This podcast is sponsored by Children's Mercy.

Every 8 minutes, one American life is lost to fentanyl. In 2021, fentanyl was responsible for 77% of drug-induced deaths for ages 14-18. Kansas City is not immune to this growing problem.

Today we are talking with Jenny Ecord, who tells the story of her nephew, Cooper, who lost his life to fentanyl poisoning at 16. Her family has made it their mission to spread awareness and education about fentanyl in his honor.

We also hear from Dr. Michelle DePhillips, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children's Mercy. She discusses what she sees in the ER in Kansas City, why fentanyl is dangerous for teens, and how we can prevent future tragedies.

In our conversation we cover:

How prominent fentanyl issues are in the KC metro

What does fentanyl does to the body.

Common ages for fentanyl related emergencies.

How these drugs get in the hands of teens.

How one family turned a tragedy into a prevention program for teens.

How parents can have important conversations about drugs with their kids.

Jenny Ecord, RN, APRN-C is a wife, mother, sister, aunt and daughter. She is also a pediatric nurse practitioner at Children’s Mercy and has been a strong advocate for children her entire career. Her story of fentanyl is a very personal family tragedy. She is the aunt of a young teenager, Cooper, who lost his life to a fentanyl poisoning in August 2021. Cooper was 16 years old when he died.

Jenny and her family have made it their mission to spread awareness and education about fentanyl in Coop’s honor. They do not want any other family to suffer a devastating loss like theirs has.

A foundation has been created for this cause along with a strong social media presence. Jenny and her sister-in-law, Cooper’s mother, have talked in schools, at parent meetings, neighborhood gatherings, churches to share their message. They have met with many political and law enforcement officials and are working closely with these organizations.

Michelle DePhillips, MD, is a pediatric emergency medicine physician and pediatric emergency medicine resident rotation director at Children’s Mercy. She is also an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and a Clinical Assistance Professor of Pediatrics at University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Dr. DePhillips attended medical school at Creighton University School of Medicine before competing residency and fellowship at Children’s Mercy. In addition to emergency medicine and teaching residents, her interests also include appropriate opioid prescribing and global health.

 

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