Children’s Mercy Appoints Pediatrician and Community Advocate to Leadership Role for Springfield Joint Venture with Mercy
SPRINGFIELD, MO., Feb. 9 2026; Children’s Mercy announced this week it has named John Burson, MD, as the medical director for the Children’s Mercy with Mercy partnership—further strengthening its commitment to bringing specialized pediatric expertise closer to families in Springfield and communities across southwest Missouri.
“Dr. Burson has served the Springfield region as a lead pediatrician for Mercy for more than 25 years,” said Debbie Schwartzkopf, interim chief administrative officer of Children’s Mercy with Mercy. “His decades of work with patients and families, community health organizations and Mercy colleagues have shaped his perspective on the needs and strengths facing pediatric health care in the region. I am excited to welcome him to our team.”
As he steps into this new leadership role, Dr. Burson will continue to care for his current patients.
“I have been a member of the Springfield medical community with Mercy since I completed my training,” said Dr. Burson. “I am first and foremost a general pediatrician and I look forward to bringing that perspective as I work closely with leaders from both Children’s Mercy and Mercy to continue advancing a pediatric system designed around the needs of children and families.”
For more than a decade, Dr. Burson has helped guide the growth of Mercy’s women’s and children’s services, and his leadership has contributed to the development of numerous pediatric programs.
Dr. Burson also brings extensive statewide and academic experience. He has served on the March of Dimes Board of Directors at regional and state levels, supported the Missouri Immunization Coalition and taught future pediatric providers through faculty and preceptor roles with Missouri State University, the University of Missouri School of Medicine, and multiple medical and advanced practice training programs.
The Children’s Mercy with Mercy joint venture was officially launched on Nov. 1, 2025.
In mid-November, Children’s Mercy announced plans to build a new, dedicated pediatric outpatient facility in Springfield on the Mercy South campus. Construction is now underway, with an anticipated opening date in Dec. 2026.
About Children’s Mercy
Founded in 1897, Children’s Mercy is a nationally recognized, independent pediatric health system and a world leader in pediatric translational research committed to transforming the lives of children and families. With hospitals and specialty clinics across Missouri and Kansas, Children’s Mercy delivers world-class, family-centered care closer to home. As a nonprofit organization, Children’s Mercy reinvests every dollar donated into advancing pediatric medicine, supporting innovative research and training the next generation of pediatric specialists. With more than 800 pediatric experts, researchers and faculty we are dedicated to improving outcomes and creating a healthier future for all children. Children’s Mercy has earned repeated recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” and is the first health system in Missouri or Kansas to receive six consecutive Magnet designations for nursing excellence. Thanks to generous philanthropic support and a strong volunteer community, Children’s Mercy provides hope, comfort and the prospect of brighter tomorrows to every child who comes through its doors. Visit Children’s Mercy and the Children’s Mercy Research Institute to learn more, and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube for the latest news and videos.
About Mercy
Mercy, one of the 15 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized care and one of the nation’s largest and highest performing Accountable Care Organizations in quality and cost. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including 50 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has over 1,000 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, more than 5,000 physicians and advanced practitioners and more than 50,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In fiscal year 2024 alone, Mercy provided nearly half a billion dollars of free care and other community benefits, including traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid.