Evolve Behavioral Health Services
Healthy Connections
My Kids Pediatric Clinic

CALL US: 888.710.8220

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Evolve Behavioral Health Services
Healthy Connections
My Kids Pediatric Clinic

CALL US: 888.710.8220

September 2022 Employees of the Month

September means the start of fall, but these employees stood tall to become our September Shining STAR Employees of the Month. Congratulations to our winners:

(DRUMROLL)

WEST: Jarred harley

EAST: eric luster

Each month across the Healthy Connections Community Health Network, exemplary employees are nominated for this award for representing our Three Pillars: Excellence, Compassion, and Community. These pillars are considered heavily when choosing winners.

As winners of this Shining STAR award, Jarred and Eric are winners of a $50 gift card.

Jarred is based in Mena and works in Information Technology services throughout the Community Health Network. Eric is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with Evolve Behavioral Health. He sees patients at Little Rock Midtown, West Central Health Clinic, and Malvern.

  • Jarred in his time here has shown a great willingness to. He has lined out many processes in order to strengthen the network excellence. Whenever someone has an issue, he will research it to his best in order to solve their problem. Due to his persistence in solving issues it helps everyone else do their jobs for the patients.
  • Eric is always ready to see patients and makes sure they are well taken care of. He recently started seeing patients in Malvern and is passionate in what he does.
  • .Jarred jumps in and helps wherever he is needed. I have seen him jump over on Fridays and help unload trucks. He is very kind and always looking to help.
  • Eric has a positive attitude and looks on the bright side of each day. He is definitely a friendly person who patients love to see. Eric shows excellence and compassion in everything he does.
  • Jarred has been a huge help this month in making changes to the phone system. He always has a good attitude even if plans change and he has to make modifications to the previous changes, he is always willing to help.

Congratulations to both Jarred and Eric.

Thanks again this month to everyone who nominated an employee. There were a lot of great nominations. Do you know who should be our next employees to be recognized? You can nominate them by visiting https://www.healthy-connections.org/nominate.

 

August Employees of the Month

August means the end of summer vacation and a busy month at our clinics as everyone prepares to head back to school. These employees stood out to become our August Shining STAR Employees of the Month. Congratulations to our winners:

(DRUMROLL)

  • WEST: CHRIS MASTERS

  • EAST: LESLIE WARD, MD

Each month across the Healthy Connections Community Health Network, exemplary employees are nominated for this award for representing our Three Pillars: Excellence, Compassion, and Community. These pillars are considered heavily when choosing winners.

As winners of this Shining STAR award, Chris and Dr. Ward are winners of a $50 gift card.

Chris is the Network Administrator over Information Technology services throughout the Community Health Network. Dr. Ward is a primary care physician at the Hot Springs Central clinic.

  • In his short time with the organization, Chris has truly made a difference for our patients and employees. Managing an IT healthcare network can be very challenging, but Chris makes the difficult appear easy. He is a good steward of organizational resources and leads his team in providing exceptional customer service. He thoughtfully reviews processes and figures out the most efficient and effective way to solve problems. His leadership and professionalism have been instrumental in making sure our employees are able to care for our patients.
  • Patient-focused, an educator, and a soothing personality when things get hectic. I feel she has a special relationship with every employee in this clinic and supports our APRNs. Ward is a strong patient advocate. She comes to work with a smile on her face every day and is available at the drop of a hat to assist employees with anything that they need. She goes above and beyond to ensure that her collaborating providers can come to her with any needs they may have whether they be procedural and company questions, or for her professional opinion regarding patient care. Her bedside manner is second to none and she forms a relationship with each patient that comes through the door. Dr. Ward stands tall amongst healthcare professionals and is more than deserving of the recognition that comes with employee of the month.

Congratulations to both Chris and Dr. Ward.

Thanks again this month to everyone who nominated an employee. There were a lot of great nominations. Do you know who should be our next employees to be recognized? You can nominate them by visiting https://www.healthy-connections.org/nominate.

Seeking Community Health Workers

Healthy Connections has received a grant to increase awareness of Covid-19 services through Community Health Workers.

Healthy Connections will hire five Community Health Workers stationed in and around the communities of Little Rock, Hot Springs, Russellville, Texarkana, and Mena. These community health representatives will provide critical services to communities disproportionately impacted by public health threats, including Covid-19.

Community Health Workers will interact with members of the communities in which they will serve.  Other responsibilities will include:

  • Provide education on COVID-19 prevention, testing, vaccination, and support services
  • Maintain a log of activities and complete regular reports in order to meet grant objectives
  • Serve as an member of Healthy Connections Covid-19 operations team, providing strategy input and feedback
  • Attend community testing and vaccination events to provide outreach and support
  • Refer community members to services, resources, and information based on their stated needs
  • Build and maintain relationships with community members and organizational partners
  • Assist with Covid-19 care Support Services including outreach, deliveries, and referrals

The five positions will be for one year. The communities will include:

  • Little Rock, including Benton, Bryant, North Little Rock and other surrounding communities.
  • Hot Springs, including Hot Springs Village, Malvern, Bismarck, Magnet Cove, and other surrounding communities.
  • Russellville, including Dardanelle and other surrounding communities
  • Texarkana, including surrounding communities
  • Mena, including De Queen, Mt. Ida, Nashville, and other surrounding communities.

