Saint Luke's East Hospital

09/29/2025

Please join us in congratulating Juwan, one of our amazing patient transporters, for receiving the Saint Luke's Sunshine Award! 🌞

Known for his bright smile, contagious positivity, and genuine care for everyone he meets, Juwan has a special way of lifting spirits and making each day a little brighter. His happy energy reminds us all of the power of kindness, and we’re so grateful to have him on our team. 💙

09/26/2025

Congratulations to Kimberly, a nurse practitioner at Saint Luke's Cardiovascular Consultants—Lee's Summit, for being honored with the 2025 Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Excellence Award! 🎉

The Excellence Award is given to an APP who has more than five years of experience and demonstrates exceptional care for their patients and co-workers.

Kimberly goes above and beyond to coordinate patient care across specialties. She leads nationally and internationally recognized education as course director for the Nurse Practitioner and APP track at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) conference.

“She is often the first to bring leading-edge, evidence-based medicine to the clinical forefront, ensuring that the latest research is rapidly brought into practice,” her nominator said.

Thank you, Kimberly, for all you do! 💙

09/26/2025

Congratulations to Scott, a nurse practitioner at Saint Luke's Primary Care—Lee’s Summit, for being honored with the 2025 Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Unsung Hero Award. 🎉

The Unsung Hero Award is designed to shine a light on those who might not seek recognition, but whose presence and contributions make an extraordinary difference.

"Scott supports our entire clinic, and sees many of our patients," his nomination reads. "He is known for his outstanding care for patients and his strong collaboration with the team."

Scott is constantly seeking out new roles within the clinic and ensures everything is running smoothly. His strong faith also shines bright in his daily activities, encouraging high morale for everyone.

Thank you, Scott, for all you do!

09/25/2025

And with that, the 2025 Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival comes to an end.

We’re proud to have been the presenting sponsor of this longstanding tradition once again. It’s always inspiring to see the community come together to celebrate creativity, connection, and local talent, and we’re grateful to be part of an event that showcases the vibrant spirit of the communities we serve.

From the pictures taken in our photo bus to the giveaways at our tent, the weekend was filled with color, energy, and joy. Thank you for having us, Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce!

09/19/2025

Saint Luke's East Hospital is sponsoring the Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival once again!

Visit our tent at 10th and Main Street and take a picture souvenir inside our photo bus—yes, a bus! 🚌

09/18/2025

Congratulations to Hannah, our newest BEE Award recipient!

Hannah, a nursing assistant in the cardiovascular recovery unit, is described by patients and teammates as energetic, intelligent, and very helpful. From building confidence and bringing balance to busy days to taking time for the small but meaningful gestures—like making sure a patient had a toothbrush—Hannah truly shows that compassionate care is in the details.

Thank you, Hannah, for bringing your kindness, positivity, and dedication to every shift. We’re so proud to celebrate you!

09/17/2025

Celebrating !

Environmental services (EVS) professionals do the essential task of keeping every single room at our hospital clean and sanitized. They work 24/7 to fight off germs and pathogens.

The EVS team cleans the entire hospital daily, which includes hundreds of patient rooms. They do more than maintain a spotless environment—they build meaningful connections with patients, too. Their friendly visits and care go hand in hand with the exceptional service we strive to provide.

Any time you see someone in red scrubs at a Saint Luke's location, it's an EVS team member cleaning to keep everyone safe.

09/12/2025

Dana’s cancer journey began in August 2022 when persistent stomach issues brought him to Saint Luke’s Community Hospital in Roeland Park, Kansas. A CT scan revealed a cancerous mass nearly completely blocking his entire colon. He was transferred to Saint Luke's North Hospital where Dr. Ben Kulow, a colorectal surgeon, performed surgeries to address the blockage.

Unfortunately, Dana’s cancer had spread to his liver, where tumors had released high serotonin levels that damaged his heart valve. Dr. Marc Roth, a gastrointestinal oncologist, prescribed lanreotide injections to help control the tumors and lower serotonin—but this was only a temporary solution.

In November 2024, Dana received open-heart surgery to replace his tricuspid valve, which was around the same time Dr. Roth started discussing LUTATHERA®, a targeted radioactive therapy specifically for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) found in the gut or pancreas. This leading-edge treatment destroys the cancer cells causing serotonin spikes while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

Through Dr. Sunpreet Rakhra, a radiation oncologist, Dana became Saint Luke’s first-ever LUTATHERA recipient. After two treatments, his serotonin levels dropped dramatically—from 2,200 nanograms per milliliter to a normal 170.

“It sounds scary to be the guinea pig,” Dana says, “But I actually felt honored that I had the privilege and opportunity. Hopefully this therapy can help somebody else along the way, too.”

Dana’s treatment journey has been guided by a collaborative team of diverse medical experts whose combined knowledge and specialized skills have ensured every aspect of his care is carefully managed. While there is no cure for NET, Dana has still been able to travel the world since LUTATHERA. He says it’s a blessing he’s still able to go on these adventures.

