th Street and I-35 in Merriam has grown to more than 25 locations throughout Kansas City,” said Robin Harrold, vice president of Ambulatory Development, SMH. “It has been our privilege to grow the healthcare network, allowing us the opportunity to bring whole-person care to more people throughout the region.”
SMH’s community outreach is one great example of how the organization strives to improve whole-person health. For instance, women wanting to increase their fitness level can sign up for Women’s Training Team–a six-week running/walking program to prepare women and girls for a 5K on Mother’s Day. SMH offers classes on topics such as gardening, nutrition, stress management and parenting, and also presents community events such as Living in Vitality and Light the Town Pink to boost awareness and promote prevention of cancer and other diseases.
Physicians make an effort to gauge whole-person well-being by asking patients if they feel loved, have peace and a source of joy in their life. These questions spark conversations about a person’s spiritual and emotional health, acknowledge patient concerns and make available resources that can serve to help patients enjoy a happier, healthier life.
The principles of CREATION Health (Choice, Rest, Environment, Activity, Trust in God, Interpersonal Relationships, Outlook and Nutrition) are at the center of SMH’s wellness efforts not only for the community, but also for its team members. SMH conducts monthly wellness challenges to help team members boost physical activity and think about new ways to improve mental and spiritual health. Weekly chapel services are offered and spiritual wellness experts are always on site and available for patients, families and staff.
These are just a few of the reasons people have trusted SMH for their healthcare needs since 1962, and rebranding to AdventHealth will allow SMH to offer even more opportunities to enhance mind, body and spirit.
“Shawnee Mission Health has always provided faith-based care and that will not change,” said Harrold. “Rebranding as AdventHealth simply connects us to a strong network of healthcare facilities committed to providing faith-based care not only in our community, but on a national level.”
The AdventHealth mission, Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, is about meeting people wherever they are. It’s about believing that uncommon compassion is as important as medical credentials. It’s about knowing that when people are treated with dignity and kindness from world-class experts, they will not only heal, but also become their best self again.
While Kansas Citians will soon know SMH as AdventHealth, the organization’s goal remains the same: to serve the entire Kansas City community for a lifetime of whole health.
Learn more about SMH or AdventHealth, visit ShawneeMission.org or AdventHealth.com.
