On Tuesday, June 27, the Board of Directors of the North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) convened for their monthly meeting, where they received updates on new staff members and the progress of the Medical Plaza.
During the meeting, President/CEO Sammie Cribbs shared the team's excitement about the upcoming opening of the Medical Plaza located on Highway 65 North. Despite some supply chain delays for minor items, Cribbs expressed confidence that the facility would be ready to receive patients in September. She also mentioned that plans for a grand opening event were underway and urged the board to save the dates for the upcoming announcement.
Cribbs took the opportunity to introduce Dr. Dalton Smith, a physical therapist who recently joined the NARMC team. Dr. Smith and his wife, Kayla, relocated to Harrison from Fairfield Bay in 2020. He holds a bachelor's degree in athletic training and a doctorate in physical therapy, both obtained from ASU Jonesboro. Dr. Smith is certified in dry needling and has received specialized training in concussion management. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, spending quality time with his wife, and engaging in lake-related activities. Cribbs expressed immense enthusiasm for having Dr. Smith as a valuable addition to the NARMC team.
Additionally, Cribbs shared the news about Nataley Merz, a speech pathologist originally from Branson, Missouri. Merz recently completed her master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Fontbonne University in St. Louis. She brings extensive experience working with patients of all age groups in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Merz's particular interests lie in motor speech and feeding/swallowing disorders. She and her husband are thrilled to be back in the Ozarks and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first baby girl in September. Cribbs expressed her anticipation in welcoming Merz and her family to the community.
Cribbs highlighted the expanding therapy services offered by NARMC, including the Berryville therapy clinic operating four days a week and the Marshall clinic offering therapy services on the same schedule. She also mentioned the notable growth in pelvic health and wellness services in Harrison. Cribbs expressed pride in the addition of pediatric therapy services and emphasized the remarkable care provided by the dedicated therapy team throughout the NARMC service area.
Furthermore, Cribbs provided an update on the ongoing replacement of flooring in the tower lobby areas on the first, second, and third floors. She explained that the replacement was necessary due to a water leak that occurred the previous year, and the new flooring had recently arrived after a backorder delay. Cribbs expressed gratitude for the arrival of the flooring and requested the community's understanding and cooperation during the next couple of weeks, as the affected entrances might require temporary detours.