History

The Research Foundation story began in 1965 when Research Hospital Foundation was formed to raise funds to help Research Hospital provide health care services to the community. For nearly 40 years, the Foundation provided support to Research Medical Center to bring the latest in medical advancements and treatments and to provide a broad base of services to serve the healthcare needs of patients in the greater Kansas City community.

With the purchase of Research Medical Center in 2003 by HCA, a for-profit health care company, The Research Foundation concluded its affiliation with Research Medical Center. While no longer affiliated with Research Medical Center, The Research Foundation remains committed to serving the community and carrying on the spirit of the original Foundation through our many health education and scholarship programs.

2012 - The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety and AAA presented The Research Foundation's Young Traffic Offenders Program with the Show-Me Safety Award for its success in educating youth on the importance of driving safely.

2011 – ThinkFirst of Greater Kansas City received the People Saving People Award from the Kansas Department of Transportation for the impact it has made educating young people.

2011 - According to the national ThinkFirst office, ThinkFirst of Greater Kansas City reached more youth in 2011 than any of the other 130 ThinkFirst chapters from across the nation.

2008 – ThinkFirst of Greater Kansas City was named Chapter of the Year by the National ThinkFirst Injury Prevention Foundation.

2008 – Reached record number of students through our ThinkFirst Injury Prevention program in the 2008/2009 school year – more than 37,000 students.

2007 - Expanded the Young Traffic Offenders Program to include Truman Medical Center as a site.

2007 – The Diabetes Center was renamed Harmon Diabetes Center to honor the Harmon Family for their longtime support.

2007 - Due to the shortage of nursing faculty locally, the Foundation expanded its scholarship opportunities to include scholarship awards to those pursuing a master’s degree in nursing education.

2006 – Created annual community-wide block party and health fair to attract individuals and families from the urban community of Kansas City to encourage healthy lifestyle changes through a variety of health screenings and health information provided.

2004 – Reopened The Diabetes Center on the Research Medical Center campus serving approximately 750 patients with diabetes each year.

2004 – Began hosting full day physician and nursing education symposia in partnership with the Bixby Institute.

2003 – Became the Kansas City chapter for the ThinkFirst Injury Prevention Program and the Young Traffic Offenders Program.