Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City

01/29/2026

And the Employee of the Quarter Award goes to (opens envelope ✉️ ) Ceirra, a radiation therapy technologist!

Ceirra is an incredibly hard-working and reliable team member. No matter the challenge, she shows up fully present, ready to do what needs to be done, and does it with a calm, steady presence. Her integrity shines through in the way she approaches every task.

"Ceirra is a creative thinker and a natural problem solver," her nominator wrote. "She often comes forward with thoughtful suggestions to improve our workflows and patient experience, always with the goal of elevating the quality of care we provide. She holds herself to a high standard of excellence, and by doing so, she inspires those around her to do the same."

Saint Luke's prides itself on commitment to exceptional care, and Ceirra is a daily reflection of that promise. Way to go, Ceirra! 💙

01/29/2026

In 2017, Charles was diagnosed with neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer, which originates in the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas. After his initial diagnosis, Charles called the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion.

Charles received treatment and surgery to remove many of his tumors. A few inoperable tumors remained, requiring long-term monitoring.

In 2021, Charles moved from Arizona to Kansas. Needing to find a new oncologist, he asked his primary care provider for a referral to Saint Luke’s and their exceptional cancer program. That’s how he connected with Dr. Marc Roth, a hematology oncologist at Saint Luke's Cancer Institute.

After his tumors stopped responding to treatment, Dr. Roth proposed LUTATHERA®, a targeted radioactive therapy specifically for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) found in the gut or pancreas.

Charles would receive four LUTATHERA® treatments, led by Dr. Sunpreet Rakhra, a Saint Luke’s radiation oncologist.

“The coordination between Dr. Roth and Dr. Rakhra was seamless,” Charles says. “The care teams were as professional and kind as they could be. They stopped by six times during that six-hour period, and their care was phenomenal.”

In August 2025, Charles became the first Saint Luke’s patient to finish the LUTATHERA® therapy. The results were promising: His largest tumor shrunk 20–25%, the small tumors remained stable, and there were no new growths.

“This is a great outcome for Charles,” Dr. Roth says. “He is back on monthly octreotide injections, with regular scans to monitor his progress.”

Charles has gone through so much in his cancer treatments, and he shares that the eight additional years of memories have made every challenge worth it.

Read Charles' full story: https://heyor.ca/1ohJaj

01/28/2026

Our first preseason as Sporting Kansas City's new medical provider is officially underway! Player physicals are done, and the team is in training for their first match on Feb. 21.

It is an honor to support Kansas City's Major League Soccer team. See you at every home game this season! ⚽

01/26/2026

We threw a bee-themed celebration for Jenni, a nursing assistant, in honor of her receiving the Saint Luke's Be Exceptional Every Day (BEE) Award! 🐝

"Jenni has treated my husband with the utmost respect and patience," the nominator wrote. "I was always happy when Jenni was assigned to his room. Jenni ensured that she would take good care of him, which she did, and with a smile. She makes each individual feel like they matter and are not just another patient. You can tell Jenni cares about her patients, and it showed through her beautiful smile and caring ways."

Thank you, Jenni, and congratulations! 💙

01/26/2026

In 2022, Kelsie, 35, visited Edinburgh, Scotland, with a group of friends. On the medieval grounds of the great Borthwick Castle, Kelsie’s then-boyfriend surprised her by asking for her hand in marriage.

During the trip, a jet-lagged Kelsie threw herself onto her hotel bed. In doing so, her hand landed on her chest where she felt a lump—something she knew wasn’t supposed to be there.

Kelsie scheduled an appointment with her Saint Luke’s provider for when she returned. Within days of returning home, Kelsie underwent imaging and a biopsy at Saint Luke’s Breast Surgery Specialists, which determined she had triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive cancer that often affects younger women and carries a higher risk of recurrence.

"I was so scared,” Kelsie says. “One day I’m in Scotland where my boyfriend proposed to me. Then I came back, and I had cancer. It was a lot to take in.”

Saint Luke's Cancer Institute team immediately put together Kelsie’s treatment plan, and Dr. Elizabeth Butler, a Saint Luke’s breast surgical oncologist, performed a lumpectomy, removing Kelsie’s tumor as well as some of the surrounding tissue.

The multidisciplinary approach extended beyond medical treatment. Her oncology team referred her to a Saint Luke’s counselor specializing in patients with cancer, ensuring she had mental health support integrated into her care.

