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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

    Doctors Meeting Young Patient Being Moved into New Hospital

  • Young Male Patient Waiting to be Moved to New Hospital Building

    Young Male Patient Waiting to be Moved to New Hospital Building

  • Moving Medical Equipment into New Children's Mercy Building

    Moving Medical Equipment into New Children's Mercy Building

  • Patient Arriving at New Hospital on Moving Day

    Patient Arriving at New Hospital on Moving Day

  • Hospital Staff Move Patients and Equipment into New Hospital Building

    Hospital Staff Move Patients and Equipment into New Hospital Building

  • Nurses Preparing Young Patient for Moving Day

    Nurses Preparing Young Patient for Moving Day

  • Patient in Wheelchair Arriving on Moving Day

    Patient in Wheelchair Arriving on Moving Day

  • Nurse and Patient Waiting on Moving Day

    Nurse and Patient Waiting on Moving Day

  • Moving Infant Patients into New Hospital Building

    Moving Infant Patients into New Hospital Building

  • Community Ambulance Transporting Patients on Moving Day

    Community Ambulance Transporting Patients on Moving Day

  • Moving Crib into New Hospital Building

    Moving Crib into New Hospital Building

  • Unloading Patient from Ambulance after Arriving at New Hospital

    Unloading Patient from Ambulance after Arriving at New Hospital

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