The Geary Community Hospital Board of Trustees has voted to endorse a partnership between GCH and Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas on a pediatric clinics project.

Joe Stratton, Geary Community Hospital CEO, said it will put GCH in front of anyone in the area. “We’ve got a collaboration between Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City, which is a U.S. regional hospital for children and pediatrics. We’re working with children so as well as ourself, the Bramlage Family Foundation and Geary Community Healthcare Foundation pulled together a project that’s evolving. ” Many of the details have yet to be determined.

Stratton stated, “The concept is that Children’s Mercy would place additional clinics out here on a permanent basis. Could be anywhere from two to three to four clinics with those specialties yet to be decided in a section of our building.” It could take a couple of years to finish the project.

The clinics could be located in an undeveloped basement area at Geary Community Hospital. There would also need to be some fundraising. Stratton noted that there is work that must be done in negotiations, and to get the community involved.

Gary Drake, Geary Community Hospital Board Chair, said it’s one of the most exciting things to happen to the hospital for a long time. “And primarily because Children’s Mercy chose us. With the support of the Bramlage Family brings an opportunity for us to really move forward and provide some new services to the area that are not being provided anywhere in the region.”