Several organizations and publications have honored North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health, as well as its physicians.
Physician Honors
Ingram’s named Steven Starr, MD, FACC, cardiologist with Meritas Health Cardiology, to its list of 2022 Top Doctors published in October. Honorees were selected for not only delivering the highest level of care, but also for “helping make the Kansas City region a leading light in healthcare, drawing talented workers to the Heart of America and elevating an entire community in the process.”
The Kansas City Medical Society honored Larry Hollenbeck, MD, FAAN, neurologist with Meritas Health Neurology, and Kelsey Able, DO, gastroenterologist with Consultants in Gastroenterology in October. Dr. Hollenbeck received the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a physician’s leadership, lifelong commitment to health and dedication to the health of greater Kansas City. Dr. Able received the Rising Star Award, which recognizes a physician who has made significant contributions to medicine in the Kansas City area early in his or her career.
Kansas City University honored James Kesl, DO, orthopedic surgeon with Orthopedic Surgeons Inc., with its 2022 Young Alumni Achievement Award in October. The award recognizes KCU graduates who have been alumni for 10 or fewer years. Dr. Kesl is a 2011 graduate of KCU.
Maternity Care
U.S. News & World Report ranked North Kansas City Hospital among its Best Hospitals for Maternity, with NKCH earning a “High Performing in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy)” rating. This highest U.S. News honor for 2022-2023 also places NKCH above the bar with only one other Missouri hospital. U.S. News assessed nearly 650 hospitals that provide high-quality labor and delivery services for uncomplicated pregnancies. Fewer than 300 earned a High Performing designation.
GI Care and Surgery
NKCH is the only Northland hospital recognized by Healthgrades as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for both gastrointestinal care and gastrointestinal surgery in 2023. The Specialty Excellence Awards™ place NKCH in the top 2% of nearly 4,500 hospitals in the country.
Most Wired
NKCH and MH made the 2022 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired list for its use of information technology in supporting care delivery. For over a decade, the health system has been selected as one of the nation’s Most Wired health systems. CHIME surveyed more than 38,000 organizations, designating NKCH and MH once again with the Quality Award — certified Level 8 — in Acute and Ambulatory, ranking above peers in several categories.
Best in State
Forbes listed NKCH and MH as the 54th top employer in Missouri. This honor comes on the heels of Forbes naming NKCH one of American’s Best Midsize Employers and a top midsize hospital and health system in the Kansas City area in February. This award, presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., is based on a survey of 70,000 Americans working for companies with more than 500 employees across 25 industry sectors. Only 1,382 employers made the entire list of 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.