Through the decades
Liberty Hospital has reached a new milestone! 2024 marks our 50th year, and we couldn’t be prouder – or more thankful – to serve this community. We see this anniversary as a chance to celebrate our achievements while looking forward to so many exciting things ahead. We also see it as a time to honor all those in the Liberty Hospital family who have played a role in bringing us to where we are today.
1970s
1970
- New Liberty Hospital District forms. In May, residents approve a $2 million bond issue for hospital construction. Newly named Liberty Hospital District Directors are: Russell Stocksdale, president; Robert DeMasters, vice president; Bill Adams, clerk; Bruce Heavner, attorney for the board; Charles Gillespie; Dr. H.I. Hester; Vincent Rigby; and Robert Lincoln.
1972
- Community leaders break ground Dec. 9 on a 30-acre site located near Interstate 35. Hallmark donated 15 acres and the other 15 were purchased.
1974
- 101,000-square-foot, 130-bed Liberty Hospital opens at a cost of $6 million—three months ahead of schedule. A crowd estimated at 3,000 attends dedication and open house on Feb. 3. Sen. Stuart Symington presides over the ceremony. The first patient is accepted Feb. 17. During that first week, 96 patients are admitted. Hospital opens with 47 beds in operation and 83 in reserve. The hospital has 175 employees and 39 physicians.
1978
- 14,547 square feet of space added with construction completed in June. Cost: $732,843. The new addition is utilized for surgery, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, radiology, laboratories, business office and storage.
1980s
1982
- Breast Diagnostic Center opens, one of the first self-referral centers of its kind in the country and one of only few in the area accredited by the American College of Radiology.
1984
- East wing opens at a cost of $10.4 million. The 109,000-square-foot addition virtually doubles the size of the hospital. Included are new surgical and medical intensive care units, and seven-bed progressive care unit; outpatient surgical suite and expanded waiting area; and preoperative holding room.
1986
- Education Center opens at a cost of $498,623. The center contains five meeting rooms and auditorium with seating for more than 100.
1987
- Twelve-room emergency department with ambulance garage completed at a cost of approximately $1.6 million.
1989
- Obstetrics unit opens at a cost of $486,904. The facility provides labor-delivery-recovery birthing suites, in-unit surgical suite, level 2 nursery and well-baby nursery.
1990s
1990
- Outpatient special procedures unit opens at a cost of $976,286.
1994
- Emergency Department expansion is completed. The addition includes a three-room triage area, expanded reception area, ENT rooms and radiology trauma room. Hospital opens cardiac cath lab.
1996
- Angiography suite opens in February for expanded cardiac caths and other vascular procedures. One-mile walking trail paved and open to public.
1997
- Outpatient special procedures, central supply and the surgery department are modernized—including the recovery area and the addition of one surgical suite. The overall project involves 22,302 square feet of new construction and 20,898 square feet of renovated space at a total project cost of approximately $7.2 million.
1998
- Installation of the new state-of-the-art MRI unit is completed in June.
1999
- The Doctors Building opens in June. The 80,000-square-foot, four-story building houses more than 100 physicians, as well as some hospital services.
2000s
2001
- Dedicated cardiac cath lab with admitting, preparation and recovery area is completed. A 20-bed intensive care unit and renovation of the emergency department is completed at a cost of $12.5 million.
2004
- The South Tower opens in March with a 19-bed telemetry unit with all private rooms.
2005
- The TreeHouse—a home away from home for patients and family—welcomes its first guests. Medical Plaza East, an 84,000-sqare-foot building with a 525-space attached parking garage, opens at a cost of $25 million. The obstetrics unit relocates to the new Birthing Center featuring state-of-the-art amenities, 24 private rooms and a second C-section room.
2007
- Two floors are added to the South Tower. The expansion adds 40 more beds to the hospital. Two West is remodeled and opens with 10 new rooms, increasing the hospital’s number of licensed beds to 245. The Pain Management Center opens in Medical Plaza East.
2008
- In December, Liberty Hospital completes a $13 million expansion. The 30,000-square-foot expansion includes a sixth and seventh floor on the hospital’s South Tower. The hospital also adds licensed beds to the facility, bringing the new total to 250.
2009
- The hospital opens its Heart & Vascular Center, a $15.1 million expansion that features 42,000 square feet of space and includes two additional open-heart surgery suites, one additional cath lab, new receiving docks, extra storage and additional space for future growth. On November 17, 2009, Michael Gorton, MD, performs the hospital’s first open-heart surgery.
- The hospital purchases three physician practices: The Liberty Clinic, Liberty Cardiovascular Specialists and Liberty Cardiothoracic Surgeons.
2010s
2010
- In November, Liberty Hospital brings innovative therapies to our patients and the community by initiating its first clinical trial. The hospital also celebrates its 100th open-heart surgery.
- In December, Liberty Hospital completes construction on the Liberty Cancer Center. The new center, located on the ground floor of Medical Plaza East, has 10 private infusion bays, three exam rooms, two treatment rooms and a large waiting area.
2011
- In April, Joseph Crossett, Liberty Hospital administrator, retires after 35 years of service to the organization.
