~KCMag_August2025_LR

Top ER Docs Within Blocks

If summer fun takes an unexpected turn, it’s good to know the area’s most trusted emergency care is always nearby. With five ER locations across Johnson County, the expert team at AdventHealth is here for all the bumps and breaks, flips and falls – and more. For the quickest – and easiest – access to emergency care in town, visit GetInQuickerKC.com.

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OUR MISSION

We love Kansas City like family. We know what makes it great, we know how it struggles, and we know its secrets. Through great storytelling, photography and design, we help our readers celebrate our city’s triumphs, tend to its faults and revel in the things that make it unique.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Dawnya Bartsch

GENERAL MANAGER, BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Alex Healey

ART DIRECTOR

Kevin Goodbar

FOOD EDITOR

Tyler Shane

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Nina Cherry

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Dominique Parsow

ADVERTISING SALES

Angie Henshaw and Bob Ulmer

COPY EDITOR

Kelsie Schrader

WEB COORDINATOR

Madison Russell

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Tierney Flavin, Olivia Mahl and Alex Zoellner

MARKETING INTERNS

Talli Cannon, Kyanne Carlgren, Emily Deister, Shelby Martin, Lindsey Ortiz, Zack Solem and James Vander Ark

DESIGN INTERN

Andrew Mason

WRITERS

Ann Butenas, Nina Cherry, Ryan Hayter, David Hodes, Nicole Kinning, Sophia Lacy, Olivia Mahl, Ryan Reed, Ian Ritter and Tyler Shane

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Julie Babcock, Laura Morsman, Kelly Powell, Nicolas Ravinaud, Ian Simmons, Clayton Steward

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Dog Days of Summer

As the calendar hits August, the dog days of summer—the hottest stretch of the year—are well underway. Temperatures are inching towards double digits, and the heat may have you itching to stay indoors, but your four-legged friends might be ready to get out and celebrate their namesake season. Fortunately (for your dog), there are plenty of spots in Kansas City where you and your pooch can soak up the summer. For a list of perfect places to take your pup, scan here …

River Town or Cow Town?

KANSAS CITY’S STOCKYARD history is well known to all and one reason KC became the capital of BBQ. But now that the stockyards are gone and the American Royal is building new facilities near the Kansas Speedway in KCK, the city’s collective attention seems to have turned to the Missouri River.

It’s a good place to look.

The largest river in North America runs right through the city, creating ample—albeit not that accessible or even visible—shorline. I think it’s time to fix that. Why shouldn’t we exploit the views and the breeze? Other cities, such as St. Louis, Chicago and Nashville, have done so quite successfully.

The new $117 million CPKC Stadium, a joint venture headed by the Current’s ownership group, including Brittany and Patrick Mahomes, is near the Bond Bridge and along part of the river known as the Berkley Riverfront Park. The stadium sits on the water’s edge, offering dramatic views of the river. Near the stadium, plans for an estimated $1 billion in new commercial space, as well as hundreds of apartments, are in the works. A new hotel has already been built.

But it’s not just the Berkley Riverfront strip that’s being developed. Metro communities up and down the Missouri

Ryan Steven Reed Writer

Ryan Steven Reed, who wrote this issue’s piece on jazz legend Lonnie McFadden, splits his time between Maine and Missouri. He is the author of the Reeding and Writing newsletter on Substack and is soon to have a short fiction story published in Boulevard Magazine.

River are looking at ways to develop the land for leisure, entertainment and commercial purposes. With temperatures at an all-time high this month, reading writer Ian Ritter’s story about the river’s past and future and looking at the pictures of the cool waterway is a perfect way to escape the heat and imagine the possibilities.

And, of course, this issue marks our annual Top Docs list, as selected by their peers. I’m always curious to see if my doctor made the cut.

Dawnya Bartsch, Editor-In-Chief dawnya@kansascitymag.com

Contributors

Ian Ritter Writer

Ian Ritter took a deep dive into the Big Muddy to write this issue’s cover story. Ritter is a regular contributor who spent years in New York writing about the national commercial real estate and retail industries.

Ian Simmons Photographer

Photographer Ian Simmons, who describes himself as a husband and father first, shot this issue’s cover story about the Missouri River. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in architecture.

Feedback Say What?

BBQ Greats

Last issue’s feature package about where to find the best barbecue across the metro was as popular as ever. And as usual, some readers agreed with our picks and some did not. But it does seem that everyone agrees we picked the best cover model for the issue—the legendary Ollie Gates of Gates Bar-B-Q.

Such a deserving cover, article and a great photo. Love it. Bad timing to look at this now—I’ve got a late night craving for their ribs and sauce.

- Mary Lynn Bass

Happy belated 93rd birthday Mr. Gates.

– LaTisha Harris

Deserving. Thanks Mr. Gates to you and your family.

- David Moore

“It’s not like I set out to become a mascot. I didn’t even know you could be a mascot, at least professionally.”

- Dan Meers, the recently retired Chiefs mascot, KC Wolf.

Numbers From This Issue

1867

The year the Wyandot tribe was moved from KCK to a reservation in Oklahoma. Page 28

35

The number of years Dan Meers was the Chiefs mascot, KC Wolf. Page 18

2,315

The length in miles of the Missouri River. Page 84

Shout Out

We want to thank paddler Tom Bailey of KC Kayak and Canoe for kayaking quite a few times under the Heart of America Bridge so we could get the perfect cover shot.

Behind the Scenes

Photographer Kelly Powell shooting this issue’s review of Hank’s Garage and Grill.

Iconic. – Ellis Robinson

Time to Dream Big

By Teirney Flavin

(Continued on next page)

THE NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM is leading the revitalization efforts in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District.

“This is the perfect time for us, as I like to say, to dream out loud, to think about what this organization can continue to aspire to be” says Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (1616 E. 18th St., KCMO). “We have an opportunity to do something transformational here.”

The proposed $30 million expansion includes tripling the museum’s square footage from 10,000 to 30,000 square feet along with building a Marriott Tribute Hotel. The new structures will be next to the former Paseo YMCA, now the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center, which will also be renovated as a part of the project.

The city has also announced plans to construct a new parking garage in the neighborhood, and the district’s Boone Theater is undergoing renovations that will include a Black Movie Hall of Fame.

Kendrick says that the Negro Leagues are “as hot as ever,” and the museum has seen an increase in visitors. He attributes much of

the growth to his podcast “Black Diamonds,” where he shares the stories of Negro League players. Kendrick’s podcast got the attention of Sony, he says, leading the company to add Negro League players to its video game MLB: The Show in 2023. Kendrick also notes the “historic” inclusion of Negro League statistics in the MLB record books in 2024 as contributing to the Negro League’s growing presence.

Kendrick says the expansion of the NLBM will not only allow for greater traction to the Negro Leagues’s history but will also “put a bright spotlight” on Kansas City.

Third District City Councilwoman Melissa Robinson says the city has made “intentional investment” in her district, where the museum is located. Beyond the parking garage, the city is also focusing on adding income-based affordable housing, the rehabilitation of Pine Park and the addition of local businesses to support growth in the area, Robinson says.

“The accompanying parking garage serves as critical infrastructure to facilitate commerce, enabling easy access for shoppers and visitors alike,” Robinson says. “Together, these initiatives will contribute to a flourishing economic ecosystem within the district.”

Brian Stevenson, the head baseball coach at Guadalupe Centers High School and of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City’s

“I’m just looking forward to cutting the ribbon and opening it up to this community and having the baseball world be here when we do open up this new Negro Leagues Baseball Museum as another of the crown jewels of the great city of Kansas City.”

Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities team, says the museum is a pillar in the community.

“Kansas City has a lot of history,” Stevenson says. “I honestly believe that with 18th and Vine embracing the Negro League Museum and allowing them to expand, and the city of Kansas City and the state of Missouri and everybody being on board with it, [it] is going to be the most positive and enlightening experience that one could have going to a museum.”

The new museum will include space for more exhibits, an interactive baseball experience, event and meeting spaces, and a theater. Kendrick says they will have “no problem” filling the new building with stories and memorabilia. He hopes to raise the money through public and private funding.

“I’m just looking forward to cutting the ribbon and opening it up to this community and having the baseball world be here when we do open up this new Negro Leagues Baseball Museum as another of the crown jewels of the great city of Kansas City,” Kendrick says. “We want people to be envious of Kansas City, and they have every reason to be envious of Kansas City. It is a dynamic, progressive city, and we’re proud to be part of what makes it that dynamic and progressive city.”

The Boone Is About to Boom

By Tierney Flavin

Although the historic Boone Theater has been sitting empty since 1970, that’s all about to change.

Located in the historic 18th and Vine jazz district (1701 E. 18th St., KCMO), the 1924 theater is undergoing an $8.7 million makeover, and as part of it, the theater will house the Black Movie Hall of Fame. Originally conceptualized by the Hall of Fame’s executive director Shawn Edwards in 2003, the Black Movie Hall of Fame will now have a permanent home in the theater. Edwards, who is a film and television producer, says he felt “obligated” to highlight Black actors and filmmakers. The Hall of Fame is set to feature artifacts and classic movie posters as well as interactive presentations and videos.

Edwards says he wants to maintain an “old-school museum feel” but have the flexibility to “tell different stories” with modern technology. Exhibits will chronicle the impact of Black movie makers from the days of early Hollywood through the modern era.

Having the Hall of Fame housed in the same building as the Boone Theater is a natural partnership, Edwards says. The renovated historic theater will provide a dramatic space to show modern and classic Black films, he says.

“Movies are great documentation of what actually happened in the world,” Edwards says. “You can’t go back and change that. Movies help to protect the truth. Movies help to protect that history, and we’re going to play a large part in that.”

With the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s planned expansion, locating the Hall of Fame in the 18th and Vine community is the perfect spot.

“Now that district will feature the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the American jazz Museum and the soon-to-be Black Movie Hall of Fame,” Edwards says. “The important thing about that is I think that it creates the best historical corridor in the United States, when you talk about the history that those three entities will represent. It also means a lot to Kansas City.”

The Black Movie Hall of Fame is set to open in February of 2026.

Dan Meers’ KC Wolf era comes to an end

By David Hodes

DAN MEERS IS an unassuming gent from St. Charles, Missouri. He has a wife, three kids and two grandkids. He has a quiet kind of charm, one of those folksy wisdom types of fellows. But something in him—maybe boredom, maybe the itch for something strange—led him to a world of wearing big furry suits and funny masks and acting like a possessed creature for amped-up strangers.

Meers is the KC Wolf mascot—or was. He’s widely regarded as one of the best mascots in the business. In 2006, KC Wolf was the first NFL mascot to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame (KC Royals mascot Sluggerrr followed in 2017), and the first and only mascot to be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Meers, with his self-depreciating humor, says that mascots, including himself, are about “three peas short of a casserole.”

Meers’ mascot journey began at the University of Missouri in 1986. He was just your average college student trying to figure out what to do with his life. “It’s not like I set out to become a mascot,” Meers says. “I didn’t even know you could be a mascot, at least professionally.”

He saw a notice in the school newspaper about tryouts to be the MU mascot, Truman the Tiger. “I’m like, ‘Well, that sounds kind of

interesting.’ So I went to this informational meeting, I tried out, and sure enough, I got the job.”

After graduation in 1990, he got the mascot job for the St. Louis Cardinals as Fredbird. “Then I got a call out of the blue from the Kansas City Chiefs that said they were starting up a new program with this KC Wolf character,” Meers says. “In professional baseball, they play 81 home games in the summertime. Professional football plays 10 home games in the fall and the winter. And most mascot costumes are hot. Baseball games can be long. So I was ready to make the change to the NFL.”

The Chiefs wanted a “director of shenanigans,” a character with character wearing that 30-pound costume—with the eight-pound head piece, 85-inchwide hips and size 23 shoes—who would at times be dressed in a wild-looking outfit and act out all kinds of crowd-pleasing mischief.

Meers thought he would do the mascot thing for a couple of years and then get a real job like everybody else. He officially started with the KC Chiefs in time for the 1989 season. Since then,

Meers has appeared in 307 regular-season and postseason games during his career and 375 overall, including all five Super Bowls, according to the NFL.

As soon as he buckles on that KC Wolf head, the mild-mannered 6-foot-3, 185-pound Meers turns into a 7-foot-tall crowd-pleasing rogue. Sometimes he’s an Elvis impersonator, or maybe Santa Claus during the holidays, but he’s always a fan favorite who taunts opponents, faces down Darth Vader and goofs along with cheerleaders. Meers will bang his head on the goal posts when the opposing team kicks a field goal, living out the exasperation of every Chiefs fan. “Yeah, I kind of take on a new personality,” he says. “But I just tried to go out to have fun and even act a little tough, make the crowd laugh. But I always followed what my grandma taught me: It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”

After 35 years on the job, Meers says he’s ready to call it quits. He has been doing the gig longer than any other mascot. “I told the Chiefs, ‘Hey, I want to be a full-time grandpa and a part-time mascot,’” Meers says. “It was the best time for me to step back and kind of take a backup role instead of being the head hog in the trough any longer.”

He announced his retirement on National Mascot Day, June 17, 2025.

Meers’ mascot role was more than just jazzing up Chiefs fans. He traveled to other sports venues around the country and around the world. “I also did countless appearances outside of the game,” he says. “I think it was close to 10,000 appearances at birthdays and weddings and nursing homes and parades and games and schools and churches and bar mitzvahs. You name it. I walked five women down the aisle on their wedding day as KC Wolf,” he says. “The fun part of the job is the people you meet and the relationships you build with folks.”

“I’m like, ‘Well, that sounds kind of interesting.’ So I went to this informational meeting, I tried out, and sure enough, I got the job.”

Meers may have had his last official howl, but not to worry: There’s a new wolf ready to wow the kingdom. Meers recently spent time with the 24-year-old yet-tobe-identified Wolf in the making. “I spent three hours with him yesterday, and I am supposed to spend more time with him next week,” he says. “The costume’s not going to change with the new guy. And hopefully you won’t even notice too many of the mannerisms changing that much.”

SPEND YOUR DAY THE KANSAS CITY WAY

Cuisine for every taste, entertainment for all ages, and unique finds at one-of-a-kind shops—nowhere else compares. For a completely Kansas City experience, it has to be Crown Center.

2450

Skyline Showings

An open-air rooftop movie theater just opened in KC

By Nina Cherry

ROOFTOP CINEMA CLUB has officially arrived.

Located at the corner of Broadway and 21st Street, the open-air movie theater—known for its skyline views in major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, London and more—opened its Crossroads’ locale in July.

“The idea is to revitalize the movie experience and have a chance to show curated films—not all new showings,” says Rooftop Cinema Club publicist Priscilla Gonzalez. “We have some fan favorites, cult classics and family-friendly options. There’s really something for everyone.” Upcoming screenings include beloved

flicks like The Princess Bride, La La Land and The Devil Wears Prada.

To keep the experience immersive (and to drown out the sounds of the city), each guest is provided with a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones—so you get the view without the distraction.

The rooftop also includes a full bar and a vintage Airstream-turnedkitchen serving what Gonzalez describes as “elevated bar food.” The menu includes walking tacos, chicken tenders and, of course, plenty of popcorn and boxed candy.

In addition to primetime and late-night showings, Rooftop Cinema Club also hosts special events. August 8 brings a sing-along screening of Grease, and later in the month, on August 24, the theater takes advantage of its green space with a pet-friendly showing of Ratatouille

GO: Rooftop Cinema Club, 2101 Broadway Blvd., KCMO. For a full list of showings, visit rooftopcinemaclub.com/kansas-city.

Open seven days a week, the open-air theater’s season is expected to run through the end of October, but if weather permits, they’ll keep the movies rolling into November.

aug

Cyndi Lauper

Superstar Cyndi Lauper pays tribute to her hit single on her

8

The Freedom Affair

Each second Friday of the month, North Kansas City’s Summer Concert Series brings a free show to Macken Park. This month, local soul powerhouse The Freedom Affair takes over the pavilion. Make it an evening and swing by the Iron District for a quick bite before dancing the night away. August 8. 6 pm. Macken Park.

9

Heart of America Hot Dog Festival

Hot dogs are a fixture of America’s Pastime, making them the perfect centerpiece for the Negro Leauges Baseball Museum’s annual fundraiser. For over a decade, the Heart of America Hot Dog Festival has brought together food, live music and community down on the Vine. This year’s lineup features jazz and R&B icons from around the country, including Silk and Eric Benét, Tom Browne, Rose Royce and more. August 9. 3 pm. 18th and Vine Jazz District.

15–17

Ethnic Enrichment Festival

In a tradition that dates back nearly 50 years, Ethnic Enrichment Festival returns to Swope Park for one of the region’s largest multicultural events. Each third weekend of August, over 60 countries and cultures are represented to celebrate Kansas Citians’ wide-spanning traditions. In addition to a robust lineup of dance performances and live music, the three-day event offers an abundance of hand-crafted goods and traditional foods for sale. Snack on everything from feijoada, a Brazilian black bean stew, to Cameroonian soya, a charred skewered meat that’s a popular Central African street food. Admission is just $5 for adults. Children’s admission and parking are free. August 15–17. Times vary. Swope Park.

21

The Avett Brothers

Melding rock with North Carolinian bluegrass, the Avett Brothers have been a leading force in Americana since their breakout hit “I And Love And You” more than 15 years ago. Led by siblings Scott and Seth Avett, the band is known for their

familial harmonies and introspective, heartfelt lyrics. August 21. 7 pm. Azura Amphitheater.

22

Wine Walk for Wildlife

The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium has the only event in town where you can enjoy a summer evening gazing at wildlife with a glass of vino in your hand. Guests can stroll through the topside of the zoo (excluding Africa) while sipping 40 different types of wine, enjoying a variety of musicians and talking with the zoo’s animal specialists. Food from Tuxedo Grill and a wide variety of treats from food trucks will be available to purchase. August 22. 5:30 pm. The Kansas City Zoo.

23

Spotlight: Charlie Parker Celebration Concert

Bird lives! KC Jazz Alive celebrates bebop legend Charlie Parker’s 105th birthday with a performance by trumpeter and tap dancer Lonnie McFadden. Backed by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, McFadden is part of a storied jazz lineage. His father, Jimmy, tapped alongside legends Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and even Parker himself. Aside from the concert, Spotlight: Charlie Parker hosts an array of events throughout the month in honor of Bird, including a walking tour, panel discussion and more. August 23. 7 pm. Folly Theater.

24

Alabama Shakes

The band is back together: Alabama Shakes embarks on its first tour since 2018. The group’s eight-year hiatus followed frontwoman Brittany Howard’s decision to pursue a solo career—her powerful voice and mesmerizing stage presence were central to the band’s rise to fame. Now, the Southern blues-rock band relives hits like “Hold On” and “Gimme All Your Love.” Indie folk artist Y La Bamba opens. August 24. 8 pm. Starlight Theatre.

26 Swiftynomics

In honor of Women’s Equality Day, KU professor Misty Heggeness presents her forthcoming book, Swiftynomics: How Women

27

Mastermind and Redefine Our Economy. Drawing on the careers of megastars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, Heggeness takes a close look at how women are rewriting the economic blueprint. “It’s the style of iterative, reinventive, lookwhat-you-made-me-do feminism that has everything to do with how we interpret and understand the economic actions of women today,” Heggeness says. August 26. 6 pm.

Kansas City Public Library Plaza Branch.

30–

Oct. 13

Kansas City

Renaissance Festival

Don your finest flowy dresses,

Jon Batiste

Multi-instrumentalist Jon Batiste does it all. The generational talent is the Oscar-winning composer behind Pixar blockbuster Soul and a former The Late Show musical director, and earlier this year, he graced TV screens across the nation at the Super Bowl with a moving rendition of the national anthem. Known for blending classical music with American styles like jazz, blues and R&B—exemplified in his most recent album, Beethoven Blues Batiste kicks off his two-month-long Big Money tour right in KC. August 27. 8 pm. The Midland.

tunics and breeches for the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. At this immersive step back in time, watch jousting tournaments, feast on gigantic turkey legs, listen to period music and shop the bustling artisan market. Each weekend brings a different theme, so be sure to check the schedule in advance. August 30–October 13. Times vary. 628 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs.

2025

Talking Bird, Kansas City and Beyond with Lonnie McFadden

By Ryan Reed

DESPITE TRAVELING THE world playing jazz for more than 50 years, Kansas Citian Lonnie McFadden always seems to end up back home.

Raised in the 18th & Vine Jazz District, he has been surrounded by music his entire life. His father, Jimmy “Pops” McFadden, performed with national jazz orchestras, and Lonnie and his brother, Ronald, grew up in the rich KC music scene.

His 2018 record, Lonnie McFadden Live at Green Lady Lounge, is a mixture of original songs and classics. On Saturday, August 23, McFadden is headlining a Charlie Parker birthday celebration highlighting his music—backed by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra—at the Folly Theater.

How did Charlie Parker influence your growth as a jazz musician when you were growing up? All of us that came after him were affected. Whether you’re playing rock or jazz or funk, it doesn’t matter. The innovations he made are so profound, it just changed the way music—American music—is played. What did I learn from Charlie Parker? I’m still learning. You could gauge jazz as before Bird and after Bird. He changed the way that the chord changes were being played, the rhythm of bebop, the speed, everything. It’s hard for me to put in words how much respect and admiration I have for what he did and what he is to music.

Can you talk a little bit more on how that changed? Parker could do one of the standards like “Honeysuckle Rose” and crank up the tempo. You’re taking the same chords, but you’re adding more notes to it to give it more richness and complexity while still feeling natural and just as lyrical. What Charlie Parker did was totally organic. It has a way of relating to the common man. Very few artists have been able to do that. Parker died at 34. I’m almost 70, and I’m still trying to figure out some of the things he did.

Your father was a big part of the Kansas City jazz scene. What was that like for you as a kid? I started tap dancing before we took piano lessons. Ronald and I wanted to play horns, and he wanted to play trumpet. Ronald’s version of it is that I was the oldest and the biggest, so I got to play trumpet. My father didn’t want us to play the same instrument, so Ronald played alto saxophone. So from the time we picked up horns, my dad had me listening to Louis Armstrong and had Ronald listening to Charlie Parker. And of course, you know, by us being brothers and learning the same things, Ronald was listening to a lot of Louis and I was listening to a lot of Charlie Parker.

August 23, 7 pm.

(300 W. 12th St.,

What was it like growing up in Kansas City, the epicenter of American jazz? I didn’t know it. I had no idea. I learned all this stuff just because of the way it sounds and the way it feels. Someone once told me, “You learned jazz like a kid growing up in Mexico learns Spanish.” I said, “Yes, that’s exactly it.” Since I was hearing Charlie Parker at such an early age, by the time I started out, you know, learning the mathematics of it, it was all there. Very few places on this planet will you find people that have the natural swing that the people here in Kansas City do.

Was it amazing to have a brother learning music with you at that same time? Were you just playing every day? God, I can’t even tell you how much I miss that. Before I lost Ron, I used to hear Wynton Marsalis talk about Duke Ellington’s quote at Billy Strayhorn’s service: “My right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brainwaves in his head, and his in mine.” I had that with Ronald. My dad took us to the Foundation, and there were all these guys that used to play with Basie and Bird, in this room filled with cigar smoke, and we were kids. Ronald played “Alfie” in front of all those great musicians, and they passed the hat and gave him all this money, and that put it into focus for me that I needed to really, really start taking the things that my father knows seriously. That was the night that did it, when Ronald played “Alfie” at the Foundation.

I’d love to hear you talk about the relationship between tap dancing and jazz. I just realized this about 10 years ago. I am one of the torchbearers for two unique art forms that came out of the African American slavery experience. Tap dancing and jazz grew up together. Tap dancing evolved after they took away the drums because they realized that the slaves were communicating through them. That’s when they started using rhythms on their bodies. It evolved in a way that became uniquely American after the Emancipation Proclamation. So jazz and tap dancing grew and evolved together.

