Children's Mercy Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Children's Mercy has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, technology, information systems, operations, medical oversight, administration, finance, human resources, and regional management.

Committed to pediatric excellence, Children's Mercy advances child health outcomes through integrated clinical care, translational research, and compassionate family-focused medical services across the Midwest.

Leadership Roles at Children's Mercy

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Alejandro Quiroga
  • Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP - Jim Simaras
  • Chief Operating Officer - Jo Stueve
  • President, Regional Operations - Amy Fallon
  • Chief Technology Officer - Shohab Baig
  • Chief Information Officer - Richard Hammond
  • Medical Director and Chief of Staff - Fred Burry
  • Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer - Dawn Strickler
  • Chief of Staff & Vice President - Kristin Littrell
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer - Thomas Wright
  • Alejandro Quiroga - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Alejandro Quiroga, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Children's Mercy, directs the overarching strategic vision for this non-profit pediatric health system. Overseeing the integration of clinical care with the Children's Mercy Research Institute, Quiroga ensures that evidence-based medicine remains the cornerstone of all hospital operations. This leadership role involves coordinating with the Board to expand pediatric specialties and medical education initiatives across Missouri and Kansas. By prioritizing family-focused care, the President & Chief Executive Officer drives organizational growth and improves long-term child health outcomes. Alejandro Quiroga maintains a focus on translational research and innovation to secure the future of pediatric healthcare. Through consistent engagement with community stakeholders, Quiroga strengthens the regional impact of the health system. Ultimately, the President & Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of excellence that defines the standard for pediatric medical services within the United States.
    Alejandro Quiroga

    Jim Simaras - Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP

    Jim Simaras, the Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP at Children's Mercy, directs the financial strategy and fiscal health of the pediatric system. Managing the allocation of resources, Simaras ensures that the organization maintains the capital necessary to support advanced medical research and clinical operations. This role involves overseeing budgeting, financial planning, and revenue cycle management to sustain the long-term viability of the health system. By optimizing financial performance, the Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP enables the expansion of specialty clinics and the acquisition of cutting-edge medical technology. Jim Simaras collaborates with the executive team to align fiscal goals with the mission of providing compassionate care to all patients. Through the rigorous oversight of financial reporting and compliance, Simaras supports the stability of the organization. The Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP drives initiatives that maximize the impact of every dollar spent on improving child health outcomes.
    Jim Simaras

    Jo Stueve - Chief Operating Officer

    Jo Stueve, the Chief Operating Officer at Children's Mercy, executes the daily operational strategies that sustain high-quality pediatric medical services. Managing the logistical requirements of hospitals and specialty clinics, Stueve ensures that clinical environments remain optimized for patient safety and family-focused care. This role involves coordinating resource distribution and staffing models to meet the demands of diverse pediatric specialties. By refining operational workflows, the Chief Operating Officer enhances the efficiency of medical education and research integration. Jo Stueve collaborates with the executive team to scale services across Missouri and Kansas, ensuring consistent care standards. Through the oversight of facility management and clinical support services, Stueve directly impacts the ability of the health system to serve the community. The Chief Operating Officer maintains a focus on operational excellence to support the mission of improving child health outcomes through evidence-based medicine and compassionate outreach.

    Amy Fallon - President, Regional Operations

    Amy Fallon, the President, Regional Operations at Children's Mercy, oversees the expansion and management of medical services across the Missouri and Kansas regions. Directing the performance of specialty clinics, Fallon ensures that the health system provides consistent, high-quality care to diverse communities. This role involves coordinating regional outreach efforts to improve access to pediatric medical services. By optimizing the operational footprint, the President, Regional Operations enhances the reach of the organization's evidence-based medicine and research initiatives. Amy Fallon collaborates with local leadership to address the specific health needs of the populations served in each region. Through the management of regional assets, Fallon supports the broader mission of improving child health outcomes. The President, Regional Operations maintains a focus on operational scalability and community engagement to ensure that the health system remains a leader in pediatric care throughout the Midwest.
    Amy Fallon

    Shohab Baig - Chief Technology Officer

    Shohab Baig, the Chief Technology Officer at Children's Mercy, architects the digital infrastructure necessary to support advanced pediatric medical care. Managing the deployment of innovative health technologies, Baig ensures that clinical teams possess the tools required for precise diagnostics and patient monitoring. This role involves aligning technological investments with the research goals of the Children's Mercy Research Institute to facilitate data-driven medical breakthroughs. By optimizing digital platforms, the Chief Technology Officer enhances operational efficiency across all specialty clinics. Shohab Baig collaborates with executive leadership to integrate emerging software solutions that improve the delivery of compassionate care. Through the implementation of scalable systems, Baig supports the broader mission of improving child health outcomes. The Chief Technology Officer maintains a focus on cybersecurity and data integrity to protect sensitive patient information while enabling seamless communication between medical departments throughout the regional network.

