This year, readers of Arkansas Money & Politics selected 100 healthcare professionals and institutions to honor in this year’s “Champions of Healthcare.” From surgeons to physician assistants and from large health systems to small clinics, this year’s group of honorees covers a wide swath of the healthcare industry, but all share a commitment to improving health in Arkansas. Congratulations to this year’s “Champions of Healthcare.”
Allied HealthCare Providers
Chris Blackmon, D.C.
Blackmon Chiropractic Clinic
Under the skilled leadership of chiropractors Chris Blackmon and Reid Clark, Little Rock’s Blackmon Chiropractic Clinic is dedicated to providing chiropractic solutions to patients’ unique needs in head, neck and muscular pain.
Michael Devlin, M.D.
Devlin Cosmetic Surgery
Michael Kaczkowski
The Center for Alloplastic Facial Reconstruction
Whitney Melton, APRN
White River Health
Whitney Melton is a certified family nurse practitioner with more than 20 years of healthcare experience at White River Health, including previous roles as a patient care technician and registered nurse. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Melton provides primary and preventive care, including wellness exams, to patients of all ages at White River Health Family Care in Batesville.
Jenna Pardoe, PA-C
OrthoArkansas
Jenna Pardoe is a national board-certified physician assistant. Originally from Texas, Pardoe started her career in medicine in 2015, earning a bachelor’s degree in allied health from Texas A&M University. She continued her education with the physician assistant program at Harding University in Searcy in 2017, graduating with a master’s degree in physician assistant studies. Pardoe began as a practicing PA at OrthoArkansas in 2018 and works directly with hand surgeons Dr. Jeanine Andersson and Dr. Matthew Burn in diagnosing and treating orthopedic hand and upper extremity issues. She is an active member of the American Association of Physician Assistants, the Arkansas Academy of Physician Assistants and American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
Cancer Care Providers
Konstantinos Arnaoutakis, M.D.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Dr. Konstantinos Arnaoutakis is a hematologist and oncologist at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, where he is a professor of medicine and fellowship program director in the department of internal medicine division of hematology and oncology. Board certified in internal medicine, hematology and oncology, Arnaoutakis is a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. In addition to his clinical and research work, he has served as faculty for the Harvard Macy Institute in Boston and as a facilitator with the Academy of Communication in Healthcare, which focuses on improving communication in health care.
Brad Baltz, M.D.
Genesis Cancer and Blood Institute
J. Thaddeus Beck, M.D.
Highlands Oncology Group
Dr. J. Thaddeus Beck is a founding physician and medical director at Highlands Oncology, where he has played a pivotal role in transforming cancer care in northwest Arkansas. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock and went on to complete a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Duke University Medical School in North Carolina. In 1996, Beck, alongside Drs. Daniel Bradford and Malcolm Hayward, founded Highlands Oncology with a shared vision: to provide patients in their home community access to the same advanced, innovative cancer care available at major academic centers. As medical director, Beck built Highlands Oncology’s clinical research program from the ground up into one of the largest and most successful community-based clinical trial programs in the country. Many patients are pleasantly surprised to learn that the same cutting-edge clinical trials offered at major academic medical centers are also available at Highlands — a testament to the depth and strength of the research program Beck has built.
S. Thomas Kang, M.D.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
A fellowship-trained, board-certified colorectal surgeon, Dr. Thomas Kang joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock in 2023 as an assistant professor in the UAMS College of Medicine Division of Colorectal Surgery. Before joining UAMS, Kang completed a colon and rectal surgery fellowship at the University of Alabama Birmingham Medical Center. He completed his residency in general surgery at TriHealth Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, where he was chief resident and resident of the year. Kang is also a cancer researcher and conducts studies on health disparities and surgical education. He has authored several textbook chapters on general surgery and has presented his work at national medical conferences
Diane Wilder, M.D.
CARTI
Dr. Diane Wilder is a board-certified, fellowship-trained medical oncologist. A graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, she completed her internal medicine residency and medical oncology fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center and a fellowship in lymphoma research at Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center — Dallas. She is affiliated with the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology and the Pulaski County Medical Society.
HealthCare Administrators
Marcy Doderer, FACHE
Arkansas Children’s
Marcy Doderer is president and CEO at Arkansas Children’s, where she leads the state’s only pediatric health system. Under her dynamic leadership, Arkansas Children’s is advancing specialized clinical, research and academic programs to create a healthier future for children, especially in the American heartland. In more than a decade, Doderer has extended the health system’s reach through an expanded physical footprint to better serve the children and families of Arkansas.
