Children's Mercy Executive and Leadership Team

Robert Finuf, the Chief Executive Officer at Children's Mercy, directs the overarching strategic vision for the pediatric health system. Finuf oversees the integration of clinical care with research initiatives to ensure high-quality medical outcomes for infants, children, and adolescents across the Midwest. By aligning organizational goals with the mission of family-focused care, the Chief Executive Officer drives operational excellence across all hospitals and specialty clinics. Robert Finuf maintains strong relationships with the Board to support long-term growth and community outreach programs. This leadership role involves managing complex healthcare environments to improve child health outcomes through evidence-based medicine. Finuf prioritizes the expansion of medical education and translational research to maintain the institution's national recognition. Through consistent focus on innovation, the Chief Executive Officer secures the financial and operational health of the entire system, ensuring that every patient receives compassionate, specialized treatment.

Alejandro Quiroga, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Children's Mercy, architects the strategic roadmap for the organization's clinical and administrative functions. Quiroga manages the delivery of comprehensive pediatric services, ensuring that all medical facilities adhere to the highest standards of care. Alejandro Quiroga drives the integration of the Children's Mercy Research Institute into daily clinical practice, fostering an environment of continuous learning and medical advancement. The President & Chief Executive Officer coordinates with executive leadership to optimize resource allocation across Missouri and Kansas. By focusing on translational research and community health initiatives, Quiroga enhances the system's ability to address complex pediatric conditions. This role involves navigating the evolving healthcare landscape to sustain growth and improve patient access. Through rigorous oversight of clinical operations, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that the organization remains a leader in pediatric healthcare, consistently delivering evidence-based solutions to families.

Jim Simaras, the Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP at Children's Mercy, directs the financial strategy and fiscal health of the pediatric health system. Simaras oversees budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation to support clinical care and research initiatives. Jim Simaras architects financial models that ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization's hospitals and specialty clinics. By managing capital investments and operational expenses, the Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP supports the expansion of medical services and community outreach programs. This leadership role involves collaborating with the executive team to align financial resources with the mission of delivering compassionate, evidence-based medicine. Simaras drives the development of financial policies that promote transparency and accountability. Through rigorous financial oversight, the Chief Financial Officer & Senior VP ensures that the health system possesses the necessary resources to provide advanced pediatric care, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes for children across the region.

Jo Stueve, the Chief Operating Officer at Children's Mercy, directs the daily operational activities of the pediatric health system to ensure high-quality service delivery. Stueve oversees the management of hospitals and specialty clinics, focusing on streamlining workflows and optimizing resource utilization. Jo Stueve architects operational strategies that support the integration of clinical care with community outreach programs. By monitoring performance metrics and operational efficiency, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the organization meets its goals for patient care and safety. This leadership role involves collaborating with department heads to resolve logistical challenges and improve the patient experience. Stueve drives initiatives that enhance the capacity of the health system to serve infants, children, and adolescents across the region. Through the effective management of daily operations, the Chief Operating Officer supports the overall mission of delivering compassionate, evidence-based medicine while maintaining the financial sustainability of the entire pediatric network.

Shohab Baig, the Chief Technology Officer at Children's Mercy, directs the development and implementation of advanced digital solutions to support pediatric clinical care. Baig oversees the deployment of innovative technologies that enhance research capabilities within the Children's Mercy Research Institute. Shohab Baig architects scalable infrastructure to ensure that medical professionals have access to real-time data and diagnostic tools. By integrating cutting-edge software into the hospital environment, the Chief Technology Officer improves operational efficiency and patient safety. This leadership role involves collaborating with clinical teams to identify technological gaps and implement solutions that support evidence-based medicine. Baig manages the digital transformation of the health system, ensuring that all systems remain secure and compliant with healthcare regulations. Through the strategic application of technology, the Chief Technology Officer drives the organization's mission to provide superior care, ultimately supporting the health and well-being of children across the regional network.

Richard Hammond, the Chief Information Officer at Children's Mercy, manages the enterprise-wide data architecture and information systems that underpin all clinical and administrative operations. Hammond oversees the security, integrity, and accessibility of patient health records across all hospitals and specialty clinics. Richard Hammond architects robust data strategies that facilitate translational research and medical education within the organization. By ensuring seamless connectivity between departments, the Chief Information Officer supports the delivery of family-focused care. This role involves coordinating with other C-suite leaders to align information technology investments with the broader mission of improving child health outcomes. Hammond drives the implementation of advanced analytics to monitor clinical performance and operational efficiency. Through the management of complex information networks, the Chief Information Officer ensures that the health system remains at the forefront of pediatric medicine, providing reliable and secure data access to support life-saving medical decisions.

Fred Burry, the Medical Director and Chief of Staff at Children's Mercy, oversees the clinical standards and professional conduct of the medical staff. Burry directs the implementation of evidence-based medicine protocols across all pediatric specialties. Fred Burry architects programs for medical education and training, ensuring that future pediatric healthcare professionals receive high-quality instruction. By coordinating with clinical department heads, the Medical Director and Chief of Staff ensures that patient care remains consistent with the organization's mission of compassion and excellence. This leadership role involves managing physician relations and ensuring that clinical practices align with the latest research findings from the Children's Mercy Research Institute. Burry drives quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and safety. Through the oversight of medical staff, the Medical Director and Chief of Staff maintains the high standards of care that define the health system, ensuring that every child receives specialized, expert treatment.

Dawn Strickler, the Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer at Children's Mercy, manages the administrative functions and communication flow for the information technology department. Strickler oversees the scheduling, documentation, and coordination of key projects that support the organization's digital infrastructure. Dawn Strickler architects efficient administrative processes that allow the Chief Information Officer to focus on strategic technology initiatives. By facilitating communication between the IT department and other executive functions, the Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer ensures that organizational goals remain aligned. This role involves managing sensitive information and supporting the operational needs of the technology team. Strickler drives the organization of meetings and projects that contribute to the successful implementation of health information systems. Through meticulous administrative support, the Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer enables the technology leadership to maintain focus on providing secure and reliable systems that support the delivery of pediatric care.

Kristin Littrell, the Chief of Staff & Vice President at Children's Mercy, directs the strategic alignment of executive initiatives and organizational priorities. Littrell oversees the coordination of cross-functional projects that support the mission of providing comprehensive pediatric care. Kristin Littrell architects communication strategies that ensure the leadership team remains focused on key objectives, including research and community outreach. By managing the flow of information between the executive office and various departments, the Chief of Staff & Vice President facilitates efficient decision-making. This role involves supporting the President & Chief Executive Officer in executing the long-term vision for the health system. Littrell drives the implementation of organizational policies that enhance operational effectiveness. Through the management of executive workflows, the Chief of Staff & Vice President ensures that the organization remains responsive to the needs of patients and families, maintaining the high standards of care that define the institution.

Debbie Schwartzkopf, the Interim Chief Administrative Officer & Vice President at Children's Mercy, directs the administrative functions that support the organization's clinical and research operations. Schwartzkopf oversees the management of internal processes, human resources, and facility operations to ensure a productive environment for staff. Debbie Schwartzkopf architects administrative strategies that enhance the efficiency of the health system's daily activities. By coordinating with other executive leaders, the Interim Chief Administrative Officer & Vice President ensures that administrative support aligns with the mission of providing family-focused care. This role involves managing organizational change and supporting the implementation of new policies that improve operational performance. Schwartzkopf drives initiatives that foster a culture of excellence and compassion within the workplace. Through the effective management of administrative systems, the Interim Chief Administrative Officer & Vice President ensures that the organization remains well-positioned to deliver high-quality pediatric healthcare to the community.