Our History
Unlike the move from Highland Ave to Independence Ave in 1917, the move to Hospital Hill required more assistance and planning since instead of moving one block patients would be moving across the city. Hospital planners spent a year preparing for the move, which they called "Operation Santa Claus". It was an all hands on deck situation, including help from the Red Cross and local ambulance companies.
Prior to Moving Day, 55 patients were temporarily discharged home. This left 39 patients who would need to be moved to Hospital Hill. The first patient left Independence Ave at 9 am on December 17, 1970. Two hours later all 39 patients were safely at the new hospital. Nurses and doctors accompanied patients during their transport across town. Once arriving at the new hospital patients were checked in by hospital administration staff before being taken up to their room. Hospital Director Ned Smull led the moving day efforts from the commander center set up in the new hospital's lobby.
This move to Hospital Hill signaled the beginning of a transformation for Children's Mercy: the transition from a charity hospital to a fully operational pediatric medical center.
Doctors Meeting Young Patient Being Moved into New Hospital
Young Male Patient Waiting to be Moved to New Hospital Building
Moving Medical Equipment into New Children's Mercy Building
Patient Arriving at New Hospital on Moving Day
Hospital Staff Move Patients and Equipment into New Hospital Building
Nurses Preparing Young Patient for Moving Day
Patient in Wheelchair Arriving on Moving Day
Nurse and Patient Waiting on Moving Day
Moving Infant Patients into New Hospital Building
Community Ambulance Transporting Patients on Moving Day
Moving Crib into New Hospital Building
Unloading Patient from Ambulance after Arriving at New Hospital