By April 2023, Kelsie was declared cancer-free, and is currently halfway through her five-year surveillance plan.

Today, Kelsie and her husband are working on building a new home while raising her teenage boys. Read the full story: https://heyor.ca/DmslSB

01/24/2026

Anesthesiology is so much more than just putting people into deep sleep. Just ask Amy, a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) at Saint Luke's East Hospital.

“I like to tell people that I don’t get paid to put patients into deep sleep. I get paid to wake them back up,” said Amy.

Anesthesia is essential in surgery so the patient doesn’t feel any pain. CRNAs like Amy administer anesthesia to meet the patient’s specific needs, continuously monitor their vitals during surgery to keep everything running safely and smoothly, and help manage post-operative recovery and pain. They are present throughout the entire operation, which could be several hours.

Amy starts her day by helping prepare the operating room for surgery and getting the anesthesia workstation ready for when the patient comes in. She then goes to interview the patient in the pre-op area to make sure they’re ready to be sedated. She puts them under anesthesia, keeps them comfortable and stable during the surgery, and uses the necessary drugs to wake them up before taking them to the recovery room. Then, it’s on to the next one.

“There is an art to anesthesia that I like,” Amy said. “I’ll be giving different medications throughout the procedure to keep them relaxed and pain-free and keep their blood pressure and heart rate normal.”

Working with anesthesia takes strong clinical skills and a sharp attention to detail. We wish Amy and all certified registered nurse anesthetists a happy National !

01/24/2026

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for much of Missouri and Eastern Kansas. Inclement weather may impact operating hours for some services over the weekend.

All Saint Luke's Convenient Care and Urgent Care clinics will open under adjusted hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24 and Sunday, Jan. 25.

If you have an appointment on Monday, Jan. 26, please allow additional driving time to arrive to your appointment. If you'd like to reschedule your appointment or request a video visit instead, please contact your provider.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911. All Saint Luke's hospitals remain open.

Stay up-to-date on all Saint Luke's inclement weather impacts: https://heyor.ca/wM3OnJ

01/23/2026

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the Kansas City area this weekend with freezing temperatures and snow. Cold weather poses health risks for some individuals that increases the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

Dr. Staci Reintjes, an emergency medicine physician, explains to KMBC 9 why hospitals see an influx of patients when the weather gets this cold. Watch now: https://heyor.ca/SlckT9

Learn more about Saint Luke's:https://www.saintlukeskc.orgConnect:https://www.facebook.com/saintlukeskchttps://twitter.com/saintlukeskchttps://www.instagram....

01/23/2026

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the Kansas City area this weekend with freezing temperatures and snow. Cold weather poses health risks for some individuals that increases the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

Dr. Staci Reintjes, an emergency medicine physician at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City explains to KMBC 9 why hospitals see an influx of patients when the weather gets this cold. Watch now: https://heyor.ca/SlckT9

Learn more about Saint Luke's:https://www.saintlukeskc.orgConnect:https://www.facebook.com/saintlukeskchttps://twitter.com/saintlukeskchttps://www.instagram....

01/22/2026

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Several Saint Luke’s team members spent part of their weekend volunteering at Kanbe's Markets and Harvesters - The Community Food Network for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Serving our community in their time of need is what health care professionals do best—both inside and outside our hospital walls. 😊

01/21/2026

“Wait, what’s going on?” said Dr. Alyssa Fesmire as she entered a room full of people smiling at her. To her surprise, this trauma and critical care specialist was receiving the Saint Luke’s Hospital Physician of the Quarter Award! The nomination came from someone who witnessed her professionalism in the Emergency Department.

“The patient was found unresponsive,” the nominator wrote. “Dr. Fesmire was calm and collected in the trauma bay and communicated with the team while administering medications and ensuring the patient was stabilized. She acted quickly and advocated for the patient.”

Dr. Fesmire demonstrates integrity, patient-centered care, and excellent communication in her work. We are so lucky to have a physician like her caring for our critical patients. Congratulations!

01/19/2026

Building healthier habits in the new year starts with small, realistic changes.

Dayane, a registered dietician at Saint Luke's Cancer Institute, joined FOX4 News Kansas City's Afternoon Drive show to share helpful tips on eating healthy in the new year—from setting goals to staying hydrated.

“Goals are so personalized, it just depends on what people want to work on,” Dayane said. “Instead of focusing on a number on the scale, maybe we can work on moving more, eating more vegetables, or getting more protein.”

