GrandRounds

care need. A majority of NF clinics in the U.S. provide care to pediatric patients, yet many adults living with NF do not have access to knowledgeable medical expertise oncethey leave the pediatric setting.

“The Adult NF Clinic at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute is a 20-year dream come true," said Kathleen Sullivan, whose husband and two sons live with NF and struggled to find first-rate care as adults. “We had such excellent comprehensive care at the NF Clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, but when my sons aged out and there was nothing, it was frustrating and scary. The Adult NF Clinic is an assurance of quality, comprehensive care for my family so they can lead the best life possible.”

Baptist Health Names Kelley Hamby as First System Chief Nursing Officer

LITTLE ROCK – Baptist Health has promoted longtime nursing leader Kelley Hamby to a newly created position, system chief nursing officer. Hamby most recently served as the chief nursing officer for Baptist Health Medical CenterNorth Little Rock.

Hamby began her career with Baptist Health in 1990 as a unit coordinator (IA) and in 1994 she completed the registered nurse program at Baptist Health College Little Rock and began her career as a nurse at Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock.

In her new role, Hamby will assist Baptist Health with strategy, standards and improving quality measures for nursing across the healing ministry.

Hamby received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Master of Science in Nursing from the Western Governors University.

Outside of her work, Hamby is active in the community, serving on the Arkansas Heart Association Board and the Workforce committee for the Arkansas Hospital Association. Additionally she serves as a member of the Arkansas Nurses Association, American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) and the Arkansas Hospital Association (AHA).

Aaron Strobel, MD, Seeing Patients at Baptist Health Heart Institute/Arkansas Cardiology Clinic-Little Rock

LITTLE ROCK – Aaron Strobel, MD, is now seeing patients at Baptist Health Heart Institute/Arkansas Cardiology Clinic-Little Rock.

Dr. Strobel is a native of Little Rock. He attended college at the University of Arkansas, studying biological engineering, and then went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Over the next decade, Dr. Strobel trained at the University of Colorado, where he completed his internal medicine residency, chief residency year, cardiovascular disease fellowship and was honored to be the chief cardiology fellow. Dr. Strobel stayed at the University of Colorado, completing a two-year interventional cardiology fellowship and concentrating on coronary, peripheral and structural interventions.

Dr. Strobel helps his patients in the decision-making for preventive cardiology, general cardiology, and invasive procedures including coronary stents, peripheral vascular intervention and structural heart disease.

Dr. Strobel is married with two children, and he enjoys hiking, fishing and spending time at the lake with his family. He also loves to cheer on the Arkansas Razorbacks.

To learn more about Dr. Strobel and the services he provides at Baptist Health Heart Institute/Arkansas Cardiology Clinic-Little Rock, visit Baptist-Health.com

You may need a referral from your primary care provider to schedule an appointment. If you need a primary care provider, please call Baptist Health HealthLine at (888)227-8478 to speak with a health advisor.

Dr. Allgood to Retire, Dr. Ko Welcomed

BATESVILLE –Dr. John Allgood, Radiation Oncologist at White River Health, has announced his retirement plans. As a Radiation Oncologist, he has dedicated his practice to specializing treatment plans for patients based on their individual needs. He is currently in practice at White River Health Cancer Center, previously known as WRMC Cancer Care Center.

Dr. Allgood has been practicing as a Radiation Oncologist for 22 years. Prior to his career as a physician, Dr. Allgood served in the Navy and then went on to become a Physical Therapist (PT). He worked as a PT for several years before going to medical school.

Dr. Allgood will continue seeing patients until the end of the year. Dr. Stephen Ko, Radiation Oncologist, will begin seeing patients at White River Health Cancer Center at the beginning of 2023. Patients established at the clinic do not need to take further action to transfer care. Dr. Allgood will remain at the clinic to assist Dr. Ko during the transition.

Dr. Ko has over 15 years of experience as a Radiation Oncologist working at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Ko attended the Biology Program at the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He completed an internship in the Department of Medicine at the University Hospital and Veterans Administration Hospital. His Residency was completed in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Irvine Medical Center at Irvine, CA. Dr. Ko is Board Certified in Radiation Oncology by the American Board of Radiology.

The White River Health Cancer Center is located at 525 Virginia Drive in Batesville. The clinic is open Monday through Thursday from 8AM to 5PM and Friday from 8AM to Noon. For more information or to make an appointment, call (870) 262-6200.

Cardiovascular Surgeon

Dr. Jay K. Bhama Joins St. Bernards, Bringing Region Unique Heart Services

JONESBORO – Cardiovascular

Surgeon Dr. Jay Bhama has joined the heart and vascular team practicing at St. Bernards Medical Center, specializing in complex surgical procedures involving the heart.

Bhama, a nationally recognized heart surgeon with significant cardiovascular experience, holds a special interest and expertise in complex, heart valve surgeries and mechanical circulatory support.

A thought leader in the field of cardiovascular surgery, Dr. Bhama previously served as Surgical Director of the Heart Center and Cardiovascular Service Line at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock. While there, he practiced as a Cardiovascular Surgeon and taught as a Professor in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Bhama also served as the Surgical Director of the Heart Failure and Transplant

Institute at Baptist Health in Little Rock and as the Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) program director at UAMS. He has practiced as a Cardiovascular Surgeon for two decades, including clinical leadership roles at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the University of Iowa Health Care before coming to Arkansas in 2019.

Dr. Bhama said he sees a common thread throughout his time practicing medicine and surgery.

“Cardiovascular disease does not respect regions, ages, genders or ethnicities,” Dr. Bhama said, “but it has a particular predilection for people in Arkansas and the Mid-South region as a whole, where the incidence of heart failure deaths is steadily rising.”

The most recent CDC data cites nearly 700,000 Americans dying annually from heart disease—the leading cause of deaths nationwide at more than 20 percent. Arkansas, meanwhile, has the fourth-highest mortality rate from heart disease among all 50 states.

“Even more focused, Northeast Arkansas has some of the highest death rates from heart disease in the nation,” Dr. Bhama said. “As a surgeon, we operate at ‘Ground Zero’ in this fight, and we will employ every tool to guide patients toward better cardiovascular health. I’m proud to be part of the formidable team at St. Bernards helping patients here combat cardiovascular disease.”

St. Bernards Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Max Arroyo said Dr. Bhama joins the region’s top-ranked heart and vascular team.

“We talk about St. Bernards offering comprehensive heart and vascular services,” Dr. Arroyo said. “Regardless of the patient’s need, we have a team to meet it. Dr. Bhama has an incredible track record helping patients across the U.S., and we’re honored he chose to practice here.”

Dr. Bhama earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed a General Surgery residency in Baylor’s Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery. He completed Cardiothoracic Surgical training at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He also completed an Advanced Cardiac Surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and a fellowship in Cardiothoracic Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Dr. Bhama is double board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), the American College of