Rebekah Fincher
Rebekah Fincher is chief administrative officer at Conway Regional Health System, where she leads strategic growth and business development initiatives that support the organization’s mission of delivering high-quality healthcare across central and north central Arkansas. She has overseen physician recruitment, the acquisition of multiple primary care and specialty clinics, and Conway Regional’s graduate medical education programs, which train more than 30 physicians annually. Fincher has been recognized by many local publications in addition to Arkansas Money & Politics and AY About You. She is also an active community leader and an alumna of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
Stone County Medical Center
David Fox serves as vice president and administrator at Stone County Medical Center in Mountain View. He brings experience in healthcare executive leadership, hospital operations and strategy, along with hands-on experience in laboratory and radiology settings. Fox earned his Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Healthcare Radiology Administrators.
Highlands Oncology Group
Traci Hampton is director of marketing and communications at Highlands Oncology, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience in oncology and pediatric healthcare. Her career spans operations, strategic planning, physician relations and healthcare marketing with a passion for building strong brands, advancing patient-centered initiatives and supporting organizational growth. She works closely with physicians and executive leadership to develop innovative programs, strengthen community engagement, and communicate the organization’s mission with clarity, purpose and impact. Hampton is passionate about advancing patient-centered care, strengthening healthcare organizations and driving meaningful growth through strategic vision and effective communication.
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center is guided by a leadership team committed to ensuring exceptional healthcare remains accessible to the communities it serves. President and CEO Sammie Cribbs Roberson, Chief Operating Officer Josh Bright, Chief Nursing Officer Donna Boehm, MSN, RN, and Chief Financial Officer Andrea Smith each bring unique expertise to the organization while working toward a shared vision for the future of healthcare. Together, they believe the strongest organizations are built by investing in people, listening to the needs of their communities, and creating an environment where patients and team members can thrive. Their leadership helps ensure NARMC continues to grow thoughtfully, invest in the services its communities need, and remain a trusted healthcare resource for North Central Arkansas.
Michelle W. Krause, M.D., MPH
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Dr. Michelle W. Krause has served as senior vice chancellor of UAMS Health and CEO of UAMS Medical Center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock since 2022. She is responsible for UAMS Health’s 559-bed hospital, The Orthopaedic & Spine Hospital, central Arkansas outpatient clinics, digital health services, and clinics at regional campuses across the state. Krause joined UAMS in 2002. She received her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed an internal medicine residency and fellowships in nephrology and research nephrology at the University of North Carolina. She earned her master’s in public health in epidemiology at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health.
HealthCare Advocates
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families
Arkansas Advocates for Nursing Home Residents
Arkansas Medical Society
Solace
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Institute for Community Health Innovation
The Institute for Community Health Innovation at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock is a team of passionate leaders transforming health in Arkansas. Its mission is to improve health through bold innovation and collaborative partnerships to create a better state of health for all. Its work is focused on four strategic areas: maternal and child health; health transformation; health, hunger and nutrition; and diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases. By bringing together experts across disciplines and partnering with community leaders and organizations throughout Arkansas, the institute creates sustainable solutions that improve access to care, strengthen the healthcare workforce and advance health outcomes. Together, we are building healthier families, stronger communities and a brighter future for all Arkansans.
HealthCare Clinics
Cabot Health & Wellness
Franks Dermatology
For more than 25 years, Dr. Hayden Franks has believed every Arkansan deserves exceptional skin care. That belief shapes everything at Franks Dermatology and SKN at Franks Dermatology in Little Rock, where patients always come first, whether for a routine skin check, an advanced medical procedure or a cosmetic consultation. At Franks Dermatology, Franks and physician assistants Bailey Pollock and Liz Turbeville deliver expert medical and surgical care. Downstairs at SKN at Franks Dermatology, registered nurse Katie Davidson, nurse practitioner Peyton Davis and licensed esthetician Barron Crank bring the same dedication to cosmetic, medical and aesthetic treatments. Together, the two clinics work as one so every patient feels cared for from the start. A native of Magnolia, Franks leads ongoing education for both teams and recently brought the full Sciton laser platform — MOXI, BBL HEROic, HALO TRIBRID and OMNI — to the practice, giving patients access to the most advanced laser technology available in the state.
