Publication Date

5-2024

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Abstract

Children’s Mercy Kansas City was founded in 1897 by sisters Drs. Alice Graham and Katharine Richardson. Their primary objective was to create a hospital where the children of Kansas City and surrounding areas could be treated regardless of their religion, race, or ability to pay. By the early 1920’s segregation became a huddle to accomplishing this dream. To circumvent this problem Dr. Katharine Richardson partnered with Dr. John E. Perry and the staff at Wheatley Provident Hospital, the first private Black hospital in Kansas City, MO, to establish the Mercy Model Ward. This ward provided pediatric care for the Black children in Kansas City and was the first of its kind in the nation. Dr. Richardson was fully committed to providing care to all children, everywhere and this model ward provided the means for her to truly realize her goal.

Disciplines

History of Science, Technology, and Medicine

Notes

Presented at the American Association for the History of Medicine (AAHM) 2024 Annual Meeting; May 9-12, 2024; Kansas City, MO.

Children's Mercy: Dedicated to All Children, Everywhere

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