Profiles in Health Care - November 2022

2022

PROFILES in HEALTH CARE

SPECIAL FEATURE PRESENTED BY

WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity

Do South® Magazine is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of select healthcare providers in our community. They set the bar for excellence with their professionalism and quality of service, and they are committed to providing the very best for those in their care.

2022

PROFILES in HEALTH CARE

SPECIAL FEATURE PRESENTED BY

WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity

Do South® Magazine is proud to recognize the expertise and contributions of select healthcare providers in our community. They set the bar for excellence with their professionalism and quality of service, and they are committed to providing the very best for those in their care.

Arkansas Pediatric Therapy

For two decades, Arkansas Pediatric Therapy has treated every client with the care, expertise and compassion of a valued family member. Kim Hunter and Francee Doolittle, co-owners, rely on their professional training to achieve the best therapeutic results in a comfortable, nurturing environment.

“The children we treat may have diagnoses such as premature birth, developmental delay, speech delay, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, sensory processing deficits and the list goes on,” Kim says. “We also treat kids with orthopedic injuries or post-surgeries.”

Fast friends since college, Kim and Francee both hold masters degrees in physical therapy. At the time they opened the business in Van Buren, the two moms-of-four initially offered only physical therapy, adding speech and occupational therapy services in 2003. Since then, the practice was moved twice in Van Buren to accommodate growth. In 2016, a second location was opened in Fort Smith to better serve families.

Through all of the growth and change, one thing has remained a constant – the duo’s goal to provide the highest-quality therapeutic services possible. “Our standards of care are high,” Kim says. “We expect a lot out of ourselves and our therapists. We aren’t just the owners, we are therapists too, working together as a team to provide the most effective therapy.

“As a result, we have built a great practice with a wonderful staff who provide exceptional care. They truly understand that the family, the parents, are important partners in the care of the child.” Today, twenty-five staffers offer a variety of physical, occupational and speech therapies for children as well as serve as a resource for parents trying to navigate the sometimesconfusing health care marketplace.

“We are a source of referral,” Kim says. “We may recommend parents take their child to specialists such as physicians at Arkansas Children’s Hospital who can make more definitive diagnoses and provide specialized testing. Oftentimes, parents leave our clinic with a sense of relief and a better game plan to help their child succeed. We support them every step of the way.”

Baptist Health Endocrinology Clinic

Helping patients deal with some of the most common yet lifealtering conditions is the role of Baptist Health Endocrinology. Endocrinology focuses on human hormones and diseases such as diabetes and thyroid conditions.

Dr. Siva Kumar Kasina, the clinic’s endocrinologist, says having such a practice locally is of great benefit to Fort Smith and surrounding communities.

“Obviously endocrinology is a difficult field in terms of diagnosis and management of conditions,” he says. “It requires a lot of patience and expertise that we provide to the patients.

"I am well versed with the latest technologies, especially in terms of diagnosis of diabetes and management of it, to help patients take care of their health and still enjoy life.”

The clinic’s affiliation with Baptist Health is another advantage, Siva says, as it helps eliminate gaps in communication and

treatment among various departments, thus serving the whole patient. This is especially true for a new health care provider such as himself to get acclimated to available resources.

“One of the advantages I have at Baptist is the set up,” he says. “Even though I am a new endocrinologist, the set up here puts all other department resources in place, such as primary care, radiology or surgery, for example. The only thing I need to do is ask and I know I’ll get access to the resources.”

Another thing that sets the clinic apart is its customer serviceforward mindset that helps ease and comfort patients going through diagnosis and treatment. “Going to the doctor is not an easy thing,” Siva says. “No one wants to go to the doctor, but they’re trusting you with their care and they want you to help them manage their disease. A human touch is what it takes to keep them coming back to your clinic.

“We make sure every patient is not only cared for but respected from the front desk who greets them to the nurses who check their vitals and on to the doctor who is treating them.”

Healing Tree Women’s Counseling Center

Healing Tree Women’s Counseling Center, one of the most unique and respected counseling practices in the area, has recently expanded its space and staff to build on the premise of providing access to help for all who seek it. “Demand for services continues to grow in the wake of COVID,” says Melanie Taylor, who founded the practice. “It’s been enormous. In fact, trying to find therapists right now is very difficult for all private practices, not just us. There aren’t enough therapists to meet the need.” Melanie admits any pool of candidates is quickly thinned by her high standards, but she isn’t about to cut corners on the quality of counseling patients receive.

