Clinic Holiday Hours

Please note the following holiday hours at Healthy Connections Community Health Network clinics. Call 888-710-8220 for appointments:

Mena

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Hot Springs Central

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Hot Springs Chippewa

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Malvern

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Little Rock Franklin

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Health For Life Clinic (Little Rock)

Not open for appointments from Dec. 23 through Dec. 31)
Call (501) 603-0003 for appointments or medication refills

Arkadelphia

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Mount Ida

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

De Queen

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Giving Thanks

​This Thanksgiving Day, we at Healthy Connections give thanks for all of our providers, staff, patients, friends, and families.

To celebrate this year, we asked some of our employees what they are thankful for this year.

 

Family, Friends, Health, Co-Workers, My job, my church, and all the blessings that the Lord continues to give to me daily.

Jessica Sickles

Mena

This year I’m thankful for many things. My family, my job, and my co-workers are just a few. Yes, it has been a rough year for many of us, but we all can look and see good things that have happened as well. Remember to thank those around you for all they do. Also under all these masks, smile!

Kathy Cook

Mena

I am so thankful for so many things – friends, family, being an American. But I’d like to especially point out that I’m thankful for my co-workers, people who have come together for the purpose of taking care of other, understanding that even with the risks of working in healthcare the benefits of helping others outweigh those risks. Happy, happy Thanksgiving to my HCI peeps!

Phyllis Cunningham

Mena

I am thankful that I have such a wonderful work atmosphere where everyone cares about meeting our patient needs. We have something very special here at HCI.

Stephanie Matthews

Mount Ida

I am thankful for my Salvation and my Church family, my husband, kids, and family and that they are all healthy and live close, my health, my job, living in a small town where everyone knows everyone and looks after each other, the freedoms we have now in America, Vacations with my husband and family, Pepsi, Sweet Tea, Dressing, Coconut Pie and ziplock baggies. 

Traci Pulley

Malvern

I’m thankful for me and my family staying healthy and well with everything that is going on!

Nikki Dillard

Mena

I am thankful for Latricia Reed & Audra Davidson. They never fail to help me. The Chippewa Clinic has been super informative and the women are amazing.

Candy Meyer

Hot Springs

Mostly for my salvation, and my God who makes all blessings flow, innumerable to count. The inner joy that carries me through, and the peace that comes from that security. My family, our health, and freedom. Our jobs, my boss, and the amazing dental team. They are an amazing group of people.

Debbie Bailey

Mena

I am thankful for my family (my children) and my work family at HCI! 🙂

Megan Carter

Mena

National Rural Health Day Nov. 19

HEALTHY CONNECTIONS, INC. JOINS NATIONWIDE OBSERVANCE OF NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY ON NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Healthy Connections, Inc., is proud to recognize the innovation, quality of care, and dedication of health professionals and volunteers in our community during National Rural Health Day 2020.

National Rural Health Day falls on the third Thursday in November each year and recognizes the efforts of those serving the health needs of an estimated 57 million people across the nation.

“We are proud to recognize our talented team of healthcare workers on National Rural Health Day. They work every day to help keep the communities we serve healthy,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc. “Our rural communities are wonderful places to live and work and these small towns are places where people work together to benefit the greater good.”

The Healthy Connections community health network is a federally-qualified health center (FQHC). Healthy Connections and Evolve Behavioral Health both accept Medicaid, ARKids 1st, Medicare, and most private health insurance. There is also a sliding-fee scale for patients without health insurance who qualify. Medicaid patients may be required to switch their primary care provider to Healthy Connections before they can be seen. Learn more about Healthy Connections at www.healthy-connections.org.

A special website (www.PowerofRural.org) has been established for rural health stakeholders to explore a partnership pledge, showcase individuals and organizations selected as 2020 Community Stars, and provide visitors with a variety of tools, including social media posts to help #PowerofRural trend in outlets such as Twitter and Facebook. The website also shares how rural communities across the country will be celebrating National Rural Health Day.

Honoring All Who Served

On this Veterans Day, we want to take a moment to recognize and honor all who served. Happy Veterans Day to our soldiers — both past and present. We owe you our thanks, but more than that, we owe you our freedom.

To all veterans of all branches, thank you for your sacrifice, your bravery, and the example you set for us all. To our soldiers out there, thank you for the risks you take and the sacrifices you make.

And thank you to our numerous Healthy Connections Community Health Network employees who have served our country.

Thank you for your service!

