Research Medical Center is a 590-bed

hospital A hospital is a healthcare institution providing patient treatment with specialized Medical Science, health science and auxiliary healthcare staff and medical equipment. The best-known type of hospital is the general hospital, which typically ...

located in

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, abbreviated KC or KCMO, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri by List of cities in Missouri, population and area. The city lies within Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson, Clay County, Missouri, Clay, and Pl ...

at 2316 East Meyer Boulevard. It is part of the HCA Midwest Division. Research Medical Center's satellite campus, Research Medical Center-Brookside Campus, is less than away.

History

German Hospital was originally established in 1886 in a brick farmhouse near present-day East 23rd Street and Holmes Street. A new hospital building was built at the same location in 1911 and was renamed Research Hospital in 1918. On August 11, 1963, Research Medical Center opened at its present-day location at Meyer Boulevard and Prospect Avenue. On December 5, 1972, former President

Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. As the 34th vice president in 1945, he assumed the presidency upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt that year. Subsequen ...

was admitted to Kansas City's Research Hospital and Medical Center with lung congestion from

pneumonia Pneumonia is an Inflammation, inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as Pulmonary alveolus, alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of Cough#Classification, productive or dry cough, ches ...

. He developed multiple organ failure and died three weeks later at 7:50 am on December 26 at the age of 88. In 1985, Research Medical Center opened the Research Psychiatric Center, a 100 bed in-patient psychiatric facility on the campus of the main hospital. In 2003, Research Medical Center was purchased by HCA Healthcare.

Research College of Nursing

Research Medical Center is affiliated with and shares a campus with Research College of Nursing. The school was originally established as the German Hospital Training School in June 1905 and graduated its first class in 1909. The college entered into a partnership with Rockhurst University in 1979; however, it was announced in 2018 that Research College of Nursing would once again become independent. As of 2022, the college had over 500 students attending and offers both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a

Master of Science in Nursing A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is an advanced-level postgraduate degree for registered nurses and is considered an entry-level degree for nurse educators and managers. The degree may also prepare a nurse to seek a career as a nurse adminis ...

, as well as post-Masters certificates.

Controversies

Removal of same-sex partner from hospital room

In April 2013, this hospital was in the national news when its security staff removed Roger Gorley from the room of his hospitalized same-sex partner of 5 years. Despite Gorley having status as his partner's

power of attorney A power of attorney (POA) or letter of attorney is a written authorization to represent or act on another's behalf in private affairs (which may be financial or regarding health and welfare), business, or some other legal matter. The person auth ...

, he was handcuffed and forcibly removed from the hospital due to disruptive behavior and interference with medical care. Gorley claimed that this was done at the behest of his partner's brother, due to anti-homosexual discrimination. Later news articles reported that both Gorley and the patient's brother had been removed from the bedside at the same time, due to what a hospital statement referred to as "disruptive and belligerent behavior." The hospital made additional statements, saying in part, "This visitor created a barrier for us to care for the patient. Attempts were made to deescalate the situation. Unfortunately, we had no choice but to involve security and the Kansas City MO Police Department."

References

Hospitals in Kansas City, Missouri Buildings and structures in Kansas City, Missouri HCA Healthcare Harry S. Truman {{Missouri-hospital-stub