Jumper New Mena APRN

MENA – Healthy Connections welcomes Mena-native Lindy, Jumper, APRN, to our location on Health Park Lane.

As an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Jumper will diagnose and treat illnesses and is able to interpret tests, write prescriptions and do many common in-office procedures. APRN’s have a focus on wellness and preventative care and work in partnership with their patients.

Jumper is a 2009 graduate of Mena High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Arkansas Tech University and earned her Master’s Degree from Graceland University.

“I am so excited to serve the community that I grew up in and made me who I am,” Jumper said.

Jumper will see patients at the Healthy Connections location at 136 Health Park Lane.

“I love to help people and I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field. I kind of fell in love with nursing right out of the gate,” Jumper said. “I look forward to serving the people who are seen at Healthy Connections and the population of Polk County.

Healthy Connections, Inc., was founded in 1998 as a home visiting program and now operates nine clinics throughout Southwest Arkansas. Depending on location, services include primary and preventative medical care, general dentistry, pediatrics, behavioral health, physical therapy, and cardiology.

To schedule an appointment with Jumper, please call the clinic at (479) 437-3449. Visit www.healthy-connections.org for more information.

Willis New Hot Springs LCSW

HOT SPRINGS — Healthy Connections, Inc., welcomes Trisha Willis, LCSW, to our Hot Springs location.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Willis will be a part of Healthy Connections’ expanded Behavioral Health Services. She will provide emotional support, mental health evaluations, therapy, and case management services to people experiencing psychological, emotional, medical, social and/or familial challenges.

Willis earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock

She will see patients at the Healthy Connections Hot Springs clinic at 3604 Central Ave., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Willis has worked in outpatient and school based settings, as well as, day treatment programs, working with chronically mentally ill patients. Throughout the past two years, she served as a supervisor and then program director in an inpatient mental health facility. Her diverse background and genuine desire to empower, educate, and help individuals struggling with mental illness and life stressors will bring a holistic approach towards improving the quality of lives of Hot Springs patients.

To schedule an appointment, contact the Central Ave. clinic at 501-463-4074. To learn more about Healthy Connections’ Behavioral Health program, please visit www.healthy-connections.org/bh.

Healthy Connections, Inc., was founded in 1998 as a home visiting program and now operates nine clinics throughout Southwest Arkansas. Depending on location, services include primary and preventative medical care, general dentistry, pediatrics, behavioral health, physical therapy and cardiology.

Tisha Jenkins, LCSW, Joins HCI

MALVERN — Healthy Connections, Inc., welcomes Tisha Jenkins, LCSW, to our Malvern and Arkadelphia locations.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Jenkins will be a part of Healthy Connections’ expanded Behavioral Health Services. She will provide emotional support, mental health evaluations, therapy, and case management services to people experiencing psychological, emotional, medical, social and/or familial challenges.

Jenkins, who lives in Malvern, earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock

She will see patients at the Healthy Connections Malvern clinic (1517 South Main St.) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays; and at the Arkadelphia clinic (3034 A Pine St.) on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jenkins will also see patients as part of a new partnership with the College of the Ouachitas in Malvern on Wednesdays.

Jenkins has provided treatment for individuals with serious mental illness, adjustment disorders, depression, ADHD, and anxiety for the past eight years. In the past two years, she has focused on geriatrics, mental illness and potential candidates for foster/adoptive parents.

To schedule an appointment, contact the Malvern clinic at 501-332-7525 or the Arkadelphia clinic at 870-230-1280. To learn more about Healthy Connections’ Behavioral Health program, please visit www.healthy-connections.org/bh.

Healthy Connections, Inc., was founded in 1998 as a home visiting program and now operates nine clinics throughout Southwest Arkansas. Depending on location, services include primary and preventative medical care, general dentistry, pediatrics, behavioral health, physical therapy and cardiology.

October Employee of Month

Congratulations to Celene Viana for being named the Healthy Connections Employee of the Month for October.

Celene is a nurse at the Hot Springs location on Central Ave.  Check out what some of her co-workers had to say about her:

  • “After transferring, Celene really stepped up where needed.”
  • “Celene has jumped in and helped with inventory between her regular duties.”
  • “Celene has a refreshing and team approach, her attitude is greatly appreciated.”

Do you know who should be our next Employee of the Month? Go to www.healthy-connections.org/nominate and tell us why.

National Recognition For Improving Blood Pressure

American Heart Association and American Medical Association announce annual list of physician practices and health systems receiving a Target: BP™ award for their commitment to prioritize blood pressure control within the communities they serve  

ARKANSAS – Healthy Connections, Inc., is recognized as a leader in the national effort to get people’s blood pressure under control and reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Medical Association (AMA) named Healthy Connections’ clinics as part of the 802 physician practices and health systems nationwide recognized for a commitment to help patients improve blood pressure control through this year’s Target: BP Recognition awards.

Launched in 2015,  Target: BP  is a national initiative between the AHA and AMA aimed at addressing the growing burden of high blood pressure in the U.S.

More than 1,600 physician practices and health systems nationwide have joined Target: BP™, sharing a common goal to reduce the number of adult patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and improve health outcomes associated with heart disease.   

“Improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve is part of the mission at Healthy Connections,” said CEO Tony Calandro. “Target: BP is just another recognition of our staff and their commitment to making Arkansas a healthier place to live.”

Healthy Connections clinics recognized include:

  • 3034 A Pine Street, Arkadelphia
  • 900 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, Malvern
  • 534 Luzerne Street, Mount Ida (Montgomery County Community Clinic)
  • 136 Health Park Drive, Mena
  • 1201 Mena Street, Mena
  • 102 Chippewa Court, Hot Springs
  • 3604 Central Avenue, Hot Springs
  • 1357 West Collin Raye Drive, De Queen
  • 139 School Lane, Mena (Ouachita River Health Center, Acorn School)

Clinics can be reached by calling toll free at (888) 710-8220.

Of the 103 million Americans with high blood pressure, less than half of them have it controlled to a healthy level. This is despite the fact that high blood pressure can often be managed effectively when patients work with their physician to create and follow a treatment plan. No single risk factor has more impact on the nation’s death rates from cardiovascular disease than high blood pressure.

“Although we have the tools to easily treat high blood pressure, many patients face a variety of barriers making it difficult to successfully manage the condition. That’s why the American Heart Association and American Medical Association created the Target: BP initiative – to help bring patients and physicians together to successfully get blood pressure under control, and help patients keep it controlled,” said AMA President Barbara L. McAneny, M.D. “We applaud the physicians who are already working hard to control their patients’ blood pressure, and we will continue to urge more physician practices, health systems and patients to join this effort to prioritize blood pressure control and increase the national blood pressure control rate. Together, we will be able to save many more lives and improve health outcomes for patients throughout the nation.”

“A driving force behind Target: BP’s goal of improving cardiovascular health is the physician and patient partnership,” said AHA President Ivor Benjamin, M.D., FAHA. “We are pleased to see more and more practices prioritize blood pressure control and collaborate with their patients to achieve the program’s goal of reducing heart disease and strokes in their communities.”

Healthy Connections, along with all other practices and health systems being recognized, will be featured in upcoming Target: BP materials. This includes appearing in national journal ads, on TargetBP.org, and the Target: BP Wall of Recognition that will be displayed at AMA and AHA events throughout the year.Healthy Connections, Inc., was founded in 1998 as a home visiting program and now operates nine clinics throughout Southwest Arkansas. Depending on location, services include primary and preventative medical care, general dentistry, pediatrics, behavioral health, physical therapy and cardiology