GastroArkansas
Little Rock Family Practice
Founded by audiologist Mary Chatelain, Pinnacle Hearing exists to restore connection through better hearing. The company believes meaningful communication is the foundation of strong relationships, confidence and a life fully lived. Hearing loss can create distance between people, but it does not have to define life’s most important moments. Pinnacle’s mission is to help every patient reconnect with the people and experiences that matter most. Through compassionate care, personalized treatment and advanced hearing technology, the clinic restores confidence, strengthens communication and changes the way people experience hearing healthcare — because when hearing is restored, connection is restored.
Healthcare Executives
C. Lowry Barnes, M.D.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Dr. C. Lowry Barnes was named chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock on Feb. 5, 2026, after serving as interim chancellor for seven months. A fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee joint reconstruction and replacement, he joined UAMS in 2014 as professor and chair of the department of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation. Barnes is founding director of The Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital at UAMS, which opened in 2023 to bring leading orthopaedic, spine and pain specialists together under one roof. Internationally recognized as a leader in joint replacement, he has published more than 350 peer-reviewed articles, lectures worldwide, and holds seven patents for orthopaedic devices and implants.
Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, Rural Health Association of Arkansas
Mellie Boagni is the founder, president, and CEO of the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership and executive director of the Rural Health Association of Arkansas. A nationally respected rural health leader, she has dedicated more than two decades to strengthening healthcare access across rural Arkansas through collaboration, innovation and strategic partnerships. Leveraging trusted relationships with state and federal agencies, legislators, healthcare leaders and national organizations, she has secured and managed more than $100 million in funding to expand healthcare workforce development, behavioral health, telehealth, hospital sustainability and community-based care. Under her leadership, ARHP has grown into one of the nation’s leading rural health networks, driving transformative initiatives that improve health outcomes and ensure sustainable, high-quality healthcare for rural Arkansans.
Char Boulch
Saline Health System
Char Boulch is CEO of Saline Health System, where she leads efforts to advance quality care, strengthen community partnerships and support workforce engagement across the organization. Since joining Saline Health System in 2023, she has helped drive improvements in patient safety, operational performance and patient experience. Prior to becoming CEO, Boulch served as chief nursing officer for the system and previously held senior nursing leadership roles at hospitals in Oregon and other markets. She brings more than 25 years of healthcare experience and is committed to fostering a culture of compassion, collaboration and excellence in patient care.
Marcy Doderer, FACHE
Arkansas Children’s
Marcy Doderer is president and CEO at Arkansas Children’s, where she leads the state’s only pediatric health system. Under her dynamic leadership, Arkansas Children’s is advancing specialized clinical, research and academic programs to create a healthier future for children, especially in the American heartland. In more than a decade, Doderer has extended the health system’s reach through an expanded physical footprint to better serve the children and families of Arkansas.
Troy Wells
Baptist Health
HealthCare Volunteer/ Philanthropic Organizations
Arkansas Children’s Foundation
Because of the generous support of Arkansas Children’s benefactors, 850,000 children in Arkansas have access to nationally recognized care close to home at Arkansas Children’s two pediatric hospitals, statewide clinics and many community programs. Yet the work is not complete. By most national measures of child health and well-being, children in Arkansas are among the least healthy. Gifts ensure Arkansas Children’s is always available to help children and provide resources to meet the needs of each family who arrives seeking treatment.
Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas
CareLink
Health Foundation
The Conway Regional Health Foundation, established in 1996, advances healthcare across central Arkansas by supporting the mission of Conway Regional Health System through philanthropic giving. As the fundraising arm of the health system, the foundation invests donor support in innovative technology, facility enhancements, patient care programs, employee education and community health initiatives. Every dollar raised helps expand access to high-quality, compassionate care while strengthening the health and well-being of the communities Conway Regional serves. Through the generosity of individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations, the foundation helps support Conway Regional’s ability to meet the region’s evolving healthcare needs.
Ronald McDonald House Arkansas & North Louisiana
Home HealthCare
Angelic Home Health Care
Conway Regional Home Health
Conway Regional Home Health delivers skilled, compassionate care in the comfort of patients’ homes, helping patients recover safely while maintaining independence. The multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, therapists, nursing assistants and support staff provides personalized care tailored to each patient’s needs. Services may include skilled nursing; physical, occupational and speech therapy; wound and ostomy care; IV therapy; pain management; and nutritional support when ordered by a physician. Conway Regional Home Health has earned a 4.5-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and was named one of Newsweek’s “America’s Best Home Health Agencies 2026,” reflecting the health system’s commitment to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care.