See what else she recommends: https://heyor.ca/sutO39

01/16/2026

Saint Luke’s Bishop Spencer Place, a thriving retirement community in the heart of Kansas City, is excited to soon open a specialized memory care wing! The new area features innovative programming led by board-certified physicians specializing in memory and cognitive neurology, along with thoughtfully designed apartments and common areas for older adults living with dementia or cognitive impairment.

Dr. Anthony Jackson, medical director of Bishop Spencer Place, says the growing rate of dementia in older adults makes memory care even more important. Watch the story on Health News You Can Use.

01/12/2026

On Oct. 23, 2002, Jennifer was supposed to celebrate her 28th birthday with a quiet night at home. Instead, she found herself in a hospital in St. Joseph, Missouri, delivering twin girls at just 25½ weeks gestation.

Each baby weighed barely more than a pound, requiring advanced neonatal care. The care team was doing their best to help Jennifer find a nearby neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

They found an opening at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City's Level III NICU, which provides exceptional care for extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs). The twins, Annika and Peyton, took separate ambulances to Kansas City, more than an hour away.

When Jennifer and her husband, Kurt, arrived at Saint Luke’s, a team of doctors and nurses met them at the door. Other families in the NICU supported Jennifer and Kurt with prayers for their babies.

“That was our introduction to the NICU,” Jennifer says. “Full of kindness and grace.”

For the next 100 days, the twins required ventilator support, slowly weaning as their lungs matured and became stronger.

Today, Peyton and Annika are 23 years old. Peyton graduated from the University of Kansas and works in human behavioral sciences, and Annika is finishing her music education degree and preparing to be a student teacher.

Jennifer looks back on their NICU days with gratitude.

“A million things could have gone wrong in those 100 days,” she says. “The team at Saint Luke’s gave us the truth, the tools, and the kindness we needed. Because of them, my girls are here—and they’re beautiful.”

Read their full NICU journey: https://heyor.ca/K6rJPd

01/12/2026

On Oct. 23, 2002, Jennifer was supposed to celebrate her 28th birthday with a quiet night at home. Instead, she found herself in a hospital in St. Joseph, Missouri, delivering twin girls at just 25½ weeks gestation.

Each baby weighed barely more than a pound, requiring advanced neonatal care. The care team was doing their best to help Jennifer find a nearby neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

They found an opening at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City's Level III NICU, which provides exceptional care for extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs). The twins, Annika and Peyton, took separate ambulances to Kansas City, more than an hour away.

When Jennifer and her husband, Kurt, arrived at Saint Luke’s, a team of doctors and nurses met them at the door. Other families in the NICU supported Jennifer and Kurt with prayers for their babies.

“That was our introduction to the NICU,” Jennifer says. “Full of kindness and grace.”

For the next 100 days, the twins required ventilator support, slowly weaning as their lungs matured and became stronger.

Today, Peyton and Annika are 23 years old. Peyton graduated from the University of Kansas and works in human behavioral sciences, and Annika is finishing her music education degree and preparing to be a student teacher.

Jennifer looks back on their NICU days with gratitude.

“A million things could have gone wrong in those 100 days,” she says. “The team at Saint Luke’s gave us the truth, the tools, and the kindness we needed. Because of them, my girls are here—and they’re beautiful.”

Read their full NICU journey: https://heyor.ca/K6rJPd

01/09/2026

Emergency departments across Kansas City are experiencing a surge in patients with flu and other respiratory illnesses—and experts say we haven’t yet reached the peak.

“I know we say every year this season is bad, but it is,” said Dr. Marc Larsen, emergency medicine physician. “We’re just getting back after the Christmas break, and are now getting the kids back in school, which tells you that’s when people will start spreading it around more. You never know when you’re at the peak until it starts to come down, and we’re definitely not on the way down.”

Read more about what’s driving this surge, what to watch for, and how care teams are responding in this story from The Kansas City Star: https://heyor.ca/zPIn06

Learn more about our same-day care options, including video visits, convenient care, and urgent care locations: https://heyor.ca/scXgx9

One mom said her family was sicker than they were during COVID. How do you know when to go to the emergency room?

01/09/2026

Emergency departments across Kansas City are experiencing a surge in patients with flu and other respiratory illnesses—and experts say we haven’t yet reached the peak.

