Community and staff members recently gathered at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) to celebrate team members and everything they have accomplished during the last quarter. Attendees heard from various team members, administration and the Board of Directors.
“We have so much to celebrate here at NARMC because we are more than a facility; we are a team of people that stand ready to serve our community at any moment,” President and CEO, Vince Leist said. “Today, we are here to celebrate our team.”
In honor of 100 team members being featured in the NARMC Proud campaign, the event kicked off with a team member talking about why he is NARMC Proud. Steve Richards, clinical pharmacist has been a part of the NARMC pharmacy for more than 30 years. He said that he loves his job and the team he works with. He is a great example of what it means to be NARMC Proud.
The event also highlighted new team members, promotions, awards and board appointments.
Sara Owen has been named the Human Resources Director. She and her team have been working to recruit new team members and improve processes.
Kristopher Apperson has joined NARMC as the HIM Director.
Dawn Brown, BSN, RN and OB nurse manager, was appointed as The Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement’s first Arkansas State Coordinator. PQI is a national organization focused on helping healthcare professionals eliminate preventable perinatal injuries and deaths.
Lynetta Smith, RD, was named Young Dietitian of the Year by the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Lynetta was nominated for this honor because of her compassionate care, how she relates to patients and helps facilitate positive change.
Dawn Brown, BSN, RN, and Erin Berry, RN, were both recognized as Top 100 Nurses in the state of Arkansas.
Thomas Pepler, RN and Manager of the Home Health and Hospice division, has been elected to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Arkansas. Pepler looks forward to working with the Arkansas State Legislature and others throughout the state to promote the importance of hospice and palliative care.
Josh Bright, PharmD and Director of Pharmacy Services, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Arkansas Association of Hospital Pharmacists as the Chair of the Programs and Education Council. His goal is to develop unique and accessible learning opportunities for pharmacists and technicians.
President and CEO, Vince Leist, highlighted NARMC’s EMS team. EMS recently received its Community Paramedic accreditation. This free, referral-based service is now offered to patients in the community. NARMC is one of four hospital who offer this service in the state of Arkansas. EMS also hosted an open house at its new facility. The donor wall, stones and bricks are now on display to thank the generosity of the community.
Chief Nursing Officer and COO, Sammie Cribbs, highlighted the surgery department and the new innovative ideas they recently implemented to calm the nerves of their youngest patients. Surgery Director, Lacy Huff, told the crowd how pediatric patients are now taken back to surgery in a converted, child-size jeep. Huff thanked Walmart of Harrison for donating the vehicles and NARMC’s Engineering team for working on them in order to ensure patient safety. The Surgery team also recently redecorated the pediatric recovery room since studies have shown that bright colors and stimulation help children come out of anesthesia faster and with fewer complications.
Cribbs went on to feature the Emergency Department. For the second year in a row, NARMC has received the AR SAVES Site of Excellence Award. AR SAVES is a program that connects NARMC with neurologists so that patients can receive the stroke care they need in a timely manner. New to the Spotlight event, NARMC Board Chairman, Dan Bowers, addressed the audience.
“Every member of the NARMC team plays an integral part in providing quality care to our community from frontline staff, such as doctors, nurses and EMS team members, to everyone who works behind the scenes in the business office, food and nutrition services and environmental services,” said Bowers. “As NARMC grows, so do our services and what we can offer our friends, family and neighbors. We take that responsibility seriously.”
Bowers continued, “I have been a part of the NARMC Board for 12 years alongside three different CEO’s. With Vince’s leadership, NARMC has brought in 32 physicians, APRNs and Physician Assistants. We are more financially sound than we have ever been and are looking forward to our future as the leading healthcare facility in North Central Arkansas. It is our joy to be here when you need us – no matter the circumstance. In closing, I speak on behalf of the entire Board of Directors when I say we are proud of NARMC and the positive impact each team member has on our community.”
Before wrapping up the program, Leist recognized Kim Rosson and her work with the North Arkansas Medical Foundation. The NAM Foundation hosted two fundraising events during the last quarter. The “Meet Me Under the Big Top” 5K was hosted during the Crawdad Day Festival. The Foundation raised more than $17,000 and 205 racers participated. The “PAR-Tee Under the Big Top” Golf Classic raised more than $28,000 thanks to 105 golfers.
Leist also recognized Peggy Jackson and Mary Pledge, two active NARMC Auxiliary members and Laretta Moore, Board of Governors member, who were all honored at the Women of Distinction luncheon.
The next NARMC Spotlight is scheduled for September 20, 2018.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the great people doing great things at NARMC!