Favor Home Care
Superior Senior Care
Superior Senior Care has proudly served Arkansas families for more than 40 years by staying focused on what matters most — people. The company remains ahead in home care by adapting to the evolving needs of seniors, supporting compassionate caregivers and providing personalized care options that help clients remain independent at home. With offices across Arkansas, staff members are honored by the trust families have placed in them and are committed to maintaining the high standards that have defined the company’s reputation for decades. Superior Senior Care believes healthcare champions lead with compassion, integrity and reliability. Looking ahead, Superior seeks to continue expanding access to quality in-home care, strengthening caregiver support, and embracing innovative solutions that help more Arkansans age safely and comfortably at home.
SYNERGY HomeCare
Hospital Systems
Arkansas Children’s
Arkansas Children’s is a nationally ranked health care system dedicated to caring for families across the region, including Arkansas’ 850,000 children. The private nonprofit organization includes two pediatric hospitals with 361 licensed beds, a pediatric research institute and U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition center, a philanthropic foundation, a nursery alliance, statewide clinics, and many education and outreach programs — all focused on fulfilling a promise to define and deliver unprecedented child health.
Baptist Health
CHI St. Vincent
Headquartered in Little Rock, CHI St. Vincent provides comprehensive care through a network of hospitals, clinics and specialty services. The health system’s hospitals in Little Rock, Sherwood, Morrilton and Hot Springs, along with a growing 37-acre ambulatory campus in west Little Rock, ensure access to high-quality care. With 80 primary care and specialty clinics, more than 300 affiliated physicians, the state’s largest team of cardiologists, and 4,300 dedicated employees, CHI St. Vincent is committed to serving its communities with excellence and compassion.
Conway Regional Health System is a locally governed nonprofit healthcare system serving an eight-county region across central and north central Arkansas. Centered on a 180-bed acute care medical center, Conway Regional provides comprehensive services that include heart care, orthopedics, women’s health, gastroenterology, surgery and primary care. The health system operates an expansive network of primary and specialty care clinics, as well as Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center, and Dardanelle Regional Medical Center. Recognized for excellence in healthcare and workplace culture, Conway Regional has been honored by many publications in addition to Arkansas Money & Politics and AY About You, including earning Best Places to Work honors from Modern Healthcare.
Saline Health System
Saline Health System is made up of Saline Memorial Hospital, a 177-bed acute care facility, and Saline Clinics, a network of primary care and specialty clinics. For more than 70 years, Saline Memorial Hospital has served Saline County and surrounding communities, offering a broad range of services, including women’s health, orthopedic care, behavioral health and rehabilitation. The hospital has been recognized with four consecutive Leapfrog Grade A patient safety ratings and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for its commitment to delivering safe, high-quality patient care.
Innovation in HealthCare
Advanced Physical Therapy
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Arkansas Surgical Hospital is Arkansas’s premier destination for orthopedic, spine and interventional pain management care. Located in North Little Rock, the physician-owned hospital features 41 private patient suites and 13 state-of-the-art operating rooms designed to deliver an exceptional patient experience. The hospital’s specialists provide advanced care in orthopedics, spine surgery, breast oncology, urology and interventional pain management. Arkansas Surgical Hospital performs more joint replacement procedures than any other hospital in the state while maintaining a lower-than-average infection rate and earning national recognition for outstanding patient outcomes and satisfaction.
OrthoArkansas
OrthoArkansas is Arkansas’ largest physician-owned orthopedic practice, offering comprehensive orthopedic care with providers across every specialty, including joint replacement, sports medicine, spine, hand and upper extremity, shoulder, foot and ankle, rheumatology and more. Built on a model of physician leadership and independent practice, OrthoArkansas offers care at 10 locations across Arkansas and three urgent care centers, making it easier for patients to receive care when and where they need it, all close to home.
White River Health
Based in Batesville, White River Health is a leading not-for-profit regional healthcare system serving north central Arkansas. With hospital campuses in Batesville and Mountain View alongside a wide network of outpatient facilities and clinics, WRH provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. Driven by core values of compassion, accountability, respect, excellence and safety, the health system remains dedicated to improving regional health outcomes, fostering a welcoming healing environment and delivering high-quality medical services close to home.
