Local Faces

WRMC PROS Therapy Hires New Speech-Language Pathologist Shelly Hendrix

White River Health System (WRHS) is pleased to welcome Becky Mitchum, speech-language pathologist (SLP), to WRMC PROS Therapy team.

Becky earned a master’s degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders from the University of Central Arkansas. Prior to joining us, Becky was the SLP on the pediatric rehab team at NeuroRestorative Timber Ridge Ranch, a post-acute inpatient rehabilitation facility for patients with traumatic brain injuries. Becky is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) with training in hippotherapy, an electrical stimulation application called Ampcare, NeuroDevelopmental Treatment (NDT), and OrtonGillingham for dyslexia.

Speech-language pathology is Becky’s second career. She was a violinist with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra for over 25 years. In 1995, she started the string program at Lyon College. She taught violin to children as young as three using the Suzuki method.

Becky believes that for patients with certain conditions, incorporating elements of music in treatment can be a powerful and evidence-based tool. Becky enjoys treating people of all ages and relishes the idea of building a greater SLP pediatric presence for WRHS.

Becky is a member of the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Along with their two dogs MataHairy and Mr. Buck, Becky and her husband Johnny are happily returning to Johnny’s roots and calling Batesville home. N

Becky Mitchum

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American Bankers Association Honors Citizens Bank For Community Development Efforts Chuck Jones

Citizens Bank has received additional national recognition from the American Bankers Association for its Community Development efforts in Batesville.

In an article that appears on its “America’s Banks” website, ABA identifies Citizens Bank as “A Bank That Kick Starts Change for an Entire Community.” The webpage can be accessed at https://americasbanks.aba.com/stories/ bank-kick-starts-change-entire-community.

Citizens Bank was acknowledged for its Impact Loans & Grants Program, and for its role in assisting the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce with the IMPACT Independence Strategic Community Plan. The Impact loans and grants have been credited for playing a critical role in the success of the revitalization of Historic Main Street Batesville. The Impact Independence program has helped guide increased economic development across Independence County. Chuck Jones

Citizens Bank has donated $3,000 to the Humane Society of Independence County, on behalf of the 2020 Red Hot Ladies Luncheon.

“The mission of the Humane Society is to rescue and provide a safe shelter for abandoned, abused, homeless and unwanted dogs and cats within the county, and to secure loving, stable homes for them,” said Phil Baldwin, Citizens Bank Chief Executive Officer. “Citizens Bank is proud to support these important services to our local communities.”

The Humane Society was to have been the beneficiary of the 2020 Red Hot Ladies Luncheon, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The annual luncheons provide a social outing for local women, and also raise awareness about various issues impacting their lives.

Citizens Bank has presented the popular events since 2006, raising nearly $130,000 to support various non-profit organizations in Batesville, Independence County, and surrounding communities. The Humane Society will be the beneficiary of the Red Hot Luncheon in 2021.

“We appreciate the generous sponsors who help make the Red Hot Ladies Luncheon possible, and we are also grateful to everyone who attends each year,” said Joyce Prickett, who helps coordinate both the Red Hot luncheons and the Blue Jeans Fund for the bank. “Many Citizens Bank employees also volunteer and donate to the Humane Society

“Citizens Bank has made a major difference for an entire community with the Impact Independence County programs,” ABA said. “The initiative brought together residents and area leaders to identify ways to kick start the local economy and make other quality of life improvements. The success speaks for itself.”

Since it was established in 2016, the bank’s Impact Loans & Grants program has provided more than 50 loans and grants totaling $6.5 million. Loans are being made at very low interest rates to finance renovation and improvement programs.

This latest recognition follows the 2018 Community Commitment Award for excellence in community and economic development, which the American Bankers Association presented to Citizens Bank and the Batesville Area Chamber of

Citizens Bank Provides Support To Humane Society of Independence County

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and its animal shelter.”

Current donations and adoption fees don’t cover the more than $20,000 that is needed each month to operate the shelter, house and feed animals. The Humane Society receives no government funding, and is dependent on donations, membership dues, fundraising activities, grants, and income from its Bargain Hound Boutique.

Cash donations can be mailed to Humane Society of Independence County, P.O. Box 3477, Batesville, AR 72503, or in person at the shelter at 5 Environmental Drive in Batesville.

The Humane Society also accepts donations of pet food, and supplies such as cat litter, cloth towels, paper towels, plastic bags and trash bags. N

EXPERIENCED CAVE CITY BANKER JOINS FIRST COMMUNITY BANK TEAM Angela Connell

First Community Bank has hired Judy Walling as AVP branch manager and loan officer for the branch location at 102 South Main Street in Cave City. Walling comes to First Community Bank with 41 years of experience in banking.

“I’m looking forward to providing customers and neighbors with a genuine community banking philosophy that believes in investing in this community,” said Walling. “I’m all about personal service, ensuring that customers are pleased with their banking experiences.”

Walling is a Cave City native and resides there with her husband, Mitchell. Together they have three children and nine grandchildren.

“First Community Bank customers in Cave City will notice a familiar face has joined our bank family,” said Boris Dover, president and chief operating officer of First Community Bank. “Judy will bring her extensive banking knowledge to strengthen our team and provide the exceptional service that our customers have come to know and trust.”

For more information about First Community Bank, call 870-612- 3400 or visit www.firstcommunity.net. N

Judy Walling

UACCB Academic All-Star Inspired toJoin Ranks of Compassionate Caregivers Hannah Keller Flanery

It was just a few weeks before college was scheduled to begin, and like many first-time entering college students, Macy Morgan “had no idea” what she wanted to do as a career. Sadly, tragedy struck and Morgan lost her brother in a car accident before the semester began. The compassion that the healthcare workers showed her family inspired Morgan to begin her pursuit of a nursing degree.

“I want to be that person for someone else. I want to be there for others the same way that they were there for me and my family,” Morgan said.

The quality of the nursing program at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville and its close proximity to her hometown of Concord spurred Morgan to apply to the generic registered nursing program. From there on, she has excelled in all aspects of her college journey. Her academic achievements led to Morgan being selected as the 2020 Academic All-Star. As such, she will receive a full-tuition transfer scholarship from a public fouryear university in the state. After graduating with her RN degree from UACCB this December, she plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas to earn her bachelor of science degree in nursing.

“My ultimate goal is to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist,” Morgan said.

Morgan has already demonstrated that she has a heart for service to others, serving as a tutor in UACCB’s Student Success Center. Morgan has shared flashcards that she’s made with her fellow nursing students to help them with their studies, as well as online quizlets.

“I received tutoring as well, and I looked up to my tutors. Now I have the opportunity to be that for other students. I just want to be that light for them and show them that they can get there,” she said. Morgan has also volunteered her time to serve in the community screening visitors and patients for COVID-19 symptoms at White River Medical Center.

Morgan said that while it was challenging, her favorite course at UACCB was anatomy and physiology with Vernon Hoffman. “That class was so hard, but I saw it as a challenge, and I wound up with an A. I

love Mr. Hoffman. He laid the perfect foundation for nursing students in that class. If it wasn’t so challenging, I never would have remembered half the material.”

Morgan said she was overwhelmed with joy to be selected as the Academic All-Star. “I’ve worked so hard and sacrificed so much. I would stay at the Student Success Center until it closed every day. It was frustrating at the time, but receiving this award makes me feel like I did it all for a reason. It’s all coming together, and I’ve tied that knot.” N