In Kansas City’s most low-income neighborhoods, families face growing barriers to accessing consistent, high-quality healthcare—especially for children covered by Medicaid. For decades, Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center (Sam Rodgers) has been a cornerstone of care for the community, offering comprehensive health services to patients regardless of income, insurance status, or background. In 2024 alone, the federally qualified health center (FQHC) served over 23,000 individuals, meeting the needs of a culturally rich population that speaks 52 different languages.
Yet despite its deep roots and broad reach, Sam Rodgers is grappling with an overwhelming demand for pediatric care. In 2023, Missouri Medicaid assigned 8,800 children to the health center, but only 3,100 were actively receiving care. That left 5,700 children without a dedicated primary care provider—many of whom turned to costly emergency rooms or urgent care centers for treatment of acute conditions, missing out on essential preventive services like immunizations, developmental screenings, and regular checkups.
To help close this critical gap, Central Bank of Kansas City (CBKC), a CDFI and CNote Impact Cash® partner, stepped in with a powerful solution. CBKC provided a $15 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation, along with additional bank financing, to support a major expansion of the Sam Rodgers campus. The project includes the construction of a new 65,000-square-foot facility featuring a 40-room pediatric wing and a much-needed parking structure for patients and staff.
This expansion is more than just bricks and mortar. Once complete, the new pediatric wing will allow Sam Rodgers to serve 4,500 additional children each year—making it possible for the health center to become a medical home for thousands of previously unserved youth. It will also free up the existing pediatric space, paving the way for increased capacity in adult and women’s health services, and helping the center meet its overarching mission: supporting healthier children who grow into healthier adults.
The project is located in a severely distressed census tract, aligning with Sam Rodgers’ commitment to reaching those who are most in need. As an FQHC, Sam Rodgers ensures that no one is turned away due to cost, and this expansion reinforces that promise. Beyond patient care, the project will also contribute to the economic health of the community by creating 37 new full-time jobs, all of which are expected to be quality positions—with over half targeted to be accessible to low-income individuals.
With CBKC’s investment and Sam Rodgers’ leadership, the Kansas City community is witnessing the power of partnership to expand healthcare access, reduce health disparities, and build a healthier future—starting with its youngest residents.
CNote is a women-led impact platform that channels capital into community financial institutions to support underserved communities across the U.S. Through its Impact Cash® program, CNote enables corporations and foundations to deposit funds with community-focused banks and credit unions, advancing economic opportunity
Central Bank of Kansas City is a mission-driven bank and certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) committed to revitalizing communities through access to capital, affordable financial services, and place-based investment.