Can you give me three jazz songs that feel the most “Kansas City” to you? “Parker’s Mood” by Charlie Parker, “Lester Leaps In” by Count Basie & The Kansas City Seven, and Snooky Young’s solo on “Who, Me?”

How do you see the future of jazz in Kansas City? Wow, the future is in good hands. We have such a great representation from younger musicians. There are so many. When I say younger, I mean, obviously everybody’s younger than me now. I hear so many wonderful, innovative things that are going on. I would encourage people right now to get out and listen.

).

GO: Spotlight: Charlie Parker featuring Lonnie McFadden.

Folly Theater

KCMO

Headlining and Homecoming

Singer-songwriter Krystle Warren returns to KC for a performance at Crossroads Music Fest

By Nina Cherry

EXPAT KRYSTLE WARREN loves her hometown—so much so that she thought she’d never leave. But she did.

Now residing just outside of Paris, KC-born singer-songwriter Warren has built a thriving career abroad with an impressive list of collaborations, having shared the stage with Rufus Wainwright and Joan As Police Woman.

But before Warren’s move to France, she called New York City home for a few years. At 23, she bought a one-way ticket to the East Coast, hesitantly convinced by a close friend who’d just transferred from UMKC to The New School in New York. It was her first one-way flight and her first time traveling alone.

“Leaving Kansas City wasn’t something I desired,” Warren says. “I would’ve been perfectly fine staying, but I’m so glad that I made

Although Warren is looking forward to her upcoming headlining performance at Crossroads Music Fest, she’s nearly as excited to hit up a food-oriented list of her KC favorites. Here are her must-haves.

• Room 39

• A rack of ribs from Joe’s Kansas City

• Go Chicken Go’s fried gizzards

• Gates’ beef and a half

• A cold can of Boulevard Wheat, best enjoyed on a porch

that leap, that adventure. It was terrifying and exciting at the same time.”

Ultimately, the musician spent a few years in New York performing with her band, Krystle Warren and the Faculty. One night at a Halloween party, a friend interning at Electric Lady Studios invited producer and recording engineer Russell Elevado—though the band didn’t know he was in the audience. Their set happened to include music from Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun and D’Angelo’s Voodoo, albums Elevado had mixed.

A few days later, Elevado sent an email: an offer to produce an album.

“That was our very first experience in the studio,” Warren says. “About a year in, we signed to a French label. That’s what brought Paris into the picture.”

Now, Warren returns to KC to headline the Crossroads Music Festival on September 6. She’ll be joined by Mike Stover, described by Warren as a “human Swiss Army knife,” as well as a surprise special guest.

“It’s going to be the most intimate performance I’ve made in KC,” Warren says. “I’m really excited for that.”

Growing up in South KC, the musician was drawn to her mom’s record collection of soul classics (namely Stevie Wonder and a lot of Bill Withers) and her sister’s love for jazz and hip-hop. And she attributes a cohort of KC musicians—Beau Bledsoe, Jeff Harshbarger and Brad Cox—for helping mold her into the musician she is today.

“I looked at them immediately as mentors,” Warren says. “I didn’t think I was cool enough to be hanging out with them, but they insisted that I should. Meeting them completely expanded my relationship and understanding of music.”

Often compared to legends like Tracy Chapman and Nina Simone, Warren is hesitant to self-describe her sound. She prefers listeners come to their own conclusions.

“I like leaving it up to people to listen and pull their own references,” Warren says. “It’s too difficult because I listen to just about everything—my influences are so varied.”

GO:

Krystle Warren at Crossroads Music Fest. September 6. Stockyards District. Visit cmfkc.com for a full festival lineup and performance times.

Beyond her festival performance, Warren has already planned her next trip home. In collaboration with contemporary company Owen/Cox Dance Group, the musician will return to KC stages in April 2026 for a world premiere of a tailor-made affair.

Photography by Nicolas Ravinaud

KRYSTLE WARREN’S HOMETOWN PICKS

Mesoamerican Motifs

By Nina Cherry

JEWELER AND TEXTILE artist Paulina Otero grew up making jewelry with her mom. “It has always felt very familiar to me,” she says.

But it was as a fiber arts student at the Kansas City Art Institute that Otero began experimenting with unconventional materials to craft jewelry as a way to upcycle. In 2020, she decided to launch her own jewelry business.

Today, Otero primarily uses acrylic, natural stones and metal. The jeweler’s background in textiles shines through in her playful, colorful and maximalist statement pieces. Acrylic, she notes, makes for lightweight earrings: no pulling on the lobes.

As the business has grown, Otero has also branched out into accessories like claw clips and bag charms.

Otero is originally from Mexico, and many of her designs are inspired by her heritage. “I look at a lot of Mesoamerican cultures and symbolism from there,” Otero says. “I try to find ways to use those symbols and abstract them a little bit.”

One recurring motif in her work is the caracol, a spiral shape derived from a shell. “In Michoacán culture, a lot of gods were represented with this shape and were made with actual shells found in the land,” she says.

She also enjoys keeping up with fast-paced, ever-evolving trends. Her iridescent sardine earrings, for example, have been a big hit over the past two summers.

Now, Otero is celebrating five years of being in business. To commemorate the anniversary, she’s launching new metal pieces and bringing back some archival favorites in stores to showcase her evolution.

Shop Otero’s collection in person at West Bottoms Plant Co. (1501 W. 12th St., KCMO) and Garden House Café (1639 Southwest Blvd., KCK), or online at shoppaulinaotero.com.

Trespassers Beware

KC’s most famous graveyard stand-off becomes

a monument

By Ryan Reed

WHAT WOULD YOU do if your family’s graves were being sold to make a few bucks?

The bravery and determination of Lyda Conley and her sisters Helana and Ida are the stuff of legend, and Chief Judith Manthe of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas is doing her best to keep the story alive.

Manthe first told the story of the Conley sisters’ efforts to save the Huron Cemetery on the debut episode of KCUR’s A People’s History of Kansas City. Inspired by the podcast, playwright Madeline Easley decided to dramatize the Conley sisters’ fight and consulted Manthe for her play Representatives for Those at Peace. Easley’s work debuted at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, where it drew large crowds. Now, a collaboration between the Wyandot Nation of Kansas and public arts group Monumenta is producing a traveling memorial to the Conley sisters’ work called “Trespassers Beware! Fort Conley and Wyandot Women Warriors.”

In 1867, the officially recognized Wyandot tribe was uprooted by the U.S. government and moved from KCK to Oklahoma. Those that chose to remain in their homes had to become United States citizens, forfeiting their rights as tribe members. This classification did little to weaken their identities or their dedication to those that came before them. So, when Lyda heard in 1906 that the Oklahoma Wyandot Nation was selling the Kansas land that included many of her ancestors’ gravesites, she was ready to fight. And fight she did.

“Once you step inside, you’ll be transported into another world. Instead of beds and domestic things inside, you see filmed vignettes that reimagine and recreate the Conley sisters’ daily life.”

By all accounts, Lyda and her sisters were a trio not to be reckoned with. It is said they would paddle across the Missouri River to attend school. Lyda went to law school and passed the bar before she was even constitutionally eligible to vote.

When it was time to protect her ancestors’ graves, Lyda took her fight all the way to the United States Supreme Court. She was the first indigenous and third woman ever to do so. When the Court overturned her appeal, Lyda and her sisters then decided to build a 6-by-8-foot wooden structure on the cemetery’s grounds they called “Fort Conley,” where they began an armed occupation to protect the site. They hung a sign that read: “Trespassers Beware!”

This small shack, where the sisters lived through hot summers and chilly winters, is the main focus of the travelling art installation by Monumenta and the Wyandot Nation of Kansas. “The fort itself is a very accurate recreation,” says Neysa Page-Lieberman, artistic director and founder of Monumenta. “But once you step inside, you’ll be transported into another world. Instead of beds and domestic things inside, you see filmed vignettes that reimagine and recreate the Conley sisters’ daily life.”

Mixed with archival documents, images and videos, actors and artists will recreate scenes from the sisters’ time in the fort. Viewers will be able to see them writing, reading, preparing legal briefs and just being bored. “They can’t leave,” Page-Lieberman says. “They have to lock this place down. They can’t have a normal life. It goes through different seasons because they were there for years. We’re trying to show the commitment and endurance they had to have going through this.”

“It’s always been a very important thing for me to tell this story, to really bring out the courageous warriors that the three are,” Manthe says. “My hope is that the story is told, that people all over will know the hardships and the endurance of these sisters to protect their sacred rights.”

The monument will be unveiled on August 30 at Wyandotte County Historical Museum (631 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs).

Trails Meet Tradition

Independence’s 53rd annual SantaCaliGon Days Festival celebrates local art, food and history

By Tierney Flavin

INDEPENDENCE, OTHERWISE known as “Queen City” where the California, Santa Fe and Oregon wagon trails commenced, will be celebrating its storied history with a festival on Labor Day.

The 53rd annual SantaCaliGon Days Festival—named for the three historic trails— draws around 200,000 visitors to Independence every year. This year’s festival will be headlined by country music artist Phil Vassar on August 30.

Although the first three trails festival was held in 1940, it wasn’t until 1973 that it became a reliable annual city tradition. To honor the historic significance of the Queen City, SantaCaliGon maintains a “Main Street 1849” section, which recreates the look and feel of the pioneer era.

“It might be dance troops, it might be Scout troops, it might be churches or youth groups, and they make a ton of money.”

SantaCaliGon Days director Amy Knipp says that when the festival was revived in 1973, the focus was to “play into the Old West theme.” She recalls attending and seeing the city’s sheriff dress up in costume and historic reenactments of pioneers and wagons headed out west. Knipp says that from there, SantaCaliGon Days has grown significantly, adding arts and crafts booths along with entertainment.

In addition to the mainstage, there’s a community stage where local talent are the stars. Mikealene Evans, the Independence Chamber of Commerce’s director of marketing, is also the festival’s stage manager and says a highlight of the festival is seeing “floods” of people watching family members perform.

“That’s just our sense of community,” Evans says. “It gives them a place to just be creative and show off their talent locally.” The community stage also hosts the all-important ice cream eating and root beer chugging contests.

Evans and Knipp both say that the most significant part of SantaCaliGon is the “economic impact” that it creates, giving local nonprofits a fundraising avenue.

“It might be dance troops, it might be Scout troops, it might be churches or youth groups, and they make a ton of money,” Knipp says.

Heather Browne is the president of MelRoe’s School of Dance’s Booster Club. She, alongside other dance parents, is preparing supplies for their “Bright Purple Booth,” where they will be selling hand-rolled pretzels to support their competition dance team.

Knipp says that SantaCaliGon Days is “truly a slice of Americana,” with all of its history, as well as the artists, musicians, vendors and visitors who are both local and out-of-state.

“It’s all shapes and sizes and levels and a whole big melting pot of people that come to enjoy the festival,” Knipp says.

The Pool and Patio Playbook

There’s nothing like a Kansas City backyard in the full swing of summer, and homeowners are leaning into it more than ever. Today’s outdoor living spaces feel like true extensions of the home, bringing all the comfort and style of the indoors out. Even better, they offer a sense of escape without needing to pack a suitcase. Here are a few standout spaces that prove it.

Coastal Calm

By Nicole Kinning

For designer Maureen Lindstrom and her family, designing her backyard escape was all about bringing the vacation vibe to her home. “We love to travel, especially to the beach, and we often stay at hotels right on the water,” she says. “So we wanted to create our own little oasis at home—somewhere we could escape to and really enjoy.”

In-water loungers are inviting for long, lazy days in the pool (which, in this humidity, we know is much appreciated), and a large sundeck is dotted in nautical-style chairs, which Lindstrom says she chose because they’re as comfy as they are elegant. The pool itself has a gentle slope but stays relatively shallow, making it comfortable and usable from end to end for the whole family.

A standout feature that you won’t find at your average home pool: a swim-up bar with stools on both sides, perfect for games or happy hour. A nearby privacy wall with built-in water features adds a soothing trickling-water soundtrack, and subtle lighting throughout the hot tub and bar area creates a magical glow after dark.

Everything about Lindstrom’s pool was intentionally designed—right down to the plaster color, which ultimately affects the color of the pool water.

“I wanted it to feel like a sophisticated blue,” she says. “My home is blue and white inside, and I wanted that look to carry outside, too.” The result is an at-home paradise that flows seamlessly from indoors to out.

“ They really wanted something that felt like a natural extension of the home. Our goal was to make it feel like it had always been there. ”

Screen Time

By Nicole Kinning

When a young family from Prairie Village reached out to design firm Schloegel Design Remodel to add a screened-in porch to their home, their request was to be able to relax and enjoy the outdoors comfortably, rain or shine, without battling the bugs or elements. With a toddler and another baby on the way, that kind of comfort was especially important to them. “They really wanted something that felt like a natural extension of the home,” says designer Donna Kirsopp, who led the project. “Our goal was to make it feel like it had always been there.”

A vaulted 12-foot ceiling with wood slatting and an exposed ridge beam give the space warmth and height while a gas fireplace with a sleek wall system anchors the room. A ceiling fan, mounted TV and carefully placed lighting round out the modern, transitional design. “We chose the Vintage Vein finish for its warm, almost copper tone,” Kirsopp says of the wall. “It complements the wood and concrete perfectly.”

The natural light that pours in through clerestory openings above the fireplace and the French doors creates an airy, open feel. “Capturing light was essential,” Kirsopp says. “We wanted the space to glow throughout the day.”

The space has quickly become a favorite for the family, Kirsopp says. “They told me they use it more than their finished basement. That’s the best kind of feedback.”

Modern Oasis

By Ann Butenas

In the heart of Lee’s Summit, this stunning pool transformed what was an ordinary backyard into something extraordinary. The sleek side-entry step system and LED light display creates a unique backdrop for intimate gatherings and lively celebrations under the stars.

“The homeowner was really focused on having something that felt unique and modern,” says Ramon Vazquez of Aqua Blue Pools, the pool installer. The side-entry steps of this design give the pool a contemporary edge while the color-changing lights make it a perfect party place, Vazquez says.

The integration of deck jets making gentle water sounds adds an auditory element that helps create a relaxing outdoor living atmosphere. The concrete deck coping reinforces the clean, modern aesthetic while requiring minimal upkeep—exactly what the homeowners wanted.“The client wanted to enjoy their backyard, not spend weekends maintaining it,” Vazquez says.

A prominent natural stone fountain serves as the space’s centerpiece, and tall, ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs frame the entire area. This outdoor retreat achieves that perfect balance of structured sophistication and organic beauty—a private sanctuary where modern luxury meets natural tranquility, inviting you to dive into your own slice of paradise.

By the Firelight

By Nicole Kinning

With its crisp lines and inviting textures, this cozy firepit lounge, brought to life by Abby Humphreys of Collected Living Design, strikes the perfect balance between polish and practicality.

“The client was drawn to the timeless elegance of a checkerboard pattern but wanted it to feel fresh and approachable,” Humphreys says. “Using turf between the pavers gave us that structured grid while softening the overall feel. It creates a visual rhythm that’s both playful and refined.”

The furniture selection also reflects a mix of comfort and character: Oversized Adirondack chairs in a soft white exude a coastal-casual Hamptons style. “We looked for pieces that felt elevated but never too formal—perfect for gathering with friends or enjoying a quiet morning coffee,” Humphreys says.

Anchoring the space is a custom cast-concrete firepit with a gas-burning insert that keeps things cozy with minimal effort and extends the patio’s use through every season. “This space was meant for year-round connection,” Humphreys says. “It’s versatile by design.”

Country Retreat

By Ann Butenas

Nestled in the rolling countryside of Holt, Missouri, just outside Kansas City, this organic free-form pool transformed a simple backyard into a private sanctuary. The design flows naturally with the country setting, and the elevated deck-on-deck auto cover system is convenient and sophisticated.

“The homeowner was really focused on creating something that felt both functional and beautiful,” says Paige Warner, regional operations manager at Probuilt, the company that installed this pool. “He knew the splash pad needed to be a true hangout area, which is why we incorporated seating along with the bubbler feature.”

Bubblers serve a dual purpose: maintaining water circulation to prevent debris buildup while creating soothing background sounds that create a tranquil atmosphere.

The new patio seamlessly connects to existing hardscape elements, creating a cohesive design that feels intentional rather than pieced together over time. “It’s about creating that perfect balance of form and function,” Warner says.

“ The homeowner was really focused on creating something that felt both functional and beautiful. He knew the splash pad needed to be a true hangout area, which is why we incorporated seating along with the bubbler feature. ”

Backyard Paradise

By Ann Butenas

Located in South Overland Park, this outdoor space was brought to life by Jeff Svilarich, principal with Red Oak Landscaping. Svilarich worked around an existing backyard pool with Beyond Blue Outdoors, who created a custom-made aluminum pergola with remote-controlled louvered panels.

“The homeowners wanted a comfortable place for friends and family,” Slivarich says, and that vision is beautifully realized throughout the design. The covered patio area features an inviting firepit that serves as the heart of the space, and a putting green adds to the fun. The outdoor kitchen completes the entertainment space.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TOP DOCTORS

Anne Blake, MD Dermatologist

Glenn Goldstein, MD Mohs Surgeon

Deborah Olhausen, MD Dermatologist

Michael Haag, MD Dermatologist

Colin Ruff, MD Dermatologist

James Griffith, MD Mohs Surgeon

Chris Surek, DO Plastic Surgeon

Jeffery Graves, MD Dermatopathologist

Daniel Bortnick, MD Plastic Surgeon

Mark Fleischman, MD Mohs Surgeon Dermatologist

Nicholas Crowley, MD Mohs Surgeon

Nicholas Golda, MD

Sheldon Sebastian, MD Mohs Surgeon

Laura’s portfolio at laurakorr.com speaks for itself. Her work spans private homes, businesses, and public spaces throughout the Kansas City metro and beyond.

S TUNNING VISUAL STORIES

Get in touch

info@LauraKOrr.com

816-608-6644

LauraKOrr.com

Blank walls need inspiration and creativity to bring them to life. Meet Laura K Orr, the Kansas City-based muralist and fine artist behind Harpy Art Studio. Through her unique blend of realism and imagination, Laura transforms ordinary walls into captivating works of art that reflect the personality of every client.

Whether it’s a playful mural for a child’s room, a sophisticated statement piece for an office, or a calming landscape in a living room, Laura brings depth, creativity, and vision to each project. Her work ranges from bold and graphic, to soft and serene, tailored to a client’s goals and their space.

What sets her apart is her ability to listen deeply and translate abstract ideas into stunning visual stories. Every mural is a custom

experience, from initial sketches to the final signature, and she handles it all with warmth, professionalism, and a steady hand. This fall, she’s been selected for large-scale mural projects with government organizations in Dallas and Philadelphia, further proof of her growing national reputation. In addition to murals, Laura offers commissioned canvas pieces, private art lessons, and live painting experiences for events.

Clients appreciate her attention to detail, her collaborative process, and the unexpected joy her art brings into everyday life. As a part of the thriving Kansas City art community, Orr’s work is bringing notoriety to the area, and she can bring art and personality into your space, turning your vision into something truly memorable.

LAURA K ORR

Fine Art, Murals, and Instruction

Sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste play a vital role in overall health, so this year, along with publishing our annual list of the metro’s Top Docs, as selected by their peers, we took a look at various programs and studies exploring the five senses and how they affect our well-being.

The five senses are particularly impacted for those suffering from Alzeihmer’s, so writer Dave Hodes went to speak with experts at the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center about Alzheimer’s and its current state of treatments.

TOP DOCS 2025

Alzheimer’s Research Uncovers New Pathways to Early Diagnosis and Treatment

By David Hodes

INTERNAL MEDICINE DOCTOR Brent Beasley was working in a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he got a mild case of Covid in 2022 that triggered something more insidious: Alzheimer’s. It ended his 31-year career.

“It changed my world,” he says. “One of the things we realize now is that a lot of Alzheimer’s might be brought on by viruses.” (Recent research shows that the herpes virus, in particular, may be the cause.)

Beasley forgot passwords. He repeated himself to his patients. He felt like he wasn’t present. Patients complained that he seemed a bit out of it.

“I wound up getting fired in August 2022,” he says, not revealing where he used to work because he felt abandoned when he needed their help the most. “I think my boss thought I was doing drugs or that I was an alcoholic. That began my journey of trying to figure out what was wrong with me.”

(Continued on next page)

Beasley checked in with a neurologist friend who told him to go to the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. He had a three-hour battery of neuro-psych testing “that was just a slog,” Beasley says. “I had an MRI and a lumbar puncture and spinal tap. It showed I had an elevated tau level, which is one of the biomarkers indicating development of Alzheimer’s.”

In November 2023, the 57-year old began a drug regimen recommended by the center, taking Lecanemab intravenously once every two weeks for 19 months, which is one of two new drugs designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Research shows that the drug slows the cognitive decline from Alzheimer’s by 30 percent.

“I remember the day when I felt clear-headed again, which was in August 2024,” Beasley says. “I don’t know what the future holds because I’m one of the first guys to be on this medication, literally. But it’s really made a difference in my life.”

Most people believe that Alzheimer’s and dementia are the same thing. Well, yes and no. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, occurring in 60 to 80 percent of cases. Dementia is not a specific disease. It is an overall term that describes a decline in mental ability.

Dr. Jeffrey Burns, a neurologist and co-director of the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, one of 33 nationally designated Alzheimer’s centers in the U.S., says that dementia means memory and thinking changes that interfere with daily function. “Then we ask, what causes it? Alzheimer’s is the number one cause of dementia, but there are many other causes for dementia, like stroke and brain tumor and things like that, that can damage the brain, plus other neurodegenerative diseases,” he says.

Alzheimer’s is brought about by microscopic changes of plaques (a buildup of proteins in and around brain

“I don’t know when we’re going to be there—maybe five, ten or 15 years. But we’re working on lots of things on the research side.”

— Dr. Jeffrey Burns, neurologist and co-director of the KU ADRC

cells) and tangles (abnormal structures of protein inside neurons) in the brain that disrupt cell function, kill the cell and create cognitive decline and memory loss. Burns says his group is working on lifestyle concerns in addition to drug development.

“How do things like exercise and diet benefit the brain, and can we use those to slow the disease if somebody already has it?” Burns says. “Can we prevent it? I think someday we will. I don’t know when we’re going to be there—maybe five, ten or 15 years. But we’re working on lots of things on the research side.”

The research center is collaborating with Brigham Young University on developing the blood test for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease by detecting small fragments of DNA released into the bloodstream when brain cells die. The small fragments, known as cell-free DNA, carry layers of important information that regulate gene activity.

“We screen blood plasma looking for any pieces of DNA that’s floating around,” says Tim Jenkins, a cell biology researcher leading the blood testing work at BYU. “If it’s in the blood, it means it came from a dead cell. And when we look at that DNA, if it’s coming from neurons, we expect that that means there’s neurodegeneration occurring. So the thought is we could apply this sort of testing to individuals as a screening tool to look for early signs of neurodegeneration. And if we could define it early, we could identify medicines that could work really early to slow down the process dramatically enough so that the symptoms of Alzheimer’s would never really occur.”

Burns says that there’s a lot more that can be done with the new drugs. “It’s not something where we want to bury our head in the sand anymore. We want to really figure out what’s going on and then go after it in the ways that we can.”

“We’re living in a time when we can treat this disease and treat it successfully,” Beasley says. “I hope people don’t come away with the type of attitude that they are just going to sit in the dark at home and wait for the end to come.” ✚

Behavioral changes that could indicate Alzheimer’s

• Difficulty remembering recent conversations, names or events

• Apathy

• Depression

• Communication problems

• Confusion with time or place

• Decreased or poor judgment

• Difficulty completing familiar tasks

• Difficulty walking, speaking and swallowing

• Withdrawal from work or social activities

• Spontaneous behaviors such as clapping, dancing and singing along to music

• Changes in sleep patterns

• Wandering away from caregivers or home

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

DEMENTIA & ALZHEIMER’S

FACTS & FIGURES

There are approximately 50,000 people living with dementia in the greater Kansas City area.

