Children’s Miracle Network at KU Medical Center

Dr. Mitchell Douglass: A Kansas City Leader in Pediatric Mental Health Care

Dr. Mitchell Douglass’s path to medicine was anything but conventional—but it’s precisely that journey that shaped him into the compassionate, insightful physician he is today.

A Kansas City native, he graduated from the University of Rochester in 2004 with a major in Chinese Art History. Originally on the academic track to earn a PhD, he spent two years living in Malin, China. But during that time, he realized something important: while he loved the subject, he missed human connection. He found the solitude of art history isolating and realized he wanted to work with people and help make a difference in their lives.

Dr. Douglass decided to shift paths, heading to medical school with the belief that “it’s much easier to become a physician with an art history degree than the other way around.” He took that belief and the desire to treat the whole child, addressing both physical health and emotional development.

Pursuing that mission, he entered the University of Kentucky's prestigious Triple Board Program—an intensive and highly selective track that combines training in pediatrics, adult psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry. By 2009, he had completed the program, becoming board eligible in all three specialties.

Upon returning to Kansas City, Dr. Douglass became Medical Director at the Wyandot Center, helping expand access to community-based mental health services. In 2015, he joined the University of Kansas Health System’s Department of Psychiatry as Medical Director of Marillac, the region’s inpatient child psychiatry hospital. Over the past decade, Marillac has seen tremendous growth under his leadership. The facility expanded its bed capacity and developed Insights, a specialized unit focused on suicide prevention—a vital resource as youth mental health needs continue to rise nationwide.

Despite his demanding roles, Dr. Douglass continues to weave his background in art history into his medical teaching. Each year, he takes child psychiatry fellows to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. There, he uses art to teach clinical observation skills—drawing a parallel between how one examines a piece of art and how a clinician approaches a patient. He illustrates the importance of taking in the full picture first instead of focusing on one detail and drawing conclusions from there. A powerful skill to help young doctors understand patients holistically before drawing diagnostic conclusions.

Colleagues describe him as “an incredibly kind and hardworking physician” who wears “about 98,734,287 hats”—and somehow manages to juggle them all with grace and a smile. He’s known for his calm presence and genuine concern for every child who walks through the doors at Marillac. One colleague shared, “Whether he’s directly treating a patient or simply offering support, Dr. Douglass brings reassurance and empathy that families remember long after they leave.”

He is also a strong advocate for the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), recognizing its vital role in supporting both patients and frontline medical teams. What he appreciates most about CMN is its ability to meet needs in real time—to solve the small problems that can make a big difference in care outcomes.

Dr. Douglass is passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health—especially in pediatrics. When speaking with parents, he often draws a parallel to physical health. If a child has a persistent physical condition, parents seek care. The same should apply to behavior and emotions. Early intervention sets children on the path to thrive as adults.

From his unique beginnings as an art historian to his current role as a trusted leader in child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Mitchell Douglass exemplifies compassion, dedication, and forward-thinking care. His work continues to shape the lives of children and families across Kansas City—and beyond.

Fundraising Corner:

Walmart & Sam’s Club Spark Good for CMN!

Each summer, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates across the region come together with a shared mission: to Help Kids Live Better. Though the official campaign spans just 28 days, the dedication behind it stretches far beyond. Associates pour their energy into planning creative and engaging fundraising activities, all in support of families receiving care at KU Medical Center. This year was no exception—locations pulled out all the stops with car shows, crazy costumes, fun contests, rubber duck sales and even rock, paper scissors competitions, transforming their stores into hubs of generosity and community spirit.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of associates at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Walmart Neighborhood Market, and Walmart Transportation & Distribution Centers, customers and associates had countless opportunities to give back throughout the campaign. Whether buying a duck, entering a contest, or simply rounding up at the register, every contribution made a difference. A heartfelt thank you goes out to every associate who made this campaign a success—your passion and commitment are helping make 2025 a record-breaking year!

Ollie’s Bargain Outlets Raise $3,875 for KU Medical Center!

Many thanks to Ollie’s Bargain Outlets for their incredible support in raising $3,875 for KU Medical Center. We’re proud to partner with three fantastic locations in North Kansas City, Overland Park, and Independence—and we’re excited to welcome the brand-new Sedalia location to the CMN family! Thank you, Ollie’s, for being such a valued partner in our mission!

PGA Tour Superstore’s June Fundraising Campaign was Par-fect!

We’re excited to share that PGA TOUR Superstore raised $5,598 during their first-ever Children’s Miracle Network campaign—a fantastic achievement thanks to the dedication of employees and the generosity of customers! Thank you for making this campaign a true hole-in-one for local kids!

A Summer of Sweet Surprises

This summer was extra sweet at the hospital, thanks to some generous local ice cream shops who helped us spread a little joy. Our friends and partners at Dairy Queen provided Blizzard Treats not once, but twice—during Fourth of July week and again for Miracle Treat Day week—bringing smiles to pediatric patients and the amazing staff who care for them. Culver’s also stopped by to treat kids in our Proton Therapy department to a frozen custard sundae bar! These small moments made a big impact in helping kids feel like kids while they are in the hospital, and we’re so grateful to DQ North Oak, DQ Bonner Springs, DQ Warrensburg, and Culver’s for making it all happen. Here’s to the sweetest summer and even sweeter community support!

Kansas City Extra Life Reaches $1M in Fundraising for KU Medical Center

We’re thrilled to share that Extra Life Kansas City has officially raised over $1 million in support of KU Medical Center!

Since 2010, this program has united gamers of all kinds to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. What began as a grassroots effort has become a powerful force for local kids and families. Since 2020 alone, the program has raised over $100,000 each year—with 2024 marking our biggest year yet at $144,000!

This incredible milestone was made possible by a passionate and diverse community. Streamers hosted charity streams, local esports teams turned tournaments into fundraisers, and even casual gamers hosted charity game days with friends and family. Local businesses got involved too, holding workplace gaming events and employee giving days.

Together, every dollar donated has helped provide life-saving care and support for kids treated right here in Kansas City.

If you haven’t joined Extra Life yet, now’s the perfect time to get involved. It’s free to sign up, and there are countless ways to participate—whether you’re a solo gamer, part of a community, or looking to engage your workplace.

To learn more, contact Hannah Cimino, Kansas City Extra Life Program Director, at hmaddy@kumc.edu. Let’s keep the momentum going and level up for the next million!