“I’m looking for therapists who are not only skilled in providing therapeutic services but have also done enough of their own work,” she says. “I also want someone who invests in training above and beyond grad school; somebody who is excited and somebody who wants to specialize in something.”

Melanie says each of Healing Tree’s therapists has a specialty that speaks to their passion and professional strengths and all regularly engage in continuing education. Her team is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a therapy model that has been proven to be highly effective for those who have experienced trauma.

“We can only take our clients as far as we have gone, so each of my therapists has a specialty where they thrive and where they love helping and healing and working with clients,” she says. “Being trained in EMDR is an example of giving our people the latest tools and techniques they need to serve patients to the fullest.

“The thing I still love about this business is, it’s life changing. Somebody comes in for the first time and they’re covered in what we call emotional wounds, trauma after trauma after trauma. We get to work with those women to help them heal and start to discover, and fall in love with, who they are underneath the wounds they’ve been carrying. You can’t put a price on that.”

Passmore Plastic Surgery

Successful cosmetic surgery relies on the successful interplay of highly skilled surgical technique, the latest in technology, and a caring, compassionate environment. Achieving this balance takes years of training and experience, not to mention continued investment in tools, support personnel and ongoing training.

Dr. Ann Passmore, founder of Passmore Plastic Surgery, wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We offer patients a multi-level plan to achieve the result they are looking for,” Ann says. “Cosmetic surgery isn’t just manipulating superficial skin texture. It’s at the surface, it’s deeper than the surface and it’s in between. We offer all sorts of tools to be able to manage that.”

New technologies, such as state-of-the-art microneedling, enhances the skill of the surgeon by allowing them to do their work with more precision while minimizing as much as possible the discomfort and downtime of the patient. In some instances, Passmore Plastic Surgery has access to equipment that others don’t, thanks to the longevity and proven track record of the practice.

“Many times, these devices aren’t available to just anyone,” she says. “The manufacturer isn’t going to sell to someone who is not board certified, for example. You have to have certain qualifications before they will talk to you.

“There’s an ongoing commitment to training you have to have as well. Manufacturers expect you to take in-service training where individuals from their company come in and train at the office to ensure you have the correct technique and everything is set appropriately for the device. And, of course, I welcome that because as the practitioner, I want to make sure I understand the device and how it works.”

At the same time, technology is only as good as the person who operates it. Ann says the difference in her practice lies in the space where high tech meets high touch, where her years of surgical experience and depth of expertise are augmented by technology, not replaced by it.

“There are a lot of practices out there where they know how to turn on a machine but may not fully understand exactly what’s going on during the procedure,” she says. “You have to be able to adjust and adapt the technology for the procedure to be a success and that only comes with experience.

“This is not only essential to the final outcome, but also affects recovery. We’re in a world right now where we don’t have a lot of time to take off, so everything the surgeon can do to minimize possible bruising or swelling is important.”

Learn, Play, Grow

When Mandy Chilton and Jennifer Marley decided to launch their own pediatric therapy business, Learn, Play, Grow Children’s Therapy Services, in 2015, they did so in the belief that they could provide a high degree of expertise, as well as a caring touch.

They were right on both accounts and patients flocked to their independent Fort Smith practice. In just seven years, they’ve expanded to 23 team members and last December moved into a new 11,000-square-foot building that nearly tripled their space.

“Many of the patients that we see are kiddos who are born with certain conditions, such as spina bifida, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy,” says Mandy, a physical therapist. “We also see kiddos who have developmental delays, language delays, feeding disorders, are on the autism spectrum or who have behavioral concerns.”

The practice not only offers the latest in therapies and outcomebased practices for patients, it also employs therapists with a range of specialties, including feeding, handwriting, serial casting,

sensory integration and use of augmentative communication devices. They also feature a variety of treatment spaces, including a feeding room, sensory gym, baby gym, calming room, playroom and a simulated home environment.

“Our team works really well together, providing a multi-disciplinary approach,” says Jennifer, who’s an occupational therapist. “It’s very much a team effort amongst our staff to make sure we are best serving the kiddos by collaborating with each other. We not only care about the kids we serve but we also care about their families. We welcome parents to be involved in their child’s treatment sessions. This allows us to not only work on the specific skills the child needs to gain, but also provides the family with the tools necessary to carry those skills over into other areas of their home, school, or community.”

Learn, Play, Grow also hosts two support groups each month for parents of children with spina bifida and Down syndrome. These groups offer parents the opportunity to learn from other parents’ experiences, gain knowledge, receive support and share their child’s achievements.