In both Kansas and Missouri, 11.2 percent of people 65 and older have Alzheimer’s. Miami, Baltimore, and the Bronx in New York are tied with the most people 65 and older who have Alzheimer’s: 16.6 percent.

Researchers have discovered that the damage to cells by Alzheimer’s may be reversible by regenerating new neuronal connections in more of a restorative therapy approach. They accomplished this feat with mice in September 2024.

4 TO 8 YEARS

OVER 3,000 DEATHS FROM ALZHEIMER’S IN

MO/KAN

Just over 3,000 people died from Alzheimer’s in Kansas and Missouri combined in 2022.

People 65 and older can survive an average of four to eight years after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Some live as long as 20 years.

7 TH

LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH

In 2022, Alzheimer’s was the seventh leading cause of death across all ages in the U.S. and the sixth leading cause of death in those 65 and older.

6.7 MILLION

An estimated 6.7 million older adults have Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. That number is expected to double by 2060.

The percentage of people with Alzheimer’s increases with age, going from 5.1 percent of people aged 65 to 74 up to 33.4 percent for those above 85. 5.1% 33.4%

A December 2024 study showed that Ozempic and Wegovy may help delay or prevent Alzheimer’s. Researchers cautioned that more work needs to be done.

HOW THE LIST WAS MADE

With over 30 years of experience researching, reviewing, and selecting Top Doctors, Castle Connolly is a trusted and credible health care research and information company. Our mission is to help people find the best health care by connecting patients with best-in-class health care providers.

Castle Connolly’s physician-led team of researchers follows a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both the national and regional levels. Its online nomination process is open to all licensed physicians in America, who are able to nominate physicians in any medical specialty and in any part of the country, as well as indicate whether the nominated physician(s) is, in their opinion, among the best in their region in their medical specialty or among the best in the nation in their medical specialty. Then, Castle Connolly’s research team thoroughly vets each physician’s professional qualifications, education, hospital and faculty appointments, research leadership, professional reputation, disciplinary history and if available, outcomes data. Additionally, a physician’s interpersonal skills, such as listening and communicating effectively, demonstrating empathy and instilling trust and confidence, are also considered in the review process. The Castle Connolly Doctor Directory is the largest network of peer-nominated physicians in the nation.

Physicians selected for inclusion in this magazine’s “Top Doctors” feature may also appear online at www. castleconnolly.com, or in conjunction with other Castle Connolly Top Doctors databases online and in print.

Castle Connolly is part of Everyday Health Group, a recognized leader in patient and provider education, attracting an engaged audience of over 82 million health consumers and over 900,000 U.S. practicing physicians and clinicians to its premier health and wellness digital properties. Our mission is to drive better clinical and health outcomes through decision making informed by highly relevant information, data and analytics. We empower health care providers and consumers with trusted content and services delivered through Everyday Health Group’s world-class brands.  For more information, please visit castleconnolly.com

ADOLESCENT MEDICINE

Loretta R. Nelson, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 7301 Mission Road, Suite 350 Prairie Village, KS

ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY

Sara Azzam, MD

10787 Nall Avenue, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Celina Bernabe, DO

Allergy & Asthma Care 10787 Nall Avenue, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Khaled R. Girgis, MD/Ph.D. College Park Family Care Center 11725 West 112th Street Overland Park, KS

Cori Passer, MD

Allergy & Asthma Care 10787 Nall Avenue, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Nguyen Pham Tran, MD

Allergy & Asthma Care 10787 Nall Avenue, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Derrick Ward, MD

Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates

8675 College Boulevard, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

ANESTHESIOLOGY

Cheen K. Alkhatib, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

BARIATRIC SURGERY

Michael R. Arroyo, MD

Saint Luke’s Surgical Specialists 120 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 220 Lee’s Summit, MO

Nicole Fearing, MD

Bariatric and Metabolic Specialists 5100 West 110 Street, Suite 110 Overland Park, KS

Stanley David Hoehn, MD

The Bariatric Center of Kansas City AdventHealth Surgery Center 23401 Prairie Star Parkway, Suite 200 Lenexa, KS

Robert Kenney, DO

Saint Luke’s Surgical Specialists 5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 120 Kansas City, MO

Geoffrey C. Slayden, MD

Saint Luke’s Surgical Specialists

12330 Metcalf Avenue, Suite 500B Overland Park, KS

Martin Emert, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

7427 Switzer Road Kansas City, KS

Michael Giocondo, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000

Kansas City, MO

Sanjaya K. Gupta, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000

Kansas City, MO

Rajesh Kabra, MD

Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute

5100 West 110th Street, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, MD

Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute

5100 West 110th Street, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Rhea Pimentel, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Brian Ramza, MD/Ph.D.

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Yeruva V. Reddy, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Daniel A. Steinhaus, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Rangarao Tummala, MD

Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute

5100 West 110th Street, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Alan P. Wimmer, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Ravi K. Yarlagadda, MD

Olathe Health Cardiology Services

20805 West 151st Street, Suite 400 Olathe, KS

Omair K. Yousuf, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Mazhar A. Afaq, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Suzanne V. Arnold, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Bethany A. Austin, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Timothy M. Bateman, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Timothy L. Blackburn, MD

Midwest Heart & Vascular Specialists

17067 South Interstate 49, Suite 200 Belton, MO

Steven W. Bormann, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Matthew C. Bunte, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

20 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 240 Lee’s Summit, MO

Kevin A. Bybee, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

12330 Metcalf Avenue, Suite 280 Overland Park, KS

Paul Chan, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Matthew Deedy, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

20 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 240 Lee’s Summit, MO

Mark P. Everley, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Timothy J. Fendler, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Adam Fleddermann, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

20 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 240

Lee’s Summit, MO

Jonathan A. Freeman, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Joseph A. Goeke IV, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 230 Kansas City, MO

Anna Grodzinsky, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 230 Kansas City, MO

Andrew Kao, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Taiyeb M. Khumri, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

20 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 240 Lee’s Summit, MO

Mikhail Kosiborod, MD

AstraZeneca

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Craig Lundgren, MD

Healient Physician Group 1000 Carondelet Drive Kansas City, MO

Anthony Magalski, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Justin R. McCrary, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Michael E. Nassif, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 230 Kansas City, MO

James H. O’Keefe, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Steven Owens, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Ujjaval M. Patel, MD

Midwest Heart and Vascular Specialists

5100 West 110th Street, 2nd Floor Overland Park, KS

Charles B. Porter, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Riaz R. Rabbani, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 230 Kansas City, MO

Carlos Rivas-Gotz, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

20 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 240

Lee’s Summit, MO

Mohammed K. Saghir, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Laura M. Schmidt, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

David G. Skolnick, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Dwarakraj Soundarraj, MD

Liberty Cardiovascular Specialists

2521 Glenn Hendren Drive, Suite 306 Liberty, MO

Brett W. Sperry, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Tracy L. Stevens, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Robert E. Tanenbaum, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

20 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 240

Lee’s Summit, MO

Randall C. Thompson, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Carrie A. Totta, MD

Midwest Heart and Vascular Specialists

1067 Interstate 49, Suite 200 Belton, MO

THE FIVE SENSES: TASTE

KU Med Students Learn to Treat With Food, Not Just Prescriptions

By Alex Zoellner

MOST PEOPLE ONLY know one spaghetti recipe. Students at the University of Kansas School of Medicine know four.

In the school’s week-long culinary medicine course, first- and second-year medical students trade their white coats for aprons and learn firsthand how food can be used as medicine. Through actually cooking meals in the kitchen, they gain practical experience while also learning to counsel patients on nutrition, a skill often missing from clinical training.

But the course goes beyond just what’s on the plate, says Dr. Marissa Love, assistant professor of internal medicine and course instructor at KU. It opens with students volunteering at Kanbe’s Markets, a Kansas City nonprofit that brings fresh produce to neighborhoods without grocery stores. Here, they learn about food insecurity and waste, which are barriers their future patients may face.

In the kitchen, students prepare meals tailored to patient needs, including multiple versions of spaghetti, from standard cafeteria-style to fully vegetarian. They work through clinical cases, exploring how food can support patients with conditions like diabetes or hypertension and reflecting on how to make those dietary changes realistic.

“The purpose is to bring an increase in nutrition education for the medical students, but do it in a way that’s practical and allows them to have that lived experience,” Love says. “That way, they can relate to their patients and provide effective counseling.”

With most chronic illnesses in the U.S. linked to diet, the program gives future doctors the tools to treat root causes, not just symptoms. ✚

THE FIVE SENSES: TASTE

A Sour Twist for Anxiety

By Olivia Mahl

WHILE EVERYONE HAS certain grounding techniques for anxiety, experimenting with new approaches can still help. Sour candy has not been scientifically proven to help with mild panic attacks or anxiety, but many reports have shown positive results.

Instead of focusing on the cause of the anxiety or panic, one’s attention turns to the intense sour taste and sensation in their mouth.

Researchers say tasting sour candy might work because it helps interrupt the cycle of thoughts that have brought on feelings of anxiety and bring them to the present moment. Some people have reported that the more sour the candy is, the better. More specific candies include WarHeads, Lemonheads and Jolly Ranchers.

While some therapists recommend trying this approach, others are more apprehensive, saying that it could lead to an unhealthy coping mechanism. There is also a worry that people might build a sour candy tolerance and an over-reliance on food for anxiety relief. ✚

Brian C. Weiford, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Martin H. Zink III, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

12330 Metcalf Avenue, Suite 280

Overland Park, KS

CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY

James R. Batterson, MD

Children’s Mercy Northland Clinic

501 Northwest Barry Road Kansas City, MO

Sharon E. Cain, MD

The University of Kansas Health System

Marillac Campus

8000 West 127th Street

Overland Park, KS

Ram Chettiar, DO

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Developmental and Behavioral Health

2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Anne C. Clark, MD

10500 Barkley Street, Suite 220 Overland Park, KS

Ann C. Genovese, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Kayla Gertsema, MD

Cottonwood Springs Hospital 15040 West 138th Street Olathe, KS

Shilpa Sachdeva, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Christopher Van Horn, DO

Psychiatry Associates of Kansas City 8900 State Line Road, Suite 380 Leawood, KS

Debra A. Willsie, DO

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Developmental and Behavioral Health

2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

CHILD NEUROLOGY

Ahmed Abdelmoity, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Neurology Clinic

2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Mohammed Ilyas, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Neurology Clinic 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Jean-Baptiste Le Pichon, MD/Ph.D.

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Neurology Clinic 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

COLON & RECTAL SURGERY

John H. Ashcraft, DO

The University of Kansas Hospital 10710 Nall Avenue Overland Park, KS

Jeremy Cravens, MD

Colorectal Surgical Associates 4370 West 109th Street, Suite 350 Overland Park, KS

Allen B. Jetmore, MD

Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center 11111 Nall Avenue, Suite 116 Leawood, KS

Benjamin M. Martin, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 10710 Nall Avenue Overland Park, KS

Lina M. O’Brien, MD

Colorectal Surgical Associates 4370 West 109th Street, Suite 350 Overland Park, KS

Darcy D. Shaw, MD

Colorectal Surgical Associates 4370 West 109th Street, Suite 350 Overland Park, KS

DERMATOLOGY

James V. Allen, MD

KMC Dermatology 11301 Nall Avenue, Suite 205 Leawood, KS

Rebecca L. Chain, MD

Dermatology Consultants Midwest 10777 Nall Avenue, Suite 220 Overland Park, KS

Daniel L. Christiansen, MD

Resolute Dermatology 6800 Hilltop Road, Suite 102 Shawnee, KS

Nicholas Crowley, MD

U.S. Dermatology Partners 8380 North Tullis Avenue Kansas City, MO

Matthew Fink, MD

University Health Dermatology

Independence 19000 East Eastland Center Court Independence, MO

Mark Fleischman, MD

U.S. Dermatology Partners

3265 Northeast Ralph Powell Road Lee’s Summit, MO

Holly V. Fritch, MD

11201 Nall Avenue, Suite 100

Leawood, KS

Nicholas Golda, MD

U.S. Dermatology Partners

3265 Northeast Ralph Powell Road

Lee’s Summit, MO

Jeffery J. Graves, MD

U.S. Dermatology Partners

7901 West 135th Street

Overland Park, KS

James Griffith, MD

U.S. Dermatology Partners

7901 West 135th Street

Overland Park, KS

Michael L. Haag, MD

U.S. Dermatology Partners

7901 West 135th Street

Overland Park, KS

Thomas L. Hocker, MD

Advanced Dermatologic Surgery

6901 West 121st Street

Overland Park, KS

David L. Kaplan, MD

Adult & Pediatric Dermatology 4601 West 109th Street, Suite 116

Overland Park, KS

Anne H. Kettler, MD

College Park Family Care Center 15101 Glenwood Avenue Stanley, KS

Frank C. Koranda, MD

Midwest Medical Specialists 8490 College Boulevard Overland Park, KS

Lauren A. Kyle Tkachuk, MD

Blue Valley Dermatology

7520 West 160th Street, Suite 100

Overland Park, KS

Anne Miller Blake, MD

U.S. Dermatology Partners 11550 Granada Lane Leawood, KS

Meggan R. Newland, MD

Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center 4400 Broadway Boulevard, Suite 400 Kansas City, MO

Emily Jean Ochoa, MD

Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center 4400 Broadway Boulevard, Suite 400 Kansas City, MO

Deborah Ohlhausen, MD

U.S. Dermatology Partners

8380 North Tullis Avenue Kansas City, MO

Trisha A. Prossick, MD

Johnson County Dermatology 151 West 151st Street Olathe, KS

Anand N. Rajpara, MD

University Health Dermatology 2101 Charlotte Street, Suite 110 Kansas City, MO

Braden R. Rance, MD

Dermatology Consultants Midwest

10777 Nall Avenue, Suite 220

Overland Park, KS

Scott M. Ravis, MD

Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center 8656 North Ambassador Drive Kansas City, MO

Colin Ruff, MD

U.S. Dermatology Partners 11550 Granada Lane Leawood, KS

Sheldon Sebastian, MD

U.S. Dermatology Partners

3265 Northeast Ralph Powell Road Lee’s Summit, MO

Meena Singh, MD

KMC Hair Center

5820 Lamar Avenue, Suite 200

Overland Park, KS

Allison M. Swanson, MD

University Health Dermatology

2101 Charlotte Street, Suite 110 Kansas City, MO

Amanda E. Tauscher, MD

Johnson County Dermatology 151 West 151st Street Olathe, KS

Viseslav Tonkovic-Capin, MD

Cass Regional Medical Center

Department of Dermatology

2800 Rock Haven Road Harrisonville, MO

DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY

Ryan M. Ash, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Radiology 3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Jeffrey F. Brent, MD

Diagnostic Imaging Centers

6650 West 110th Street Overland Park, KS

Shelby J. Fishback, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Department of Radiology 3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Jessica Lea Sanchez, MD Saint Luke’s Imaging Associates Department of Radiology 4401 Wornall Road Kansas City, MO

Louis H. Wetzel, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Radiology 3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

Erica Carney, MD University Health Truman Medical Center 2301 Holmes Street Kansas City, MO

Michael R. Christian, MD Children’s Mercy Adele Hall 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES & METABOLISM

Brian T. Allenbrand, MD Saint Luke’s Endocrinology Specialists 6185 Jefferson Avenue Parkville, MO

Leigh M. Eck, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Endocrinology, Metabolism and Genetics

3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Kristine K. Grdinovac, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Marie L. Griffin, MD

Saint Luke’s Endocrinology Specialists

4061 Indian Creek Parkway, Suite 300 Overland Park, KS

Jeffrey D. Kallsen, MD

Jacobson & McElliott Diabetes & Endocrinology Center

12541 Foster Street, Suite 240 Overland Park, KS

Sajeev Menon, MD

Olathe Health Internal Medicine 20805 West 151 Street, Suite 224 Olathe, KS

Candice Rose, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Endocrinology, Metabolism and Genetics

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Renato Sandoval, MD

Saint Luke’s Endocrinology

600 Northeast Adams Dairy Parkway Blue Springs, MO

FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY/ OTOLARYNGOLOGY

J. David Kriet, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

2000 Olathe Boulevard, Floor 3 Kansas City, KS

Jeffrey D. Markey, MD

Ascentist Healthcare

6815 East Frontage Road Merriam, KS

FAMILY MEDICINE

Craig D. Barbieri, MD

Vein Clinic of Greater Kansas City 4400 West 109th Street, Suite 150 Overland Park, KS

Rebecca S. Baskins, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary Care

600 Northeast Adams Dairy Parkway, Suite 200 Blue Springs, MO

Jane P. Brunner, DO

University Health Community Care

Grain Valley

1439 South Minter Way Grain Valley, MO

Jayne Lora Bumgarner, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary CareIndependence

4801 South Cliff Avenue, Suite 300 Independence, MO

Louis Christifano, DO

Advent Health Medical Group Primary Care

7025 College Boulevard, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Adrian J. Delaney III, MD

Clay Platte Family Medicine Clinic

5501 Northwest 62nd Terrace, Suite 100

Kansas City, MO

Christopher Ehly, MD

Ehly Primary Care

7301 Mission Road, Building A, Suite 319

Prairie Village, KS

Neal A. Erickson, MD

Kansas City Family Medical Care

Saint Joseph Medical Center 1004 Carondelet Drive Kansas City, MO

M. Kathryn Foos, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Primary Care at Shawnee Mission 7450 Kessler Street, Suite 300 Shawnee Mission, KS

Todd E. Fristo, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary CareIndependence 4801 South Cliff Avenue, Suite 300 Independence, MO

Amy M. Holman, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary Care - Barry Road

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 110 Kansas City, MO

John Horton, MD

Advent Health Medical Group Primary Care

7025 College Boulevard, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Quinn M. Jackson, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Frederick C. Keenan IV, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary Care - Barry Road

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 110

Kansas City, MO

Randy C. Luzania, MD

Town Plaza Family Practice

5701 West 119th Street, Suite 330 Overland Park, KS

Sharissa Mabry, MD

Village Office Center 7301 Mission Road, Suite 350 Prairie Village, KS

Hannah E. Maxfield, MD

KU Family Medicine Clinic

2000 Olathe Boulevard, MOB Building, Floor 1 Kansas City, KS

James L. Miller, DO

Nursery Street Family Care Clinic 617 West Nursery Street Butler, MO

Wesley Nash, DO

College Park Family Care Center 17050 West 96th Street Lenexa, KS

Nicole Niemann, MD

Town Plaza Family Practice

5701 West 119th Street, Suite 330 Overland Park, KS

A. Ernest Ojeleye, MD

Ottawa Family Physicians 1418 South Main Street, Suite 5 Ottawa, KS

Erin M. O’Laughlin, DO

Sunflower Medical Group

Heartland Primary Care 5675 Roe Boulevard Roeland Park, KS

Jeffrey T. Parker, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary Care - Barry Road

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 110 Kansas City, MO

James Rahto, MD

College Park Family Care Center 11725 West 112th Street Overland Park, KS

Kim K. Smith, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary Care - Barry Road

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 110 Kansas City, MO

Dennis Spratt, MD

Ottawa Family Physicians 1418 South Main Street, Suite 5 Ottawa, KS

TOP DOCS 2025

Jennifer N. Teegarden, MD

Health Suite 110 Direct Primary Care

7199 West 98th Terrace, Suite 110 Overland Park, KS

Jessica D. Yoakam, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care at Prairie Star 23351 Prairie Star Parkway, A254 Lenexa, KS

Tahira Zufer, MD

KU Family Medicine Clinic 2000 Olathe Boulevard, MOB Building, Floor 1 Kansas City, KS

Kelsey L. Able, DO

Digestive Health Specialists

5330 North Oak Trafficway, Suite 102 Kansas City, MO

Ajay Bansal, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

John A. Bonino, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Division of Gastroenterology

10720 Nall Avenue Overland Park, KS

Daniel Buckles, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Division of Gastroenterology Overland Park, KS

Wendell Clarkston, MD

Saint Luke’s GI Specialists 12330 Metcalf Avenue, Suite 420 Overland Park, KS

Ervin Y. Eaker, MD

WestGlen Gastrointestinal Consultants

7230 Renner Road Shawnee, KS

Tuba Esfandyari, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Division of Gastroenterology 10720 Nall Ave

Overland Park, KS

Jonathan P. Horwitz, DO Consultants in Gastroenterology

2521 Glenn Hendren Drive Liberty, MO

GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY

Lowell Byers, MD

TOP DOCS 2025

Sreenivasa S. Jonnalagadda, MD

Saint Luke’s GI Specialists

4321 Washington Street Medical Plaza III, Suite 4000 Kansas City, MO

Eric C. Molloy, MD

KU Medwest

7405 Renner Road Shawnee, KS

Mitesh B. Patel, MD

KU MedWest 7405 Renner Road Shawnee, KS

Amit Rastogi, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Division of Gastroenterology 10720 Nall Ave

Overland Park, KS

Prateek Sharma, MD

Kansas City VA Medical Center 4801 East Linwood Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Thomas J. Shireman, MD

Digestive Health Specialists 8580 North Green Hills Road, Suite A Kansas City, MO

Michael F. Thompson, MD WestGlen Gastrointestinal Consultants

7230 Renner Road Shawnee, KS

Steven Alan Weinman, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Jeffrey L. Young, MD

Gastrointestinal Associates 10116 West 105th Street Overland Park, KS

GERIATRIC MEDICINE

Shelley B. Bhattacharya, DO

The University of Kansas Hospital 3599 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Christopher Geha, MD Ward Parkway Health Services 8800 State Line Road Leawood, KS

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Gynecologic Oncology 9100 West 74th Street Merriam, KS

Andrea D. Jewell, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2654 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

Jason Knight, MD

Saint Luke’s Cancer Specialists

4401 Wornall Road, Peet Center, Floor 5, Entrance C Kansas City, MO

Sara S. Lange, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Gynecologic Oncology

9100 West 74th Street Merriam, KS

Brenda L. Shoup, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Gynecologic Oncology 9100 West 74th Street

Merriam, KS

Lori A. Spoozak, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

HAND SURGERY

Christine Cheng, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Orthopaedic Clinic 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE MEDICINE

Christi L. Bartlett, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Kevin P. Hubbard DO

Saint Luke’s Cancer Specialists

4401 Wornall Road, Peet Center, Floor 5, Entrance C Kansas City, MO

Taylor H. Jersak, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Department of Palliative Care 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Lindy B.H. Landzaat, DO

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Jennifer S. Linebarger, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Department of Palliative Care

2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Karin Porter-Williamson, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

Christian T. Sinclair, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

Benjamin M. Skoch, DO

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Sarah E. Boyd, MD

Saint Luke’s Infectious Disease Specialists

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 270 Kansas City, MO

Lisa A. Clough, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Division of Infectious Diseases

2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Samir R. Desai, MD

KC Infectious Disease Consultants 7255 Renner Road, Suite 100 Shawnee, KS

Albert Eid, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Division of Infectious Diseases

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Wissam I. El Atrouni, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Division of Infectious Diseases

2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Daniel J. Geha, MD

Ward Parkway Health Services

8800 State Line Road Leawood, KS

Kassem A. Hammoud, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Division of Infectious Diseases

2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Dana Hawkinson, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Division of Infectious Diseases

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Apoorv Y. Kalra, MD

Metro Infectious Disease Consultants

931 Northeast Columbus Street Lee’s Summit, MO

Michael Luchi, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Division of Infectious Diseases

3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Fernando Merino, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Division of Infectious Diseases

2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Jessica R. Newman, DO

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Stephen C. Waller, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Division of Infectious Diseases

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Thomas J. Alcox, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary Care - Lee’s Summit

20 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200 Lee’s Summit, MO

Neal B. Anson, MD

The Liberty Clinic Internal Medicine and Pediatrics 2609 Glenn Hendren Drive Liberty, MO

Matthew S. Barton, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary Care - Lee’s Summit

20 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200 Lee’s Summit, MO

Jennifer S. Bequette, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary Care - Mission Farms

