Master in Primary Care — Keith Cooper, M.D.
The mission of Conway Regional Health System is to provide high-quality, compassionate health care services, and primary care is no exception. Conway Regional’s primary care clinics are located throughout the communities it serves and offer an array of providers, from physicians to advanced practitioners. Many locations offer urgent “point of need” access for timely care, as well. During every interaction, Conway Regional providers are dedicated to developing the kinds of long-lasting relationships that are vital to providing quality care.
“Exceptional primary care hinges on accessibility and continuity, both of which are strengths of Conway Regional Health System,” said Keith Cooper, M.D., a physician at Conway Medical Group and medical director of primary care for Conway Regional. “Our providers treat the whole person, including their physical, mental and social health, prioritizing the long-term relationship, not just ‘transactions.’”
There is a common misconception that primary care is only necessary for minor illnesses or the occasional checkup. In reality, Cooper said, primary care is the foundation of health over time. Regular visits not only build a baseline of health markers from which a provider can detect changes but also allow for invaluable preventative care such as screenings and immunizations. More than just treating a cold or conducting an annual physical, primary care physicians can provide chronic disease management and help coordinate complex care.
“A good primary care provider helps manage long-term risks, catches problems early, and reduces the need for costly emergency or specialist care,” Cooper said.
The benefits of regular primary care visits make it all the more important to establish a relationship with a trusted physician. Changes in health can happen rapidly, and seeing one’s primary care provider can make for a more accurate assessment of problems than one might receive from seeing a provider for the first time or going to urgent care. Providers who know a patient’s history make better clinical decisions, Cooper said, and patients are more likely to follow through on care plans when they trust their doctor, improving outcomes.
“Continuity matters,” Cooper said. “Seeing the same provider over time allows for trust, better diagnosis and more personalized care.”
Conway Regional works to make quality care available closer to home, investing in services for rural and underserved areas and supporting providers as they live in and serve their own communities. The health system also partners with insurance companies to make care more affordable and provide cost savings for patients, employers and payors. High-quality, accessible primary care is just one area in which Conway Regional is achieving its vision to be recognized as the regional leader in health care excellence.
“Conway Regional is rooted in community-based care,” Cooper said. “That won’t change.”
501-506-2747
Facebook: Conway Regional Health System
SEE THE FEATURE BELOW AND IN OUR JULY 2026 ISSUE OF AMP
