HCA Midwest Health and Kansas City Fire Department announce emergency medical directorship partnership
Kansas City, Mo. — HCA Midwest Health, the area’s largest healthcare provider and part of HCA Healthcare, and the Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) today announced a new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Paramedic Medical Direction partnership with the health system’s Research Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, strengthening pre-hospital emergency care across Kansas City and the region.
Under the partnership, Research Medical Center, the No.1 hospital in Missouri for stroke care and a nationally recognized burn center, will serve as KCFD’s EMS Medical Direction provider, delivering medical oversight of EMS and paramedic protocols as well as on-scene, pre-hospital medical direction for first responders. The collaboration supports clinical decision-making in the field and enhances coordination between pre-hospital care and hospital-based treatment for patients experiencing medical emergencies.
“This new partnership with HCA Midwest Health strengthens our EMS system and reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality, timely pre-hospital care to the citizens of Kansas City,” said KCFD Fire Chief Ross Grundyson. “Their clinical expertise, medical oversight, and collaborative approach support our paramedics and EMTs with evidence-based protocols and real-time medical guidance, helping ensure our community continues to receive advanced and compassionate emergency medical care.”
As a Level I Trauma Center, Research Medical Center brings advanced clinical expertise, 24/7 specialty coverage, and extensive experience in high-acuity, time-sensitive care for a four-state region.
“For decades, Research Medical Center has partnered with the Kansas City Fire Department through training, education, and emergency preparedness, and today marks an important milestone in building upon that strong foundation,” said Research Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Kirk McCarty. “This collaboration brings together two of the region’s leading emergency response and medical providers to support coordinated, high-quality care for patients from the moment emergency services are activated.”
HCA Midwest Health and HCA Healthcare – one of the nation’s largest healthcare providers – have extensive experience in emergency planning and preparedness, supporting communities through large-scale events, severe weather, public health emergencies, and other crises. Multiple HCA markets across the country will serve as host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Leveraging this experience, best practices and insights nationally provides a unique opportunity for both organizations, all for the health, safety and betterment of teams, thousands of international fans, and the region.
“Large-scale events highlight the importance of preparation, coordination, and clinical readiness,” said HCA Midwest Health Emergency Medicine Specialist Calloway Pichette, MD. “This partnership allows our teams to align protocols, training, and real-time medical direction with the Kansas City Fire Department, ensuring we are prepared to deliver coordinated, high-quality care – whether for a major international event or the everyday emergencies our community faces.”
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation –ensuring patients receive high-quality, compassionate care from the moment emergency services are activated through hospital treatment and recovery.