4061 Indian Creek Parkway, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Jennifer Brown, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Primary Care at Deer Creek 6240 West 135th Street, Suite 150 Overland Park, KS

Jane T. Broxterman, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Marie Brubacher, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Cory T. Carpenter, DO

The University of Kansas Health System

10787 Nall Avenue, Corporate Medical Plaza, Building 3, Suite 310 Overland Park, KS

Donald L. Cohen, DO

5701 West 119th Street, Suite 419 Overland Park, KS

Branden W. Comfort, MD

The University of Kansas Health System, Medical Pavilion

2000 Olathe Boulevard, Kansas City, KS

Michael B. Dahl, MD

Medical Group of Kansas City 6675 Holmes Road, Suite 550 Kansas City, MO

Andrea C. Ely, MD Sunflower Medical Group 10950 West 86th Street Lenexa, KS

Jonathan S. Finks, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary Care 12541 Foster Street, Suite 300 Overland Park, KS

Kris Humphreys, MD

Saint Luke’s Primary Care - Mission Farms 4061 Indian Creek Parkway, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Rita Hyde, MD

Westwood Medical Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 2201 Westwood, KS

Jonathan T. Jacobs, MD 5701 West 119th Street, Suite 240 Overland Park, KS

Anne L. Jones, MD KU MedWest 7405 Renner Road Shawnee, KS

David R. Kennedy, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Primary Care at Shawnee Mission 7450 Kessler Street, Suite 300 Merriam, KS

Janice K. Langholz, MD Westwood Medical Pavilion 2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 2201 Westwood, KS

Becky N. Lowry, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Ancy Maruthanal, MD

The University of Kansas Executive Health

10700 Nall Avenue, Suite 101 Overland Park, KS

Sheila McGreevy, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Michael E. Monaco, MD, MDVIP

5701 West 119th Street, Suite 220 Overland Park, KS

Timothy Pasowicz, DO

Saint Luke’s Primary Care - Mission Farms

4061 Indian Creek Parkway, Suite 200 Overland Park

Micholee B. Polsak, DO

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Courtney S. Rhudy, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Bruce Salvaggio, MD

Medical Plaza Internal Medicine

10787 Nall Avenue, Suite 310

Overland Park, KS

Vijaya P. Samuel, MD

Quivira Internal Medicine 10601 Quivira Road, Suite 200 Overland Park

Danielle R. Stebbins, MD

KU MedWest

7405 Renner Road Shawnee, KS

Sarah M. Stolte, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 6501 West 135th Street Overland Park, KS

Pamela Weinhold, MD

KU MedWest 7405 Renner Road Shawnee, KS

KS INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY

Dmitri V. Baklanov, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

12330 Metcalf Avenue, Suite 280 Overland Park, KS

Kamal Gupta, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Peter N. Tadros, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Mark A. Wiley, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

MO INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY

Adnan Chhatriwalla, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

J. Aaron Grantham, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Anthony J. Hart, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 230 Kansas City, MO

Chetan Huded, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 230 Kansas City, MO

Steven B. Laster, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Jason B. Lindsey, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

David M. Safley, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000 Kansas City, MO

Adam Salisbury, MD

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

20 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 240

Lee’s Summit, MO

KS MATERNAL & FETAL MEDICINE

Anthony O. Odibo, MD

University Health Women’s Care

Obstetrics & Gynecology

2101 Charlotte Street, Suite 110 Kansas City, MO

KS MEDICAL ONCOLOGY

Raed M. Al-Rajabi, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

Larry R. Corum, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center in Olathe

15123 South OMC Parkway Olathe, KS

Gary C. Doolittle, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

Rakesh Gaur, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Hematology Oncology at Shawnee

Mission

9100 West 74th Street

Shawnee Mission, KS

Marc S. Hoffmann, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

12200 West 110th Street

Overland Park, KS

Chao H. Huang, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

M. Jameel Kyasa, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Hematology Oncology at Shawnee

Mission

9100 West 74th Street

Shawnee Mission, KS

David L. Lee, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center in Olathe

15123 South OMC Parkway Olathe, KS

Heather Male, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Joseph P. McGuirk, DO

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

Prakash Neupane, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

Anne P. O’Dea, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

THE FIVE SENSES: SIGHT

Nelson-Atkins Brings Color to All

With EnChroma Glasses

By Alex Zoellner

FOR VISITORS WHO’VE never seen the deep red of a Monet sunset or the vibrant greens in a Van Gogh landscape, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is changing that by offering EnChroma glasses to guests with red-green color blindness.

The initiative is part of the EnChroma Color Accessibility Program, which has provided over 400 organizations worldwide with glasses to make color-rich experiences more inclusive. The Nelson-Atkins has participated since 2019 and has four pairs available at coat check, free of charge.

The glasses work by expanding the user’s range of visible colors, helping them better perceive contrast between red and green hues. According to EnChroma, redgreen color blindness, the most common type, affects an estimated 350 million people globally, limiting the experience of both art and everyday life.

With more than 35,000 pieces in its collection, the museum hopes these glasses allow guests to enjoy its collection with a deeper color perception and fuller emotional impact. ✚

THE FIVE SENSES: TOUCH

How a Kansas Dementia Facility Is Healing With Animals

By Tierney Flavin

RESIDENTS AT Prairie Elder Care

are getting one-on-one time with a sheep aptly named Woody Nelson.

The assisted living facility specializes in dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Their three residential homes boast a Care Farm—one of two of its kind globally, according to Lisa Elliott, director of sales, engagement and community programs.

The Care Farm includes a garden with seasonal crops and a fruit tree orchard, which residents help tend. The farm also includes a variety of animals used for personalized therapy. Currently, Prairie Elder Care is home to two pigs, two goats, two sheep, two guinea pigs, a cat and “a whole gaggle of chickens,” Elliott says.

The animals are acclimated to human touch before being introduced to residents. Smaller animals, such as chickens and guinea pigs, sit on residents’ laps. Other animals are fed, cared for and pet by residents.

Elliott, who has worked for Prairie Elder Care for nine years, says that sensory interaction with animals can be a good alternative to pharmaceutical intervention for residents who feel anxious or overwhelmed. Caring for and interacting with animals gives residents a “sense of purpose,” Elliott says, as well as increasing social interaction and relaxation. ✚

Abdulraheem M.S. Qasem, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Hematology Oncology at Shawnee

Mission

9100 West 74th Street

Shawnee Mission, KS

Leyla O. Shune, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

Ali Shwaiki, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Hematology Oncology at Shawnee

Mission 9100 West 74th Street

Shawnee Mission, KS

Joseph Stilwill, MD

Midwest Oncology Associates 12140 Nall Avenue, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Weijing Sun, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

Elizabeth M. WulffBurchfield, MD

The University of Kansas Clinical Research Center

4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS

MO MEDICAL ONCOLOGY

Furha I. Cossor, MD

Saint Luke’s Cancer Specialists 4401 Wornall Road, Peet Center, Floor 5, Entrance C Kansas City, MO

Shajadi Patan, MD

Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Research Medical Center 2316 East Meyer Boulevard, 1 West Kansas City, MO

Timothy J. Pluard, MD

Saint Luke’s Cancer Specialists 4401 Wornall Road, Peet Center, Floor 5, Entrance C Kansas City, MO

Jacob P. Smeltzer, MD

Saint Luke’s Cancer Specialists 110 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 500

Lee’s Summit, MO

MO NEONATALPERINATAL MEDICINE

Jessica L. Brunkhorst, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Neonatology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

John M. Daniel IV, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Neonatology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Katherine N. Florendo, MD

Pediatrix Medical Group of Kansas 4401 Wornall Road, Suite 2708 Kansas City, MO

Winston M. Manimtim, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Neonatology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Steven Olsen, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Neonatology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

MO NEPHROLOGY

Ahmed Awad, DO

Kansas City Kidney Consultants 4320 Wornall Road, Suite 208 Kansas City, MO

Tewabe G. Kebede, MD

Midwest Nephrology Consultants 2340 East Meyer Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Ryan M. Lustig I, MD

Kansas City Kidney Consultants 4320 Wornall Road, Suite 208 Kansas City, MO

KS NEPHROLOGY

Diane M. Cibrik, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Tarek Darwish, MD

Kansas City Kidney Specialists 11661 College Boulevard Overland Park, KS

Cassandra A. Kimber, DO

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Jeffrey A. Klein, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Franz Winklhofer, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Alan S. L. Yu, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

KS NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY

John A. Clough, MD

Neurosurgery of South Kansas City 5340 College Boulevard Overland Park, KS

Jayson A. Neil, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Neurosurgery at Shawnee Mission 7450 Kessler Street, Suite 202 Merriam, KS

Paul L. O’Boynick, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Neurosurgery at Shawnee Mission 7450 Kessler Street, Suite 202 Shawnee Mission, KS

Timothy E. Stepp, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Neurological Surgery 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

KS NEUROLOGY

Michael G. Abraham, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Margo L. Block, DO

The University of Kansas Hospital

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Jeffrey M. Burns, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Alzheimer’s Disease Center

4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS

Alexander Fong, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Neurology at Shawnee Mission

7450 Kessler Street, Suite 205 Shawnee Mission, KS

Nancy E. Hammond, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic

3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Jeffrey M. Kaplan, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Neurology at Roeland Park 5675 Roe Boulevard, Suite 260 Roeland Park, KS

Patrick Landazuri, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic

3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Lori Noorollah, MD

University of Kansas Medical Center

3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Rajesh Pahwa, MD

The University of Kansas Health

System and Medical Center

3599 Rainbow Boulevard

Kansas City, KS

Mamatha Pasnoor, MD

Landon Center

3599 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Russell Swerdlow, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Alzheimer’s Disease Center

4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS

MO NEUROLOGY

John E. Croom, MD

Saint Luke’s Neurology

4400 Broadway Boulevard, Suite 520 Kansas City, MO

Mazen M. Dimachkie, MD Landon Center 3599 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Samuel A. Goldlust, MD

Saint Luke’s Cancer Specialists 4401 Wornall Road Kansas City, MO

Parveen K. Khosla, MD

Saint Joseph Neurology Associates 1004 Carondelet Drive, Suite 300 Kansas City, MO

Rola A.M. Mahmoud, MD

Kansas City Physician Partners 4440 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Coleman O. Martin, MD

Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City Department of Radiology 4401 Wornall Road Kansas City, MO

Karin E. Olds, MD

Saint Luke’s Neurology

4400 Broadway Boulevard, Suite 520 Kansas City, MO

Robert T. Reddig, MD

Saint Luke’s Neurology 110 North East Saint Luke’s Boulevard Lee’s Summit, MO

Michael J. Schwartzman, DO Saint Luke’s Neurology 4400 Broadway Boulevard, Suite 520 Kansas City, MO

KS NEURORADIOLOGY

Utku Uysal, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic 3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

John D. Leever, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Department of Radiology 3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Alan R. Reeves, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

KS OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

Errick Arroyo, MD

Kansas City Obstetrics and Gynecology

12200 West 106th Street, Suite 230 Overland Park, KS

Amy L. Giedt, MD

Women’s Health Associates 9119 West 74th Street, Suite 300 Shawnee Mission, KS

Carrie A. Grounds, MD

Women’s Clinic of Johnson County 8901 West 74th Street, Suite 100 Shawnee Mission, KS

Phaedra A. Lombard, MD

Women’s Clinic of Johnson County 8901 West 74th Street, Suite 100 Shawnee Mission, KS

Christopher M. Lynch, MD

Johnson County OB/GYN 7440 West Frontage Road Merriam, KS

Michael R. Magee, MD

Women’s Care Obstetrics & Gynecology

9301 West 74th Street, Suite 325

Shawnee Mission, KS

Ana M. Martinez, MD

Women’s Health Associates 9119 West 74th Street, Suite 300

Shawnee Mission, KS

Kimberly D. Matthews, MD

Women’s Health Associates 9119 West 74th Street, Suite 300

Shawnee Mission, KS

Emily S. Minderman, MD

Kansas City Obstetrics and Gynecology

12200 West 106th Street, Suite 230 Overland Park, KS

Traci L. Nauser, MD

Center for Women’s Health 4840 College Boulevard Overland Park, KS

Crystal Newby, MD

Kansas City Obstetrics and Gynecology

12200 West 106th Street, Suite 230 Overland Park, KS

Madhuri G. Reddy, MD

The University of Kansas Health System, Medical Pavilion

2000 Olathe Boulevard, Clinic B, Floor 5

Kansas City, KS

Sharla Shipman, MD

Women’s Clinic of Johnson County 8901 West 74th Street, Suite 100 Shawnee Mission, KS

Evelina Swartzman, MD

Women’s Health Associates 9119 West 74th Street, Suite 300 Shawnee Mission, KS

Carrie L. Wieneke, MD

The University of Kansas Health System, Medical Pavilion

2000 Olathe Boulevard, Clinic B, Floor 5 Kansas City, KS

Reagan Wittek, MD

Women’s Health Associates 9119 West 74th Street, Suite 300 Shawnee Mission, KS

MO OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

Timothy Billharz, MD

Northland Obstetrics & Gynecology

2529 Glenn Hendren Drive, Medical Plaza East, Suite 200 Liberty, MO

Rocco J. Florio, DO

Saint Luke’s Women’s Health East 2737 Northeast McBaine Drive Lee’s Summit, MO

Lori A. Kramer, MD

Saint Luke’s Women’s Health North 5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 310 Kansas City, MO

Sarah E. Newman, MD

Meritas Health Pavilion for Women 2790 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 530 North Kansas City, MO

Ward W. Ohlhausen, MD

Northland Obstetrics & Gynecology

2529 Glenn Hendren Drive, Medical Plaza East, Suite 200 Liberty, MO

KS OPHTHALMOLOGY

Radwan Ajlan, MD

The University of Kansas Health System

Eye Center

7400 State Line Road, Level 1, Suite 100 Prairie Village, KS

Neeti M. Alapati, MD

Optimum Eye Surgery 11071 Hauser Street, Unit 4B Lenexa, KS

David M. Amsterdam, MD

Discover Vision Centers 11500 Granada Lane Leawood, KS

Kristin S. Biggerstaff, MD

Kansas City Eye Clinic

7504 Antioch Road Overland Park, KS

Fred Bodker, MD

Kansas City Eye Clinic

7504 Antioch Road Overland Park, KS

Emily Broxterman, MD

The University of Kansas Health System, Eye Center

7400 State Line Road, Level 1, Suite 100

Prairie Village, KS

Timothy B. Cavanaugh, MD

Cavanaugh Eye Center

6200 West 135th Street, Suite 300 Overland Park, KS

Mary T. Champion, MD

The University of Kansas Health System, Eye Center

7400 State Line Road, Level 1, Suite 100 Prairie Village, KS

Ryan D. Christensen, MD

Retina Associates 8600 Quivira Road Lenexa, KS

Gregory M. Fox, MD

Retina Associates 8600 Quivira Road Lenexa, KS

Kenneth J. Frank, MD

Frank Eye Center 1401 South Main Street Ottawa, KS

Milton Grin, MD

Grin Eye Care 21020 West 151st Street Olathe, KS

Brian Heiniger, MD

Grin Eye Care

21020 West 151st Street Olathe, KS

Karl D. Hendricks, MD

Medical Surgical Eye Care 8919 Parallel Parkway, Suite 226 Kansas City, KS

Christopher S. Ketcherside, MD

Kansas City Eye Clinic 7504 Antioch Road Overland Park, KS

Johann G. Ohly, MD

Kansas City Eye Clinic 7504 Antioch Road Overland Park, KS

Anjulie K. Quick, MD

The University of Kansas Health System, Eye Center 7400 State Line Road, Level 1, Suite 100 Prairie Village, KS

Ajay Singh, MD

Discover Vision Centers 11500 Granada Lane Leawood, KS

Jason Aaron Sokol, MD

The University of Kansas Health System, Eye Center 7400 State Line Road , Level 1, Suite 100 Prairie Village, KS

Jason E. Stahl, MD Durrie Vision

8300 College Boulevard, Suite 201 Overland Park, KS

Stephen U. Stechschulte, MD

Discover Vision Centers

11500 Granada Lane Leawood, KS

TOP DOCS 2025

Ann C. Stechschulte, MD

Stiles Eyecare Excellence

7200 West 129th Street

Overland Park, KS

Beatty G. Suiter, MD

Retina Associates

8600 Quivira Road Lenexa, KS

Steven R. Unterman, MD

Mid America Eye Center

3830 West 75th Street Prairie Village, KS

W. Abraham White, MD

The University of Kansas Health System, Eye Center

7400 State Line Road, Level 1, Suite 100 Prairie Village, KS

Thomas J. Whittaker, MD

The University of Kansas Health System, Eye Center

7400 State Line Road, Level 1, Suite 100 Prairie Village, KS

Anne B. Wishna, MD

The University of Kansas Health System, Eye Center

7400 State Line Road, Level 1, Suite 100

Prairie Village, KS

Jeff Wongskhaluang, MD

Grin Eye Care

21020 West 151st Street Olathe, KS

Tyler F. Brundige, MD

Discover Vision Centers

9401 North Oak Trafficway, Suite 200 Kansas City, MO

Susan Carney, MD

Northland Eye Specialists

1200 Landmark Avenue Liberty, MO

Douglas O. Dehning, MD

Discover Vision Centers

4741 South Cochise Drive Independence, MO

John F. Doane, MD

Discover Vision Centers

4741 South Cochise Drive Independence, MO

Javed A. Sayed, MD

Discover Vision Centers

9401 North Oak Trafficway, Suite 200 Kansas City, MO

TOP DOCS 2025

Erin D. Stahl, MD

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Ophthalmology Clinic

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Stephen B. Wiles, MD

Perfect Sense Eye Care

211 Northeast 54th Street, Suite 202 Kansas City, MO

KS ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

David W. Anderson, MD

Kansas City Joint Replacement and Sports Medicine

5701 West 119th Street, Suite 410

Overland Park, KS

Michael G. Azzam, MD

Impact Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

5200 West 94th Terrace, Suite 113 Prairie Village, KS

Timothy M. Badwey, MD

Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance 3651 College Boulevard Leawood, KS

Molly D. Black, MD

OSI Orthopedic & Sports Medicine

12200 West 106th Street, Suite 400 Overland Park, KS

Jacob W. Brubacher, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Joshua T. Bunch, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Douglas C. Burton, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Anesthesia Pain Medicine Division 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Scott M. Cook, MD

Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance

3651 College Boulevard, Suite 100B Leawood, KS

Suzanne Elton, MD

Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic

10701 Nall Avenue, Corporate

Medical Plaza, Building 1 Overland Park, KS

Daniel C. Farrell, MD

Sano Orthopedics

11340 Nall Avenue, Suite 200

Overland Park, KS

Daniel J. Gurley, MD

College Park Family Care Center

Specialty Center

10600 Mastin Street, Entrance A Overland Park, KS

Archie Heddings, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Kelly J. Hendricks, MD

Kansas City Joint Replacement and Sports Medicine

5701 West 119th Street, Suite 410

Overland Park, KS

Vincent H. Key, MD

The University of Kansas Health System

Sports Medicine and Performance Center

10730 Nall Avenue, #200 Overland Park, KS

Kirk A. McCullough, MD

Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute

3651 College Boulevard, Suite 100A Leawood, KS

Scott M. Mullen, MD

The University of Kansas Health System

Sports Medicine and Performance Center

10730 Nall Avenue, #200 Overland Park, KS

Andrew C. Palmisano, MD

Ascentist Healthcare

4801 College Boulevard Leawood, KS

Mark Rasmussen, MD

Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance 3651 College Boulevard, Suite 100B Leawood, KS

Howard Rosenthal, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Sarcoma Center

10730 Nall Avenue, Level 2, Suite 201

Overland Park, KS

J. Paul Schroeppel, MD

The University of Kansas Health System

Sports Medicine and Performance Center

10730 Nall Avenue, #200 Overland Park, KS

Aakash A. Shah, MD

Kansas City Joint Replacement and Sports Medicine

5701 West 119th Street, Suite 410 Overland Park, KS

Shyam Shridharani, MD

Olathe Health Integrity Spine Surgery 20375 West 151st Street, Doctor’s Building 1, Suite 105 Olathe, KS

John M. Sojka, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Department of Orthopedic Surgery 3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Jacob Saunders Stueve, MD

Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance

3651 College Boulevard, Suite 100B Leawood, KS

Kimberly J. Templeton, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Department of Orthopedic Surgery

3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Bryan G. Vopat, MD

The University of Kansas Health System

Sports Medicine and Performance Center

10730 Nall Avenue, #200

Overland Park, KS

MO ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

Paul C. Cowan, MD

Orthopedic Health Of Kansas City

1950 Diamond Parkway, Suite 100 Kansas City, MO

Matthew C. Daggett, DO

Sano Orthopedics

2861 Northeast Independence Avenue, Suite 201

Lee’s Summit, MO

John P. Eggers, MD/Ph.D.

Orthopedic Health of Kansas City

1950 Diamond Parkway, Suite 100 North Kansas City, MO

Larry F. Frevert, MD

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists

120 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200 Lee’s Summit, MO

Wesley F. Frevert, MD

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists

120 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200 Lee’s Summit, MO

Jon Hedgecock, MD

Orthopedic Health of Kansas City

1950 Diamond Parkway, Suite 100 North Kansas City, MO

Michael D. Hellman, MD

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists

120 Northeast Saint Luke’s

Boulevard, Suite 200 Lee’s Summit, MO

Jeffrey A. Krempec, MD

Orthopedic Health of Kansas City

1950 Diamond Parkway, Suite 100 North Kansas City, MO

Scott A. Langford, MD

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists

120 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200

Lee’s Summit, MO

Scott R. Luallin, MD

University Health Lakewood Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine

Center

7900 Lees Summit Road Kansas City, MO

Christopher J. Maugans, MD

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists

120 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200 Lee’s Summit, MO

Megan N. Mayer, MD

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists

120 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200 Lee’s Summit, MO

Paul F. Nassab, MD

Orthopedic Health of Kansas City

1950 Diamond Parkway, Suite 100 North Kansas City, MO

Amar Patel, MD

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists

120 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200 Lee’s Summit, MO

Jay H. Rapley, MD

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists

120 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200 Lee’s Summit, MO

Christopher M. Shaw, MD

University Health Orthopaedics 2101 Charlotte Street, Suite 190 Kansas City, MO

KS OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Gregory A. Ator, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard, Floor 3 Kansas City, KS

Mitchell Challis, MD

Head and Neck Surgery of Kansas City

5370 College Boulevard, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS

Douglas H. Cowan, MD

Ascentist Ear, Nose & Throat 4801 College Boulevard Leawood, KS

Steven F. Ellis, MD

Head and Neck Surgery of Kansas City

5370 College Boulevard, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS

James David Garnett, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard, Floor 3 Kansas City, KS

Colleen N. Johnson, MD

Ascentist Ear, Nose & Throat 2300 Hutton Road, Suite 106 Kansas City, KS

Kiran Kakarala, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard, Floor 3 Kansas City, KS

Christopher G. Larsen, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard, Floor 3 Kansas City, KS

James Lin, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

2000 Olathe Boulevard, Floor 3 Kansas City, KS

Brian A. Metz, MD

Midwest Ear, Nose & Throat

20375 West 151st Street, Suite 106A Olathe, KS

Richard B. Price, MD

Head and Neck Surgery of Kansas City

5370 College Boulevard, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS

David T. Rouse, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 10787 Nall Avenue, Suite 220 Overland Park, KS

Yelizaveta (Lisa) Shnayder, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard, Floor 3 Kansas City, KS

Hinrich Staecker, MD/Ph.D.

