FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FC KANSAS CITY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH RESEARCH MEDICAL CENTER In a city crazy for soccer and elite competitive sports, one of Kansas City’s leading hospitals is the Official Medical Provider of the Blues, KC’s National Women’s Soccer League team. PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan (April 3, 2014) – FC Kansas City announced today a three year partnership with Research Medical Center—part of HCA Midwest Health System, Kansas City’s largest healthcare provider. Research Medical Center will be the Official Medical Provider of the FC KC Blues, bringing a comprehensive healthcare program to the team to encompass its players and staff. Research Medical Center’s sports and wellness program combines primary care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and nurses working in a collaborative nature to keep Kansas City’s athletic community healthy and active. “As a former competitive athlete, I know the importance of staying healthy to keep in the game,” says Jackie DeSouza, FACHE, and Chief Executive Officer of Research Medical Center. “Our relationship with FC Kansas City is an important community endeavor and I’m thrilled we are partnering with the team to help maintain their health so they can be at the top of their game.” Research Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center, offers the community some of the area’s most high-level acute care services to include orthopedic trauma, a regional hand center, the Grossman Burn Center and renowned neurosurgery, stroke, cardiovascular and cancer care by some of the country’s best specialists. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Research Medical Center,” says KC FC President Brian Budzinski. “Jackie DeSouza and her staff operate one of the finest hospitals in the Midwest. Although we hope none of our players will ever have to be treated for an injury, we know that if they do, they’ll get the best possible care in Kansas City.” Research Medical Center will provide FC Kansas City with specialists in nearly all aspects of healthcare throughout the next three seasons. Working closely with the training staff, the hospital will monitor the health of all FC Kansas City players and staff and develop comprehensive strategies to maintain their optimum health. Research Medical Center will also sponsor the FC Kansas City weekly injury reports to fans and media not only for Blues players, but for upcoming opponents as well. Research Medical Center will also become the newest Jersey Sponsor for the team with their logo placed prominently on the front of the team’s uniform in 2014. The FC Kansas City’s uniforms will be revealed to season ticket holders at a special event on Thursday, April 3 at the new home of the Blues, Durwood Stadium on the UMKC Campus. Founded more than 125 years ago, Research Medical Center is an award-winning hospital located in the heart of Kansas City. Research Medical Center is comprised of its main campus, only minutes from FC Kansas City’s home field on Meyer
Blvd., the Research Medical Center Brookside Campus on Rockhill Road and the Research Psychiatric Center, a campus of Research Medical Center on 63rd Street. The hospital is among the only tertiary care centers serving Kansas City proper. For more information, visit researchmedicalcenter.com. For more information on FC Kansas City, visit fckansascity.com. ###
About Research Medical Center Research Medical Center—part of HCA Midwest Health System, Kansas City’s largest healthcare provider—serves patients from a 150-mile region surrounding Kansas City by providing an abundance of services and access to advanced technology. The hospital, located at 2316 East Meyer Boulevard in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the region’s leading acute care hospitals. The 590-bed facility features a broad range of highly specialized, state-of-the-art services. In addition, the 25-acre Research Brookside Campus, located at 6601 Rockhill Road in Kansas City, Mo., includes outpatient facilities, medical office buildings, and a comprehensive health and fitness center. Research Medical Center also serves the behavioral health community including the 100bed Research Psychiatric Center located at 63rd street off 71 Highway. Research Medical Center has received the Get With The Guidelines Coronary Artery Disease- Gold; the Get With the Guidelines Heart Failure-Gold Plus; and the Get With the Guidelines Stroke-Gold Plus Performance Achievement Awards from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. The National Accreditation Program accredits the Breast Center of Research Medical Center for Breast Centers (NAPBC), which is administered by the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. For more information on Research Medical Center, go to researchmedicalcenter.com and researchbrookside.com. About HCA Midwest Health System HCA Midwest Health System is the Kansas City area’s largest healthcare provider consisting of seven hospitals, outpatient centers, clinics, physician practices, surgery centers and an array of other services to meet the healthcare needs of the greater Kansas City area. HCA Midwest Health System is also the area’s largest private sector employer with more than 9,000 employees, the largest provider of charity and uncompensated care, and annually donates more than $1.2 million to local charities. Since April 2003, HCA Midwest Health System has invested more than $845 million to enhance and expand patient services and has paid more than $216 million in taxes to local communities. HCA Midwest Health System facilities serving the Kansas City area include Allen County Regional Hospital, Belton Regional Medical Center, Cass Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Lafayette Regional Health Center, Lee's Summit Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Research Medical Center and Research Psychiatric Center. Midwest Physicians, which is part of HCA Midwest Health System, is a network of experienced, multi-specialty physicians located throughout the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Midwest Physicians currently represents 346 physicians, including 142 primary care providers and 199 specialists with 80 physician practices providing care in 145 locations to serve the community. The physicians, licensed professionals and support staff who comprise the HCA Midwest Health System team are dedicated to improving healthcare in the Greater Kansas City and outlying areas. For more information, visit hcamidwest.com. About FC Kansas City FC Kansas City is a women's professional soccer team competing in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The Blues Inaugural season saw them set numerous NWSL records and sweep all six individual post-season awards. For more information or media inquiries, call Jeff Husted at (913)-742-7050 x7208) or email jhusted@kcprosoccer.com.