Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) is expanding its maternal health capacity by adding James Kerns, M.D., to its Obstetrics and Gynecology team. The move, announced October 28, 2026, comes through a strategic partnership with Missouri Valley Regional Medical Center (MVRC) and is designed to create a coordinated care model for expectant mothers across the Marshall and Warrensburg areas.
Dr. Kerns, who has served patients in the Marshall area since 2020, will now operate under a hybrid model that allows patients to maintain their existing relationships with him while using WMMC's larger delivery infrastructure. According to a report from Western Missouri Medical Center, patients may continue seeing Dr. Kerns for prenatal care in either Marshall or Warrensburg until approximately 34 weeks of pregnancy, at which point they will transition to WMMC for the remainder of the term and the eventual delivery.
A veteran presence in a critical care gap
The addition of Dr. Kerns brings more than 35 years of clinical experience to a region where specialized OB/GYN access is often a primary concern for rural families. His background spans the full spectrum of medical leadership, having served as a medical director, department chair, and OB/GYN clerkship director. Beyond the clinic, he has functioned as a preceptor and clinical faculty member, training the next generation of residents and medical students.
His credentials include a medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago and residency training completed at MacNeal Hospital/University of Illinois Hospitals and South Baltimore General Hospital. He also holds a Master of Business Administration in Health Care from St. Ambrose University.
“His extensive experience in obstetrics and gynecology and his longstanding commitment to patient care and medical education will be a valuable addition to our team and the care available to families throughout the region,” said Darinda J. Dick, President/CEO of WMMC.
Darinda J. Dick
By coordinating care between MVRC and WMMC, the two institutions are effectively widening the safety net for Johnson County and its surrounding communities.
The scale of regional maternity care
WMMC is not a small-scale operation when it comes to labor and delivery. The center welcomes more than 700 babies each year, providing a continuous chain of care from pregnancy through recovery. The arrival of Dr. Kerns bolsters an already diverse team of providers.
The current WMMC OB/GYN roster consists of:
- Four board-certified OB/GYNs
- Three certified nurse-midwives
- Three family medicine physicians with specialized obstetrics and surgical training
- One family nurse practitioner specializing in obstetric care
The logistical reality of the 34-week transition
While the partnership increases the number of available providers, it introduces a specific timeline that patients must manage.
However, some patients may find the shift from Marshall to the Warrensburg center at approximately 34 weeks of pregnancy to be a disruption in their routine. The success of this model depends on the transition that the WMMC and MVRC teams will work together to make as smooth as possible for each family.
Dr. Kerns arrives with a rigorous set of professional affiliations that confirm his specialization. He is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and maintains memberships in the American Medical Association, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the Association of Professors of Gynecology & Obstetrics.
As an independent, county-owned healthcare system, WMMC’s ability to attract a provider with more than 35 years of experience suggests an effort to provide care to families throughout the region.