The University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard, Floor 3 Kansas City, KS

Robert F. Thompson, MD

Head and Neck Surgery of Kansas City

5370 College Boulevard, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS

Mark S. Walton, MD

Head and Neck Surgery of Kansas City

5370 College Boulevard, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS

Carson T. Williams, MD

Head and Neck Surgery of Kansas City

5370 College Boulevard, Suite 100 Leawood, KS

MO

OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Jill M. Arganbright, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall ENT Clinic 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Matthew E. Beuerlein, MD

The Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic 2521 Glenn Hendren Drive, Suite 104 Liberty, MO

Robert D. Cullen, MD

Otologic Center

3100 Broadway Street, Suite 509 Kansas City, MO

KS PAIN MEDICINE

Edward B. Braun, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Anesthesia Pain Medicine Division 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Andrea L. Chadwick, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Anesthesia Pain Medicine Division

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Jeffrey M. Foster, DO

Ascentist Healthcare

4801 College Boulevard Leawood, KS

Mayank Gupta, MD

Kansas Pain Management 10995 Quivira Road Overland Park, KS

Raza Jafri, MD

Genesis Pain Clinic 6700 West 121st Street, Suite 300

Overland Park, KS

Talal W. Khan, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Anesthesia Pain Medicine Division

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Smith Manion, MD

Shawnee Mission Health Center for Pain Medicine 7315 E Frontage Road, #140 Shawnee, KS

MO PAIN MEDICINE

Joel D. Ackerman, MD

KC Pain Centers

200 Northeast Missouri Road, Suite 103 Lee’s Summit, MO

Mark Bilezikjian, MD

Saint Luke’s Hospital Pain Management Clinic 4321 Washington Street, Suite 1200 Kansas City, MO

Dwayne E. Jones, MD

2790 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 700 North Kansas City, MO

MO PATHOLOGY

Garth Robert Fraga, MD

University Health Truman Medical Center

Department of Pathology 2301 Holmes Street Kansas City, MO

Kamani M. Lankachandra, MD

University Health Truman Medical Center 2301 Holmes Street Kansas City, MO

MO PEDIATRIC ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY

Jay M. Portnoy, MD

Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas Pediatric Allergy and Immunology 5808 West 110th Street Overland Park, KS

MO PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIOLOGY

Joseph C. Huffman, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Department of Anesthesiology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Christian M. Taylor, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Department of Anesthesiology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY

Aliessa P. Barnes, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City College Boulevard Heart Center 5520 College Boulevard, #440 Overland Park, KS

Brian F. Birnbaum, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Department of Cardiology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Philip M. Chang, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Department of Cardiology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Kenneth K. Goertz, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 7301 Mission Road, Suite 350 Prairie Village, KS

Hayley S. Hancock, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Heart Center 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Natalie M. Jayaram, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Department of Cardiology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Stephen F. Kaine, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Heart Center 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Ryan A. Romans, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Department of Cardiology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

David Sutcliffe, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Department of Cardiology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Luisa F.M. Waitman, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Department of Cardiology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY

Kimberly A. Horii, MD

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Dermatology Clinic

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY

Jennifer W. Boyd, DO

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Tania S. Burgert, MD

Children’s Mercy Broadway Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Joseph T. Cernich, MD

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Mark A. Clements, MD/Ph.D.

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Francesco DeLuca, MD

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Kelsee L. Halpin, MD

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Jill Jacobson, MD

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Ryan J. McDonough, DO

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Naim G. Mitre, MD

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Wayne V. Moore, MD/Ph.D.

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Tiffany S. Musick, DO

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

THE FIVE SENSES: SMELL

KC Tap Water Isn’t Passing The Smell Test

By Tierney Flavin

RECENTLY, KANSAS CITIANS have complained that the taste and smell of their water isn’t up to par. According to KC Water, it’s due to the area’s increased rainfall.

With more rain falling into the Missouri River, causing excess runoff, the water department says it had to adapt its water treatments, which can have an impact on taste and odor. Changes to the “taste, odor and color” are “naturally occurring” due to its source—the Missouri River—but these changes don’t affect the safety of the drinking water, the department states.

Changes to tap water are often caused by changes in the weather, including heavy precipitation, which impact the levels of “silt and natural organic matter” that is carried through the river, KC water states.

The water department adjusts these changes through the water treatment process, but there may still be changes to the water’s color, odor and taste based on both the chemicals used and the water’s natural changes.

The chemicals are used in order to maintain the tap water’s safety. Although the KC Water website notes that additional loose mud or silt in the river does not pose health risks, the chemicals are required to meet federal and state drinking water standards. Apparent changes to water does not impact the safety or quality of drinking water, KC Water’s website states. Based on the amount of adjustment to the treatment process, these temporary changes in water color, smell and taste last between “a few days” to “a few weeks” at a time.

KC Water services 478,000 residents in the area, according to their website.

THE FIVE SENSES: SMELL

Smells Like Relief

By Tierney Flavin

CHILDREN’S MERCY OFFERS an alternative to pain relief. Alongside, or instead of, pharmaceutical interventions, nurses and patients may opt for aromatherapy patches to improve various pain symptoms.

Data recorded by nurses between 2017 and 2018 was originally presented to the Magnetizing KC Symposium—an event held to promote “best practices” in KC Magnet hospitals—by nurses Liz Edmundson and Tiffany Kim. Their presentation included results tallied from over 1,000 patients.

The program is made up of four essential oils: mandarin, spearmint, lavender and peppermint. Each is administered as a direct inhalation patch beneath the patient’s clavicle to mitigate respective symptoms. According to Children’s Mercy’s website, mandarin can be used to soothe upset stomach, irritability and restlessness; spearmint addresses upset stomach and urinary retention; lavender is used to target muscle tension, irritability and restlessness; and peppermint is used for upset stomach, muscle tension and urinary retention.

This treatment is not intended to replace medicinal care, but it may provide comfort and symptom relief to patients.

Edmundson and Kim noted the difference between these clinical practices which implement essential oils and the commercial sale and use of these products. They say that there is no data to prove that commercial essential oils provide “measurable clinical benefit[s].”

Their presented data showed that by December of 2018, 87 percent of patients who opted for aromatherapy patches reported “symptoms improved.”

The use of direct inhalation patches is intentional, allowing for specific patient care that does not impact others in the direct vicinity “who might be sensitive to the smells from a diffuser,” according to the hospital’s website. ✚

Emily L. Paprocki, DO

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard

Kansas City, MO

Angela L. Turpin, MD

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes

3101 Broadway Boulevard

Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY

Ruba A. Abdelhadi, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Gastroenterology 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Julie A. Bass, DO

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Gastroenterology 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Jennifer M. Colombo, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Gastroenterology 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Sarah T. Edwards, DO

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Gastroenterology 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Dalya El Tawil, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Gastroenterology 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Ryan T. Fischer, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Gastroenterology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Craig A. Friesen, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Gastroenterology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Aileen F. Har, MD

Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas Gastroenterology 5808 West 110th Street

Overland Park, KS

Nadia M. Hijaz, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Gastroenterology 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Stephanie Page, MD

Midwest Pediatric Specialists

10550 Quivira Road, Suite 520

Overland Park, KS

Voytek R. Slowik, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Gastroenterology 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGYONCOLOGY

Ibrahim A. Ahmed, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Keith J. August, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Shannon L. Carpenter, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Alan S. Gamis, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Maxine Hetherington, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Karen B. Lewing, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Michael S. Silvey, DO

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Angela L. Myers, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Infectious Diseases Clinic 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY

Douglas Blowey, MD

Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas

Pediatric Nephrology 5808 West 110th Street Overland Park, KS

Vimal Chadha, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Kidney Center

2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Bradley A. Warady, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Kidney Center 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Darcy Weidemann, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Kidney Center 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

John T. Anderson, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Orthopaedic Clinic

2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Kathryn A. Keeler, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Orthopaedic Clinic

2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Kevin H. Latz, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Orthopaedic Clinic 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Mark R. Sinclair, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Orthopaedic Clinic 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Adriane Latz, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Robert Weatherly, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY

Christopher M. Oermann, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Pulmonology and Cystic Fibrosis Clinic

2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY

Ashley M. Cooper, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Rheumatology Clinic 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Jordan T. Jones, DO

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Rheumatology Clinic

2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRIC SURGERY

Kurt P. Schropp, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Pediatric Surgery

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

PEDIATRIC UROLOGY

Joel F. Koenig, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Department of Urologic Surgery 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

PEDIATRICS

Huda Alani, MD

The University of Kansas Health System

KU MedWest 7405 Renner Road Shawnee, KS

Putul Allen, MD

Leawood Pediatrics

5401 College Boulevard, Suite 101 Leawood, KS

Thomas Attard, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Gastroenterology 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO

Lynn Beck, MD

Pediatric Professional Association 10600 Quivira Road, Suite 210 Overland Park, KS

Ann Gassman, MD

Children’s Mercy Cass County Pediatrics

503 North Scott Avenue Belton, MO

Angela Gatz, MD

Leawood Pediatrics

5401 College Boulevard, Suite 101 Leawood, KS

Lisa Godfrey, MD

Leawood Pediatrics

5401 College Boulevard, Suite 101 Leawood, KS

Lori A. Golon, MD

Swope Health

1001 Sixth Avenue, Suite 210 Leavenworth, KS

Mary E. Hamm, MD

Leawood Pediatrics

5401 College Boulevard, Suite 101 Leawood, KS

Sarah E. Hampl, MD

Children’s Mercy Broadway Primary Care Clinic

3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Allison Hettinger, MD

Preferred Pediatrics 13643 South Mur-Len Road Olathe, KS

Christopher J. Koster, MD

AdventHealth Ottawa Health Park 901 South Main Street Ottawa, KS

Eve M. Krahn, MD

Meritas Health Pediatrics

2700 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 500 North Kansas City, MO

Stephen J. Lauer, MD

Village Office Center

7301 Mission Road, Suite 350 Prairie Village, KS

Megan Loeb, MD

Leawood Pediatrics 5401 College Boulevard, Suite 101 Leawood, KS

David A. Lowry, DO Platte County Pediatrics

1104 Platte Falls Road Platte City, MO

Janice Martin, MD

Pediatric Care Specialists

7400 West 129th Street, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Erin McCann, MD

Children’s Mercy Broadway Primary Care Clinic 3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

Jennifer Mellick, MD

Pediatric Partners 2111 East Kansas City Road Olathe, KS

Vernon Mills, MD Swope Health

1001 Sixth Avenue, Suite 210 Leavenworth, KS

Rozina Mohiuddin, MD

The University of Kansas Health System

KU MedWest 7405 Renner Road Shawnee, KS

Charles Moylan, MD

Pediatric Associates

4400 Broadway Street, Suite 206 Kansas City, MO

Mary Nagy, MD

Leawood Pediatrics 5401 College Boulevard, Suite 101 Leawood, KS

Kathryn L. Petelin, DO

KU MedWest

7405 Renner Road

Shawnee, KS

Marion S. Pierson, MD

Elite Care Pediatrics

4600 Madison Avenue, Suite 130 Kansas City, MO

Susan L. Ratliff, MD

Pediatric Partners

7450 West 135th Street

Overland Park, KS

Robert Schloegel, MD

Pediatric Care Specialists

7400 West 129th Street, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Aundria Speropoulos, MD

Leawood Pediatrics 5401 College Boulevard, Suite 101 Leawood, KS

Stacey M. VanVliet, MD

Pediatric Care Specialists

7400 West 129th Street, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Amy L. Voelker, MD

Preferred Pediatrics

13643 South Mur-Len Road Olathe, KS

Claire D. White, MD

Pediatric Care Specialists

7400 West 129th Street, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Jason Wichman, MD

Pediatric Care Specialists

7400 West 129th Street, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS

Deborah Winburn, MD

Premier Pediatrics

8675 College Boulevard, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS

David B. Yu, MD

Sunflower Medical Group

Heartland Primary Care

2040 Hutton Road, #102 Kansas City, KS

PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION

Shynda F. Miles, MD

Miles Medical Group 11111 Nall Avenue, Suite 218 Leawood, KS

Terrence Pratt, MD

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists

120 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200 Lee’s Summit, MO

Neil Segal, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Anesthesia Pain Medicine Division 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Jarron I. Tilghman, MD

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists

120 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200 Lee’s Summit, MO

PLASTIC SURGERY

Joseph R. Barnthouse, MD 1010 Carondelet Drive, Suite 401 Kansas City, MO

Richard J. Bene Jr, MD

Monarch Plastic Surgery 4801 West 135th Street Leawood, KS

Daniel Bortnick, MD

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 7901 West 135th Street, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS

James A. Butterworth, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Joseph Cannova, MD

Associated Plastic Surgeons 11501 Granada Street Leawood, KS

J. Douglas Cusick, MD

4601 College Boulevard, Suite 222 Leawood, KS

Keith R. Hodge, MD

Monarch Plastic Surgery 4801 West 135th Street Leawood, KS

Richard A. Korentager, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

MyChi H. Le, MD

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 7901 West 135th Street, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS

Paul J. Leahy, MD

Monarch Plastic Surgery 4801 West 135th Street Leawood, KS

Garry M. Martin II, MD Saint Luke’s Plastic Surgery Specialists

4400 Broadway Boulevard, Suite 400 Kansas City, MO

Mark McClung, MD

Associated Plastic Surgeons 11501 Granada Street Leawood, KS

Barbara A. McGrath, MD 7509 Nall Avenue Shawnee Mission, KS

Thuan B. Nguyen, MD

Saint Luke’s Plastic Surgery Specialists

4400 Broadway Boulevard, Suite 400 Kansas City, MO

Victor Manuel Perez, MD

Renue Aesthetic Surgery 11532 West 119th Street Overland Park, KS

John M. Quinn, MD

Quinn Plastic Surgical Center 6920 West 121 Street, Suite 102 Overland Park, KS

Jon E. Rast, MD

Associated Plastic Surgeons 11501 Granada Street Leawood, KS

Christopher Surek, DO

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 7901 West 135th Street, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS

Carson Williams, MD

Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

3500 West 95th Street, Suite 200 Leawood, KS

Sheryl L. Young, MD

Associated Plastic Surgeons 11501 Granada Street Leawood, KS

PSYCHIATRY

Irfan A. Handoo, MD

Kansas City Psychiatry Partners 7381 West 133rd Street, Suite 401 Overland Park, KS

Norman T. Heisler, MD

Saint Luke’s Behavioral Health Specialists 601 South 169 Highway Smithville, MO

Amanda L. Klass, DO

Medical Pavilion

2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS

Charles Raymond Lake, MD/ Ph.D.

Lake’s Consulting 836 West 57th Street Kansas City, MO

Kevin Mays, MD

Psychiatry Associates of Kansas City

8900 State Line Road, Suite 380 Leawood, KS

TOP DOCS 2025

PULMONARY DISEASE

Mario Castro, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Michael S. Crosser, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

James D. Kaplan, MD Kansas Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists

10550 Quivira Road, Suite 335 Overland Park, KS

Heath Latham, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Vincent M. Lem, MD

Saint Luke’s Pulmonary Specialists

4321 Washington Street, Suite 6000 Kansas City, MO

Trenton Nauser, MD

Menorah Pulmonary and Critical Care Consultants

5701 West 119th Street, Suite 308 Overland Park, KS

John Beckwith Nelson, MD Kansas Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists

10550 Quivira Road, Suite 335 Overland Park, KS

Tammy Ojo, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Maykol R. Postigo Jasahui, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Damien R. Stevens, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Jennifer A. Svetlecic, MD

Saint Luke’s Pulmonary Specialists

5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 270 Kansas City, MO

Laura A. Thomas, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Timothy L. Williamson, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Mark Yagan, MD

Saint Luke’s Pulmonary Specialists 4321 Washington Street, Suite 6000 Kansas City, MO

RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Ronald C. Chen, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Richard and Annette Bloch Radiation Oncology Pavilion 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Bhaswanth Dhanireddy, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group Hematology Oncology at Shawnee Mission 9100 West 74th Street Merriam, KS

Andrew C. Hoover, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Richard and Annette Bloch Radiation Oncology Pavilion 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Bradley H. Koffman, MD

Menorah Medical Center

Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute 12140 Nall Avenue, #200 Overland Park, KS

Kenon S. Qamar, MD Kansas City Proton Institute 5300 Indian Creek Parkway Overland Park, KS

Kelly L. Rhodes-Stark, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center in Olathe 15123 South OMC Parkway Olathe, KS

Mark A. Thompson, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology 17525 Medical Center Parkway Independence, MO

REPRODUCTIVE

ENDOCRINOLOGY/ INFERTILITY

Celeste J. Brabec, MD

Reproductive Resource Center 6650 West 110th Street, Suite 320 Overland Park, KS

Dan L. Gehlbach, MD

Advent Health Fertility Center

9119 West 74th Street, Suite 268 Merriam, KS

Michael L. Lydic, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Women’s Health Specialty Center

4000 Cambridge Street Overland Park, KS

Ryan Riggs, MD

Blue Sky Fertility 14253 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS

RHEUMATOLOGY

Pooja G. Bhadbhade, DO

The University of Kansas Hospital Allergy, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Kevin M. Latinis, MD/Ph.D.

AdventHealth Ottawa Health Park

901 South Main Street Ottawa, KS

Mehrdad Maz, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Allergy, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Carrie A. Mihordin, DO

Mid-America Rheumatology Consultants

5701 West 119th Street, Suite 209 Overland Park, KS

Paul S. Schmidt, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Allergy, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Ann E. Warner, MD

Kansas City Physician Partners 4440 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO

SLEEP MEDICINE

Abid Bhat, MD

University Health downtown 1525 East 23rd Street South Independence, MO

David A. Cocanower, MD

AdventHealth Ottawa Health Park 901 South Main Street Ottawa, KS

SPORTS MEDICINE

Gregory S. Canty, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Sports Medicine Center at Village West 1801 North 98th Street Kansas City, KS

Michael Khadavi, MD

Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance

10777 Nall Avenue, Suite 300 Overland Park, KS

Alexander W. Schoofs, MD

Liberty Hospital Sports Medicine

398 North Blue Jay Drive Liberty, MO

Lucas D. Thompson, MD

The University of Kansas Health System

Sports Medicine and Performance Center

8302 West 125th Street Overland Park, KS

SURGERY

Christa Balanoff, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

15123 South OMC Parkway Olathe, KS

Mindi Beahm, MD

Midwest Breast Care 12140 Nall Avenue, Suite 210 Overland Park, KS

Romano Delcore Jr, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

Heather Klepacz, MD

University Health Truman Medical Center

Surgery Clinic 2301 Holmes Street Kansas City, MO

Anne M. Kobbermann, MD

Midwest Breast Care 10600 Quivira Road, Suite 460 Overland Park, KS

Sean C. Kumer, MD/Ph.D. The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Patrick E. McGregor, MD Meritas Health Trauma and Critical Care

2750 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 600 North Kansas City, MO

B. Todd Moore, MD Saint Luke’s Surgical Specialists 4320 Wornall Road, Suite 530 Kansas City, MO

Timothy M. Schmitt, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Jared B. Smith, MD

Independence Surgical Clinic 19550 East 39th Street, Suite 325 Independence, MO

SURGICAL

Mazin F. Al-Kasspooles, MD

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS

Megan El Mcnally, MD

Saint Luke’s Surgical Specialists 120 Northeast Saint Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 220 Lee’s Summit, MO

John W. Shook, MD

Saint Luke’s Surgical Specialists 4401 Wornall Road, Floor 3 Kansas City, MO

THORACIC & CARDIAC SURGERY

Keith B. Allen, MD

Mid America Heart & Lung Surgeons 4320 Wornall Road, Suite 50 Kansas City, MO

William A. Cooper, MD

Meritas Health Cardiothoracic Surgery

2790 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 520B North Kansas City, MO

Emmanuel Daon, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Cardiothoracic Surgery 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Gregory Muehlebach, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Graham R. Pollock, MD

Mid America Heart & Lung Surgeons 4320 Wornall Road, Suite 50 Kansas City, MO

Prem K. Samuel, MD

Midwest Heart and Vascular Specialists

19550 East 39th Street, Suite 225 Independence, MO

UROGYNECOLOGY/ FEMALE PELVIC MEDICINE & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Richard F.C. Hill, MD

Saint Luke’s Urogynecology Specialists

4321 Washington Street, Suite 5000 Kansas City, MO

Patrick A. Nosti, MD

Urogynecology of Kansas City 10707 West 87th Street Overland Park, KS

Ian M. Rosbrugh, MD

Meritas Health Pavilion for Women

2750 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 312

North Kansas City, MO

Gary Sutkin, MD

University Health

2211 Charlotte Street

Kansas City, MO

Stephen J. Wassinger, MD

Saint Luke’s Urogynecology

Specialists

4321 Washington Street, Suite 5000 Kansas City, MO

UROLOGY

Justin M. Albani, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology

1950 Diamond Parkway, Suite 200 North Kansas City, MO

Jason W. Anast, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

10701 Nall Avenue

Overland Park, KS

Marcus Austenfeld, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology - Saint Luke’s Plaza

4321 Washington Street, Suite 5300 Kansas City, MO

Joshua A. Broghammer, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Urology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Bradley E. Davis, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Urology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

David A. Duchene, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Urology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Andrew S. Flum, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology 10701 Nall Avenue, Suite 100

Overland Park, KS

Anton Galich, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

10701 Nall Avenue

Overland Park, KS

John M. Gatti, MD

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Department of Urologic Surgery

2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO

Tomas L. Griebling, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital

Urology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Thomas B. Herrick, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology

1950 Diamond Parkway, Suite 200 North Kansas City, MO

Lindsay Hertzig, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology

10701 Nall Avenue, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS

Christian Hettinger, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology 10701 Nall Avenue, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS

Daniel G. Holmes, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology - Saint Luke’s Plaza 4321 Washington Street, Suite 5300 Kansas City, MO

Jeffrey M. Holzbeierlein, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Urology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Gregory Horwitz, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology

1950 Diamond Parkway, Suite 200 North Kansas City, MO

Brandan A. Kramer, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology

1950 Diamond Parkway, Suite 200 North Kansas City, MO

Sam Kuykendall, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology - Saint Luke’s Plaza 4321 Washington Street, Suite 5300 Kansas City, MO

James Magera, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology - Liberty Hospital

2529 Glenn Hendren Drive, Suite 202 Liberty, MO

Scott A. Montgomery, MD

KCUC Urology & OncologyAdventHealth

7450 Kessler Street, Suite 110 Merriam, KS

Ajay K. Nangia, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Urology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Son T. Nguyen, MD

KCUC Urology & OncologyAdventHealth

7450 Kessler Street, Suite 110 Merriam, KS

Gerald Park, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology

1950 Diamond Parkway, Suite 200 North Kansas City, MO

Billy B. Perry, MD

AdventHealth Medical Group

Urology Care

1301 South Main Street Ottawa, KS

Brandon D. Pomeroy, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology - Saint Luke’s Plaza

4321 Washington Street, Suite 5300 Kansas City, MO

Susan D. Sweat, MD

KCUC Urology & OncologyAdventHealth

7450 Kessler Street, Suite 110 Merriam, KS

Douglas N. Tietjen, MD

KCUC Urology & Oncology

451 Northwest Murray Road

Lee’s Summit, MO

VASCULAR & INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY

Zachary S. Collins, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Radiology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Philip L. Johnson, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Radiology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Steven M. Lemons, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Department of Radiology

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS

Ellen Yetter, MD

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

10500 Quivera Road

Overland Park, KS 66215

VASCULAR SURGERY

Jeffrey W. Cameron, MD

Kansas City Vascular & General Surgery

5100 West 110th Street, Suite 300

Overland Park, KS

Joe A. Cates, MD

Kansas City Vascular & General Surgery

5100 West 110th Street, Suite 300

Overland Park, KS

Kirk A. Hance, MD

The University of Kansas Hospital Vascular Surgery Associates

10700 Nall Avenue, Suite 300

Overland Park, KS

Karthik Vamanan, MD

Mid America Heart & Lung Surgeons

4320 Wornall Road, Suite 50

Kansas City, MO

THE FIVE SENSES: HEARING

Completely Concealed Hearing Aids Are on Their Way

By Olivia Mahl

THERE ARE SEVERAL clinical trials going on across the country that involve completely concealing hearing aids under the skin.

