Rebecca Rentea, MD

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.

01/10/2026

Excited for the upcoming Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium meeting in Denver, taking place January 14 to 16. As program chair, I am especially looking forward to welcoming you all and to reconnecting with friends and colleagues for several days of collaboration, learning, and shared purpose

01/09/2026

Together, Children’s Mercy, The University of Kansas Health System and the University of Kansas Medical Center have become the newest NORD® Rare Disease Center of Excellence. We’re joining a network of 46 other institutions bound together by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD®) and our shared goals.

I’m proud to be part of an organization collaborating on faster diagnoses, expanded access, groundbreaking research and training the next generation of experts! Our partnership with KU is especially important because it helps address a gap for teens with rare diseases who are transitioning into adult care. We are enhancing those transition-of-care pathways while also advancing innovative clinical care, diagnostic tools and therapies. Read more about this new designation: https://cmkc.link/3Y64yZ0

01/08/2026

I’m proud to work at , where we give kids a say in their future. When a diagnosis or treatment could affect fertility down the road, our Fertility Preservation team consults quickly and clearly to help parents and patients understand the options available to them. As one of the few hospitals in the region offering tissue freezing for patients of any age, I’m grateful for this additional tool that helps patients feel in control of their own health with age‑appropriate conversations and options. Learn more here: https://cmkc.link/3zeou2X

We believe that fertility preservation is a key part of medical care for your child or teen. Future fertility is important for long-term quality of life. Certain medical conditions have a higher risk of causing fertility problems in the future. This may include cancer diagnoses/treatments, genetic c...

10/01/2025

It has been an honor to chair and organize the Transition to Practice Course as the AAP Section on Surgery Education Committee Chair. Over these years, I have learned and collaborated with the very best on this committee—what an honor!

What a day! On September 26, 2025, the AAP Section on Surgery hosted its annual Transition to Practice Course, which was one of our best yet. We had an incredible 42 senior pediatric surgery fellows in attendance, which is nearly every fellow in their final year of training, coming together to learn, share, and prepare for the next steps in their careers.

Our program featured an outstanding lineup of speakers: Marybeth Browne, Reto Baertschiger, Katherine Gonzalez, Ankush Gosain, Seth Goldstein, Tolu Oyetunji, Afif Kulaylat, Jamie Harris, Alana Beres, Marion Henry, David Tashjian, Lori-Ann Rickard, and Erin Garvey. Each one shared invaluable expertise—from practice types and preparing for research, to securing the right job, navigating contracts, building financial literacy, and more.

A special thank you to all our faculty and committee members, and to Vivian Thorne, who works tirelessly behind the scenes to make these courses possible.

📌 Save the date: June 5, 2026 for our virtual session “I Have a Job, Now What?” and October 2, 2026 in San Diego for our next in-person Transition to Practice course.

09/10/2025

We are excited to announce that the Comprehensive Colorectal Center at Children's Mercy will host the Biennial Colorectal Center and Pull-thru Network Conference on Saturday, September 13, 2025!

This special event brings together our team and their families for an engaging program focused on collaboration, learning, and community.
We can’t wait to welcome everyone for what promises to be an inspiring day.

Learn more: https://is.gd/7MZ2hG

09/10/2025

Excited to share that registration/abstract submission (due sept 15) is now open for the 2026 Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction Conference, hosted by the Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium (PCPLC)!

📍 Denver, Colorado
📅 January 14–16, 2026

This premier meeting brings together pediatric surgeons, fellows, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and pelvic floor physical therapists to advance care for children with colorectal and pelvic conditions. The program will feature:
✅ Hands-on surgical skills lab
✅ Operative video and interesting case sessions
✅ Multidisciplinary education for all levels of expertise
✅ Opportunities for collaboration with industry partners

ABSTRACTS DUE SEP 15TH submissions (including interesting cases and operative videos) are due September 15, 2025.

Learn more, register, and book your hotel here: pcplcmeeting.com

Looking forward to an outstanding meeting in Denver—hope to see many of you there!