Programs


IFCK - KC is housed within The Center for Childhood Safety, a hospital-based injury prevention program at The Children's Mercy Hospital. Our mission is to lead innovative programming in pediatric injury and violence prevention, utilizing evidence-based translational research aimed at influencing behavior through education and advocacy. Alongside community partners, our vision is to improve the lives of children by alleviating the health burdens of intentional and unintentional injury.

Site staff includes Principle Investigator, David Juang, MD, CMH Surgery Trauma Services and Medical Director of Trauma, Burn, and Injury Prevention. Program Director is Kayla Curiel, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC. Program Manager is Laura Kemerling, MSN, RN, C-NPT. Program Coordinator is Shannon Bernal, BSN, RN, CPSTI. Health Facilities Assistant is Amy Looper, BS, CPSTI.

Traffic Safety Program

The hospital's traffic safety program includes child passenger safety courses approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Child Passenger Safety Training Course, Safe Travel for All Children: Transporting Children with Special Healthcare Needs and Improving Occupant Protection for Non-Critical Pediatric Patients in Ambulances: A Training Curriculum for EMS Personnel. In addition, specialized traffic safety and basic CPS programming is offered to childcare, school transportation staff, community stakeholders, and partners.

Safe Kids Greater Kansas City (SK GKC) (Clay, Jackson, and Platte Counties) is a coalition site for Safe Kids Worldwide. Laura Kemerling also serves as the Coalition Coordinator. Based on the community's needs, SK GKC implements evidence-based programs, including car-seat checkup events and bike, pedestrian, water safety, and home safety workshops to help parents and caregivers reduce the risk of injury.

Hospital-based Child Passenger Safety Program

The hospital-based Child Passenger Safety (CPS) is led by program coordinator, Shannon Bernal, BSN RN, CPSTI. The CPS program provides child passenger safety consultations at the bedside and virtually. Occupant restraint assessments for safe discharge are conducted, and when needed, an appropriate car seat is provided. The car seat program is staffed by certified child passenger safety technicians (CPSTs) who have specialized training in working with children with special health needs. Shannon Bernal and Amy Looper are Safe Travel Instructors, able to conduct assessments and provide intervention, including a loaner car seat, when the child's CPS needs cannot be met with a conventional car seat. Our instructors offer community outreach in consultation with local providers and CPSTs to promote CPS in the community.

Pedestrian and Bike Safety Program

IFCK-KC staff collaborates with BikeWalkKC ( https://bikewalkkc.org) a local non-profit that provides bike and pedestrian education and advocacy to promote walking and biking to elementary schools within the greater Kansas City region. Working closely with the local schools' physical education instructors, students participate in BikeWalkKC's "Bicycle Lesson and Safety Training (BLAST)" to learn the core concepts of safety, confidence, and skill acquisition. Bicycle helmets are provided to each student. The measurable outcomes are improved bicycle handling skills, proficiency in basic traffic skills & identification, and avoidance of hazards.

Ground Ambulance Occupant Protection of Children in Ambulances

Improving Occupant Protection of Children in Ambulances (2022-2023). IFCK-KC advocates for improved occupant protection of non-critical pediatric patients transported in ambulances. In collaboration with Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT), Mid America Regional Council Emergency Responders (MARCER) and Missouri Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC), the occupant protection educational program focuses on firefighters and paramedics safely transporting children in ground ambulances as described by the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) https://nasemso.org/wp-content/uploads/Safe-Transport-of-Children-by-EMS-InterimGuidance-08Mar2017-FINAL.pdf

Home Safety Program

IFCK-KC staff collaborates with and supports Charlie's House, the country's only safety demonstration home (http://www.charlieshouse.org), focused on preventing unintentional childhood injuries in and around the home. By increasing awareness, offering public education, and distributing safety devices, staff honor the memory of Charlie Horn. Charlie is a small child who passed away in 2007 as a result of a furniture tip-over accident.

Safe Sleep Program – Bedside Program

A "Safe Sleep, Safe Babies" program is facilitated by bedside nurses, who model a safe sleeping environment and educate families on the best ways to reduce the risk of suffocation of an infant. As outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Back to Sleep 2022 recommendations, caregivers demonstrate how infants should be placed on alone in their bed, on their back, and in a sleep space free of blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or anything else that poses a risk to suffocation. In support of community outreach, parents/caregivers who cannot provide an appropriate sleep space for their infant are provided with a portable crib, sleep sack, pacifier, and additional education at the time of discharge from the hospital. The Children's Mercy Hospital is a Cribs for Kids Gold Level - certified institution.