If interested, please visit the Healthy Connections careers page at https://healthy-connections.org/careers to learn more and apply.

 

 

 

Clinics open July 4

We know getting sick doesn’t take a holiday. That’s why Healthy Connections is offering appointments at some clinics on Monday, July 4. Call us at 888-710-8220 for appointments. Come see us at:

  • Mena – 7:45a-3p
  • Hot Springs Chippewa – 7:45a-3p
  • Malvern – 7:45a-3p
  • Arkadelphia – 7:45a-3p
  • Little Rock Midtown – 7:45a-3p
  • De Queen – 7:45a-6p

Clinics at Mount Ida, Bryant, Hot Springs Central, and Hot Springs McAuley will be closed.

Find a location at https://healthy-connections.org/locations.

May Employees of the Month

Healthy Connections is excited to announce its May 2022 Shining STAR employees of the month:

WEST: Paula bradley

EAST: kenzie martin

Each month across the Healthy Connections Community Health Network, exemplary employees are nominated for this award for representing our Three Pillars: Excellence, Compassion, and Community. These pillars are considered heavily when choosing winners.

As winners of this Shining STAR award, Paula and Kenzie are winners of a $50 gift card.

Paula works as the administrative assistant for Healthy Connections and is based at the Mena clinic. She was also heavily involved in the planning for 2022 Admin Days for employee training. Kenzie is a Behavioral Health Patient Care Coordinator and works at the Evolve Behavioral Health clinic at Hot Springs McAuley.

  • Paula always goes above and beyond to help in any way she can. Paula worked very hard on getting everything together for the fashion show for admin day. She went above and beyond to make sure it was appropriate for the dress code but fun for everyone to enjoy.
  • Paula has a very positive and professional attitude and has been an amazing addition from day 1. She is always willing to take on projects to help us better serve our patients and co-workers.
  • Kenzie gives 100 percent every day she is here, from answering every phone call, taskman, or patient questions. And she is extremely dependent and loyal as a co-worker. We could NOT function without her!
  • Kenzie is a hard worker and is very compassionate with her work and for the patients, we endure. She strives to be better at everything she does.
  • Kenzie is a hard worker and is always willing to help. She is dependable and very good at her job. I often find myself not having to follow-up to see if something is taken care of because she has already taken care of it and let me know.

Congratulations to both Paula and Kenzie.

Thanks again this month to everyone who nominated an employee. There were a lot of great nominations. Do you know who should be our next employees to be recognized? You can nominate them by visiting https://www.healthy-connections.org/nominate.

Schedule Your Flu Shot Today

 

Protect your loved ones.
Get the flu shot.

 

Get Vaccinated

2021 Flu ShotsBecause of the Covid-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses like seasonal influenza (flu) are more important than ever. Vaccination against both the flu and Covid-19 is essential to meet our community’s public health needs, to prevent further disease spread, and to protect vulnerable populations like the elderly, the immunocompromised, and people not yet old enough to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Healthy Connections Community Health Network clinic locations are now offering the flu vaccine.  Call 888-710-8220 or visit www.healthy-connections.org/appointment to schedule.

Your flu shot may be done at no cost to you. If you are insured through the Affordable Care Act, Medicare Part B, or most other health insurance plans, you should be able to get your flu shot for free. However, before you go, remember that you may still have to pay for your office visit, depending on your coverage. Healthy Connections’ sliding-fee patients may receive their flu shot for as low as $25.

The flu vaccine and the Covid-19 vaccine can be given on the same day at the same appointment. Let us know if you are interested in receiving both and we can do that.

CALL 888-710-8220 FOR FLU SHOT APPOINTMENTS
REQUEST A FLU SHOT APPOINTMENT ONLINE

Where can I get a flu vaccine?

Flu vaccines are available at all Healthy Connections clinics in Arkansas. Visit www.healthy-connections.org/locations to find the clinic closest to you. 

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Flu News

Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?

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 the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands or 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.

How do flu vaccines work?

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.

The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Traditional flu vaccines (called “trivalent” vaccines) are made to protect against three flu viruses; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. There are also flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines). These vaccines protect against the same viruses as the trivalent vaccine and an additional B virus.

Who should get vaccinated this season?

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get an influenza (flu) vaccine every season with rare exceptions. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has made this recommendation since the 2010-11 influenza season.

Vaccination to prevent flu is particularly important for people who are at high risk of developing serious flu complications.

 

When should I get vaccinated?

You should get a flu vaccine before flu viruses begin spreading in your community since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu. Make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October.

Children who need two doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.

Why do I need a flu vaccine every year?

A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons. First, the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and updated as needed to keep up with changing flu viruses. For the best protection, everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated annually.

Does the flu vaccine work right away?

No. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. That’s why it’s better to get vaccinated by the end of October before the flu season really gets underway.