Premier Pediatrics

Noticing a substantial gap in local health care services, Dr. Josh Wilkinson launched Premier Pediatrics in 2019. Since then, the clinic has become a go-to health care provider for families throughout the area, something he credits to quality, accessible care delivered in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

“The response to our practice has been very positive,” he says. “We stay busy most days and really are able, I hope, to make a pretty big dent in the pediatric needs in our community.”

A native of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Josh received his medical training at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. Trained and board certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics, he completed his residency at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.

In forming his practice, he intentionally wanted to create a place that would immediately improve medical access to local families.

Thus, Premier Pediatrics offers amenities that cater both to busy families and unforeseen emergencies alike.

“The primary issue most of the local pediatric providers in our area struggled with was expanded pediatric access. Not the daytime hours as much as the after-hours access,” he says. “The primary intent of opening our clinic was really to be able to meet those after-hours care needs during the week and weekends. As an urgent care clinic, we’re open seven days a week, 360 days a year to help offset some of that need.”

Structuring the clinic in this way has not only been a blessing for Josh’s patients, but for all families regardless of where they receive their primary care.

“We want to be a clinic that assists other pediatricians in our community by helping offset some of their after-hours needs,” he says. “Patients throughout the River Valley now have a place where they can go, knowing they are going to get the same level of care they would get at their pediatrician’s office, seven days a week.”

GET TO KNOW YOUR PROVIDERS

Arkansas Pediatric Therapy KIM HUNTER

I’m reading: Redeeming

Love by Francine Rivers

Favorite food: Pizza

Favorite movie: Titanic

Best gift I've ever received: My engagement ring, because it led to my life with my husband Bo and our four children

Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, watching the Razorbacks, attending my kids’ sporting events/activities/ performances and exercise Passmore Plastic Surgery Dr. ANN PASSMORE

Favorite food: Filet mignon

Favorite movie: Skyfall (or any James Bond movie) toss up with Fast and Furious (love a great thriller & action packed)

Little-known facts about me: I own a dually truck; I have Belgian draft horses, and a big German shepherd. I’m a morning person – rise at 5:00am most mornings and never hit snooze

3 words that describe me:

Authentic, savvy, mom Hobbies: Snow skiing, horseback riding, boating, and playing the piano

Arkansas Pediatric Therapy FRANCEE DOOLITTLE

Favorite food: Anything Mexican Favorite movie: Can't Buy Me Love

Three words that describe me: Practical, compassionate, leader

Best gift I've ever received: Large-capacity washer and dryer because I have four kids

Hobbies: Any activities with my family

Baptist Health Endocrinology Clinic DR. KASINA

I’m reading: They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie

Favorite food: Chicken biryani

Favorite movie: Sherlock Holmes series

3 words that describe me: Friendly, organized, respectful

Favorite season: Spring when the beautiful nature flourishes Hobbies: Reading novels, cooking for friends and family, gaming

Healing Tree Women’s Counseling Center MELANIE TAYLOR

Favorite food: Steak and shrimp and chocolate, do I have to choose just one Favorite movie:

The Family Stone

Three words that describe me: Funny, determined, creative Best gift I've ever received: My son surprised me one Christmas with a love note and it was my absolute favorite gift

Hobbies: Hammocking with my hubby, staying at unique air BnB’s, gardening and cooking

Learn Play Grow MANDY CHILTON

Favorite food: Comfort food, like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner

Favorite movie: Sound of Music or anything Harry Potter or Avengers

3 words that describe me: Introverted, compassionate, and patient

Best gift I've ever received: My husband got me a Yorkie puppy for Christmas, Brutus was the best dog

Hobbies: Gardening, camping, fishing, antique shopping

Learn Play Grow JENNIFER MARLEY

I’m reading: When the Brain Can't Hear: Unraveling the Mystery of Auditory Processing Disorder by Teri James Bellis

Favorite food: Seafood

Favorite movie: Patch Adams

3 words that describe me: Introvert, reliable, caring Best gift I've ever received: Motherhood, through the beautiful gift of our children's birth parents entrusting us with them

Hobbies: Reading, hiking and traveling

Premier Pediatrics DR. JOSH WILKINSON

I’m reading: Another Lousy Day in Paradise by John Gierach

Favorite food: Steak from Doe's Eat Place

Best gift I've ever received:

40th birthday trip to California, comprised of beautiful scenery, great food, and golf

Favorite season: Spring, because of warm weather and knowing that longer days are coming

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, running and golf