In Memoriam: A Tribute to Our Beloved Board Member

Maureen Keese, who was a devoted and cherished Board of Directors member for Healthy Connections, Inc., passed away this week. Maureen dearly loved our organization and mission and much of what we are today, and what we are trying to become, is a tribute to her and the work she did with our board over the past eight years.

“Maureen Keese was an amazing individual who helped so many in the community. She will be seriously missed and leaves a huge void,” said Healthy Connections CEO Tony Calandro. “She was one of our strongest supporters and biggest advocates and we will miss her presence within our Healthy Connections family.”

Maureen grew up in Newark, N.J., and attended Rutgers University before moving to California. She earned degrees from California State University Long Beach, Pepperdine University, and Azusa Pacific University, and began a career in education. In 2003, she and husband Dr. Hector Costamagna relocated to Arkansas. She began work at the University of Arkansas-Rich Mountain where she served as Director of Lifelong Learning and Program Development.

She joined the Healthy Connections, Inc., Board of Directors in 2012 to complete the term of a departing member. She stayed on for two additional terms on the board. Her experience in education, and healthcare marketing and administration, gave her a unique perspective in working to improve the quality of healthcare offered to our communities.

“What we had with Maureen was the epitome of an interested, enthusiastic volunteer. She served admirably, trying to make a difference in our community – both as a volunteer at Healthy Connections and through her job at UA-Rich Mountain,” said Derwood Brett, Chairman of the Healthy Connections Board of Directors. “We added several clinics when she was on the board. She never lost her excitement to make a difference. We are going to miss her.”

Maureen Keese was 69-years-old.

Get Your Free* Flu Shot Today

With the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic still ongoing, it may be more important than ever to get your flu shot – and get it early. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone get their flu shot within the next six weeks.

As seasonal flu overlaps with Covid-19, there may be a surge of sick patients, crowding doctors’ offices, and putting additional pressure on hospitals already treating Covid-19 patients. Researchers are still working on a Covid-19 vaccine, but there is already an effective flu vaccine.

Call 888-710-8220 to make an appointment at Healthy Connections clinics in Little Rock, Hot Springs, Mena, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Mount Ida, or De Queen. Visit www.healthy-connections.org/locations to find a location near you. Healthy Connections accepts Medicaid, ARKids 1st, Medicare, and most other health insurance. There is also a sliding-fee scale for patients without insurance who qualify.

Healthy Connections is giving flu vaccinations at all of its Community Health Network clinics throughout Arkansas. *Most patients are eligible to receive the flu shot at no cost depending on their health insurance coverage. Patients who are insured through the Affordable Care Act, Medicare Part B, or most other health insurance plans should be able to get the flu vaccine for free. However, before you go, remember that you may still have to pay for the office visit, depending on your coverage. Healthy Connections sliding fee patients will receive their flu shot for $25.

“During the Coronavirus pandemic, everyone needs to get the flu shot – and get it earlier in the year,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc. “We are doing our part by making access to the vaccine easier for patients. Our clinics are open for convenient before- and after-work appointments, and even evening appointments at some locations.”

Influenza is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu. Vaccination has been shown to have many benefits including reducing the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and even the risk of flu-related death in children.

The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine before flu viruses begin spreading in the community since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for the antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu. Children who need two doses of vaccine to te be protected should start the vaccination process sooner because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.

The CDC reports the benefits of the flu vaccination include:

  • It can keep you from getting sick with the flu. During some flu seasons, the vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor by between 40 and 60 percent.
  • It can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization for children, working-age adults, and older adults. In recent years, flu vaccines have reduced the risk of flu-associated hospitalizations among older people on average by 40 percent.
  • It is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions. The vaccination can reduce worsening and hospitalization for flu-related chronic lung disease, such as persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • It helps protect women during and after pregnancy. Several studies have shown that in addition to helping protect pregnant women, a flu vaccine given during pregnancy helps protect the baby from flu for several months after birth when he or she is not old enough to be vaccinated.
  • It can be lifesaving in children. A 2017 study showed that flu vaccination can significantly reduce a child’s risk of dying from the flu.
  • It has been shown to reduce the severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick. A 2017 study showed that flu vaccination reduced deaths, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, ICU length of stay, and overall duration of hospitalization among hospitalized flu patients.
  • It can protect not only yourself but the people around you. This could include babies, young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

Learn more about the flu and the flu vaccination by visiting www.healthy-connections.org/flu for more information.

[ASL_STORELOCATOR color_scheme="0" category="41" select_category="41" show_categories="0" distance_slider="0" full_width="1" prompt_location="1" zoom="5" fixed_radius="300"]