    Richard Hammond - Chief Information Officer

    Richard Hammond, the Chief Information Officer at Children's Mercy, manages the complex data ecosystems that underpin pediatric healthcare delivery. Overseeing the enterprise-wide information architecture, Hammond ensures that clinical staff access critical patient records and research data with maximum reliability. This leadership position involves streamlining information flow between hospitals and specialty clinics to support evidence-based medical practices. By modernizing data management protocols, the Chief Information Officer facilitates the translational research efforts conducted at the Children's Mercy Research Institute. Richard Hammond works closely with other C-suite leaders to align information technology strategies with the long-term goals of the health system. Through the rigorous maintenance of digital health records, Hammond improves the quality of care provided to infants, children, and adolescents. The Chief Information Officer drives the adoption of advanced analytics to monitor health outcomes and optimize resource allocation across the entire organization.

    Fred Burry - Medical Director and Chief of Staff

    Fred Burry, the Medical Director and Chief of Staff at Children's Mercy, governs the clinical standards and professional conduct of the medical staff. Overseeing the quality of pediatric care, Burry ensures that all practitioners adhere to the evidence-based protocols established by the health system. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between the medical staff and the executive leadership to align clinical practices with organizational goals. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, the Medical Director and Chief of Staff supports the training of future pediatric healthcare professionals. Fred Burry works to integrate research findings from the Children's Mercy Research Institute into daily clinical practice. Through the management of medical staff credentials and performance, Burry maintains the high standards of care expected at this pediatric health system. The Medical Director and Chief of Staff drives initiatives that improve patient outcomes and promote a compassionate, family-centered environment.

    Dawn Strickler - Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer

    Dawn Strickler, the Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer at Children's Mercy, coordinates the administrative functions that support the information technology department. Managing the scheduling and communication workflows for the Chief Information Officer, Strickler ensures that leadership priorities remain organized and actionable. This role involves facilitating interactions between the IT department and other executive functions to maintain alignment with the broader mission of the health system. By streamlining administrative processes, the Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer enables the technical team to focus on critical infrastructure projects. Dawn Strickler handles complex documentation and project tracking to support the implementation of new health technologies. Through the efficient management of executive communications, Strickler contributes to the overall operational success of the information systems division. The Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer maintains a focus on organizational efficiency to support the delivery of high-quality pediatric care.

    Kristin Littrell - Chief of Staff & Vice President

    Kristin Littrell, the Chief of Staff & Vice President at Children's Mercy, manages the strategic alignment of executive initiatives across the health system. Overseeing the coordination of high-level projects, Littrell ensures that the organization remains focused on its mission of delivering compassionate, family-centered care. This role involves bridging the gap between administrative strategy and clinical execution to support the growth of pediatric specialties. By facilitating cross-departmental collaboration, the Chief of Staff & Vice President drives the implementation of evidence-based medicine across all regional facilities. Kristin Littrell works closely with the executive leadership to monitor performance metrics and adjust operational strategies as needed. Through the management of key organizational priorities, Littrell supports the integration of research and clinical training. The Chief of Staff & Vice President maintains a focus on operational cohesion to ensure that the health system continues to improve child health outcomes effectively.

    Thomas Wright - Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Thomas Wright, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Children's Mercy, leads the talent strategy and organizational culture for the health system. Overseeing recruitment, retention, and professional development, Wright ensures that the organization attracts the best pediatric healthcare professionals. This role involves fostering an environment that supports the mission of compassionate, family-focused care through employee engagement and training. By implementing human resources policies that promote diversity and excellence, the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer strengthens the workforce across all hospitals and clinics. Thomas Wright works with the executive leadership to align staffing levels with the operational needs of the pediatric specialties. Through the management of benefits and performance programs, Wright supports the well-being of the staff. The Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer drives initiatives that cultivate a high-performing team dedicated to improving child health outcomes through evidence-based medicine.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Children's Mercy Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Children's Mercy?
    Children's Mercy is led by Alejandro Quiroga (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Jim Simaras (Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP) and Jo Stueve (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Children's Mercy’s executive team?
    The executive team of Children's Mercy includes leaders such as Alejandro Quiroga (President & Chief Executive Officer), Jim Simaras (Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP), Jo Stueve (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Children's Mercy have?
    Children's Mercy has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Children's Mercy’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Children's Mercy includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP, Chief Operating Officer, President, Regional Operations, Chief Technology Officer.