Charles F. Cockerell, MD

I was born and raised in Independence, Missouri, and graduated from Truman High School in 1968. Four years later, I graduated from Drake University with a varsity letter in wrestling, a Phi Beta Kappa pin, and a Bachelor’s degree and acceptance to the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Medicine, where I graduated in 1976. Three years later, I finished the pediatrics residency program at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, and received Board Certification in Pediatrics on June 15, 1980. I married Karen (Krejci) Cockerell in 1972, and began my true pediatric education in 1978, when my daughter, Katie, was born. Two years later, our son, Chris, was born, who further contributed to my knowledge of caring for children. Karen and I remain happily married and live close to our family.

Outside of work and family, sports and landscaping have been my two greatest interests. During my life, I have avidly participated in elite swimming, football and wrestling (high school), tennis, snow skiing, rock climbing, indoor and outdoor soccer, and bicycling. I’ve done the MS 150 bike ride countless times and even did a 500 mile ride in Oregon a few years back. I have also coached swimming, wrestling and soccer. I’ve been an avid scuba diver since 1976 and have been a water skier since I was a child. I confess to having found methods of injuring myself in every single one of these sports!

I joined my father, Dr. Sandford (Sandy) Cockerell (we were the original “Sanford and Son”), and my sister, Dr. Michele McIntosh, in 1979. Since then, I’ve worked hard to grow and improve our practice. The wonderful people who work in our office know that I will never be satisfied, and will continue pushing them to make our service better for our patients. My goal is to provide the highest quality service to all of our patients all of the time.