Hospital Newsmakers

Arkansas Hospice brightened the holidays this season for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Its Elf Squad delivered gifts like socks, slippers, blankets, and largeprint puzzle books that were donated by members of the public. This was the second year the Elf Squad was in action.

Mark Amox, MBA/MHA, has been named President and CEO of Unity Health in Searcy. He previously worked with HCA Health care as Chief Operating Officer at hospitals in California and Nevada, as President and CEO of El Paso Children’s Hospital, and as Administrator of UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in Florida. He also served for eight years as Administrator of the UAMS Department of Pediatrics in Little Rock.

The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) held its Friends of ACHI Appreciation Event October 19 to celebrate all those whose extraordinary efforts and ongoing sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic positively impacted Arkansas families and communities. Expressions of gratitude for pandemic efforts dominated this year’s event, which was held at the Clinton Presidential Library. The annual event featured a spoken word poem reflecting on the challenges of the past few years. The poem, “The Second Mountain,” was written for ACHI by nationally acclaimed poet Chris James and was performed by the author.

April Bennett, MSN, CHFP, RN, has been named the new president of Baptist Health Medical Center – Conway. She most recently served as Chief Nursing Officer of the hospital for two years. Prior to joining Baptist Health in 2020, she served as Vice President of Nursing Services at Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri. The Sevier County Medical Center officially opened in early December with a special ceremony that included building tours for the community. The $24 million hospital, located just north of DeQueen, was funded by a 1% sales tax approved by Sevier County voters in 2019. The hospital has 10 rooms in its emergency department, 15 inpatient beds, and employs 115 people.

CHI St. Vincent Director of Oncology Services Dr. Peter Emanuel has been appointed Vice President of Oncology for the CommonSpirit Health system, formed in 2019 with the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health. Dr. Emanuel will continue in his leadership role with the oncology program at CHI St. Vincent, which is part of CommonSpirit Health, while also serving as lead physician for CommonSpirit Health as it launches its first nationwide Oncology Clinical Institute.

Poet Chris James performs his poem, “The Second Mountain,” at Friends of ACHI Appreciation Event.

BARTEK RECXN

The American Hospital Association has recently updated Bridging the Sectors: A Compendium of

Resources, which links to a host of tools, assessments, case examples and evidence-based studies. You’ll find practical information, strategies, and tools on everything from aligning goals between organizations and calculating return on investment to using publicly available data sources and ensuring equitable health outcomes. Find the resource at aha.org.

James Magee recently celebrated 25 years as Executive Director of the Piggott Community Hospital (now Piggott Health Systems). Under his leadership, the system has grown to include satellite health clinics, specialty services, telemedicine, and building expansions.

For the first time, National Park Medical Center (NPMC) and CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs will join forces to present the 2022–2023 American Heart Association (AHA) Hot Springs Sweethearts program. This year’s program, which welcomes 41 young women from the Garland County area, marks its 17th year. The Hot Springs Sweethearts consist of high school sophomores and juniors who have committed to improve heart health in their community by learning about cardiovascular diseases, leading healthy lifestyles, and participating in heart healthy activities.

2022-2023 American Heart Association Hot Springs Sweethearts.

Loren J. Miller, LCSW, has been named Administrator of Advanced Care Hospital of White County in Searcy. He previously served for four years as Assistant Vice President, Behavioral Health Services for Unity Health. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas, and his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Jeremy D. Capps, RN, has been named CEO of Delta Health System in Dumas. He previously served as Administrator at St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas. His Master’s degree in Business Administration, Management, and Operations was earned at Western Governors University and his nursing degree at Arkansas State University.

The World Health Organization calls the Ebola outbreak in Uganda “rapidly evolving,” noting that it currently poses a risk within Uganda and to its neighbors. During the last major Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the United States saw several imported cases and local transmission to two health care workers in Texas. Since international travel is so common and imported cases are a risk, the Arkansas Department of Health is sharing resources on the disease so that facilities may be prepared. A CDC outbreak update for hospital staff and signage for your hospital’s ER and other entries are available. Please contact ADH. ORSNurses@arkansas.gov or ADH.HAI@arkansas.gov for these resources or if you have any questions.

Kathy Thomas, MSN, RN, CPHRM, CHC, is the new Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Stone County Medical Center in Mountain View. A registered nurse for 33 years, Thomas has served in varying leadership roles at SCMC’s parent organization, White River Health. She most recently served as Executive Director of Risk Management/Compliance at White River Medical Center in Batesville, where she previously served as Medical Surgical Nursing Director.

The Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) announced the opening of the first CTF-sponsored, fully multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to the care of adults with neurofibromatosis (NF) in December. The clinic operates at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer institute and is the first NF clinic for adults in Arkansas (and surrounding states).

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services and Resources from National Rural Health Day

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) celebrated National Rural Health Day in November.

This year’s focus was on behavioral health, highlighting the innovative ways rural communities are expanding access to mental health and substance use disorder services for those who need them the most.

Scan the QR code to browse recorded webinars from this year's event and to find other useful resources.