The Medical University of South Carolina was the first trial site in the country to implant the first completely concealed hearing aid under the skin in the U.S. this spring. The other six trial sites are in Arizona, California, Florida, Minnesota, Ohio and Oklahoma. With a fully concealed hearing aid, there are absolutely no external components needed for the patient to hear. There is no microphone showing, and the ear canal is open. The battery is under the skin and uses piezoelectric sensor technology, which replaces the microphone found in other hearing devices.

Sound enters the ear as it normally would and makes tiny vibrations in the incus, a small bone. The sensor feels these vibrations and changes them to electrical signals, which are then sent to the inner ear and hearing nerve, helping the wearer hear sounds.

The concealed battery charges using an external charging coil that is placed over the implanted battery in the chest to recharge. There is also a hands-free charging holder that secures it into place. ✚

HEALTHCARE PROFILES 20 25

The Kansas City medical community is home to nationally recognized hospitals and best-inclass healthcare providers. The following profiles highlight some of the local professionals helping reshape the healthcare landscape and can help you connect with a provider that is best suited for you or your family.

PSYCHIATRY

Kansas City Psychiatry Partners

Kansas City's Largest TMS and Ketamine Clinic

Dr. Irfan Handoo has been at the cutting edge of psychiatry and has been recognized as one of the leading psychiatrists in the country. He specializes in treatment-resistant depression and is one of the most experienced TMS and IV Ketamine psychiatrists in the U.S. Kansas City Psychiatry Partners is the only clinic in the Kansas City area to offer Deep TMS, IV Ketamine, and Spravato®.

Deep TMS

Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic waves to reach a deep, targeted brain area called the limbic system. Advanced research shows that improperly functioning neurons and nerve cells in the limbic system strongly correlate to depression symptoms. Patients who undergo Deep TMS typically receive 5 treatments per week for six consecutive weeks for a total of 30 sessions, followed by six maintenance sessions over a 2-week period. All insurance plans cover Deep TMS. Dr. Handoo has successfully performed TMS for over 1,000 patients in the past nine years.

IV Ketamine

IV Ketamine treatments are another form of therapy for treatment-resistant depression. “It is perhaps the most important breakthrough in antidepressant treatment in decades,” according to Dr. Thomas Insel, the former director of the National Institutes of Mental Health. Patients undergoing IV Ketamine treatments receive Ketamine by IV once a week for six consecutive weeks. Dr. Handoo sees all Ketamine patients prior to each treatment. In 2016, Dr. Handoo was the first doctor to start IV Ketamine treatments in the Kansas City area and has administered more than 5,000 treatments over the past nine years.

Spravato®

Spravato® has been FDA approved for treatment-resistant depression for the past six years, since 2019. With Spravato®, patients are seen twice weekly for four weeks, once a week for four weeks, then followed by four weeks of maintenance based on individual response to treatments. All insurance plans cover Spravato®.

Dr. Handoo is a member of the Clinical TMS Society and the American Society of Ketamine Physicians and is in touch with leading Ketamine providers across the country helping develop the best treatment protocol for his patients. Deep TMS, IV Ketamine, and Spravato® have all shown dramatic results and breakthroughs for depression when all other methods have failed. The benefits for many patients have lasted for years.

In The News

Widely regarded throughout the KC area as an expert, Dr. Handoo has been featured on the front page of the KansasCityStar, as well as numerous print publications and TV programs discussing Deep TMS, IV Ketamine and Spravato®.

On October 17, 2024, Dr. Handoo and staff opened their own practice in a 6,000 square-foot space located in the Offices of Deer Creek Woods at 133rd & Metcalf Avenue. Dr. Handoo has been recognized by KansasCityMagazine as a “Top Doctor” in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Led by Dr. Irfan Handoo, Kansas City Psychiatry Partners is committed to providing the highest level of psychiatric care in the Kansas City Area. For more information or to schedule an appointment, patients may call or text (913) 346-0000 or send a message through their website www.kcpsychiatrypartners.com.

rTMS (superficial TMS) relies on a figure-8 coil design, which reaches a depth of 0.7 cm, whereas deep TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) reaches a more significant depth of 4 cm. This approach uses a three-dimensional H1-coil design, which encompasses a much broader surface area and stimulates deeper brain structures directly. A July 2019 study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research showed deep TMS was significantly more effective in reducing depression levels and helping achieve remission compared to rTMS (superficial TMS).

DID YOU KNOW?

Front Row: Dr. Irfan Handoo, Psychiatrist and Founder

2nd Row (L to R): Michelle Horton, Ketamine Specialist; Alyssa Inman, Ketamine Specialist; Joanne McIntosh, Lead Spravato Technician; Sydney Ballard, Patient Coordinator

3rd Row (L to R): Emma Stoss, TMS and Spravato Coordinator; Lauren Bamber, Practice Administrator; Chloe Marshall, TMS Technician; Elizabeth Hiatt, Director of Ketamine; Omozuwa Omigie, APRN

4th Row (L to R): Stefanie Sizemore, Lead TMS Technician; Katie Sigman, Front Office Director; Shawn Edwards, Director of IT

Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic

John S. Bleazard, DO

Are chronic ankle pain and arthritis keeping you from doing the things you love? Dr. Bleazard, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, is an expert in advanced total ankle replacement surgery designed to restore mobility, reduce pain, and get you back on your feet — faster and stronger.

If you are suffering from failed conservative treatments for ankle arthritis, such as anti-inflammatory medications, bracing and physical therapy, a consultation with Dr. Bleazard may reveal that you are a viable candidate for total ankle replacement, also called ankle arthroplasty.

Total ankle replacement is a surgical procedure where a damaged ankle joint is replaced with a specially designed prosthesis. It relieves pain and restores function in patients with:

• Severe ankle arthritis (post-traumatic, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid)

• Chronic ankle instability

• Failed prior surgeries

• Loss of mobility due to joint damage

Unlike ankle fusion, total ankle replacement allows the joint to move more naturally, helping you return to walking, golfing, light hiking, and other daily activities. With years of experience in advanced ankle procedures, Dr. Bleazard offers state-of-the-art total ankle replacement tailored to your lifestyle and anatomy. Using the latest implants and minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Bleazard helps patients regain stability, mobility, and confidence.

As a former collegiate tennis player, Bleazard also has a passion for sports injuries related to the foot and ankle. He provides diagnosis and individualized non-operative and operative treatments for patients, as well as highly specialized care during and after the treatment. Whether you need surgery, therapy or just reassurance that you

can resume your physical activity, Dr. Bleazard will guide you through the process. His philosophy of care is to treat everyone individually. Not to treat the x-rays, not to treat the diagnostics studies, but to treat the individual. He looks at the whole picture, creates a plan, and finds a solution to the problem.

“A good doctor is someone that bonds with their patient and creates a good relationship of trust. It’s important to educate the patient on the pathology and on the reasoning why they are having the problems they’re having. If the patient understands what is going on in their situation, they’re more apt to follow through with the treatment plan and become a team to treat their issue,” says Bleazard.

Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic, Inc. (KCBJ) is a private, independent, orthopaedic, rehabilitation and musculoskeletal clinic whose mission is to provide high-quality, compassionate, cost effective, patient-responsive care. They are a division of Signature Medical Group of KC and have locations in Overland Park and Lee’s summit. To learn more, visit them online at kcbj.com or call Dr. Bleazard to schedule an appointment. He is currently accepting new patients. He is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society.

DID YOU KNOW?

The ankle is comprised of three bones, and they work together to help you with balance, movement and mobility. The muscles, tendons and ligaments that are also present help to support your body weight and allow for your range of motions. Ankle injuries are common, so treatment is important to prevent further damage as you age.

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY & SPORTS MEDICINE

KU Sports Medicine & Performance Center

Vincent H. Key, MD

A Revolutionary Approach to “Tommy

Vincent Key, an Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Specialist in Overland Park, KS, has been honing his craft for the last thirty years. In his last 15 years, he has served as the Medical Director and Head Team Physician for the Kansas City Royals. During his training, he had the fortune of being the last orthopaedic resident to work with Dr. Frank Jobe, who invented the “Tommy John” procedure for UCL tears.

Today, where UCL tears are becoming more prevalent at a younger age, options and techniques are evolving for surgical and non-surgical treatment. As the procedures for UCL reconstructions have evolved, various techniques have been used, among them, the docking technique +/an internal brace. The internal brace is commonly used for adding strength to the graft used in the reconstruction and hopefully decreasing the rate of retear. The issue with this approach is the tension of the internal brace, which can cause loss of range of motion. The other issue with the “docking technique” is that it’s triangular in nature and doesn’t anatomically recreate the UCL. This increases stress of the ligament with activity and ultimately causes failure of the graft.

Dr. Key has been utilizing the linear technique for UCL reconstruction for the past 15 years. It has been shown to be biomechanically stronger than the “docking” method that is widely used. He refers to it as a “triple strand hybrid UCL reconstruction with a BioBrace®.” In UCL reconstructions commonly used, the graft is comprised of two strands of the tendon, and the internal brace is the third strand. He “triple” loops the graft and incorporates the patient’s native ligament into the reconstruction. Essentially, it’s a four-strand reconstruction. Dr. Key has utilized this technique with over a hundred professional baseball players, and it

John” Surgery

has resulted in only two failures with a 95% return to play rate. Key has used this same reconstruction with youth and college athletes, accounting for approximately 300 patients.

UCL reconstruction typically lasts five to seven years in professional baseball and many lasting less than three to four years in high velocity throwers. With Dr. Key’s innovative reconstruction procedure, he has Major League Baseball pitchers that are pitching as many as 12 years after their surgery. Most recently, a pitcher resumed play and performed in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.

In all levels of competitive sports, athletes are eager to return to playing, but professional sports demand quick recoveries. With Dr. Key’s new surgical technique, recovery for pitchers averages ten months, and position players average eight months. Key believes this will revolutionize the “Tommy John” procedure and it has offered excellent results in his 15 years of use. To schedule a consultation, call (913) 588-1875 or email: tsteffen@kumc.edu.

DID YOU KNOW?

Shoulder pain is a common complaint among throwing athletes, and an MRI typically reveals a SLAP tear. Without a history of shoulder instability, the SLAP tear is physiologic--a normal adaptive change of the shoulder. The pain comes from internal impingement of shoulder, which is caused by a tight posterior shoulder capsule and weak muscles around the scapula. Treatment is daily posterior capsular stretching and scapular stabilization exercises (2-3x per week). Surgery should be the last option.

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

LeBlanc and Associates

Michael LeBlanc, DDS

While oral health is important for everyone, children’s developing mouths are especially in need of good dental care. Pediatric dentistry is a natural and excellent choice because specialists, like Dr. LeBlanc, can deliver high-quality oral care for kids. His expertise is also focused on providing compassionate, gentle dental care to children.

Dr. Michael LeBlanc, and his team of boardcertified pediatric dentists are committed to helping children achieve the best possible dental results in the most comfortable and friendly environment possible, complete with child-friendly chairs, TVs, headphones and an overall welcoming environment filled with bright colors and a welcoming staff.

The LeBlanc team uses the latest dental care techniques and the most current and progressive methods supported by accepted research. Dr. LeBlanc actively participates in dental educational research to ensure that the practice remains current at the highest level.

For more than 10 years, Dr. LeBlanc has been recognized in the Kansas City community for his work. Kansas City Magazine readers have voted him the Best Pediatric Dentist in KC, while he is also among the USA Top Dentists, as voted on by his peers. Throughout his career, he has continued to be active in the dental community.

Currently, Dr. LeBlanc is a Fellow of The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a member of the American Dental Association and is a member of the Kansas Dental Association.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pediatric dentistry involves the study of developmental psychology, so they understand how children think, and how to make the dental experience positive and rewarding. From the setting of their offices to the tones of their voice, pediatric dentists fine-tune everything in their practice for children, helping them feel comfortable and relaxed during their dental visits.

Sweet Sleep Studio

Abid Bhat, MD, MBA

Dr. Abid Bhat, MD, MBA, is a boardcertified sleep medicine and obesity medicine specialist, professor of medicine, and a sleep coach with more than 20 years of experience. He takes a holistic, patient-centered approach to care—focusing not just on medications or isolated symptoms, but on restoring balance through proper sleep, diet, exercise, and overall wellness.

Sleep and weight are deeply interconnected. Poor sleep can lead to weight gain, and excess weight can worsen sleep. Dr. Bhat specializes in managing both, recognizing that true healing comes from addressing their interrelated effects. As the only physician in the Kansas City area board-certified in both sleep and obesity medicine, he brings a unique level of expertise to patients struggling with sleep-related conditions and metabolic health.

At Sweet Sleep Studio, Dr. Bhat combines Western medicine with comprehensive strategies—blending evidence-based therapies with lifestyle counseling, mindfulness, dietary guidance, and customized exercise plans. Rather than masking symptoms, he focuses on uncovering and treating the root causes of poor sleep and overall health concerns.

Dr. Bhat’s expertise extends well beyond sleep apnea. He evaluates and treats the full spectrum of sleep disorders, including insomnia, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. He is also a published researcher with multiple peer-reviewed articles on sleep and obesity medicine topics, and he regularly speaks at medical conferences and on local news segments to share insights on sleep and wellness.

Sweet Sleep Studio offers at-home sleep apnea testing and personalized treatment plans designed to help patients regain control of their sleep and health.

WEIGHT LOSS & NUTRITION

Center For Nutrition & Preventive Medicine, P.A.

If you’re navigating the complex health challenges that often come with your 40s, 50s, or 60+—weight gain, fatigue, cholesterol issues, or hormones declining—you’re not alone. And you don’t have to face it without medical support.

The Center for Nutrition offers Kansas City’s premier medical approach to lasting weight loss and healthy aging. Led by Rick Tague MD, MPH, Caleb Tague MD, MPH, and Kari Brown APRN, this physician-run clinic provides personalized, medically supervised care to help you lose weight, balance hormones, and take control of your health with confidence.

Drs. Rick and Caleb Tague are both board-certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine. Dr. Caleb Tague now holds an elite national credential in lipidology—placing him among just a few Kansas physicians certified in advanced cholesterol and cardiovascular risk management.

Their evidence-based programs go far beyond diet plans. Services include:

• Medically monitored weight loss and metabolism support

• Personalized nutrition plans and individualized supplement guidance

• Hormone replacement therapy for women and men (Using natural bioidentical hormones)

• GLP-1 medication supervision (along with many alternative medications for weight loss).

• Advanced cholesterol and cardiovascular preventive care

At the Center for Nutrition, you’re never just a number. Your plan is built around your unique body chemistry, metabolism, lifestyle, lab results, and goals—with ongoing monitoring to ensure results that last.

Clients report experiencing far more than weight loss: restored energy, improved mood, better sleep, and a renewed sense of confidence. Whether you want to lose 10 pounds or 100, address symptoms of menopause or low testosterone, or improve risks of chronic disease, you’ll be treated with compassion and expertise.

With over 35,000 success stories since 1996, the team at Center for Nutrition proudly serves patients across the Kansas City metro with convenient clinics in Leawood and Topeka.

Unwanted weight gain, depleted hormones, low energy, and various health problems in midlife can often be attributed to medical conditions. That’s why the best approach to weight loss and health restoration isn’t just willpower—it’s clinical expertise. The Center for Nutrition specializes in medical weight loss and healthy aging, including hormone and nutrition optimization, to help you look and feel your best—at any age.

Pictured L to R: Caleb Tague, MD, MPH, Rick Tague, MD, MPH, Kari Brown, APRN

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Pictured

Grin Eye Care

From the moment you wake up to the time you rest your eyes at night, your vision is central to how you experience the world.

At Grin Eye Care, a leading ophthalmology practice in the KC metro area, preserving and enhancing your eyesight is not just a service, it’s a lifelong commitment. With decades of combined experience and a patient-first philosophy, the team at GEC offers state-of-the-art eye care for patients of all ages and needs.

Whether it’s a routine eye exam or seeking advanced surgical care, Grin Eye Care provides a full spectrum of ophthalmic services. General eye exams remain the foundation of preventive care, helping to detect early signs of eye diseases and maintaining sharp vision throughout life. Among the team’s areas of expertise is cataract surgery. Using the latest tech-

niques and premium intraocular lenses (such as the latest Light Adjustable Lens, multifocals and extended depth of focus implants), their doctors help patients regain vision with minimal downtime. For those tired of glasses or contact lenses, refractive surgery such as bladeless, custom LASIK, PRK, ICL, and refractive lens exchange surgeries offer a life-changing solution, performed with innovative technology in the hands of highly skilled surgeons.

Managing complex corneal diseases, such as chronic dry eye, keratoconus, infections and Fuchs’ dystrophy, the practice offers both medical and surgical solutions tailored individually. As a regional leader in corneal transplantation and crosslinking, Grin Eye Care offers resolution for eye impairment. Macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and

glaucoma, three of the leading causes of preventable blindness, can also be treated with ongoing monitoring and the most advanced treatment options, including intravitreal injections, laser therapy and minimally invasive surgeries.

DID YOU KNOW?

Blue light blocking glasses are specially designed to filter out a portion of the blue light emitted by screens and artificial lighting. These lenses help reduce glare and discomfort during prolonged screen use. Exposure to blue light in the evening can interfere with melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. Blue light glasses can help minimize this disruption, leading to better sleep quality.

LEAWOOD | 13400 Briar St. Suite C, Leawood, KS, 66209 | 913-829-5511

OLATHE | 21020 W 151st St. Olathe, KS 66061 | 9 13-829-5511

BROOKSIDE | 520 E 63rd St. Kansas City, MO 64110 | 816-333-8600 grineyecare.com

L to R: Carl Kramer, OD, Bre Niebuhr, OD, Jamie McGowan, OD, Jennifer Johnson, OD, Jeff Wongs, MD; Milton Grin, MD, Brian Heiniger, MD, Emily Enright, OD, Jeff Gerson, OD, Hannah Fann, OD, Cooper Rodgers, MD

Professional Imaging

Professional Imaging is redefining accessible healthcare by uniting cutting-edge imaging technology with deeply personalized care. Under the leadership of Nicole Brooks, the organization has spent more than two decades transforming the landscape of diagnostic services—delivering high-quality care at a fraction of traditional hospital costs.

Expanding beyond its original roots in St. Louis, Professional Imaging now serves patients across Kansas City and is preparing to launch a new facility in Columbia, Missouri. The centers offer comprehensive diagnostic services including MRI, CT, X-ray, and interventional pain management, with prices 50 to 80 percent lower than hospital systems—without sacrificing clinical excellence.

The commitment to advanced patient care is reflected in specialty services such as wholebody scans for preventive health and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) for those recovering from concussions or traumatic brain injuries. Each location features on-site access to a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, while a team of subspecialty-trained radiologists ensures expert interpretation. With the recent implementation of advanced 3T MRI technology, scan times are significantly reduced, enhancing both efficiency and patient comfort.

Professional Imaging is privately owned and operated, creating an atmosphere that is both professional and welcoming. Every patient is greeted by name and given individualized attention, with flexible scheduling and extended hours that accommodate today’s busy lives. By pairing affordability with innovation and compassion, Professional Imaging continues to lead the way in patient-first diagnostic healthcare.

Nicole Brooks MEDICAL IMAGING

Kansas City Foot Specialists

Kansas City Foot Specialists has been a cornerstone of foot care in Johnson County since Dr. David Laha founded the practice in 1985. The practice consistently delivers exceptional treatment, having served over 70,000 patients. They are at the forefront of podiatric medicine, integrating the latest technology with the expertise of highly skilled surgeons. Their commitment to excellence is evident in their state-of-the-art facility, which includes the only licensed surgery center in the KC area dedicated exclusively to foot and ankle surgery.

The team at Kansas City Foot Specialists offer a comprehensive range of services. Dr. Laha, with expertise in reconstructive foot surgery, has also served as past president of the Kansas State Board of

Healing Arts and the Kansas Podiatric Medical Association. Dr. Andrew Hall specializes in diabetic wound care and conservative and surgical treatment of complex foot and ankle pathologies.

Drs. Laha and Hall are excited to welcome Dr. Megan Kingston to the team. As a board-qualified physician and surgeon, Dr. Kingston brings extensive training and experience in bunion and hammertoe correction, midfoot and heel pain, reconstructive surgery, sports injuries, diabetic foot care, and wound management.

Kansas City Foot Specialists provides compassionate, personalized, and high-quality care, emphasizing patient education and offering both conservative and advanced surgical solutions when

appropriate. They utilize advanced treatments, and their practice covers everything from common ailments like bunions and hammertoes to complex reconstructive surgery, foot and ankle arthritis, and wound management. Kansas City Foot Specialists is currently accepting new patients, visit KCFoot.com.

Welcome to the newest addition to the team, Dr. Megan Kingston. Dr. Kingston offers extensive expertise in conservative and surgical treatments for all foot and ankle conditions. She is committed to empowering patients through education and personalized, high-quality care for all ages in the Kansas City area.

Pictured L to R: Dr. Megan Kingston, DPM, Dr. David Laha, DPM, Dr. Andrew Hall, DPM

MEET DR. MEGAN

L TO R:

Jordan Psychological Center

Conveniently located in southern Johnson County, Jordan Psychological Center recently celebrated 18 years of service to the KC Metro area. On staff are licensed psychologists, counselors, executive functioning/ADHD coaches, academic tutors and a speech therapist.

Working with clients ranging in age from toddlers to adults, the Center provides state-of-the-art assessments and proven therapeutic interventions to help clients be healthy and navigate any educational, vocational, or life challenges.

Jordan Psychological Center provides comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for a variety of concerns, including ADHD, specific learning disabilities, autism, and anxiety. Assessments typically involve a thorough

diagnostic interview, individualized testing, and a feedback session. Following the evaluation, the client receives a detailed and personalized report.

Individual psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults, including those with autism and other emotional or behavioral concerns, is also available. Jordan Psychological Center houses a diverse team of psychotherapists who treat patients of all ages and demographics. Multiple therapists are accepting new patients.

The Center’s Autism Clinic provides ongoing support for parents of children newly diagnosed with autism. The support includes assistance with social skills and language programs for toddlers and preschoolers with autism and children with language delays.

Students of all ages facing academic struggles due to dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, as well as students with other learning struggles, receive customized tutoring and coaching to enhance learning and development.

With a strong reputation built over nearly two decades, Jordan Psychological Center remains a trusted and comprehensive resource for individuals and families throughout the Kansas City Metro area. With an interdisciplinary approach to mental health, Jordan Psychological Center is committed to delivering personalized, evidence-based care in a warm and collaborative environment. By offering a wide range of services tailored to each client’s unique needs, Jordan Psychological Center continues to provide necessary services to people of all ages.

PICTURED

Maddie McBratney, Kari Wold, Olivia Cowin, Dr. Taylor Guhin, Sara Prince, Dr. Karen Jordan, Macy Jordan-Doerge, Dr. Sophia Howard, Carlie Kautz, Rachel Stritt, Alyssa Squires

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Hill Pro-Motion Physical Therapy

Dr. Hill has been a resident of Lee’s Summit for more than 20 years. He serves patients in two locations. In addition to his certification in manual and manipulative therapy, Dr Hill has held his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) for 10 years through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Hill and his team work with patients who suffer from general orthopedic issues to sport rehabilitation and performance training, pre- and post-surgical orthopedic patients, and those with back, neck and nerve pain. They are proficient in a variety of treatment types, including aquatic therapy, dry needling, electrical stimulation, ergonomics, Kinesio taping, laser and manual therapy, spinal manipulation and trigger point therapy. They focus on physical therapy for both kids and adults. With no two cases alike, Hill’s team utilizes a comprehensive approach to wellness, focusing on the overall well-being of the patient, and not just the site of injury or pain. They stay at the forefront of therapy through continuous education and advanced certifications. Their team will guide you back to the active life you deserve.

DID YOU KNOW?

Aquatic therapy is a popular complement to traditional physical therapy. Often, it’s an add-on certification for physical therapists. This type of therapy is also known as hydrotherapy and aquatic rehabilitation. It takes place in a pool or other aquatic environment. Its soothing properties appeal to many who are seeking to heal their bodies in a more gentle, low-impact form of treatment.