“Planning trips has been good therapy for me,” he says. “I like planning and figuring out where we’re going to go next.”

Check out Dana's full story: https://heyor.ca/CXHoHN

09/10/2025

More than 250 Saint Luke’s team members came together to make a difference at this year’s Head For The Cure 5K in Kansas City! 🏃

The team raised more than $30,000 to support brain tumor research, raise awareness, and foster hope within our community. Funds raised will directly benefit Saint Luke’s patients through groundbreaking research and advancements in brain tumor care at Saint Luke's Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute.

This year, neuro-oncologist Dr. Samuel Goldlust presented three Saint Luke's patients with the Courage Award—recognizing them for their strength and resilience.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us to support this important cause. 💙

09/09/2025

Dr. Megan Mayer from Saint Luke's Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists recently kicked off yoga at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts by speaking about how yoga can benefit people at every stage of life.

Yoga is more than just a workout—it promotes flexibility, stability, and mental wellness while helping build a strong core that supports balance and protects joints. Because it’s a low-impact activity, yoga can be an important tool in recovery from pain or injury, and even some of Dr. Mayer’s surgical patients use it as part of their healing process. For those with conditions like arthritis, yoga offers a way to stay active without the strain of high-impact exercise.

No matter your age or ability, the goal is simple: keep moving to support both your body and your mind for lifelong health.

09/08/2025

As families recently posted their back-to-school photos and chalkboard signs, we wanted to get in on the action to celebrate the spirit of health care, where learning never stops.

Many of our team members have been in health care for years, even decades. From navigating new technology to figuring out life lessons, the learning that happens day in and day out helps shape who we are. Check out some of our longtime team members' colorful responses.

09/04/2025

When Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center and Saint Luke's Cancer Institute join forces to educate our community on the importance of women's health, the result is a Gem of a Night!

The inaugural Saint Luke's Gem of a Night event brought a full house to the luxurious Meierotto Jewelers with bejeweled flowers, live music, and a picturesque balloon display provided by Up, Up & Away! Cardiologist Dr. Tracy Stevens and breast radiologist Dr. Ruby Meierotto gave eye-opening presentations about heart and breast health.

Together, we’re empowering women with knowledge, sparking conversations, and shining a brighter light on the future of women’s health.

09/04/2025

Congratulations to Saint Luke’s East Hospital for receiving the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® Gold Plus recognition, the highest recognition for providing excellent stroke care! 🎉

Get With The Guidelines® recognition from the American Heart Association honors hospitals for their work and achievements in improving patient outcomes in cardiovascular and stroke focus areas. The awards recognize hospitals that offer the latest evidence-based treatments while following industry guidelines for patient care.

09/03/2025

This calls for a celebration! Terry, a medical lab scientist at Saint Luke's South Hospital, recently reached her 50th work anniversary with Saint Luke's. She started at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City in 1975 and transferred to South in 2011.

"I like my job. I feel like this is the best system to work for," said Terry. "It's the family atmosphere. We know about everybody we pass in the hallway, and we call them by their name. I like that. I'm not ready to retire yet. This is still my happy place."

Cheers to you, Terry! Thank you for your years—decades!—of service. 💙

09/02/2025

Dr. Elizabeth Grier’s interest in math and science led her to a career in medicine. In college, she loved learning about the heart in her physiology classes. Today, she is a Saint Luke’s interventional cardiologist.

“I specifically developed an interest in interventional cardiology because I really like working with my hands and appreciate the variety that comes with working in the cath lab,” said Dr. Grier. “I get to do a lot of different procedures, so no two days are completely alike.”

Dr. Grier treats a wide range of heart conditions, including valve repairs and replacements. She has a special interest in helping patients who were born with heart defects because she enjoys the challenge of working with their unique anatomy. Her role at Saint Luke's allows her to participate in important clinical research that is advancing the field.

“The field of structural interventions is rapidly evolving, which allows us to incorporate new technologies today that weren’t available even a year or two ago,” she said. “I feel it is important to take a patient-centered approach, incorporating the values and preferences of the patient and their family into their care decisions.”

At the end of the day when she takes off her lab coat, Dr. Grier is most likely reading a book or riding on her Peloton. She is also learning Spanish, a skill that will undoubtedly be useful with patients.

08/29/2025

Jaylen will play his first football game as a college athlete at MoWest tomorrow. Two years ago, he broke his collarbone during practice on his high school team, and playing in college seemed like it may never happen. He feared for the future of his football career—until he got a second opinion from Dr. Larry Frevert at Saint Luke's Rockhill Orthopaedic Specialists.

Watch the FOX4 News Kansas City story about this college freshman's big comeback: https://heyor.ca/bLtQfW

08/27/2025

Ten years ago, doctors estimated Melissa had about three years to live.

In March 2015, Melissa was experiencing severe headaches. On March 25, the pain became overwhelming, and her husband Don called for help. An ambulance took Melissa to Wright Memorial Hospital, and an MRI revealed Melissa had glioblastoma—a serious form of cancer that originates in the brain with a five-year survival rate of about 5%.