Wright Plastic Surgery & Med Spa
Large Hospitals (100 beds or more)
Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock
Conway Regional Medical Center
Conway Regional Health System is a locally governed nonprofit healthcare system serving an eight-county region across central and north central Arkansas. Centered on a 180-bed acute care medical center, Conway Regional provides comprehensive services that include heart care, orthopedics, women’s health, gastroenterology, surgery and primary care. The health system operates an expansive network of primary and specialty care clinics, as well as Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center, and Dardanelle Regional Medical Center. Recognized for excellence in healthcare and workplace culture, Conway Regional has been honored by many publications in addition to Arkansas Money & Politics and AY About You, including earning Best Places to Work honors from Modern Healthcare.
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison is an innovative nonprofit healthcare system consisting of a central hospital in Harrison and 13 clinics serving the rural communities of north Arkansas. More than 750 NARMC employees, including 32 physicians, physician assistants and APRNs, work together to provide a comprehensive range of healthcare services. The not-for-profit hospital is guided by four sets of values: safety, quality, integrity and community. Those values go hand-in-hand with the mission of the medical center, which is to provide comprehensive healthcare in northwest Arkansas, and with its vision to be the most trusted and preferred healthcare provider in the area.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center
For more than 146 years, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has been serving the people of Arkansas. What started as a medical school and charity hospital in Little Rock has evolved into the state’s only health sciences university, offering five colleges and a graduate school, a nationally recognized hospital with a statewide network of regional campuses and clinics, and cutting-edge research into the diseases that most affect Arkansans. UAMS applauds its 2026 “Champions of Healthcare” as they lead the way to a healthier Arkansas. Those Champions embody UAMS’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of every Arkansan.
Washington Regional Medical Center
Long-Term Care Facilities
Briarwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
A 120-bed facility that specializes in both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care, Briarwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Little Rock has provided a trusted place where residents can feel comfortable for more than 30 years.
Elder Independence
The Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Good Shepherd
The Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Good Shepherd is a trusted provider of skilled nursing, rehabilitation and long-term care in central Arkansas. Dedicated to compassionate, person-centered care, the center helps patients recover from illness, injury or surgery while supporting those who require ongoing nursing services. An experienced team of healthcare professionals delivers individualized treatment plans focused on restoring independence, improving quality of life and promoting overall well-being. Through clinical excellence, innovation, and a commitment to dignity and respect, Good Shepherd continues to be a trusted healthcare partner for patients, residents and families throughout the community.
Presbyterian Village
Sherwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Mental Health Facilities
The BridgeWay
Natural State Recovery Centers
Peak State Recovery
Pinnacle Pointe Hospital
Renewal Ranch
Nurse Practitioners
William Goza, APRN
Arcare
Courtney McKinney, APRN, FNP-C
Revive Health and Wellness
Nurse practitioner Courtney McKinney brings more than a decade of expertise in family medicine, women’s health, weight management and hormone optimization to Arkansas. She founded Revive Health & Wellness in Malvern in 2024, after experiencing her own health struggles, to create a compassionate, patient-centered clinic where every individual feels heard, seen and supported. McKinney is dedicated to delivering personalized, evidence-based care that empowers patients to understand their health, restore balance and confidently move forward on their wellness journeys with clarity, confidence and a renewed sense of hope for lasting wellness.
Necie Reed, APRN
Conway Regional Hendrix Medical Clinic
Necie Reed is a certified family nurse practitioner at Conway Regional Hendrix Medical Clinic, where she provides compassionate, community-focused care to college students and the broader Conway community. A graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, she has both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Nursing Science. Before her current role, she served as director of student health services at Hendrix College in Conway for 12 years.
Kayla Sanders, APRN, FNP-C
Beauty Boss Co.
Stephanie Young, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC
Practical Wellness
Physician Assistants
Eva Barlogie, PA-C
Arkansas Children’s
Eva Barlogie graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock in 2015. She began her career in plastic surgery at UAMS in 2016 and has been with the burn surgery team at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock for the past seven years. Eva treats pediatric and adult patients, guiding them from critical care to rehab. Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor exercise and spending time with her two children, Oliver and Charley.
