Healthy Connections September 2024 Shining STAR Employees of the Month
Healthy Connections announces the September 2024 Shining STAR Employees of the Month: Ilenee Tedford, LPN, of the Hot Springs McAuley Clinic, representing the East Communities, and Stacy Standridge, a remote Medical Coding Specialist representing the West Communities. These employees exemplify Healthy Connections’ pillars of Community, Compassion, and Excellence in their daily work.
Ilenee Tedford, Hot Springs McAuley Clinic (East Communities)
Ilenee recently transitioned from family practice at the Malvern Teeter clinic to behavioral health at the McAuley clinic. Since joining Healthy Connections in 2023, Ilenee has demonstrated consistent professionalism and empathy. Her coworkers describe her as knowledgeable and kind, saying, “Ilenee ensures everyone she encounters feels welcome and important, patients and co-workers alike!” Her approach to nursing is well-suited to her new role in behavioral health, where she continues to contribute positively to the team and her patients.
Stacy Standridge, Remote Employee (West Communities)
Stacy Standridge has been with Healthy Connections since 2015 and serves as a Medical Coding Specialist. Her role involves creating invoices for patient services to ensure accurate and timely payment. Stacy is recognized for her dedication to forming strong relationships with coworkers and maintaining clear communication across departments. Her colleagues note, “Stacy strives for excellence in everything she does, and it is apparent to everyone that has the pleasure of working with her.”
Healthy Connections values the commitment and professionalism of employees like Ilenee and Stacy. Their efforts reflect the organization’s mission of delivering high-quality care and fostering a compassionate community.
Leslie Collie, APRN, Now Serving Full-Time at Healthy Connections’ Haskell Clinic
We are excited to announce that Leslie Collie, APRN, is now seeing patients full-time at the Healthy Connections Haskell Clinic. Leslie brings over 20 years of nursing experience to the clinic, specializing in nursery, labor, and delivery, and is also an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
A Commitment to Comprehensive Care
Leslie’s career in healthcare began right out of high school when she became an LPN and later transitioned into nursing school, focusing on labor and delivery for 22 years. In 2019, she decided to advance her education further, earning her Nurse Practitioner certification in 2021. “I’ve always been passionate about making a difference in people’s lives through healthcare,” Leslie shared during a recent interview. “Joining Healthy Connections allows me to extend that impact to more individuals and families.”
Leslie is dedicated to offering comprehensive care to patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Her extensive background in labor and delivery has given her a unique perspective that informs her practice today, especially when working with women and families. “I really will use that background in my practice to help the women’s health group. I want that eventually to be my focus and to help those women in their teens and adult life,” she said.
Building Stronger Connections in Haskell
A native of Arkadelphia, Leslie has deep roots in the community and is committed to extending her healthcare services to residents in Haskell. While she initially joined Healthy Connections at the Arkadelphia and Malvern clinics, she is now excited to be full-time at the Haskell Clinic, where she continues her mission to provide accessible and compassionate care. “Healthy Connections, I think, will provide a wonderful opportunity for me to grow as a provider and as a person,” she said. “Their mission is great—to see people from infants all the way up to the elderly and take care of everything along the way.”
Leslie’s unique qualifications, including her certification as a lactation consultant, enhance her ability to support women’s health in the Haskell community. She is also a strong advocate for preventative health screenings and encourages patients to make time for routine exams such as cancer screenings, mammograms, and hypertension checkups. “I get it—everybody’s busy, but those screenings are so important,” she emphasized.
Supporting the Local Community
Leslie’s passion for community health is evident both inside and outside the clinic. As a family-oriented individual, Leslie enjoys spending time with her husband of 21 years and their two children. She looks forward to serving the Haskell community with the same dedication she has always brought to her work. “Healthy Connections is a place where we truly care for all walks of life, and I’m excited to be part of that,” Leslie added. “If you have any questions or if you have any problems, please give us a call and let us help you work through those.”
To schedule an appointment with Leslie Collie, APRN, or to learn more about the services offered at Healthy Connections Haskell Clinic, call 888-710-8220 or visit www.healthy-connections.org/haskell. The clinic is located at 110 W. Elm Street, Haskell, AR 72015. We are proud to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare anchored by our core values of community, compassion, and excellence.
