Children’s Mercy Kansas City has announced the appointment of Dr. Alejandro Quiroga as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2, 2025. Dr. Quiroga succeeds current President and CEO Paul Kempinski, who announced his retirement in May. Kempinski will remain through January 2025 to ensure a seamless leadership transition.
Dr. Quiroga joins Children’s Mercy from Corewell Health West in Michigan, where he served as president, overseeing a $4.2 billion integrated health system comprising 10 hospitals, including the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Corewell Health West is also the largest teaching hospital for Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, with a combined medical staff of 4,000 providers and 38 medical residencies and fellowship programs.
“It has been an honor to serve as president & CEO of one of the finest children’s health systems in the country,” Kempinski stated of the 127-year-old health system. “Dr. Quiroga is the right leader to take Children’s Mercy into its next chapter of growth.”
Why This Matters
Dr. Quiroga’s appointment follows an extensive national search. Diane Gallagher, Board Chair of Children’s Mercy, praised Quiroga’s leadership:
“We knew Dr. Quiroga was the ideal choice for Children’s Mercy. He stood out for his impressive experience leading a growing hospital system with humility, innovation, and a deep passion for caring for children.”
A pediatric nephrologist by training, Dr. Quiroga brings a strong research mindset to Children’s Mercy. Prior to his presidency at Corewell Health West, he held multiple leadership positions, including Chief Medical Officer for Ambulatory and Population Health.
Dr. Quiroga earned his Doctor of Medicine from Universidad Del Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia, and completed clinical clerkships in neurology and pediatric oncology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Reflecting on his new role, he stated:
“This is a dream come true! I am truly honored to join this amazing team at Children’s Mercy. I have watched Children’s Mercy from afar and have been inspired by the excellence in pediatric clinical care and groundbreaking research.”
The Larger Trend
Paul Kempinski leaves behind a legacy of leadership, having guided Children’s Mercy through significant milestones, including:
- Launching Illuminate, a program addressing the children’s mental health crisis.
- Opening the Children’s Mercy Research Institute.
- Steering the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Dr. Quiroga at the helm, Children’s Mercy is poised to build upon its foundation of excellence, innovation, and compassionate pediatric care.
