We are proud to recognize Casandra McBride of Hot Springs Chippewa and Andrea Allen of Mena Street as the August 2026 Healthy Connections Employees of the Month.
McBride, a Medical Assistant, was selected as the East Communities Employee of the Month, while Allen, a Referral Coordinator, was chosen as the West Communities Employee of the Month.
Each month, Healthy Connections employees nominate coworkers who stand out through their service to patients, support of their teams, and commitment to the organization’s three pillars: Community, Compassion, and Excellence. Members of the Healthy Connections Senior Management Team then review the nominations and vote to select one employee from the East Communities and one from the West Communities.
For August, McBride and Allen were recognized for demonstrating those values in two very different roles—one through direct patient care and the other by helping patients navigate the referral and scheduling process.
Casandra McBride: Compassion at Hot Springs Chippewa
McBride joined Healthy Connections earlier this year and serves as a Medical Assistant at the Hot Springs Chippewa clinic. Although she is relatively new to the organization, her approach to patient care and teamwork has already made an impression on her coworkers.
In nominating McBride, a coworker highlighted the compassion she demonstrates during her interactions with patients.
“Casandra shows compassion in every patient interaction. She has a genuine ability to make patients feel welcomed, cared for, and valued.”
Her nomination also recognized the relationships she has developed with patients, her provider, and fellow employees. Those relationships help create a supportive environment for both the people who come to Healthy Connections for care and the employees who serve them.
The nomination continued:
“Most importantly, Casandra continually strives for excellence in everything she does. She takes pride in her work, is dependable, and is committed to providing the highest level of support to her provider and care to her patients.”
As a Medical Assistant, McBride is part of the care team at Hot Springs Chippewa, helping support patients and providers throughout the healthcare experience. Her recognition as Employee of the Month reflects the impact that compassion, dependability, and attention to patient needs can have every day.
Andrea Allen: Helping Patients Connect With Care
Allen has been part of Healthy Connections since 2023 and serves as a Referral Coordinator at Mena Street.
Her work helps connect patients with the services and appointments they need. Her August nomination specifically recognized the extra effort she has made to assist patients on the Behavioral Health referral list.
“Andrea has gone above and beyond to help schedule patients on the Behavioral Health referral list,” her coworker wrote. “She has shown compassion in dealing with patients when scheduling appointments.”
The nomination also praised Allen’s work ethic and her continued effort to help patients move through the scheduling process.
“Her excellence in her work ethic has shown in her constant drive to schedule the patients in need.”
Referral coordination is an important part of helping patients navigate healthcare. Allen’s work demonstrates that patient care extends beyond the exam room. Helping someone make the connection to an appointment or needed service can be an important step in that person’s healthcare journey.
Her commitment to helping patients access care while treating them with compassion earned Allen recognition from her coworkers and the Senior Management Team as the August West Communities Employee of the Month.
Healthy Connections Employees of the Month: Recognizing Community, Compassion, and Excellence
Healthy Connections’ Employee of the Month program gives employees an opportunity to recognize coworkers who make a difference in their clinics, departments, and communities.
Nominations are submitted by fellow employees and evaluated with Healthy Connections’ three organizational pillars—Community, Compassion, and Excellence—playing an important role in the selection process. Senior Management Team members then vote to select the East and West Communities recipients.
McBride and Allen demonstrate those values in different ways. McBride provides compassionate, dependable support to patients and her care team at Hot Springs Chippewa. Allen works behind the scenes to help patients at Mena Street and throughout the referral process connect with needed care.
Together, they represent the many roles required to fulfill the Healthy Connections mission of providing accessible healthcare to communities across Arkansas.
Congratulations to Casandra McBride and Andrea Allen, the Healthy Connections August 2026 Employees of the Month.
Join the Healthy Connections Team
Healthy Connections depends on employees who care about their patients, coworkers, and communities. From clinical positions to administrative and support roles, team members have opportunities to make a difference for patients throughout Arkansas.
Interested in joining Healthy Connections? Visit our Careers page to learn more about current employment opportunities.
