Saint Luke's South Hospital

10/27/2025

Jodi describes the joint replacement program at Saint Luke’s South Hospital like a gentle boot camp—it’s always move, move, move. She has been a registered nurse in the surgical care unit for 17 years, exclusively helping patients who receive joint replacements.

“We have great nurses and therapists who encourage patients throughout the process from admission to discharge,” said Jodi.

Jodi discovered her love of health care when she was in high school and her sister was the director of nursing at a nursing home. They offered a Certified Nursing Assistant course on the weekends, and Jodi decided to give it a try. She enjoyed taking care of people and has worked in health care in some aspect ever since. She was drawn to orthopedics to help patients return to a pain-free quality of life.

“There are several things I love about my job,” she said. “One of those is working so closely with all the nurses, therapists, and doctors. They have become like family to me over the last 17 years. The second thing would be getting to know my patients. I seem to never forget a face, no matter how many years have passed.”

A typical day in the surgical care unit is very fast-paced. Jodi starts her day by doing bedside reports to meet her patients and go over their plan of care. She works closely with the physical and occupational therapists to track each patient's progress and manage their pain levels. Once the patient is cleared for discharge, she educates them on their medication, what to watch out for at home, and when to contact their surgeon.

“Working in health care has shaped me both personally and professionally. The experiences, challenges, and rewards of the role leave lasting marks on how I think, feel, and interact with the world.” 💙

10/24/2025

Cory, operating engineer at Saint Luke’s South Hospital, says he enjoys fixing things for people “and seeing the smiles on their faces when it’s done.”

“I chose this career path because I enjoy the challenge,” Cory says. “Every day is a new adventure, and you never know what might pop up. I really enjoy our team here at Saint Luke’s South. Everyone is willing to jump in and help whenever someone is in need. We laugh and have fun together and we all know that when something comes up, you are not alone.”

Operating engineers operate large central plant equipment like chillers, boilers, and emergency electrical generators. They bring this equipment online and offline and maintain equipment with preventive maintenance. Cory also monitors and rounds hourly, documenting gauge readings and other important equipment parameters.

National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week honors and celebrates the skilled professionals who keep our hospitals running smoothly behind the scenes. The Saint Luke’s team of close to 100 covers a broad scope of work—including plumbing, lights, painting, heating, cooling, and more—across each campus for a great patient, employee, and visitor experience.

Cory is essential in providing a safe and comfortable environment for patients and team members, and we’re proud to have Cory on our team. Thank you for all that you do!

10/23/2025

Saint Luke’s Physician Group is proud to recognize Amanda, a nurse with Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants, as Employee of the Quarter! 🎉

Amanda’s leadership, teamwork, and dedication have made a lasting impact on her colleagues and patients alike. Most recently, she took the lead in developing and implementing a new process that helped contribute to a faster, more efficient, and user-friendly system.

Amanda then personally educated every nurse at all Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants locations, dedicating one-on-one time to ensure every team member felt confident using the new process. Her efforts not only improved daily workflows but also enhanced the overall experience for patients navigating insurance approvals.

“Amanda supports our nursing team, boosts morale, and steps in to help others,” her nominator said. “She’s well-versed in cardiac care and makes it a high priority to treat each patient with patience, kindness, respect, and dignity.”

Congratulations, Amanda, on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your outstanding service and leadership! 💙

10/20/2025

Saint Luke’s South Hospital is home to the region’s first designated orthopedic recovery unit. But what does that mean?

The unit is designed exclusively for patients undergoing total joint replacement surgery. Preoperative planning, surgery, and therapy all take place under the same roof—no travel is required. Our expert team includes surgeons, nurses, and therapists trained in orthopedic care, and the in-unit rehab gym gets joint replacement patients moving right away.

Nearly all patients go home less than two days after surgery.

Patients consistently rate their experience at Saint Luke’s South’s Orthopedic Unit among the highest in the region, with an average satisfaction score of 4.8 out of 5. Orthopedic surgeons across the Kansas City region partner with Saint Luke's South for our focused care, experienced staff, and wellness-first model. Everything we do is designed to keep patients safe, informed, and on a quick path to recovery.

When injury slows you down, Saint Luke's South Hospital is here to help you put your life back in motion.

10/16/2025

Congratulations to Ana for recently being honored by Saint Luke’s Physician Group with the Saint Luke’s BEE Award! 🐝

The Saint Luke’s BEE (Be Exceptional Every Day) Award recognizes nursing assistants, medical assistants, technicians, and other clinical staff who help provide compassionate care, demonstrate clinical excellence, and serve as role models every day.

