WMMC Welcomes Dr. James Kerns to OB/GYN Team

Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) has expanded its Obstetrics and Gynecology team by welcoming James Kerns, M.D., through a partnership with Missouri Valley Regional Medical Center (MVRC), according to an announcement from the medical center on October 28, 2026. Dr. Kerns, a board-certified provider with over 35 years of experience, has served patients in the Marshall area since 2020 and will now operate under a coordinated care model designed to streamline expectant mothers’ transitions between the two facilities.

By integrating Dr. Kerns into WMMC through a partnership with MVRC, the health system is establishing a coordinated care model for expectant mothers in the Marshall area.

A Coordinated Transition for Expectant Mothers

The logistics of the new partnership are specific. Under the planned care model, patients can continue to see Dr. Kerns for their prenatal care in either Marshall or Warrensburg until they reach approximately 34 weeks of pregnancy. Once they hit that 34-week mark, patients transition fully to WMMC for the remainder of their pregnancy and the eventual delivery.

For the patient, this means the early stages of pregnancy remain localized and familiar, while the high-stakes final weeks are anchored at a facility that welcomes more than 700 babies annually. WMMC and MVRC teams have stated they will work together to ensure this hand-off happens without interruption for every family involved.

The scale of the operation at WMMC provides a significant safety net. The current OB/GYN team consists of:

Four board-certified OB/GYNs
Three certified nurse-midwives
Three family medicine physicians with obstetrics and surgical training
One family nurse practitioner specializing in obstetric care

The Professional Pedigree of Dr. James Kerns

Dr. Kerns brings a blend of clinical depth and administrative oversight to the role. His background isn’t limited to the exam room; he has served as a medical director, department chair, and OB/GYN clerkship director. This academic experience extends to his time as a clinical faculty member and preceptor, where he trained the next generation of medical students and residents.

His credentials include a medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, with 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

Addressing the Rural Healthcare Gap

By partnering with MVRC, WMMC is implementing a care model where patients may receive prenatal care in Marshall or Warrensburg before transitioning to WMMC for delivery.

Dr. Kerns maintains certifications and memberships that anchor his practice in current medical standards, including board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and 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 a county-owned, not-for-profit system, WMMC’s investment in these partnerships reflects a broader regional effort to keep essential maternal health services independent and locally managed. For the families in Johnson County and the surrounding areas, the arrival of Dr. Kerns means one more veteran hand on deck in a field where experience is the most valuable currency.