- In July, the hospital breaks ground on the new Liberty Clinic. The new clinic is located on the northeast side of The TreeHouse, and offers 25,000 square feet of space, 39 exam rooms, a large lab and a diagnostic area.
- In August, David Feess is named president and CEO of Liberty Hospital by the board of trustees.
- In September, the hospital upgrades its robotic da Vinci Surgical System. The hospital already performs hundreds of urology and gynecology procedures with the robot and, with the new system, expands into even more surgical areas, including general surgery, cardiology and otolaryngology.
- In November, the Liberty Hospital Wound Clinic moves to 550 Rush Creek Parkway, Suite B, in Liberty. The clinic offers nine private exam rooms and three procedure rooms.
2012
- The Liberty Clinic opens its new location at 2609 Glenn Hendren Drive. The clinic features 25,000 square feet of space and 39 exam rooms.
- In August, Liberty Hospital acquires The Kearney Clinic, located at 305 S. Platte Clay Way in Kearney. The clinic serves more than 8,000 patients in the Kearney community and surrounding areas.
2013
- The Liberty Hospital board of trustees announces plans to work with two partner firms to build a Healthy Living Community near the hospital campus.
- 1,000th angioplasty is performed in the cardiac cath lab.
2014
- The Kearney Clinic expands services, including the addition of physical therapy.
- The Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center is under construction at 398 Blue Jay Drive in the Liberty Triangle. It will feature both sports medicine and outpatient rehabilitation. It is set to open in summer.
- Women’s Imaging at Liberty Hospital will open in Medical Plaza East. Set for a June opening, the new center will include 3-D mammography and same-day testing for many diagnostics.
2015
- Liberty Hospital Urgent Care Shoal Creek opens in January across from Walmart in KC-Liberty.
- Liberty Hospital Specialty Clinic opens in the Barry Pointe building across from Sam’s Club. Specialties include cardiology, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedics and dermatology/skin cancer.
- Liberty Hospital receives an A grade for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, a national, nonprofit hospital safety watchdog.
- The Surgeons Clinic at Liberty Hospital opens in the Doctors Building.
- Liberty Hospital becomes the first in the region—and only the second in the state—to offer MAKOplasty, a procedure that uses a robotic arm to help perform partial-knee and hip replacements.
- The new main lobby entrance opens in December. Also opening are The Gift Shop, Patient Registration and 3 East. Phase 2 of construction, including surgery waiting, and the former entrance area continues through spring 2016.
2016
- The Excelsior Springs Clinic moves into its new 6,500-square-foot facility at the corner of Highway 69 and McCleary Road.
- Liberty Hospital partners with Liberty Parks and Recreation to expand The Big Bunny Bash spring event/egg hunt on campus.
- Renovations to the surgery waiting area and the former entrance area is completed.
2017
- The first Liberty Hospital Half Marathon/5K took off March 4 with more than 1,200 runners and 200 volunteers.
- The Orthopedic Surgeons Clinic opens in the Doctors Building.
- The Liberty Clinic and Liberty Hospital expanded Trunk or Treat by partnering with Liberty Parents as Teachers to host their big truck event.
2018
- Liberty Hospital Primary Care Shoal Creek opens at the corner of Highway 152 and Shoal Creek Parkway.
- Norterre opens next door to Liberty Hospital in February and is acquired by the hospital later by the end of the year.
- Liberty Hospital notes its 1,000th open-heart surgery in January.
- The Pulmonary & Sleep Clinic, formerly Northland Chest Consultants, opens in the Doctors Building in the fall.
2019
- New partnership established: Liberty Hospital Orthopedics staffed by MU Health Care physicians.
- Liberty Hospital is the first Northland hospital to be state designated in trauma, stroke and heart attack.
2020s
2020
Liberty Hospital receives its first COVID-19 patient in March 2020. Chief Medical Officer Raghu Adiga, MD, becomes a leading expert in the region during the pandemic.
2021
State-of-the-art Breast Care Center opens on the second floor of Medical Plaza East.
2022
David Feess retires after 34 years of service to Liberty Hospital, including 11 as President and CEO. The Board of Trustees select Raghu Adiga, MD, to succeed him.
2023
Dr. Raghu Adiga and the Board of Trustees announce the intent to partner with The University of Kansas Health System.
2024
Liberty Hospital and The University of Kansas Health System Sign Definitive Agreements
Contact: Michelle Manuel
Liberty Hospital Will Join The University of Kansas Health System, Offering Patients Ongoing Seamless Access to High Quality Care Close to Home
The Liberty Hospital Board of Trustees and The University of Kansas Health System announced definitive agreements were signed today for Liberty Hospital and its clinics to join The University of Kansas Health System. Liberty Hospital’s decision to become part of The University of Kansas Health System followed an extensive, transparent and thoughtful process by Liberty Hospital and its elected Board of Trustees to assess and select the best partner for its patients, physicians, employees and the community.