Melissa was sent to Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City for emergency surgery, followed by chemo, radiation, and rehab. Ten years later, Melissa, 68, has recovered physically, emotionally, and spiritually—and now greets each day with excitement.

“I wake up smiling, and it carries with me,” Melissa says. “It's in everything you see, every song you hear. It's everywhere.”

In 2023, Melissa began seeing Dr. Samuel Goldlust, a neuro-oncologist, for continuing care.

"Dr. Goldlust is very impressive," Don said. "He took the time to understand our history before entering the room."

Though Melissa has physical limitations and had to relearn to speak, she embraces what her body can manage and cherishes time she once feared she’d lose. Melissa and Don recently saw their son graduate from Kansas State University summa cm laude—another one of those little moments that mean so much.

Melissa and Don saw firsthand how Saint Luke’s stands apart through our dedication to advanced cancer research and treatments. With support from generous donors, we deliver leading-edge care to thousands of patients. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲: https://heyor.ca/Ji6lOs

08/26/2025

Happy to our beloved Saint Luke's Rehabilitation Institute facility dog, Henli! You bring joy, hope, and comfort to patients every day and motivate them to work hard. Thank you for reminding us of the healing power of unconditional love. 💙 🐾

08/22/2025

Summer sunshine offers many joys—but it also comes with some risks. Skin cancer remains the most common type of cancer in the U.S., affecting 1 in 5 individuals.

Dr. Megan McNally, a surgical oncologist at Saint Luke's Cancer Institute, emphasizes sun protection strategies and the crucial role of early detection. Watch her conversation with KCTV5 News Kansas City to learn how to protect your skin: https://heyor.ca/SM8H5E

Megan McNally, MD, a surgical oncologist with Saint Luke's Cancer Institute, shares tips on sun protection and early skin cancer detection.

08/21/2025

Dr. B. Todd Moore recently completed his 2,000th robotic surgery at Saint Luke's South Hospital! He performed the first robotic procedure at Saint Luke's South in 2016 and has seen the technology evolve firsthand.

Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive technique where the surgeon controls robotic arms from a remote console. It uses smaller incisions, improves precision, and leads to faster recovery for the patient. The program at Saint Luke’s South has grown exponentially in volume, case offerings, and multispecialty usage over the past nine years.

“I think it’s amazing how far we’ve come in regards to robotic surgery,” said Dr. Moore. “It is a significantly advantageous technology used not just by me and Saint Luke's Surgical Specialists, but by nearly all specialties at Saint Luke’s to offer the best care to our patients.”

Saint Luke’s offers a one-year fellowship for graduating surgeons to learn and master robotic surgery. Thanks in part to Dr. Moore’s work, general surgeons are being trained in these advanced procedures.

“The common misconception is that the 'robot' is performing the surgery,” Dr. Moore said. “The robot is simply a highly sophisticated piece of technology that we use. The surgeon is hands-on for the entire procedure.”

Saint Luke’s South is on pace to reach 3,500 robotic surgeries later this year. With Dr. Moore’s milestone and the program’s continued growth, Saint Luke’s South proudly stands at the forefront of robotic surgery, transforming lives today and shaping the future of patient care.

08/20/2025

Last weekend, we were excited to join our community and celebrate the grand opening of Green Street LS in Lee’s Summit! From a farmers market and live music to community events, it’s a vibrant new hub for everyone.

Anna Sahli, our hospital's chief operating officer, had the honor of addressing the crowd as the presenting sponsor right before Mayor William Baird delivered his City of Lee's Summit Government State of the City address. Our team was also on hand at the Wellness Fair to offer blood pressure checks.

The event was a wonderful opportunity to connect with our neighbors. Welcome to the neighborhood, Green Street!

08/20/2025

There were lots of love and hugs for Wendy when she received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses! 🌼

Wendy, a registered nurse in our Medical-Surgical Unit, places the comfort and well-being of her patients above all else. The patient who nominated her is an 85-year-old who is no stranger to hospital stays and said Wendy is the best nurse they've ever had.

"Wendy was my angel of mercy," the nominator wrote. "The patients at Saint Luke's East who have the good fortune of being under her care are truly blessed. As I was leaving the hospital, I told Wendy how much I appreciated the friendly, beyond-the-call-of-duty care that she provided."

We are so fortunate to have nurses like Wendy who help patients return to a healthy life. Thank you, Wendy! 💙

08/18/2025

Community Blood Center has declared a blood emergency. The region’s blood supply has dropped to less than a two-day inventory, far below the ideal seven-day supply needed to meet hospital and patient needs.

While all blood types are urgently needed, the shortage is especially severe for types O negative and O positive, which are vital for emergency situations and trauma care. Summer has brought an expected decline in donations, driven by vacations, school breaks, and intense heat waves that have kept donors indoors. Combined with increased trauma cases, the impact on the local blood supply has been severe.

Mobile blood drives are coming soon to Saint Luke's hospital locations. Schedule a donation and find more blood drives near you at savealifenow.org.