Ana was nominated by a patient’s family member for turning a stressful situation into a supportive experience.

“Ana was so sweet, kind, and gentle,” her nomination reads. “We were both nervous and she made the experience much easier. It meant the world to me to have someone so caring to help us through this experience.”

Thank you, Ana, for the compassion you show to every patient! 💙

10/10/2025

The FDA recently approved two new drugs this year for treating metastatic breast cancer. The new drugs are designed to kill more cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, resulting in fewer side effects—options that weren't available even just five years ago.

Dr. Timothy Pluard, medical director of Saint Luke's Cancer Institute, says this is a time to be very hopeful. Hear the details from him on Health News You Can Use.

10/08/2025

Saint Luke’s leaders and team members recently volunteered at Metro Lutheran Ministry as part of Belonging Week, an annual event for team members system-wide to celebrate our differences and create a culture where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued.

This year’s theme for Belonging Week was “Growing Connections.” Various team members connected with our community through service. This group packed more than 1,400 sack lunches for our neighbors in need.

When we combine our time, energy, and compassion, we can make a real difference in communities all across Kansas City and beyond. 💙

10/07/2025

After more than 46 years of heartfelt care that touched thousands of lives, Shawna (center 👑) is starting her next adventure in retirement.

Shawna spent her entire career with Saint Luke’s and worked in a variety of areas before becoming a nurse. She started as a patient transporter and then became a certified nursing assistant while attending nursing school. As a registered nurse, Shawna worked in the medical intermediate cardiac care unit for 25 years. She then spent time in the post-anesthesia care unit, the gastrointestinal lab, Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, and has been in the cardiovascular prep and recovery unit for the last 15 years.

To say that Shawna is dedicated is an understatement. Her patients were always her sole focus. Her coworkers describe her as smart, thoughtful, and witty. She is an excellent role model, leader, and communicator. Shawna received countless praises from patients throughout the years and earned multiple recognitions. She has truly been a gift to our hospital and the epitome of an ideal nurse.

Thank you, Shawna, for your incredible tenure and commitment to your profession, patients, and peers. You are a treasure that will be deeply missed. 💙

10/06/2025

Saint Luke's arrived in style for the Kansas City Heart and Stroke Walk at the Liberty Memorial. More than 60 people rounded out our team, and together we raised more than $20,000 for the American Heart Association!

The Heart and Stroke Walk is a fun, family friendly event that brings our community together to get active, raise lifesaving funds, and support the mission of the American Heart Association. It celebrates heart health, honors survivors, and remembers loved ones affected by heart disease and stroke.

Through fundraising and community engagement, the Heart and Stroke Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for vital research, and ultimately, save lives.

10/03/2025

Why are more women under 50 being diagnosed with breast cancer?

Dr. Mary Mitchell, chief of Breast Radiology at Saint Luke’s, sheds light on this concerning trend and how women can know their risk of breast cancer at younger ages.

10/02/2025

The Life of a Health Care Worker (Saint Luke's Version).

Helping people is more than a job for us—it's our whole lives. With every Speak Now question, Fearless challenge, Red alert, unusual Folklore, or Midnights worry, our diverse range of caregivers is here to help you.

At Saint Luke’s, you’ll always find a Lover of wellness and a team with a Reputation for being committed to your health for Evermore.

10/01/2025

Saint Luke's recently took over the Polar Bear Passage at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium to share a fun activity celebrating our Wild Beginnings partnership. 🐾

Lots of kids (and adults, too!) colored their favorite animal, then we turned them into buttons that they got to wear and take home. We loved seeing everyone’s excitement and wild imaginations come together.

Wild Beginnings supports the births of new animals at the zoo—a.k.a "Zooborns." Our commitment to innovative, patient-centered maternity care has allowed us to help local families grow for more than 135 years, and we’re excited to see these zoo families do the same. 💙

09/30/2025

Summer 2025 was a time we will never forget. It was full of firsts, lifesaving care, and celebrations. One thing we do know for sure is that we love caring for our patients, community, and each other. 💙

09/29/2025

It’s a cozy afternoon in Vern’s Pub at Saint Luke’s Bishop Spencer Place, where residents Carol, 96, and Jean, 95, share laughter like the lifelong friends they are. Their bond began in 1932, when Jean attended Carol’s second birthday party. From there, childhood adventures turned into a friendship that would span nearly a century.

