St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Springfield, Mo.-based CoxHealth have finalized an agreement to increase access to pediatric care in southwest Missouri.

1. The partnership aims to bring advanced care to Springfield and surrounding communities, beginning with the creation of a new pediatric hospital within CoxHealth, according to the June 12 news release from the health system.

2. Plans also include a standalone outpatient center offering ambulatory surgery, pediatric specialty care clinics, laboratory services, imaging and infusion therapy. Construction planning is underway, with an opening expected in 2027.

3. The partnership will be supported by specialists from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, which staffs St. Louis Children’s Hospital and is part of St. Louis-based BJC Health System.

“St. Louis Children’s Hospital and WashU Medicine are national leaders in pediatric care,” CoxHealth President and CEO Max Buetow said in the release. “We are excited to work together to expand access to pediatric specialty care for hundreds of thousands of children who live in this region.”

4. WashU Medicine will also lead recruitment and retention efforts for pediatric specialists in southwest Missouri.