Healthcare and Insurance

Coping with COVID: Local health officials urge patience from those waiting to receive vaccine

Area residents eager to receive a COVID-19 vaccination will have to wait a bit longer, according to regional health directors. In a joint statement issued Thursday, directors said high demand, low supply and continued priority for health workers means vaccine… more

Coping with COVID: Metro doctors optimistic after holidays fail to produce surge in new cases

A Tuesday morning media briefing with local officials and doctors from The University of Kansas Health System gave reports of a optimistic trend in the metro, noting there has been no huge surge in admitted COVID-19 patients in the more… more

Metro hospital ready to begin vaccinating teachers

Plans are in motion to start vaccinating Missouri teachers. One hospital is ready to go once the state gives the OK. "What we're excited about is the ability to immunize large groups of people very quickly," said Charlie Shields, president… more

Cerner announces two executive role replacements

Cerner Corp. announced two important changes among its list of top executives, two longtime leaders to be succeeded by internal candidates. Travis Dalton, who has led Cerner Government Services, is the company's new chief client and services officer, effective Friday.… more

Coping with COVID: Missouri proceeds with second tier of Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccine shots on Monday

As Tier 1 of Missouri’s Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccination plan came to a close over the weekend, the state announced the start of Tier 2 on Monday, Jan. 18. Phase 1B, Tier 2 focuses on high-risk individuals, vaccination aimed at… more

Coping with COVID: Missouri enters Phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccinations, to run through weekend 

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced the activation of Phase 1B - Tier 1 of the state's COVID-19 Vaccination Plan on Thursday. Federal partners informed the state they plan to significantly increase vaccine supply next week. Individuals 65 and older and… more

Coping with COVID: Kan., Mo. below average in states administering first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

A national map tracking shares of the U.S. population that have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine reveals the Midwest is mixed when it comes to individual states’ progress. One map from Fortune shows that on a… more

Metro healthcare entities unite, launch connected network of health and social service organizations

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), United Way of Greater Topeka and Stormont Vail Health have partnered with Healthify to launch the Northeast Kansas Community Network – a connected network of health care and social service organizations committed to transforming the current… more

Pharmacies prepared to vaccinate public in Mo., Kan.

A few big-name pharmacies say they are ready to begin vaccinating the public in Missouri and Kansas as soon as they receive word to proceed from each state. CVS and Walgreens are prepped to give the shot at thousands of… more

Burns & McDonnell to plan, design new MU Health hospital

Burns & McDonnell has been contracted to plan and design a new $232 million women's and children's hospital for MU Health in Columbia, Mo. Working with Dallas-based architecture firm HKS Inc., Burns & McDonnell will help to design a 323,400-square-foot,… more