Dr. Zak Hill, PT, DPT, CSMT, COMT

PODIATRY – FOOT AND ANKLE CONDITIONS

Kansas City Bone and Joint Clinic

Matthew R. Galliano, DPM, FACFAS

Dr. Galliano is board certified by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Dr. Galliano provides care for all aspects of foot and ankle problems but has a keen interest in heel pain, helping to pioneer minimally invasive endoscopic procedures for chronic plantar fasciitis since 2001. Additionally, Dr. Galliano enjoys providing care for a variety of foot and ankle conditions, ranging from newborns to elderly conditions, including bunion correction to complex foot and ankle injuries as well as reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.

Podiatric surgery is a passion for Dr. Galliano as he loves the complex nature of biomechanics and physics with the intricacies of human dynamics as it changes with propulsion and motion. “The human body in motion is an amazing machine. If one aspect is changed, or not working properly, so many secondary changes can impact a person’s ability to walk, exercise, or function properly” says Dr. Galliano. “My main focus is to resume normal function, to allow my patients to return to the things they love to do, whether it is hiking, pickleball, or just being able to go to work without hurting at the end of the day.”

DID YOU KNOW

Most heel pain conditions are treatable and resolvable. “I’m shocked by the number of patients that have had heel pain for several years and just decide to live with this. Most heel pain is both treatable and resolvable".

Photo by Mark Lozano

PLASTIC SURGERY

Monarch Plastic Surgery & Skin Rejuvenation Center

The 2025 Top Doctors® recognizes Drs. Leahy, Bene and Hodge among the best plastic surgeons for the Kansas City area. Monarch is proud to showcase its expertise in cosmetic, reconstructive and plastic surgery from these boardcertified surgeons and their peers on the surgical team, which also includes Kalila Steen, MD, FRCSC, FACS, Jeffrey Dillow, MD, FACS, and Joseph Spaniol, MD. This recognition follows Monarch's Ashley Williams, RN, BSN, being recognized as Best Injector in the 2023 Best of KC reader's poll. With support from their team of dedicated nurses and skilled aestheticians, Monarch offers the most advanced surgical and skin care procedures, including breast surgery, liposuction, facelifts and full-body contouring, skin rejuvenation, nonsurgical cosmetic treatments, wellness and weight loss and much more. Look your best and feel even better with Monarch Plastic Surgery & Skin Rejuvenation.

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Overland Park Internal Medicine

Overland Park Internal Medicine is a direct primary care practice dedicated to delivering exceptional, personalized healthcare. Founded by Dr. John Dunlap, the clinic has a long-standing tradition of compassionate, relationship-based internal medicine. As Dr. Dunlap enters retirement, his mission continues through Dr. Josh Ezell and Dr. Martha Allen, who remain committed to comprehensive care for adults, both in the hospital and in the outpatient clinic.

A direct primary care model returns the practice of medicine back to where it began—between the doctor and patient. Insurance and corporate medicine are eliminated, allowing more time with the physician, along with transparent pricing and treatment that is specialized for you. Without the added complexities of insurance requirements, most direct primary care physicians can provide discounted rates.

Whether a patient needs preventive services, chronic disease management, or help in navigating complex medical issues, the team at OPIM is accessible and available to help throughout the process.

Pictured L to R: Joseph Spaniol, MD, Richard Bene, MD, FACS, Keith Hodge, MD, FACS, Kalila Steen, MD, Jeffrey R. Dillow, Paul Leahy, MD, FACS,

Pictured L to R: John Dunlap, MD, Josh Ezell, DO and Martha Allen, MD

ORTHOPAEDICS

Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists

Michael D. Hellman, MD

Dr. Michael D. Hellman is a renowned hip and knee replacement surgeon at Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, where he has earned a reputation for excellence in patient care. With a deep commitment to improving the quality of life for his patients, Dr. Hellman brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the field of orthopedics.

As a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Hellman specializes in hip and knee replacement surgery. He is known for his compassionate approach, always listening to patients’ concerns and thoroughly explaining treatment options.

Dr. Hellman is dedicated to staying at the forefront of medical advancements, utilizing the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques and non-surgical treatments to provide the best possible outcomes for his patients. His commitment to comprehensive care and patient education ensures that individuals in Lee’s Summit and the surrounding areas receive the highest standard of orthopedic treatment.

PLASTIC SURGERY

Cusick Plastic Surgery

J. Douglas Cusick, MD, FACS

Choosing a qualified plastic surgeon is the first step in your aesthetic goals. Experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Douglas Cusick is personally committed to helping you reach your objectives, whether your focus is on cosmetic, reconstruction or non-surgical procedures.

Dr. Cusick performs body-slimming and fat-reducing procedures that can restore a proportional body shape. Many of these procedures can be combined for comprehensive body-contouring treatment, such as lifts for the body, thighs and arms, tummy tuck and liposuction. Cusick’s work extends to breast augmentation, reduction, lifts and reconstruction. He is also a highly sought after facial plastic surgeon, with most procedures focusing on reducing the signs of aging, while others are designed to enhance proportion of facial features like the nose, chin or ears

He is a master at his craft, in the most natural manner. There is a certain elegance to his procedures that has built him a reputation as one of the most respected and sought-after plastic surgeons in Kansas.

Kisling Family Dentistry

Rebecca Kisling, DDS 13401 Mission Rd., Suite 212, Leawood, KS 66209 913-357-8333 | kislingfamilydentistry.com

Dr. Kisling graduated second in her class from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. After graduation, she attended UMKC School of Dentistry’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency. Kisling Family Dentistry opened in August of 2022, and is proud to be a 100% family-owned small business in Leawood, KS. Kisling Family Dentistry will change your perception about going to the dentist. From the moment you walk in the door, you’ll feel at ease in a relaxed and lighthearted environment curated by Dr. Rebecca Kisling and her team. The office delivers quality, non-judgmental, and compassionate dental care in a low pressure and friendly way. She and her team offer patients of all ages a variety of treatment including cosmetic and therapeutic Botox, snoring and sleep apnea appliances, as well as preventative, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. They are accepting new patients and welcome the opportunity to show you the Kisling Family difference. Visit them online or on social media @kislingfamilydentistry.

OPHTHALMOLOGY & REFRACTIVE SURGERY

Durrie Vision

Jason E. Stahl, MD, and Kelly Grosdidier, OD

With advanced procedures such as LASIK, refractive lens exchange, EVO ICL, and refractive cataract surgery, Durrie Vision offers the life-changing benefits of modern vision correction. They deliver effective solutions for a range of vision conditions, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia, and cataracts. Their commitment to cuttingedge technology and a personalized approach is focused on delivering clear, comfortable vision—free from the limitations and frustrations of traditional eyewear.

Recognized as leaders and innovators in the field, the doctors at Durrie Vision are among the most experienced and respected vision correction specialists in the country. Alongside their dedicated team, they have participated in over 200 FDA clinical trials, making significant contributions to the research and development of refractive surgery procedures and technologies over the past 30 years.

The team at Durrie Vision is focused on identifying and customizing the procedure that best fits your unique eyes and lifestyle. You can expect phenomenal patient care, expertise from world-class doctors, and access to the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technology available.

AAscentist Healthcare

Pictured L to R: Robert Cullen, MD, Jeff Foster, DO, Jeff Markey, MD, Doug Cowan, MD, Andrew Palmisano, MD, Colleen Johnson, MD, Not Pictured: Neal Erickson, MD

scentist Healthcare is a physician-led, team-focused, progressive organization committed to exceptional patient care. They are a multi-specialty practice staffing Otolaryngologists, Audiologists, Pulmonologists, General Surgeons, Speech Pathologists, pain management specialists, and Orthopedic surgeons to provide you and your family with the most comprehensive care.

Their team of medical professionals works in tandem to provide your diagnosis. They align themselves with multiple hospitals, health plans, and other professionals, so they can facilitate a wide range of treatment options. By maintaining contact with patients’ primary care providers and referral doctors, they facilitate a seamless approach to medical care.

The practice has grown into one of the largest privately owned healthcare practices in the Kansas City area. With sixteen offices and a team of more than fifty healthcare providers, they make every effort to be available when needed by new and established patients. From primary care to major surgery and everything in between, Ascentist Healthcare brings specialists and physicians together in one place to provide comprehensive healthcare for their patients.

DERMATOLOGY

University Health Dermatology

Pictured L to R: Allison Swanson, MD, Anand Rajpara, MD, Michael Siscos, MD.

(not pictured: Thomas Hocker, MD and Brittany Oliver, MD)

The dynamic team at University Health Dermatology was intentionally recruited to offer patients the most comprehensive skin care available. The capabilities of these highly trained physicians range from diagnosing debilitating skin conditions to the treatment of skin cancers. Their expertise in the use of Mohs surgery allows them to remove cancer, while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. UH dermatologists also specialize in treating people of color, whose skin conditions can often be misdiagnosed.

UH Dermatology is fully staffed with nurses and a pharmacist who specializes in dermatological care. They serve two convenient locations, where an entire team offers exceptional care to patients looking for s olutions to cure their skin conditions.

3651 College Blvd., Leawood, KS 66211

913-319-7600 | kcorthoalliance.com

10640 W 87th St., Overland Park, KS 66214

913-203-4040 | excellhealthsleep.com

PHYSIATRY

Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance

Dr Fotopoulos is an interventional physiatrist board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He also holds board certifications in sports medicine, pain management and in undersea and hyperbaric medicine. Since 2003 he has specialized in acute and chronic low back and neck pain. Additionally, he specializes in treating vertebral compression fractures, spinal cord stimulation, radio frequency ablations and other minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of low back and neck pain.

Dr. Fotopoulos specializes in minimally invasive procedures such as vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, sacroplasty, radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulators. He also treats a variety of other musculoskeletal conditions of the shoulder, hip and knee.

A new procedure that Fotopoulos has been seeing great success with is Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Sacroiliac Joint Fusion for the treatment of sciatic pain. It requires a small half inch incision where an implanted device, the size of an almond, prevents the joint from moving as much which is usually the source of pain.

SLEEP MEDICINE

ExcellHealth Sleep Center

Maniza Ehtesham, MD

Dr. Maniza Ehtesham is a board-certified sleep physician and the medical director at Excellhealth Sleep Center. She is an associate professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and enjoys teaching medical students. She has also served as an associate residency program director at UMKC. She is currently a staff physician at Advent Health Shawnee Mission and Excellhealth Sleep Center. Excellhealth Sleep Center offers comprehensive sleep care services for patients in and around Johnson County and is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Excellhealth provides sleep consultations, as well as home sleep studies and in-lab sleep studies. If you or a family member or friend has a problem with snoring, insomnia, sleep apnea, or any other sleep-related disorder, Excellhealth has treatment options for you.

C. Ian Fotopoulos, MD

PEDIATRICS

Leawood Pediatrics

Leawood Pediatrics is home to four Top Doctors recognized on the Castle Connelly list of top-rated physicians: Drs. Hamm, Loeb, Nagy, and Speropoulos— Top Doctors and top-notch kid experts! Their practice focuses on preventative medicine and health education. They encourage families to be actively involved in their child’s health care, and they work closely with community resources to maintain strong, consistent continuity of care. The pediatric team is a member of Children’s Mercy Health network.

5401 College Blvd., Suite 101, Leawood, KS 66211 913-825-3627 | leawoodpediatrics.com

CARDIAC & THORACIC SURGERY

Midwest Heart & Vascular Specialists

Prem K. Samuel MD, FACS

Prem Samuel, MD, is a boardcertified, fellowship-trained cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon. Recognized as a KC Top Doctor for 12 consecutive years, a remarkable distinction earned by very few physicians in the Kansas City Metro. This sustained excellence reflects Dr. Samuel’s unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding, caring, compassionate high quality patient care.

Dr. Samuel brings comprehensive expertise in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Specializing in the full spectrum of open cardiac procedures, advanced robotic surgery and complex aortic surgery, including debranching/hybrid procedures with the endovascular techniques, Dr. Samuel offers cutting-edge surgical solutions for the most challenging cases.

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Cavanaugh Eye Center

Timothy Cavanaugh, MD

In practice since 1991, Timothy B. Cavanaugh, MD is a boardcertified ophthalmologist and noted innovator in the field. He has performed more than 30,000 LASIK, cataract, and other cornea vision correction procedures. Dr. Cavanaugh received both his medical degree and his ophthalmic residency training at the University of Kansas and completed a surgical fellowship in advanced corneal and refractive surgery at Wilmer Institute of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He is committed to offering only the most advanced and effective technologies and is recognized as a Top Doctor for the KC metro region. His philosophy is “never stop learning” and his staff is handpicked to reflect that thinking.

6200 W. 135th St., Suite 300, Overland Park, Kansas 66223 913-897-9200 | cavanaugheye.com

Pictured L to R: Dr. Angela Gatz, MD, Dr. Putul Allen, MD, Dr. Megan Loeb, MD, Dr. Mary Nagy, MD, Dr. Ryan Steele, MD, Dr. Mary Hamm, MD, Dr. Aundria Speropoulos, MD, Dr. Lisa Godfrey, MD

Join us in congratulating the many Saint Luke’s physicians recognized as KC Magazine’s Top Doctors this year. Your expertise, compassion, and dedication set the standard for care across the region. Thank you for earning the trust of our patients every day.

EMBRACING THE BIG

EMBRACING

Kansas City-area residents want to get closer to the MISSOURI RIVER as a place to live, work and play. But are its extremes too unpredictable?

By Ian Ritter

MUDDY

THE INAUGURAL “river goal” kicked out of CPKC Stadium last summer by Kansas City Current superstar Temwa Chawinga marked a new type of interaction between the metro and the country’s longest waterway.

The same day that Chawinga kicked the soccer ball out of the stadium and into the river, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a stream advisory, warning residents to stay away from the Missouri River “due to upstream flooding and bypasses of untreated sewage in Iowa and Nebraska,” possibly elevating levels of “E.coli bacteria and other contaminants.” And about a week later, just following Independence Day, the U.S. Coast Guard temporarily shut down all Missouri traffic on the Big Muddy due to upstream flooding.

The new $117 million CPKC Stadium, a joint venture headed by the Current’s ownership group, which includes Brittany and Patrick Mahomes, is in an area along the river known as the Berkley Riverfront Park near the Bond Bridge. Near the stadium, plans for an estimated $1 billion in new commercial space totaling two million square feet over the next 10 years, as well as 480 apartments, are in the works. The Port KC-approved project will join the 410 units and Origin Hotel already in the area. It’s not just the Berkley Riverfront strip. Up and down the Missouri River, interested parties are wanting to invest in more buildings and boating.

The Kansas City metro seems to be collectively realizing that we live along, and are divided by, the country’s largest river. Entities increasingly want to capitalize on the Missouri’s wonder and power, as have other river-facing towns. But even a short steamboat history lesson reveals that the river’s legendary vessel-eating volatility, propensity to flood over its banks and seasons of drought could make some of these dreams difficult. Billions of dollars and plenty of high hopes revolve around future engagement with the Missouri, but will the Big Muddy play along?

The Missouri River we know today acts a lot differently than in the first part of the 20th Century.

From the 1930s to the 1960s, decades of super-scale earth-moving projects, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, were needed to channel the river. Six dams during that period were constructed in the Missouri River’s upper regions.

Before the dams, devastating floods, such as the 1951 flood, considered one of the worst, saw 573,000 cubic feet of water per second flow through KC. The flood caused $950 million in damage, without inflation factored in, and is blamed for 17 deaths.

Kansas City Downtown Airport–Wheeler Field (MKC), a city-owned non-commercial facility, is a multi-flood survivor. Surrounded on three sides by the river, MKC opened in 1927. The facility was once the Kansas City Municipal Airport and the headquarters of long-ago defunct legacy carrier Trans World Airlines from the 1930s through the 1960s.

“The municipal airport nestles behind the Missouri River levees, and passengers sometimes wonder if they are going to drop into the stream,” wrote Richard

Baumhoff, a longtime St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter in the 1951 book The Dammed Missouri Valley.

For the curious, you can see for yourself, courtesy of dozens of private pilots who have posted MKC cockpit landing videos on YouTube.

Although water from the river did not reach MKC’s runways, other nearby airport facilities succumbed to flooding. The destruction of TWA assets at an airfield there led to the eventual relocation of the area’s main commercial facility to the current Kansas City International Airport’s location. Despite its floodplain status, MKC officials like to boast it has never been submerged. The field is not only surrounded by massive levees overseen by the Army Corps but also elevated on a plateau.

The situation is sturdy enough for international advertising firm VML Corp. to house one of its headquarters out of rebuilt MKC terminals and for Taylor Swift to regularly fly in and out of for Chiefs games.

“It’s a good insurance policy that we have,” says Melissa Cooper, KCMO’s Director of Aviation, of the giant levees that surround the airport, reportedly built to withstand a 500-year flood.

Construction

WHERE IT ALL BEGINS

The 2,315-mile Big Muddy starts in Montana’s high country, formed by the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers. Missouri Headwaters State Park in Montana, near an area called Three Forks, marks the spot.

“If you floated downstream in an inner tube, you would reach the Gulf of Mexico in 2.5 months,” reads a sign in a modest clearing where the Missouri River begins at just over 4,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by mountains in the middle of Montana. Willful kayakers take that as a challenge every year.

At the end of April, when the ice starts to really melt, you can clearly see where the three rivers converge with calm certainty, forming North America’s longest waterway.

The Upper Missouri, as it’s called in these parts, bears little resemblance to what you might experience in North Kansas City. For one thing, you can see through it, and the water sparkles in the sunlight like magic.

From Three Forks, the river cuts north through high prairie land, making it within 100 miles of the Canadian border. There, the river changes course, curving toward the southeast, cutting into the rocky landscape. The river then transitions into Fort Peck Lake, a massive manmade lake created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that has more than 1,500 miles of shoreline, longer than the California coast.

The next dam in the Corps’ Missouri River system is Garrison, by Riverdale, North Dakota. Known as Lake Sakakawea, it is the third-largest manmade lake in the United States by volume, behind Mead and Powell. Just north of Pierre, South Dakota, is the third mega-reservoir along the Missouri River, the Oahe Dam. It sits between the state capital and the Cheyenne River Reservation, which lies on the lake’s northern border.

Fort Peck, Garrison and Oahe, along with the smaller dams further downstream (Big Bend, Fort Randall and Gavins Point), have a total capacity of 73 million acrefeet of water when full. One acre-foot of water equals one foot of water spread over one acre. That means at full capacity, the dams have enough water to put nearly two feet of water over the entire state of Missouri.

The dams and waterway are the center of the Missouri River Basin, a geographic footprint of 529,350 square miles surrounding the river. As the river flows toward the southeast, which spans parts of ten states and two Canadian provinces, it narrows from Omaha through the KC metro.

ABOVE:

of Fort Peck Dam, the highest of six major dams along the Missouri River, c. 1935.

RIGHT: Missouri River basin.

The Levees

A $529-million multi-year improvement project to the local levee system is nearing its completion. This system is protecting lives and billions of dollars in KC-area properties. To grasp the levees’ importance, you must understand what’s upstream.

Since the waterway flows in a southeasterly direction, the KC metro is downstream from the river’s snow-melt source in the Rocky Mountains, as well as several tributaries along the way. The six Army Corps dams in Montana and the Dakotas combined boast a storage capacity exceeding both lakes Mead and Powell, together, in the Southwest.

Any upstream water eventually makes its way downstream, and to get a better idea of how the system works, Eileen Williamson, a spokeswoman

Remus, chief of the Corps’ Omaha-based Missouri River Water Basin Water Management Division. Remus was in the area last Halloween for Corps officials’ annual Fall Public Meetings on Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir Regulation. Everyone who’s interested in Big Muddy development must realize the river’s penchant for extreme weather, Remus stresses. “If you look at [the data] very carefully, you’ll realize we’ve had 11 of the 12 highest runoff years in the last 50 years, over a 125-year record,” Remus says. “Is that a trend? Maybe, maybe not. And we have had large hydrologic events that caused some very localized flooding that 20 years ago would have been considered rare.”

In 2019, the runoff spike was extreme, totaling just over 60 million acre-feet of water. The weight of that much water compared to everyday human-

for the Corps of Engineers, tells people to visualize a champagne tower like you might see at a wedding. As the water flows down through the system, it fills up champagne flutes (reservoirs) along the way, each prior overflow continuing into the next.

Meanwhile, a storm can break out pretty much anywhere, anytime along the Missouri, adding to the cubic feet-per-second water stream that is always moving forward.

An Extreme Forecast

Marinas, docks and other proposed structures along the Missouri need approval from the Army Corps, which is responsible for flood control, navigation, hydropower, irrigation, water supply, recreation, fish and wildlife, and water quality on the Big Muddy. Marina-like structures that are being proposed along the river are not without precedent, says John

life measurements is brain-stretching and hard to imagine—until you see what can happen. Video of the failed Rapidan Dam in Minnesota last summer shows a house helplessly falling into the river as the nearby bank eroded.

Despite that frightening scene, Remus says he’s not “alarmed” that a similar catastrophic event could happen to the Missouri River’s dams, as they were designed to handle runoff from massive amounts of snowpack in the Rockies. Snowpack runoff accounts for about 50 percent of the high water you see running in the summer months.

What the Army Corps also tries to accommodate— but is powerless to predict—are torrential rains along the way. Upstream storms on a tributary can significantly add to the Big Muddy’s force. In 2019, it was a combination of flooding between the Missouri and Platte rivers, among others, that led to parts of a submerged Interstate 29 being closed for days.

THIS PAGE: Postcard of a steamboat on the Missouri River.

RIGHT: Christopher S. Bond Bridge.

Don’t Forget The Droughts

The Missouri River is not immune to droughts either. If it’s not a landscape-changing destructive flood concerning river watchers, it’s prolonged drought and periods of water scarcity.

On a dry December day, one can walk out onto a sandy riverbed for dozens of feet before hitting the flowing channel below Riverside’s E.H. Young Park.

While the Army Corps’ research shows increasing high-water events, it also reveals that, despite those occurrences, 77 percent of the Missouri basin was considered in some stage of drought at various points last year.

“Runoff into the reservoir system was below average for the month of January, and conditions across the basin remain dry,” Remus says. “With the below-average plains and mountain snowpack, we are forecasting a below-average runoff year for the basin.”

A May update revealed more of the same. About half of the entire Missouri River Basin was considered in moderate to extreme drought conditions, with 29 percent of the area considered “abnormally dry,” according to the multi-agency National Integrated Drought Information System.

“Drought is expected to persist or develop across portions of all the Missouri River Basin states, with the entirety of North Dakota and Nebraska expected to be in drought,” according to the NIDIS.

All of this spells for a Big Muddy that gets low enough between floods to make people concerned. During these times, worries are heightened more when people talk of piping water to dry communities further away from the Missouri, like drought-plagued western Kansas.

ABOVE: The Armour–Swift–Burlington (ASB) Bridge.

RIGHT: MR340 racers take off.

340 MILES IN 86 HOURS

By Ian Ritter

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in July, the annual MR340 kayak and canoe race on the Big Muddy attracted some 500 paddlers.

“The Missouri River belongs to all of us,” says Steve Schnarr, who works for River Relief, the nonprofit that puts on the 340-mile race every year. The belief that the river is for everyone was the genesis of the race, Schnarr says.

“One of the real benefits of this race is that we have shown and proven that this is also our river,” says Schnarr, who is the MR340 race director. “We share this river with the navigation industry. We share this river with work barges and the sand dredge industries that require the river. But it’s the general public’s river, and you don’t have to get a permit to go paddling on the Missouri. You can just do it.”

The race starts at Kaw Point Park, where the Kaw merges with the Missouiri. River Relief’s mission is to promote the care and restoration of the river through education, stewardship and recreation.

Every year, either going it alone or in groups, paddlers descend on Kaw Point Park in all sorts of waterbound contraptions, some that look like they’re right out of a Mad Max film. The race ends hundreds of miles down the river in St. Charles. It takes most racers at least two days to finish, and there is an 86-hour cut-off.