“Today marks a tremendous step in our journey as the premier provider of health and well-being in the Northland. This partnership will ensure the future of Liberty Hospital and our ability to meet the growing healthcare needs of people in the Northland and northwest Missouri,” said Raghu Adiga, MD, president and CEO of Liberty Hospital, “We are excited to bring world-class healthcare to our patients, for our employees to experience the benefits of academic medicine, and for our community to enjoy the economic growth and local opportunities we expect from this partnership. This is truly a special, historic day for us and for those we serve.”
As part of The University of Kansas Health System, Liberty Hospital will expand access to high-quality healthcare for current and future patients in the Northland, including a more seamless experience receiving primary, specialty and subspecialty care.
“As the region’s largest locally headquartered health system, we are committed to ensuring patients and their families in our region have access to the highest quality care close to home,” said Bob Page, president and CEO of The University of Kansas Health System. “As a health system, we put patients first in every decision we make. We believe and have proven when you make quality and service your priorities and have the very best people supported in the best and right ways, great things happen. We are excited to have the leaders, physicians, nurses, other care providers and employees of Liberty Hospital join our health system and look forward to serving even more people in our region and beyond.”
“Today, 35% of health system patients come from Missouri,” said Tammy Peterman, MS, RN, FAAN, president of the health system’s Kansas City Division. “As Liberty and the Northland continue to grow, it is important patients can get the necessary care close to home. This agreement will not only allow us to treat more patients overall, but also offer access to those with the most complex care needs at 39th and Rainbow and other locations.”
Liberty Hospital and The University of Kansas Health System previously announced in November 2023 the organizations had signed a Letter of Intent for Liberty Hospital to join the health system. Since then, leaders from both organizations have conducted due diligence to reach definitive agreements.
“As a life-long Liberty resident, I am excited about the hospital’s future as part of The University of Kansas Health System,” said Dennis Carter, chairman of the Liberty Hospital Board of Trustees. “We appreciate the overwhelming support we have received from providers, employees and the Northland for this partnership, which will ensure people receive the highest quality care close to home.”
“I’m excited about the opportunities to expand access to the highest quality care to more people in the Kansas City area,” said Robba Moran, chair of The University of Kansas Hospital Authority Board. “The care provided by The University of Kansas Health System is unmatched in this region, and the ability to continue to grow access to this care with organizations like Liberty Hospital is part of our mission.”
Key parts of the agreements include:
- Retention of Liberty Hospital employees
- Retention of employed Liberty Hospital physicians and maintenance of open medical staff for many services
- Extension of The University of Kansas Health System’s highly specialized and subspecialized care to the Liberty Hospital service area and beyond as needed, including The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- Significant investments over time by The University of Kansas Health System in and enhancements to current Liberty Hospital services, facilities, infrastructure and technology through continued and expanded local operations
- Support for Liberty Hospital’s pursuit of Magnet designation, the nation’s most respected designation for nursing and operational excellence
- Liberty Hospital-based leadership focused on patient, staff and community needs and opportunities for growth to meet those needs, as part of the health system
- Community input, reflected in a new 11-member Advisory Committee, six of whom will represent the Liberty community
- Pursuit of expanded physician and provider recruitment at Liberty Hospital
- The Liberty Hospital Foundation will remain a separate entity
- Branding will evolve to include Liberty Hospital in the overall branding structure of The University of Kansas Health System, with the name “Liberty Hospital” included in future naming for the current facilities.
Nothing changes today for patients, physicians, employees or the community. Liberty Hospital and The University of Kansas Health System will continue planning for the closing of the deal, which is anticipated on July 1, 2024, and integration.
About Liberty Hospital
Now in its 50th year of serving the health and well-being of the community, Liberty Hospital has more than 2,000 employees and 330 physicians who deliver compassionate, high-quality care using state-of-the-art technology. Liberty Hospital’s expansion in recent years includes 15 primary and specialty care clinics. The hospital holds the unique distinction of being the only hospital in the Northland to receive Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation and is only one of four hospitals in the state to attain this accreditation in addition to Level II Time Critical Diagnosis in trauma, stroke and heart attack. Liberty Hospital is a public hospital and is a political subdivision district hospital under Chapter 206 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.
About The University of Kansas Health System
The University of Kansas Health System is the region’s premier academic health system, providing a full range of care. It includes The University of Kansas Physicians, the region’s largest multispecialty physician group. The health system is affiliated with the University of Kansas Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions and their leading-edge research projects. In the Kansas City metro area, the health system offers more than 140 hospital and clinic locations, including its flagship hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, a hospital at Indian Creek Campus in Overland Park, hospitals in Olathe and Miami County, and two mental and behavioral health hospitals in the Kansas City area. The health system in Kansas City has received Magnet nursing designation four times in a row for the highest level of care and has ranked every year since 2007 on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals lists (best in Kansas and Kansas City). It provides the region’s most experienced, nationally verified burn center and Level I Trauma Center, as well as a leading transplant program in liver, pancreas, kidney, heart, and blood and marrow. The cancer program is part of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, one of 57 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers. In addition to Kansas City metro locations, the health system has locations in Great Bend, Topeka and elsewhere. It receives no state or local appropriations, instead relying on operating revenue, bonding authority and philanthropy.