Poison Control/Overdose Prevention

IFCK-KC supports and partners with Shayla A. Sullivant, MD and staff in support of their "Prepped and Ready" Program which aims to help parents and caregivers learn what steps they can take before a crisis develops with their teenager. "Prepped and Ready" equips families with education on suicide prevention, home safety (including safe storage of firearms, medications, etc.), self care, and substance use. The CCS collaborates with hospital staff and local law enforcement / Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to host bi-annual prescription drug take-back days. Events hosted aim to provide a safe, convenient, responsible way of disposing of unused or expired prescription medications, while also educating the public about potential risk of abuse or unintentional ingestion.

Kansas City Directors


Contact Info

For additional information about Injury Free Kansas City, please contact one of our program directors:

djuang@cmh.edu
klcuriel@cmh.edu
lakemerling@cmh.edu

Mapping address: 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108



Description

BikeWalkKC's BLAST program is an innovative and proven school-based program, teaching fifth graders the skills and knowledge required for safe and effective cycling. BLAST: Kids on Bikes is developed by bicycle education professionals and reviewed by educators and parents. BLAST is offered in 4 one-hour sessions per cohort during physical education classes.

BLAST is a primer for students to gain an understanding of how to safely operate a bicycle in a variety of situations. The class aims to produce cyclists who ride safely and skillfully. By inviting BLAST into the classroom, PE teachers are providing their students with a formal education on an important topic and helping to create an educational culture that values cycling as a basic life skill.

Contact Information



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David Juang, MD

Photograph of David Juang

Job Title:
PI - Director - Trauma & Burns.

Biography:
Dr. David Juang is an associate professor in pediatric surgery and the director for Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Dr. Juang is also fortunate to lead the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship for the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Dr. Juang is board-certified in general surgery, surgical critical care, and pediatric surgery. He completed his general surgery residency and surgical critical care fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh before moving to Kansas City to complete a fellowship in Pediatric General Surgery.

Dr. Juang is the Primary Investigator for the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Kansas City. His clinical and research interests have led to publications in pediatric trauma, injury prevention, minimally invasive pediatric surgery, and pediatric surgical critical care.

Contact Information

Email Address:
djuang@cmh.edu

Phone Number:
(816) 234-3575

Mailing Address:
2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City, MO 64108


Laura Kemerling MSN, RN C-NPT

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Job Title:
Program Manager, Center for Childhood Safety & Injury Prevention

Biography:
Laura graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from MWSU in 2003, beginning her nursing career in the operating room at Children’s Mercy and later transitioning to the adult ICU for several years. She returned to pediatric care in 2010, working for the Children’s Mercy Critical Care Transport team. After completing a Master of Science in Nursing Education in 2018, she began adjunct clinical instructing for BSN students, in addition to her staffing role on transport. For the last 3 years, she has fulfilled the role of EMS liaison and outreach education coordinator for the Children’s Mercy system.

Laura and her husband have 6 kiddos and a beloved dog, Maggie. Outside of work, she loves to travel with the family, watch sporting events, listen to live and acoustic music, and read novels! She is eager to get to know everyone and help grow the Center for Childhood Safety!

Contact Information

Email Address:
lakemerling@cmh.edu

Phone Number:
816 302 8642

Mailing Address:
2401 Gillham Road
1216.00 D&TC
Kansas City, MO 64127-4619


Shannon Bernal, BSN, CPSTI

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Job Title:
Car Seat Program Coordinator

Biography:

Contact Information

Email Address:
smbernal@cmh.edu

Phone Number:
816 234 1607

Mailing Address:
Center for Childhood Safety
1612.00
Children's Mercy Hospital - Kansas City
2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City MO 64108-4619


Phyllis Larimore, RN, BSN, MPH, PhD(c)

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Job Title:
Nursing Program Coordinator

Biography:
Coordinates hospital based child passenger safety program and conducts National Child Passenger Safety Training Course and the Safe Travel for All Children: Transporting Children with Special Health Care Needs, and Promoting Safe Transport of Children in Ambulances. Current projects are working with Greater Kansas City Head Start Centers to promote safe travel: an education and distribution program; Charlie's House, a demonstration house focusing on preventing injuries in and around the home. Collaborates with local and regional Safe Kids coalitions to address the top five preventable childhood injuries.

