Endocrinology and Diabetes
Nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report
Endocrinology and Diabetes
Nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report
The Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Children’s Mercy is one of the largest full-service programs in the country and ranked as one of the nation’s top endocrinology programs by U.S. News and World Report.
Families can receive a wide range of care and support services to help children with endocrine disorders—problems with the body’s hormones and the various glands and tissues that produce them—lead healthy lives today and into adulthood.
Expert endocrinologists and diabetes specialists
At Children’s Mercy, you have access to an established, experienced team of nearly 30 pediatric endocrinologists and 100 staff members who specialize in endocrine disorders and diabetes prevention, treatment and research.
Your family will benefit from our team approach to care and commitment to ongoing research that has earned us national recognition as a leader in caring for children with endocrine and metabolic disorders.
For example, our diabetes program was the first pediatric program in the U.S. to be accredited by the American Diabetes Association. Our pediatric endocrinologists care for around 2,400 children each year with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Girls with Turner Syndrome find both excellent medical care and a supportive community at our Great HeighTS clinic, led by Dr. Joseph Cernich. As part of an international group of experts assembled by the Turner Syndrome Resource Network, Dr. Cernich helped develop care guidelines for doctors around the world to use in treating girls and women with the disorder.
Advancing innovations in pediatric diabetes care
The Rising T1DE Alliance is a Children’s Mercy led-initiative focused on scaling quality improvement efforts and innovation in Type 1 diabetes care. Learn more about their mission, leadership, and accomplishments.
Clinical Services
Our pediatric endocrinologists care for around 2,400 children each year with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes Center provides comprehensive care for children with diabetes as well as support and resources for family members.
The Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Clinic brings together specialists from pediatric endocrinology, nutrition services, and the Weight Management Clinic to help your child prevent Type 2 Diabetes.
The Super Q Express 22Q Clinic provides children and their families' access to a team of expert clinicians who understand the special needs of patients with 22Q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.
Endocrine Disorders in Cancer Survivors Clinic, along with the Survive and Thrive Clinic, provide multidisciplinary medical care for children facing these unique challenges.
Outreach services bring the quality and comprehensive medical care found in the Kansas City facilities to families in neighboring and distant communities. From western Kansas to south central Missouri, our outreach team frequently treated a variety of conditions.
Gynecology/Genetics, Urology, Integrated Development and Endocrine (GUIDE) clinic is a multispecialty team that cares for infants, children, adolescents and young adults with differences of sexual differentiation.
The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Clinic at Children’s Mercy helps girls and teens manage the symptoms of PCOS, including irregular menstrual cycles and elevated levels of androgens (male sex hormones such as testosterone) in the female body.
The Prader-Willi Syndrome Clinic provides multidisciplinary services in a single clinic visit for patients diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).
The Thyroid Nodule and Carcinoma Clinic at Children's Mercy provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer in children.
With more than 70 children currently being followed, Children's Mercy has one of the largest Turner Syndrome programs in the country.
Conditions
- Abnormal weight gain/insulin resistance
- Adrenal abnormalities
- Bone strength and density
- Delayed or advanced pubertal development
- Diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2
- Hyperandrogenism/PCOS
- Pituitary abnormalities
- Short stature/growth failure
- Thyroid abnormalities
Advancing Endocrine and Diabetes Care for All Kids
We are committed to providing the best medical care for children with diabetes and endocrine disorders. Through ongoing clinical research, we are dedicated to discovering and pioneering the latest treatment methods.
Together with the Genomic Medicine Center at Children’s Mercy, we are working to quickly and accurately diagnose pediatric conditions at the genetic level. Our researchers continue to explore the relationship between hormones and genetics to better understand the factors that play a role in children’s growth.
Children's Mercy, in partnership with University of Kansas Medical Center, is also involved in collaborative projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These initiatives are exploring how technology and the principles of family-centered design can improve outcomes for children and their families dealing with type 1 diabetes.
Stories
Hartsfield syndrome and bilateral cleft palate: Hezekiah’s story
One-of-a-kind Hezekiah needs one-of-a-kind complex care, and he receives that care from the Cleft Lip and Palate Program at Children's Mercy Kansas City. Dedicated providers in many departments collaborate to support Hezekiah and his family through reconstructive surgeries and other health challenges.
Type-1 diabetes: Mason's story
A thirsty 2-year-old isn’t likely to arouse concerns – especially during the brutal heat of a Midwestern summer. But Mason Brennan’s mother knew something was amiss when her son’s requests for water became excessive.
Contact the Endocrine and Diabetes Team
Endocrine and Diabetes Clinic: (816) 960-8803
- Option 1: Growth Hormone Team
- Option 2: Diabetes Team
- Option 3: Endocrine Team
Locations
Kansas City metro area
Children’s Mercy Broadway
3101 Broadway, 6th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64111
Children’s Mercy Northland
501 NW Barry Road
Kansas City, MO 64155
Children’s Mercy East
20300 East Valley View Parkway
Independence, MO 64057
Children’s Mercy College Boulevard
5520 College Blvd.
Overland Park, KS 66211
Other locations
Services are also provided at Children’s Mercy locations in Wichita, Joplin, Junction City, and St. Joseph, as well as at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka.
- Endocrinology and Diabetes
- 22q11.2 Clinic
- Childhood Diabetes Center
- Endocrine Disorders in Cancer Survivors
- GUIDE Clinic
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Clinic
- Prader-Willi Syndrome Clinic
- Rising T1DE Alliance
- Thyroid Nodule and Carcinoma Clinic
- Turner Syndrome Clinic
- Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Clinic
- Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship
- Meet the Team