They spent summers at a Michigan camp, later followed their love of history to Vassar College, and even traveled abroad together—adventures they now look back on fondly.

After college, Carol married, asking Jean to be her maid of honor, while Jean became active in the Junior League. As they raised families, holiday gatherings and weekend visits kept them connected, and their children became friends, too.

In 2006, Carol moved to Bishop Spencer Place with her husband. To her delight, she soon discovered a familiar face right across the hall.

“It was a pleasure to see Jean again,” Carol said. “I moved into one of the apartments across the hall from her, so it’s just like we’re neighbors again after all the years.”

Reflecting on their many years together, Carol and Jean admit the secret to an enduring friendship is less about the time you spend together and more about the space you hold for each other.

“We never drifted apart,” Carol says. “When Jean moved in, it was like we were kids again. We played bridge together, our husbands were in the investment club together, and we had dinner together. It just felt like old times.”

Read more about Carol and Jean’s lifelong friendship: https://heyor.ca/fDw1jx

09/26/2025

Almost one-quarter of American adults live with chronic pain. Thankfully, patients don’t have to depend on opioid medications to treat it.

Dr. Tyler Concannon, an interventional pain physician at Saint Luke's Pain Management Clinic, shares helpful insights about the interventions and procedures that treat pain without the need for medication on Health News You Can Use.

09/25/2025

At Saint Luke’s, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) play an important role in the exceptional care our patients receive across our clinics and hospitals. These clinicians are at the heart of what we do, and we are fortunate to have them on our team. 💙

09/24/2025

And with that, the 2025 Plaza Art Fair comes to an end.

We’re proud to have been the presenting sponsor of this Kansas City tradition for the past decade. 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 our city.

From the paper flowers we made for our interactive sculpture to the art made in our Kids Zone, the weekend was filled with color, energy, and joy. 🎨 💙

09/23/2025

The Environmental Services team held a little party last week to celebrate . They got wrapped up in the fun and, of course, they cleaned up after themselves.

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 multiple 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.

09/18/2025

A kidney infection that led to sepsis landed Joe, a 68-year-old military veteran, at the Kansas City VA hospital last summer. The infection spread to his spine and affected his ability to walk. Doctors weren’t sure if he would walk again. Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute proved otherwise.

Joe underwent two surgeries to clear out the infection, and then a third to add hardware to stabilize his spine. After his time at the VA and a transfer to Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City for further care, Joe arrived at Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute for a four-week stay. He worked with physical and occupational therapists and progressed from using a wheelchair to standing with a walker, then walking with a cane, and ultimately walking on his own again.

“Take every achievement as a victory, even though you don’t see it that way,” said Joe. “The therapists at Saint Luke’s Rehab Institute were very understanding and patient with me. They were always caring, kind, and respectful. They give you that extra push to get you home safely.”

Prior to his injury, Joe liked to run and hike for miles every day. With his body making more progress every day, his ultimate goal is to climb the Half Dome at Yosemite National Park. He says thanks to his Saint Luke's therapists, he is a lot closer now than he was before. 💙

09/17/2025

Hospital leaders joined the nutrition services department last week to treat all staff members to a special afternoon BBQ lunch. It’s a small way to show appreciation for all the dedication and hard work they bring every day. 🍔 🌭 🍴

09/17/2025

When Jerry arrived at Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, he needed two people to help him stand up and a walker to get around. But look at him now.

Jerry, 68, suffered a stroke last month despite his good health. He was treated at Saint Luke's East Hospital and then came to the Rehab Institute to regain control of his body. Weeks of physical, occupational, and speech therapy got him back on his feet. Music therapy was his favorite part.

When he was discharged, we gave Jerry a proper sendoff. This time, he walked through the doors all on his own.

09/11/2025

Are you or a loved one a stroke survivor? You're invited to join Saint Luke's stroke support group tomorrow, Sept. 11, at Saint Luke's Rehabilitation Institute in Overland Park. The event is also available virtually.

This event offers an opportunity to meet fellow stroke survivors and their loved ones while you learn how to navigate life after a stroke. Register for free now: https://heyor.ca/pcudcj

You’re invited to join Saint Luke’s Stroke Support Group. This event will take place in person at Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute and will be offered virtually as well. This event offers an opportunity to meet fellow stroke survivors and their loved ones while you learn how to navigate l...

09/04/2025

Congratulations to Saint Luke’s South 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, 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 Saint Luke's 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. 💙