Contact Information

Email Address:
plarimore@cmh.edu

Phone Number:
816 234 1607 or 816 234 6813

Mailing Address:
2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City, MO 64108


Daniel Marx, BSN, MSN, MHSA

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Job Title:
Burn Program Coordinator

Biography:
Education and certifications Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - University of Central Missouri - School of Nursing Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) - University of Kansas, Medical Center - School of Medicine Master of Science in Nursing - Organizational Leadership (MSN) - University of Kansas, Medical Center - School of Nursing Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

Contact Information

Email Address:
djmarx@cmh.edu

Phone Number:
(816) 458-1864

Mailing Address:
Children's Mercy Hospital - Kansas City
Surgery
2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City MO 64108-4619


David Seastrom, RN, BSN

Photograph of David Seastrom

Job Title:
Interim Trauma Program Manager, Trauma Services

Biography:
David Seastrom is the Interim Trauma Program Manager at Children’s Mercy Kansas City – which is the only Pediatric Level I Trauma Center between St. Louis and Denver. After graduating from Kansas State University he attended Baker University School of Nursing and went on to be an Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate for seven years and a critical care transport nurse for five. He has been a registered nurse for the past 16 years with experience in pre-hospital, emergency, critical care and flight nursing. In addition, David has experience in Trauma Center management in both adult and pediatrics and Level I and Level II trauma centers. He also is a member of several professional organizations, including the Emergency Nurses Association and Pediatric Trauma Society, and has published several articles in reference to pediatric trauma and concussions. David is an active participant on multiple state committees to include the Missouri State Advisory Council Pediatric Sub-Committee, the trauma sub-committee and the professional and public education workgroups. He also serves as a representative to the Kansas and Missouri Emergency Medical Services for Children programs. In the state of Missouri he was an Appointee to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Roundtable on the Movement of Pediatric Patients in Disasters. David has spoken all over the country to professional healthcare audiences including EMS, nurses and physicians. He promotes educational development and training with special interest in stabilization and transport, trauma center development and pediatric trauma resuscitation. With a very enthusiastic approach to education he enjoys being able to make his audiences laugh while they learn about children and their special needs.

Contact Information

Email Address:
swseastrom@cmh.edu

Phone Number:
816 983 6917/B# 816 458 4995

Mailing Address:
Children's Mercy Hospital
Trauma Services
2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City MO 64108-4619


Speaking Availability

David Seastrom is available to answer your group's questions via telephone or e-mail.

Pablo Aguagyo, MD, QBS

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Job Title:
Burn Program Director

Biography:
Director, Burn Unit; Associate Director Trauma, Critical Care; Assistant Program Director Surgical Critical Care Fellowship; Assistant Professor of Pediatric Surgery, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Assistant Director Surgical Critical Care Fellowship

Faculty university affiliations Assistant Professor of Pediatric Surgery

Education and certifications University of Missouri at Kansas City - Fellowship The University of Kansas Medical Center - Residency Children's Mercy Hospital - Fellowship Children's Mercy Hospital - Fellowship University of Texas Medical School - Medical School The University of Texas at Austin - Other Training Children's Mercy Hospital - Fellowship

Qualified Bilingual Staff - Spanish

Awards, Honors, & Recognition Fellow (FACS) - American College of Surgeons

Contact Information

Email Address:
paguayo@cmh.edu

Phone Number:
(816) 234-5944

Mailing Address:
Children's Mercy Hospital - Kansas City
Surgery
2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City MO 64108-4619


Speaking Availability

Pablo Aguagyo is available to answer your group's questions via telephone or e-mail.

Amy Looper, BS, CPSTI

[photograph here]

Job Title:
Health Facility Assistant

Biography:
Amy lives with her husband, Robert, in Holt, MO. Both Robert and Amy are very involved in keeping families safe in their community. Amy has been promoting child passenger safety for many years. She is a CPSTI and an approved instructor of the Safe Transportation of All Children: Transporting Children with Special Healthcare Needs.

Contact Information

Email Address:
aelooper@cmh.edu

Phone Number:
(816) 234 1607

Mailing Address:
Children's Mercy Hospital
Center for Childhood Safety & Injury Prevention
1612.00 D&TC
2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City, MO 64108-4619


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