initial budget of $23.3 million — and The University of Kansas Hospital was born. Since that day 25 years ago, the hospital — now The University of Kansas Health System — has thrived. Kansans and others across the region can access the most innovative treatments provided by nationally recognized specialists and care teams without leaving an important aspect of their healing: their community. Reimagining the future of health care Much like when it originally opened more than a century ago, The University of Kansas Health System is committed to serving its community: the people of Kansas, the region and beyond. “Beyond,” though, has extended farther than Bell could have imagined in his wildest dreams.
Today, the health system treats the sickest of the sick — from every county in Kansas, almost every county in Missouri, every state in the U.S. and 26 countries across the world. And that was just in fiscal year 2023. “When we started this journey 25 years ago, we knew we needed to find a path forward, because patients didn’t want to be here,” said Tammy Peterman, MS, RN, FAAN, President of the Kansas City Division and Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer of The University of Kansas Health System. “I don’t think anyone then would have — could have — imagined we would be where we are today.” And for the next 25 years? “We’ve come so far, but there is so much more to do,” Peterman said. “We want to ensure no Kansan needs to leave home for the very best care provided by the very best care teams.”
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEALTH SYSTEM MILESTONES
JUST GETTING STARTED, THE EARLY 2000S: 2000: Trauma Center becomes first in the region to receive Level I national verification from the American College of Surgeons. 2001: Cardiologists from Mid America Cardiology and Mid America Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons join the hospital. The Center for Advanced Heart Care opens five years later. 2006: The University of Kansas Hospital earns Magnet® designation for the first time from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. (Redesignated in 2011, 2016 and 2021.)
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2007: U.S. News & World Report names the hospital to its top 50 list for the first time — it has been on the list ever since. 2007: Annette Bloch donates $20 million for programs at the new outpatient cancer facility, later named the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion.
HITTING ITS STRIDE, THE 2010S: 2011: The University of Kansas Cancer Center acquires Kansas City Cancer Center and sets a national model for cancer care delivery. 2012: Athletes of all ages get professional treatment as The University of Kansas Health System becomes the Kansas City Chiefs’ official health care provider. It became the Kansas City Royals’ provider in 2011.
2012: The University of Kansas Cancer Center earns National Cancer Institute designation, one of only 71 in the nation. (Earned again in 2017.) 2012: The University of Kansas Hospital is the first in Kansas City to earn Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center designation. 2012: Turning Point joins the hospital as a free resource supporting the emotional, social and psychological needs of anyone living with a serious or chronic illness. 2012: The University of Kansas Hospital – Indian Creek Campus opens in Johnson County, Kan. 2013: Center for Transplantation opens to provide comprehensive care for liver, kidney, pancreas and heart transplant patients.