“I know we say every year this season is bad, but it is,” said Dr. Marc Larsen, emergency medicine physician at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City. “We’re just getting back after the Christmas break, and are now getting the kids back in school, which tells you that’s when people will start spreading it around more. You never know when you’re at the peak until it starts to come down, and we’re definitely not on the way down.”

Read more about what’s driving this surge, what to watch for, and how care teams are responding in this story from The Kansas City Star: https://heyor.ca/zPIn06

Learn more about our same-day care options, including video visits, convenient care, and urgent care locations: https://heyor.ca/scXgx9

One mom said her family was sicker than they were during COVID. How do you know when to go to the emergency room?

01/08/2026

According to the CDC, flu cases are on the rise across the country, including here in the Kansas City metro. 🤧

With classrooms reopening and more people gathering indoors, Dr. Todd Fristo, family medicine doctor, and Layne Strookman, nurse practitioner, are sharing important guidance to help prevent and ease flu symptoms this season.

Many symptoms can be managed at home or through Saint Luke’s same-day care options including video visits and convenient care or urgent care clinics. Getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, using fever reducers as needed, and seeking care early can help you recover more comfortably.

Watch the stories from KSHB 41, KCTV5 News Kansas City, and FOX4 News Kansas City to learn more and hear their recommendations: https://heyor.ca/maC96G

Learn more about our same-day care options: https://heyor.ca/scXgx9

01/07/2026

Katherine walked into the neurology unit's staff lounge and was surprised to see her family in the room along with all her colleagues. They were gathered to present her with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

"From the first time we met Katherine, she has exhibited a quiet strength that has given us hope and confidence," her nominator wrote. "She truly epitomizes the spirit of this award. It is my prayer that others will be blessed by the gifts she so willingly shares with her nursing skills on a daily basis."

Katherine's warm smile, gentle touch, and kind words are qualities of a great nurse. Congratulations, Katherine! 💙

01/06/2026

Health care teams from multiple Saint Luke’s units came together to save Richard (left) in a single day.

Richard, a 74-year-old patient at Saint Luke's Cardiovascular Consultants, underwent surgery to help with his claudication, a painful condition caused by a lack of blood flow to the legs. Days later, Richard began feeling back pain, and his blood pressure dropped, so his care team jumped into action to find the cause. Then, Richard went into cardiac arrest right in the middle of a CT scan at Saint Luke's East Hospital.

Dr. Dany Jacob, cardiologist, and Dr. Karthik Vamanan, vascular surgeon, immediately got to work performing CPR on Richard with the help of several nurses and lab specialists. Together, they revived Richard and took him into the OR for an emergency aortic repair. Once stable, he was transferred to Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City for further advanced heart care.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the teams between the two Saint Luke’s hospitals, Richard is pain-free for the first time in years and celebrating new and exciting milestones with his family—like his son's graduation. Read the full story: https://heyor.ca/Agr6eos

01/02/2026

Meet Yaretzi, the first baby of the new year born at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City! 🎉

Yaretzi was born at 12:11 p.m. on January 1. Both mom and baby are doing well. 💙

12/31/2025

Every DAISY Award recipient represents the very best of compassionate nursing—and a recent experience in our cardiology device clinic shows exactly why Matt, a nurse with Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants, is so deserving of this recognition.

Matt was nominated by a patient’s loved one who immediately noticed Matt's professionalism and compassion. During a clinic visit, the patient and family expressed that medical explanations can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially with hearing difficulties. From the moment Matt entered the room, he demonstrated clear communication, patience, respect, and a genuine commitment to providing exceptional care.

Matt began the appointment promptly and created an atmosphere of comfort and confidence. He spoke clearly, ensured his explanations were easy to follow, and paused regularly to ask if everything made sense. His approach empowered the family to make an informed decision without feeling rushed or influenced.

“Matt is an exceptional credit to the nursing profession, and as a nurse myself I appreciated the professionalism, friendliness, and care he provided,” his nominator shared.

Congratulations, Matt, on this well-deserved recognition! 🌼💙

12/25/2025

The Frosty Treat Wagon made a few special stops around the hospital! ❄️ 🍫

Hospital leadership rolled through every unit with an elaborately decorated cart delivering chocolates, candies, and a whole lot of holiday cheer as a small thank-you for the incredible work our health care teams do every day. Everyone felt like kids in a candy store.

To our caregivers and staff who work holidays—especially during this season— thank you for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to our patients and each other. We are so grateful for you today and always. ❤️🎄