Community Outreach
As a not-for-profit community hospital, Shawnee Mission Medical Center plays a vital role in the community by reinvesting millions of dollars back into the Kansas City area each year. SMMC supports the community in a variety of ways
Click here to download the 2009 Community Benefit Report
Charity Care
Individuals who are in a particularly difficult financial or personal circumstance may seek relief by applying for reduction or elimination of their charges for medical service at SMMC. In 2007, $7,752,406 of chairty care was provided to individuals who could not pay for their hospital services. In addition, pharmaceuticals were provided to impoverished patients when they were dismissed from the hospital.
Contributions
SMMC supports a variety of social, educational and civic organizations who share its health care mission. In 2007, the hospital provided support to numerous agencies and organizations, including the Shawnee Mission and Blue Valley School Districts. The Medical Center also supports nearly all metropolitan Chambers of Commerce and economic development organizations.
Health Partnership Clinic of Johnson County
SMMC is one of numerous area hospitals that support the operational budget of the Health Partnership Clinic of Johnson County. SMMC physicians and nurses also volunteer their time and expertise to serve uninsured, low-income patients who do not qualify for Medicaid. In addition to direct budget support, SMMC provided $210,209 in free services for hundreds of patients from the Health Partnership Clinic.
ASK-A-NURSE Resource Center
The trained nurses at the ASK-A-NURSE Resource Center, 913-676-7777, are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Since 1986, the nurse and referral specialists have helped more than two million callers, providing health information, advice for medical concerns, physician referrals and class registrations. In 2009, ASK-A-NURSE responded to 131,121 calls and e-mails from community members.
Community Health Education
SMMC provides a variety of health education opportunities made available through the Center for Women’s Health, Life Dynamics, Parent Education and other health education programs offered by SMMC. Educational programs are presented at SMMC and a variety of locations through the community.
Community Support Programs
The Lee Ann Britain Infant Development Center serves approximately 150 children annually, from birth to age six, who are developmentally disabled. No child is refused service for financial reasons. Spiritual Wellness serves the spiritual needs of our patients and provides programs for the community. The Foundation develops partnerships with other organizations to help meet important community needs; money is raised to help the Medical Center enhance its care to patients. Support groups are provided for those inflicted with cancer, heart disease, or those who’ve lost a child at birth. While these important functions do not provide revenue for Medical Center operations, they impact the community significantly and help SMMC to achieve its fundamental mission of service to society.
SportsCare
Shawnee Mission Medical Center provides the athletic training staff for area high schools during the school year and for summer activities. They also provide coverage for a number of community organizations involved with sports events. The schools served are:
- Bishop Miege
- Shawnee Mission East
- Shawnee Mission North
- Shawnee Mission NW
- Shawnee Mission South
- Shawnee Mission West
- Blue Valley
- Blue Valley North
- Blue Valley NW
- Blue Valley West
SMMC-Supported Community Organizations
Shawnee Mission Medical Center supports a variety of community organizations and events, as well as nearly every Chamber of Commerce in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Chambers of Commerce
Bonner Springs/Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce
DeSoto Chamber of Commerce
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Kansas City, Kansas Chamber of Commerce
Leawood Chamber of Commerce
Lenexa Chamber of Commerce
Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce
Olathe Chamber of Commerce
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Shawnee Chamber of Commerce