“One of the best ways to inspire people to keep the river healthy is to provide them with a sense of ownership through exposure,” Schnaar says. The race brings a brief festival-like atmosphere to Kaw Point, with vendors and food trucks, every July for a few days.

While there are eight required stopping points, the journey is exhausting, and if even if you’re an experienced kayaker like Tom Bailey, co-owner of KC Kayak and Canoe, you might still get so tired that you hallucinate, just like he did when he saw the Virgin Mary during one of the multiple MR340 races he has participated in.

“You look at the clouds and you see stuff,” Bailey says.

RIGHT:

The Missouri River runs through downtown Parkville.

Balancing Pleasure With History’s Warnings

Those who regularly stroll and run along Parkville’s English Landing Park’s trails are known as serious outdoor enthusiasts.

A favorite in the Northland area, the 68-acre outdoor centerpiece along the Missouri River hosts the occasional festival, soccer and baseball games, and a pretty constant flow of foot traffic. You can get very close to the river’s edge there.

Many ignored the “Do Not Cross” tape and “Area Closed Do Not Enter By Order of Parkville Police Department” signs posted on June 30 due to potential flooding. A few complained that the water wasn’t close to approaching the 27-foot height level considered a flood danger in Parkville. Eleven citations were issued for crossing police barriers.

“It’s a funny thing,” says Kevin Chrisman, Parkville Police Department’s police chief. “Some people feel like since they live in this county, or nearby, that the signs aren’t for them.”

But they are. Chrisman tries to remind people that English Landing, which replaced a landfill in 1987, actually serves as a natural flood buffer to Parkville’s historic downtown. If everyone stays away from the park during potential flooding, the city doesn’t lose cars or lives, he says.

Chrisman clearly remembers the community’s anxiety in 2011 when the river hit 32.6 feet and English Landing was under water for weeks.

Drawn to the Water

“We need to engage the river because people want to be close to it, whether they’re just looking at it or whether they’re on it,” Riverside Mayor Kathy Rose says of her town, Parkville’s downstream neighbor.

On the same day last year when citations were written in Parkville, Riverside’s E.H. Young Riverfront Park, next to the Argosy Casino and Hotel, was busy. The pickleball courts were active, skateboarders were doing tricks and people were walking along the park’s trails.

The once mainly industrial and sleepy town of Riverside has recently procured several high-profile developments. The Current’s ownership, who already have a practice facility in the city, recently started construction on the 2,000-seat FIFA-certified Riverside Stadium, a 35,000-square-foot training center with 12 grass and turf pitches. That’s on top of a $120-million 15,000-seat amphitheater approved by the city’s aldermen last year.

Rose wants recreation closer to the water as well.

“Our next move is to put in a marina,” she said last year, having heard residents’ interest in excursion-boat travel to Current games. The team’s existing Riverside practice facility is a short drive from E.H. Young. Rose sees the marina doubling as a dock for excursion boats to CPKC Stadium and a place for kayakers to easily enter and exit the water, as there aren’t many places to do so currently. “It’s fast-moving and can be dangerous if you’re not careful,” Rose says of the Missouri. “But there are a lot of experienced people who would love that opportunity.”

Only time will tell if the river’s promise of both business and recreation will be realized.

Peachy Keen

By Olivia Mahl

THERE’S A LOT to explore at the World Fresh Market, a locally owned Overland Park grocer filled with products from across the globe. It’s worth visiting just to cruise the aisles brimming with imported goods, many of which are not available anywhere else in KC, like Tao Qi’s social media sensation, peach ice cream pops.

The peach pops can be found in the frozen section and are packaged in light pink boxes labeled in Chinese. There are other Tao Qi

Photography by Kelly Powell

flavors, such as mango or milk ice cream with peach filling, but the peach is the center of the social media storm.

One bite into the peach-shaped ice cream bar’s thin outer layer and you’re met with a creamy center that tastes just like its namesake fruit—but without the juicy mess. It’s sweet and feels like eating frozen yogurt.

On a recent visit to World Fresh Market, the peach flavor was fully stocked, so don’t worry about them selling out. If you want another viral treat, you can get Dubai chocolate-covered strawberries or a do-it-yourself kit to save for later.

Thank Heavens for

With hot dogs, spam fries and cornhole, Hank’s Garage & Grill is here for a good time, and probably a long time

By Tyler Shane / Photography by Kelly Powell

IT DOESN’T MATTER the time of day, what you’re craving, if you’re wrestling a toddler in the crook of your arm or if you’re on a Shawnee brew crawl from Friction Beer to Servaes Brew Co.—the town’s newest restaurant Hank’s Garage and Grill is probably for you.

There’s a lot to love at this neighborhood spot, including its diverse menu. I’m not kidding when I say you could be in the mood for some homemade fettucini while your mother-in-law wants shrimp cocktail and your toddler is yelling for deep-fried spam—incredibly, Hank’s can satiate everyone’s craving.

The restaurant is a cross between a retro soda fountain and your grandparents’ wood-paneled basement. There’s also an outdoor patio that features a container bar and some turf for a few rounds of cornhole. It’s a lot, yet somehow it works. The casual-cool digs fit into the Shawnee suburb well, but there’s no denying Hank’s is unique—both for Shawnee and the metro.

Hank’s is the third establishment to open under Eric Flanagan, who also owns and operates King G and Jim’s Alley Bar, both in the Crossroads. The latter two have small food menus. Hank’s is Flanagan’s first full-service restaurant venture. It’s also his first business outside of the city. It’s easy to appeal to Shawnee’s family crowd, but it’s a little harder to entice the late-night drinkers, he says. But his aim is to cater to both. That’s why there’s a kids’ meal consisting of hot dogs made to look like octopi as well as a late night bar (open until midnight Wednesdays, Thursday and Sundays, and 1 am Fridays and Saturdays.)

Shop Class

Before Flanagan bolted baby-blue vinyl seats to the wall, Hank’s was Shawnee Automotive, a car repair shop run by the Kwon family, which has inspired the current space’s design and decor. This seems to be the secret to historic downtown Shawnee’s renaissance. New business owners, like Brent Anderson and Nathan Ryerson of Friction Beer Co., for example, are maintaining their historic building’s integrity by paying respect to its former iterations while also creating something new for the townie locals. It’s more of an integration rather than complete renovation. Flanagan has kept some of the patina of Shawnee Automotive at Hank’s, something you can see along the ceilings and walls. The Kwons’ grandson, Alex, now works there as a server.

Old-school Miller High Life beer signs, vintage 1960 Chrysler posters and chrome diner chairs make Hank’s feel quintessentially American.

Good Eats

The fried cherry pie excepted, Hank’s dishes take a more new age approach. Notable chef Howard Hanna, whose influence on KC’s restaurant scene cannot be understated with his restaurants like the late The Rieger and Ça Va, is the culinary director of all of Flanagan’s establishments. Despite a professional background largely existing within the fine dining sphere, Hanna seems to be enjoying creating a menu alongside chef and kitchen manager Zac Sachs that involves frito pie and a “Weenie of the Week,” the restaurant’s regularly rotating hot dog flavor.

“This is the stuff that chefs actually cook, and this is stuff that we all like to eat,” Hanna says. With Sonoran-style hot dogs, an East Coast-inspired roast pork sandwich, a shrimp po’boy and housemade pastas, Hanna and Sachs are clearly having fun, using a chef’s approach to elevate satisfying comforts.

At Hank’s, it’s not a matter of whether you’ll like the food or not. You will like it. It’s about knowing what to get.

The appetizers double as conversation starters. There’s Italian sliders made with flattened Italian sausage from Scimeca’s, and the frito pie is a fun take on the usual nacho platter. For those unaware, Frito pie is a declassé indulgence, common in the Midwest and Southwest regions, where you put chili and shredded cheese in a bag of Fritos, shake it all together and eat from the bag with a fork. For ten bucks, Hank’s nacho-style variation is a great way to fill your belly if you plan on prioritizing drinks. The Mexican shrimp cocktail is more like a ceviche of sorts, refreshing and served thoughtfully with saltine crackers and a

tiny bottle of tabasco sauce. The spam fries and banana ketchup are a fun and interesting flavor combination that I probably don’t need to order again. You don’t have to get it, but it makes for an eye-catching Instagram story.

As for entrees, you can’t go wrong with the burgers, hot dogs or pastas. Had Hank’s been open when I was scouting bars, grills and other dives in pursuit of KC’s best smash burgers for our March issue, it would have been a top contender. A hefty third of a pound of grass-fed beef from Butler, Missouri, is dashed with a bit of spice and served with the usual—cheese, lettuce and pickles—on a fantastic brioche potato roll. It’s a thing of beauty, and I didn’t even care that it didn’t come with onions.

I hesitantly ordered the Weenie of the Week, a New York-style “Dirty Water Dog” boiled in spices then topped with mustard and diced onions, over the menu’s regular surefire hots dog such as the Chicago dog or Sonoran-style dog laden with bacon, beans and pico de gallo. But my goodness, the New Yorker hit the spot. As for the pasta, the lasagna may have sat under the heat lamp just a bit too long, but the flavor was outstanding and certainly as good as one you’d get from Zero Zero in the West Side.

My only gripe upon my two visits was the pork tenderloin sandwich. The tempura fried pork was slightly undercooked, and its crispy integrity was undone at first bite. A few more bites in and the sandwich became a wet mess, slippery with a soggy bun and mayonnaise.

On the lighter side of the menu, there are three salads, which I found difficult to prioritize, but based on the other menu items, it’s hard to believe they’re anything but perfectly satisfying.

If you’re looking to cool off, order the zesty michelada or the American lager brewed in partnership with Alma Mater. As a self-proclaimed “beer guy,” Flanagan is proud of this beer as an easy sipper, and it’s nicely crisp. Hank’s and Jim’s are the only spots in town you can snag it. The blueberry mojito and pink pegasus made with a homemade strawberry cream soda are also great thirst quenchers.

With great service, affordable prices and a menu that appeals to the early-bird diners in veteran caps, kid-touting families and casual drinkers, it’s hard to find where Hank’s is lacking. Maybe the parking.

“Most negative reviews are because of the parking,” Flanagan says. “A lot of these downtown businesses don’t have designated parking, so there’s not much we can do. But there’s public parking at City Hall, behind City Hall, and we also have parking at Vita Craft just catty-corner to Hank’s.”

Dishes (from left to right): Housemade fettuccine with shrimp, Mexican shrimp cocktail, spam fries, Sonoran-style hot dog, pork tenderloin sandwich. Drink: Michelada

Coffee Culture

By Tyler Shane

DESPITE VIETNAM BEING the second largest exporter of coffee, Vietnamese coffee houses have only recently begun gaining traction in the U.S., and they’re even more rare here in KC. In fact, there are just two. The first, the beloved Cafe Cà Phê in the River Market, opened in 2022 and quickly became a KC coffee scene mainstay. The second opened at the end of May in the Northland, Origin Coi Nguon (7711 N. Oak Trafficway, KCMO).

Origin is markedly different from other coffee shops in the area. It’s not just the bamboo seating and colorful lanterns that adorn the ceiling, says owner Nhung Hoang. Every cup of coffee poured in her shop is infused with the history of Vietnam.

“[The coffee] is the Vietnamese people that make it and their story,” says Hoang.

“The recipes have been passed down. The coffee farms are multigenerational. There’s hundreds of years of knowledge and history in there, and all of that comes together in this one cup that we then hand out to a customer.”

“[Coffee] is part of every Vietnamese DNA. It’s a social thing, so you drink it for breakfast, you drink it for lunch, and you drink it for dinner.”

Hoang, who spent nearly a decade as a barista in coffee shops before opening her own, has a personal history with coffee as well. Her parents, from Da Nang in central Vietnam, owned coffee shops when they lived there (they moved to the U.S. when Hoang was eight). She also has family members who own coffee farms and hopes to eventually source her shop’s coffee beans directly from one of her families’ farms. Until then, she has partnered with River Phin Coffee. The California-based coffee roaster ethically sources their beans directly from small farmers in Asia, including Vietnam, where Hoang strictly buys her Robusta beans from.

Robusta beans are the defining element of Vietnamese coffee. They have double the amount of caffeine than the more commonly found Arabica bean in stateside cafes, and they pack a dark, chocolatey punch. All of Origin’s drinks are made with this bean variety. Some are even finished with cold foam and salt, like the delicious Salted Saigon, which tastes like salted caramel in liquid form.

Instead of an espresso machine, Origin brews with a traditional phin filter, a four-chamber device that functions similarly to the pour-over method. Along with the Robusta beans, this also gives Origin’s drinks their strong bold flavor.

While many in the U.S. think of coffee as strictly a breakfast beverage, Hoang suggests doing as the Vietnamese do and not limiting your coffee intake only to mornings.

“[Coffee] is part of every Vietnamese DNA,” she says. “It’s a social thing, so you drink it for breakfast, you drink it for lunch, and you drink it for dinner.”

Photography by Kelly Powell

Welcoming Committee

Ethnic Enrichment Commission Chair

Andrea

Khan

says

the nonprofit

is “one of the best-kept secrets in Kansas City,” but she doesn’t want it to stay that way

By Tyler Shane

IN A CITY that’s referred to as a “cow town” and sports no shortage of bar and grill chains, it may be difficult to view KC as a bustling cultural hub, but Ethnic Enrichment Commission Chair Andrea Khan couldn’t disagree more.

“The world is here in Kansas City,” says Khan. A lot of people just aren’t aware of it.

Khan, who grew up in Utah, admits she wasn’t exposed to many different cultures growing up, but her husband is from Kenya, and when the pair realized that Kenya wasn’t represented in KC’s Ethnic Enrichment Commission, they applied to be representatives. That was 30 years ago. It’s a job that involves building community connections. Currently, Khan is the nonprofit’s board chairman.

↓

GO:

The annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival is a celebration of the city’s rich multicultural community and takes place at Swope Park, August 15-17. Explore over 75 countries through food, music and dance. Tickets are $5 and available through the Ethnic Enrichment Commission’s website, eeckc.org. Parking is free.

The commission is best known for hosting annual festivals, such as the Northland Ethnic Festival and the extremely popular Ethnic Enrichment Festival, which takes place this month, August 15-17, at Swope Park. But throughout the year, Khan and her fellow committee members provide various programs that further their mission, such as cultural proficiency training with local FBI agents, traditional dance and music performances, and even food pop-ups at farmers markets.

“One of the things the commission is very good at doing is cracking the door open for people,” Khan says. “People might be leery or maybe not have the opportunity to travel. So through the committee, people can start peering in through the crack, oftentimes through food, entertainment or shopping.”

ANDREA KHAN’S PERFECT DAY IN KC

Morning

My perfect day would include attending the Ethnic Enrichment Festival, so I’m skipping breakfast to be ready to eat my way around the world.

According to Khan, the Ethnic Enrichment Commission is always looking to grow. When it first formed in 1980, the commission represented six committees, or countries. Now there are over 75 countries represented, with Khan and her husband continuing to represent Kenya. Of course, there are plenty more than 75 cultural communities in KC, so Khan encourages people to reach out and begin a committee if they don’t see their country represented.

Cooling Off

The coconut and pineapple drink from Kenya’s vendor booth is so cool and refreshing. I’ve also recently discovered aguapanela (sugar cane cold tea) from Colombia. It is not too sweet but super delicious.

Lunch

First, we’ll stop for lunch at the Eritrean booth to try something we haven’t had before. I want to try their tsebhi derho hamli (spicy chicken stew) this year. Some sweet fried plantain from Puerto Rico would go nicely with that.

Something Sweet At some point in time, I would have some of the American Indian frybread, which reminds me of growing up in Utah.

Although proud of the work the committee has done, Khan says the nonprofit still feels like an underutilized resource and wants to expand community partnerships to work with people “in a more intentional way.”

“The value that [the committee] has to the community, I don’t think people realize,” Khan says.

Khan isn’t sure how many locals even know about the Diplomatic Ball that the Commission hosts each spring. The annual event encourages attendees to dress in clothes traditional to their culture. Last year, the commission’s Caribbean countries hosted the ball at the Sheraton Hotel in Crown Center, providing food, music and entertainment. Next year, the committee’s Asian countries will host at a location yet to be announced.

“You walk into our Diplomatic Ball, which hosts around 600 people, and see everyone in their nicest clothes,” Khan says. “I mean, just for the eyes, it is a feast.”

Forged in Olathe

American Barbecue Systems builds the best-performing smokers

By Ryan Hayter

A TRIP TO VISIT friends competing in the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in the early 2000s convinced a team of Olathe metal fabricators that they could build a better smoker that would make the process easier, more precise and more versatile.

So that’s what they set out to do. Led by Mark Hillman, the group launched American Barbecue Systems in 2006.

“It was initially just a concept that we wanted to create the world’s best barbecue smokers,” Hillman says. “We ended up developing a product that is more versatile, easier to operate and clean, holds temperatures better in all weather conditions and is built to last for generations.”

Forged out of heavy gauge American steel, the smokers provide backyard grilling enthusiasts, professional pitmasters and restaurants with the industry’s best-per-

The smokers are fueled by charcoal or hardwood, and a pellet feeder accessory can be added any time for greater convenience.

forming, easiest-to-use and most durable smokers that are equally capable of grilling and searing with over-flame heat.

Currently, ABS sells five models, starting with the All-Star, which retails for around $1,800 and is designed for backyard warriors. It has nearly 1,200 square inches of smoking capacity and a 288-squareinch grilling surface. The high-end Smokehouse model features 7,300 square inches of capacity with up to 12 stainless steel rotisserie racks, made for feeding dozens to hundreds of guests.

“Fuel options and grilling capabilities truly make our smokers unique,” Hillman says. “You can grill or sear on grates directly over the firebox on the back of our most popular units without having to adjust any components during the cooking process. The smokers are fueled by charcoal or hardwood, and a pellet feeder accessory can be added any time for greater convenience. It’s really the best of all worlds when it comes to cooking with smoke and fire.”

The ABS Pit-Boss is the company’s best seller for backyard enthusiasts and caterers due to the ease of cooking perfection, which is achieved through an automatically rotating stainless steel rotisserie rack, ensuring meat is smoked evenly and efficiently.

Now on the verge of its 20th anniversary, ABS has gained a cult following in Kansas City and beyond. Competition teams 913 Barbecue and Abs of Squeal have both won American Royal accolades using an ABS smoker; Hayward’s Pit Bar B Que and Meat Mitch depend on ABS smokers for their restaurants; and insider sources claim George Brett has a stainless-steel Pit-Boss as his go-to cooker.

ABS sells directly to barbecue enthusiasts and distributes through 26 specialty retailers nationwide. The company’s showroom (15612 South Keeler Terrace, Olathe) is open to the public during the week.

of KC 2025 FACES

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Newsfeed

What’s new in Kansas City food and drink

By Tyler Shane

Fan Fare

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice announced a partnership with Blind Box BBQ (13214 W. 62nd Terrace, Shawnee).

“Blind Box BBQ is my go-to spot in KC,” says Rice. “Their food is fire, and the vibe feels like home. I respect what they’ve built and how they show up for the city. I’m excited to be part of that.”

So what can fans expect from this partnership? According to the press release, customers and fans alike can expect exclusive in-store appearances and events with Rice, Rice-inspired menu items, VIP giveaways and fan experiences during the season.

“This collaboration goes beyond BBQ,” says Joe Tulipana, owner of Blind Box BBQ. “Rashee is a beast on the field, but he’s also an authentic, grounded guy who loves KC like we do. It’s a natural fit, and we’re excited to build something fun for our guests and the fans.”

Sweet Partnership

In July, Dolce Bakery posted an Instagram picture of the Plaza, teasing a potential second location—or so we thought. As it turns out, Dolce will not be opening another storefront, but lovers of the bakery still have reason to get excited.

The bakery recently began a partnership with Made in KC and is selling its baked goods in the Kansas City gift shop’s Plaza site (306 W. 47th St., KCMO).

“We will have some cookies at the espresso bar,” says Dolce Bakery owner Erin Brown. “Then we’ll have some sugar cookies and other exclusive products at another table or area. So not a full bakery, but a little setup.”

Brown is planning on custom sprinkle mixes and “other fun things” to sell through Made in KC. She is also planning pop-ups. Stay tuned for updates at Dolce Bakery’s Instagram page, @DolceBakery.

Cosmo in the Crossroads

Even though Cosmo Burger has always found itself within the walls of larger establishments like Waldo’s Dodson’s Bar and the Lenexa Public Market, the burger maker has gained a reputation as one of KC’s best smash burgers, despite not ever having its own dedicated space. That all changed last month, when Cosmo Burger officially opened its own shop in the Crossroads (1815 Locust St., KCMO).

Inside the new space is a large bar that serves up boozy milkshakes and pickle margaritas, and the food menu is the biggest we’ve seen yet from Cosmo Burger. You can order your burger dressed with your favorite toppings, and the rarely seen peanut butter burger, or Goober Burger, is now a menu staple.

So Long

Indianapolis-based food delivery company ClusterTruck has shut down Kansas City operations. “ClusterTruck Kansas City has closed,” the website states. “As we focus on franchising ClusterTruck, we hope to return to KC with the right local partner.” ClusterTruck began operations in 2016 and was created to compete with existing food delivery concepts like UberEats, GrubHub and Postmates.

VISIT OUR LOCATION Temporary

The 2025 market season is taking place at Matt RossCommunityCenter, 8101MartyStreet, while the Clock Tower Landing Improvement Project is under construction.

WEDNESDAYS MARKETS PROVIDE A MORE INTIMATE SETTING

PRODUCE ★ FOOD ★ FLOWERS ★ LOCAL farmers’ market OVERLAND PARK est. 1982

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surreal estate

Paradise Found

How one Kansas man created his very own Garden of Eden

By Sophia Lacy

IN THE SMALL town of Lucas, Kansas, there sits a house that even the sculptor called “the most unique home for anyone living or dead in the state of Kansas.”

With three-story concrete sculptures surrounding a cabin home, Samuel Perry Dinsmoor, who passed away in 1932, left a lasting legacy in his art and house, which he named the Garden of Eden.

Dinsmoor, a retired Civil War vet, was known for being outspoken and having strong opinions on how society should be. Much like his beliefs and personality, his designs were bold. In his early ’60s, he retired from farming, moved into town, turned to sculpting and, in 1904, started building his cabin home.

Originally conceived as both a residence and tourist business, Dinsmoor built the first floor to serve as the hub for the tourist spot he would eventually create—a place where guests would mingle before going on a tour of the grounds to view his sculptures. From the very beginning, Dinsmoor, who is interned in a mausoleum on the property, was thinking about not only a long-lasting attraction but also a place for his family to live. The basement and second floor became the Dinsmoor family’s living quarters. Multiple doors were installed on every floor, leading to the outside so the family could avoid tourists.

“He really thought about how he was gonna live there and how to have a private life when your house is part of a tourist attraction,” says Erika Nelson, the cultural resources director for the Garden of Eden. “He also knew that it had to be a paid guided tour because that was the only way that the site could continue after his death.”

With every window being a different shape and having multiple exit doors on every floor, the Post Rock limestone and wood cabin itself is an oddity. However, the sculptures are the real draw.

Surrounding the cabin are more than 150 sculptures. Some pieces stand three stories tall and have life-size figures attached. “He didn’t make them on the ground and put them up later,” Nelson says. “He built them where they are. He had scaffolding two or three stories up in the air to create all these things.”

From religious figures to political pieces, the sculptures reflect Dinsmoor’s views. The tour starts with sculptures of Adam and Eve, as the origin of man, and then winds its way through art reflecting various bible stories, historical moments and Dinsmoor’s own beliefs.

“All the figures are interrelated in this sort of political cartoon narrative,” Nelson says. “They’re not random. They all interconnect into this greater narrative of this is who is preying on the common man and this is how you can fix it.” ↓ GO: The Garden of Eden 305 E. Second St., Lucas, KS For more information, visit gardenofedenlucas.org.