Tara Bruner, PA-C
Harding University
Julie Dinh, PA
Washington Regional Interventional Pain Management Clinic
Jared Elmquist, PA
Conway Regional Surgical Associates
Jared Elmquist is a physician assistant at Conway Regional Surgical Associates. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway in 2013 and completed his Master of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock in 2021. Elmquist brings 12 years of experience in the operating room and is eager to support patients in any way he can. He also serves as a preceptor for physician assistant students from various programs.
Ada Sochanska, PA-C
Baptist Health
Physicians
Omar T. Atiq, M.D.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Dr. Omar T. Atiq is a medical oncologist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Little Rock and a distinguished professor at the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine Division of Hematology and Oncology. He also holds the Omar T. Atiq, M.D., MACP, Distinguished Chair in Physician Leadership at UAMS. The founding director of the Arkansas Cancer Institute in Pine Bluff, Atiq also served as the medical director of the cancer treatment program and chief of staff at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff. Atiq is a past president of the American College of Physicians, the largest medical specialty organization in the United States. He was the first Arkansan elected to that office.
Keith Mooney, M.D. FACS
CARTI
Dr. Keith Mooney is a board-certified urologist with nearly 40 years of experience. He is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, where he completed residencies in both surgery and urology. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Association of Clinical Urologists, American Board of Urology, American Urological Association-South Central Section, Arkansas Medical Society and Arkansas Urological Society.
Gordon Newbern, M.D.
OrthoArkansas
Dr. Gordon Newbern has been practicing orthopedics in Little Rock since 1992. His subspecialty training is in reconstruction of the hip and knee. After completing medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock and orthopedic residency at Georgetown University Medical Center, he completed fellowship training in hip and knee replacement at The Franciscan Health Center for Hip & Knee Surgery in Indiana. The goal of his practice is to provide expert treatment of hip and knee problems with use of arthroscopy; partial or unicompartmental, and total knee replacement; total hip replacement; mini-incision hip replacement; realignment procedures, which help avoid joint replacement; and revision hip and knee replacements when the prosthesis has failed. Newbern is consulted on unusually difficult joint replacement cases from around the state. His research articles have been published in The Journal of Arthroplasty. He performs more than 500 joint replacement procedures per year. After raising and educating their four children, Newbern and his wife, Linda, enjoy getting out in the Ozark mountains, exploring local bicycle trails, traveling and visiting their children.
Lewis Porter, M.D.
Saline Health System
Dr. Lewis Porter received his doctorate of medicine from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and his general surgery training from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. He is board certified in general surgery and is a fellow with the American College of Surgeons. He has been at Saline Health System 20 years. He launched the hospital’s bariatric program and has served as chief of surgery. He is currently director of trauma services and a member of the hospital’s advisory board. He is also a fellow with the American College of Surgeons.
Carroll Scroggin, M.D.
NEA Baptist Fowler Family Center for Cancer Care.
Registered Nurses
Wendy England, RN
The Batson Clinic
Bradley Heird, MHA, BSN, RN
Baptist Health
Terri Imus, BSN, RN
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Registered nurse Terri Imus, who recently retired as a digital health coordinator at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, has been involved with telehealth since the development of the Center for Distance Health at UAMS. In addition to telehealth, her nursing background includes experience with high-risk obstetrics, adult critical care and postanesthesia care. Throughout her career, she has played a central role in developing programs to improve patient access to care, particularly in rural areas. Imus was instrumental in the development of UAMS’ statewide telemedicine stroke program. She helped coordinate statewide training for satellite programs of the South Central Telehealth Resource Center at UAMS and worked with the UAMS Trauma Image Repository, as well as the hand trauma and burn consultation telemedicine programs.
Paige Kelly, BSN, RN
Wright Plastic Surgery
Rosa Zamora, BSN, RN, CPN, NE-BC
Arkansas Children’s
Rosa Zamora began her career at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway in 2011. She has worked in various care settings and has a passion for professional development. As nursing excellence manager, she supports nursing education, nursing research, transition to practice programs, career progression and magnet efforts. She is a 2024 “40 Nurse Leaders Under 40” honoree and enjoys traveling to new cities for concerts.
