Rebecca Rentea, MD

09/10/2026

The future of pediatric care in southwest Missouri is coming into focus. 💙

Over the past two days, guests toured the new O'Reilly Pediatric Center in Springfield, an exciting milestone in the Children's Mercy with Mercy collaboration.

When the center opens this December, families will have access to pediatric specialty care services and Mercy Pediatrics in one convenient location. Seeing the excitement from our teams, partners and community members was a powerful reminder of what's possible when organizations come together with a shared commitment to children and families.

09/09/2026

A hospital stay can disrupt a child's normal routine, but programs like Kindness Camp help bring joy, comfort and connection when it's needed most.

Through crafts, games and interactive activities, Children's Mercy teams work together to create positive experiences that support patients' emotional well-being and resilience. Proud to be part of an organization that cares for the whole child.

Children's Mercy's annual Kindness Camp returned this summer, providing hospitalized children with opportunities for play, creativity and connection during their inpatient stay. Now in its fifth year, the weeklong program is coordinated by Child Life, Patient and Family Programs, Good Cheer voluntee...

09/07/2026

PCPLC 2027 is officially open!
As Program Chair of the Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium - Peds Colorectal Annual Meeting | PCPLC, I am excited to invite our pediatric colorectal and pelvic care community to join us in Austin Texas for the 2027 Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction Conference, January 13 to 15, 2027.

Registration, hotel reservations, and abstract submissions are now open.
https://pcplcmeeting.com/

This year’s meeting will bring together pediatric surgeons, colorectal specialists, urologists, gynecologists, gastroenterologists, nurses, advanced practice providers, pelvic floor physical therapists, trainees, researchers, and other members of our multidisciplinary community.

The program will include:
Advanced multidisciplinary sessions in complex colorectal and pelvic care
Dedicated education for pediatric surgery fellows
A hands-on surgical skills lab for fellows and early-career surgeons
Scientific presentations highlighting new research and innovation
Opportunities to connect and collaborate across institutions and disciplines

Austin, Texas
January 13 to 15, 2027
Hyatt Regency Austin

Abstracts are being accepted through October 11, 2026.

Registration, hotel information, abstract submission and conference details

Looking forward to bringing the PCPLC community together in Austin.

09/07/2026

For nearly 130 years, Children's Mercy has been .

What began with one bed in 1897 has grown into a pediatric health system that cares for children and families across our region and beyond. Every step of that journey was made possible by people who believed children deserve the very best care.

Today, Children's Mercy is building a new patient tower designed to meet the needs of future generations.

I'm proud to be part of an organization with such a remarkable history and an even brighter future. If you'd like to help shape what's next for kids, consider supporting this important project.

💙 Learn more and donate: https://cmkc.link/4eD2lxA

09/07/2026

Every dream starts with hope. 💫

By supporting Dream Big Day, you're helping Children’s Mercy provide exceptional care, innovative treatments and brighter futures for kids. Join a team, start fundraising or make a donation and help us dream even bigger for the children and families we serve.

You’re invited! Children’s Mercy Dream Big Day at Worlds of Fun is a family-friendly celebration to rally our community and raise funds. Join in the...

07/18/2026

What an incredible few days at the 2026 Pull-thru Network National Conference in Charlotte.

This conference is unlike any other. Every two years, families living with anorectal malformations (ARM), Hirschsprung disease, and related colorectal and urogenital conditions come together to learn, connect, and support one another. It is a privilege to be invited into that community.

I was honored to participate as a speaker, expert, and panelist, presenting on:
• Telehealth for Pediatric Colorectal & Pelvic Reconstruction Care
• Reoperation in Hirschsprung Disease
• Understanding Outcomes in Hirschsprung Disease
• Meet the Expert sessions for adolescents and families

One of the most valuable parts of this meeting is learning directly from patients and families outside the hospital. Their perspectives continue to shape how we deliver care, improve education, and build programs that meet their needs.

It was also wonderful to reconnect with colleagues from pediatric colorectal centers across the country who share the same commitment to advancing care for these complex conditions.

Proud that the Children's Mercy Kansas City Comprehensive Colorectal Center was a Diamond Sponsor of this year’s conference.

Thank you to the Pull-thru Network (PTN) PTN for creating a space where education, advocacy, and community come together.

06/05/2026

Another outstanding year representing Children’s Mercy Kansas City at the IPEG-ESPES Joint Congress in Vienna.

I am incredibly proud of our team. Together, we presented research spanning pediatric colorectal surgery, minimally invasive surgery, artificial intelligence, fluorescence-guided surgery, surgical simulation, and advanced surgical planning technologies.

Our group contributed multiple scientific presentations and video presentations, while also serving in international leadership roles. My colleague Dr. Mark Ryan moderated a scientific session, and I had the privilege of chairing the international colorectal session.

A particular highlight was seeing former international pediatric colorectal and pelvic reconstruction fellow, Ismael Elhalaby, present our work on laparoscopic cecal re-wraps for ACE channel leakage. Watching trainees and former fellows continue to advance the field is one of the most rewarding aspects of academic surgery.

This meeting also showcased the work of our outstanding research scholars, Dr. Nadeen Alturki, Dr. Jiun Lee who presented innovative projects ranging from choledochal cyst outcomes and ICG-guided surgery to AI-driven surgical simulation and 3D surgical planning and Dr. Efua Bolouvi from attending, her research was successfully presented by our team and generated meaningful discussion.

Academic surgery is a team sport. Thank you to everyone at Children’s Mercy- Kansas City- It was an honor to represent our institution on the international stage and share the innovative work being done by our faculty, fellows, trainees, and research teams.

04/29/2026

The need for pediatric care is growing—and Children’s Mercy is answering the call. A new acute care tower at our Adele Hall campus will expand NICU, PICU, and Emergency Department care when minutes matter most.