FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2006

DES MOINES, Iowa—
The Children’s Emergency Center at Mercy will begin offering 24-hour service, seven days a week starting July 1.

The Children’s Emergency Center features amenities that accommodate and cater to children – smaller instruments, bright colors, and specialized pediatric physicians and nurses. The center also includes a pediatric trauma suite that allows parents to be present with a child who is being treated for a serious accident or illness. This suite also allows two patients - involved in the same trauma - to be treated simultaneously.

Additionally, three new pediatricians will be joining the Children’s Emergency Center. Kevin Cutler, M.D., Kathryn Martin, D.O., M.S., and Chamanie Wheeler, D.O., will bring their pediatric expertise to the Children’s Emergency Center in July. They will be joining current staff members Thomas McAuliff, D.O., Scott Barron, M.D., Catherine Berry, M.D., Ph.D., Julie Carmody, M.D., Betsy Sigler, D.O., Sara Reichart, CPNP, and Stephanie Sinclair, ARNP.

“Having skilled pediatric emergency experts available 24-hours a day makes the Children’s Center at Mercy the place for children and their families to receive care,” said Thomas McAuliff, D.O.

The Children’s Emergency Center is adjacent to the Main Emergency Department at Mercy at 1111 6th Avenue in Des Moines.