Rural Hospitals
Baptist Health Medical Center-Stuttgart
CHI St. Vincent Morrilton
CHI St. Vincent Morrilton is a 28-bed, faith-based, not-for-profit community hospital committed to serving the healthcare needs of rural communities across west central Arkansas. Originally known as St. Anthony’s Hospital, it has evolved into CHI St. Vincent Morrilton, providing trusted care to the local community for decades. As part of CHI St. Vincent, patients have access to an extensive range of specialized services, including a heart institute, a neuroscience institute, gynecology, general surgery, home health, an intensive care unit, lab services, orthopedics, outpatient surgery, radiology, rehabilitation, a sleep lab, urology and wound care.
Mercy Hospital Berryville
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center is a nonprofit healthcare system serving North Central Arkansas through its hospital in Harrison and 13 primary and specialty care clinics. More than 750 employees, including physicians, physician assistants, APRNs, nurses, therapists, and support staff, work together to provide high-quality care close to home. From primary and emergency care to maternity services, surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, therapy, and rehabilitation, NARMC offers a broad range of services that help patients receive exceptional care without leaving the region. Guided by the values of safety, quality, integrity, and community, NARMC is committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities it has proudly served for more than 75 years.
Ouachita County Medical Center
Small Hospitals (Less than 100 beds)
Arkansas Children’s Northwest
Arkansas Children’s Northwest is the region’s only children’s hospital. Situated off Interstate 49 in Springdale, the hospital offers convenient access to families and visitors. In addition to offering a full range of pediatric medical services, the hospital provides expertise, compassion and amenities to allow the best outcomes for patients and families.
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Arkansas Surgical Hospital is Arkansas’s premier destination for orthopedic, spine and interventional pain management care. Located in North Little Rock, the physician-owned hospital features 41 private patient suites and 13 state-of-the-art operating rooms designed to deliver an exceptional patient experience. The hospital’s specialists provide advanced care in orthopedics, spine surgery, breast oncology, urology and interventional pain management. Arkansas Surgical Hospital performs more joint replacement procedures than any other hospital in the state while maintaining a lower-than-average infection rate and earning national recognition for outstanding patient outcomes and satisfaction.
CHI St. Vincent North
CHI St. Vincent North is a 68-bed, faith-based, not-for-profit hospital dedicated to serving the health care needs of central Arkansas. Offering private patient rooms and 24-hour emergency care, the hospital is supported by a team of more than 200 physicians and staff committed to providing high-quality medical care to Sherwood, North Little Rock, Jacksonville and surrounding communities. Located on the same campus as CHI St. Vincent Rehabilitation Hospital, CHI St. Vincent North is also proud to be home to the renowned Arkansas Neuroscience Institute.
Magnolia Regional Medical Center
Unity Health — Jacksonville
Surgeons
Dana Abraham, M.D. FACS
Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Dr. Dana Abraham is a surgeon at Arkansas Surgical Hospital and the owner of Abraham Breast Clinic in Little Rock, which she founded in 2007. A Little Rock native, she graduated from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire in 1989 before completing a general surgery residency and breast fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the American Society of Breast Disease and a member of the Association of Women Surgeons.
J. Camilo Barreto, M.D. FACS
CARTI
Dr. J. Camilo Barreto is a fellowship-trained, board-certified surgical oncologist specializing in complex cancers of the digestive tract, skin and soft tissues. He earned his medical degree from Anahuac University School of Medicine in Mexico City. He completed general surgery residencies at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition in Mexico City and at the University of Chicago Medical Center, as well as fellowships in surgical oncology at the University of Chicago Medical Center and in minimally invasive surgery at the Mayo Clinic. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Ali Krisht, M.D. FACS
Arkansas Neuroscience Institute at CHI St. Vincent
Dr. Ali Krisht is director of the Arkansas Neuroscience Institute at CHI St. Vincent North in Sherwood and chief editor of the Contemporary Neurosurgery journal. An acclaimed neurosurgeon, he was presented with the Herbert Olivecrona Award, one of the most prestigious awards for neurosurgery, in 2019. He is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and completed medical school and a residency at the American University of Beirut.
Adam Norwood, D.O., FAAOS
Baptist Health
Lewis Porter, M.D
Saline Health System
Dr. Lewis Porter received his doctorate of medicine from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and his general surgery training from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. He is board certified in general surgery and is a fellow with the American College of Surgeons. He has been at Saline Health System 20 years. He launched the hospital’s bariatric program and has served as chief of surgery. He is currently director of trauma services and a member of the hospital’s advisory board. He is also a fellow with the American College of Surgeons.
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