Healthy Connections Congratulates Susan Singleton, Finalist for Arkansas Business Nonprofit CFO of the Year 2023
Healthy Connections, a leading Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Western and Central Arkansas, extends its congratulations to Susan Singleton, Chief Financial Officer, for her outstanding achievement as a finalist for the prestigious Arkansas Business Nonprofit Organization CFO of the Year 2023 award.
Singleton’s impressive 26-year career and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on Healthy Connections and the healthcare community. Her financial leadership has been instrumental in the organization’s growth and its continued commitment to the core values of Community, Compassion, and Excellence.
“The healthcare industry, especially in the not-for-profit world, isn’t always just about budgets and numbers. It’s about the caring and the hope that we instill in the patients we see. The one person who has been dedicated and committed to doing just that is Susan Singleton. We are very proud of her nomination for this prestigious award,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc.
Singleton’s journey is a testament to personal and professional growth, where she has skillfully managed finances and operations, driving improvements in workflows, processes, and operational efficiencies, ultimately better positioning Healthy Connections to balance its mission and margin.
“Susan embodies an unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. Her approach to financial management has elevated our ability to fulfill our mission, offering quality healthcare services to those we serve,” Calandro said.
Healthy Connections remains committed to its mission of providing accessible, high-quality healthcare services to individuals and families across Western and Central Arkansas.
Call 888-710-8220 for appointments and visit https://healthy-connections.org for more information.
About Healthy Connections: Healthy Connections is a Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a 25-year history of providing quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services to communities in Western and Central Arkansas. The organization is guided by the principles of Community, Compassion, and Excellence.
Healthy Connections is excited to announce its October 2023 Employees of the Month, who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to our core values of Community, Compassion, and Excellence. Let’s shine the spotlight on:
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Erica Manley – West
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Ann McMullin – East
Ann is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the Hot Springs Central clinic. She has left an enduring mark on our organization.
In the words of a colleague, “She has done so many things to strengthen us as an organization. She connected us with Narcan training, created great follow-up sheets to include patient medication information, and shared valuable resource guides that will help HCI connect care for patients across the state. We are so thankful for Ann!”
Erica is the Practice Manager for the West Communities and works as a liaison with all medical providers.
In the nomination, a co-worker wrote: “Erica is all three pillars of our company. She is very helpful and knowledgeable with every aspect of our operations. She is part of all of it too, from providers to front desk relations. She is an excellent mentor to me and a great example to new employees who depend on her to take care of whatever is needed to help the patient. Really knowledgeable about various parts of the patient experience. Always willing to step right up and do what is needed.”
Both Erica and Ann will receive a $50 credit to the HC-Hub Company Store. This recognition is well-deserved, and we are profoundly grateful for their outstanding work and their dedication to the health and well-being of the patients we serve.
These exceptional individuals serve as true exemplars of the values that Healthy Connections upholds, and their dedication continues to make a profound and positive impact on our organization and the communities we serve.
Join us in extending heartfelt congratulations to Erica and Ann, our October 2023 Employees of the Month. Your accomplishments are an inspiration to all of us, and we thank you for your remarkable contributions to our mission of providing quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services to our communities.
Do you know who should be next month’s winner? Nominate them at https://healthy-connections.org/nominate.
Healthy Connections is excited to introduce the newest member of our healthcare team at the De Queen clinic, Autumn Morales, APRN.
Autumn Morales is a dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner with a wealth of experience in De Queen, Sevier County, and the surrounding areas. With a strong commitment to quality healthcare, she is here to provide the best care to you and your family.
“I’ve known a little bit about Healthy Connections for a while,” Morales said. “I’ve known some of the good programs that they have, some of the sliding scale fees for patients that may be in underserved areas. And I think that’s a phenomenal thing, and I’m super excited to be able to serve patients that are in that area as well as all the other patients.”
Morales’ roots run deep in Southwest Arkansas, having lived here her entire life and graduating from Nashville High School. Her local ties and extensive nursing experience make her a valuable addition to our Healthy Connections family.
“I’ve always wanted to do healthcare,” Morales said. “It’s something I’ve been passionate about, and I’m dedicated to providing quality care for families in the De Queen area.”
Autumn and her husband, Hasler, have called De Queen home since 2016. They are actively involved in the community and their local church, New Life De Queen. Autumn is not just a healthcare provider but a community member who cares deeply about the well-being of her neighbors.
As part of Healthy Connections, Autumn Morales aligns perfectly with our three pillars: Community, Compassion, and Excellence. She embodies these principles by serving the community, showing deep compassion for her patients, and maintaining a commitment to excellence in healthcare.
The Healthy Connections De Queen clinic serves patients for primary care/family medicine, Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid addiction, HIV/AIDS testing, treatment, and care, and more. It features providers who speak both English and Spanish including Carolin Hockersmith, APRN, and Angie Martin APRN. Morales speaks both English and some Spanish. She and Martin worked together at AmCare Clinic in De Queen.
“We are thrilled to welcome Autumn Morales to our De Queen clinic. Her passion for providing top-notch healthcare aligns perfectly with Healthy Connections’ mission to serve our community,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc. “With Angela Martin and Autumn Morales now on our De Queen clinic team, we have an amazing roster of providers dedicated to the health and well-being of our patients.”
The De Queen clinic, located at 1206 W. Collin Raye Drive, is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, catering to both pediatric and family medicine patients.
Healthy Connections accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most health insurance. There is also a sliding fee scale for patients without insurance who qualify.
Healthy Connections is committed to providing excellent healthcare services to the De Queen community, and with Autumn Morales on board, we’re more prepared than ever to meet your healthcare needs. We look forward to serving you and your family.
At Healthy Connections, we believe that our staff embodies the heart and soul of our organization. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary of providing exceptional healthcare services to communities across Western and Central Arkansas, we are thrilled to announce the shining stars of September: Katheryn Ledesma and Anna Lear. They have exemplified our core values of Community, Compassion, and Excellence, and we are proud to recognize their outstanding contributions.
Katheryn Ledesma: West Communities Winner
Katheryn serves as a Medical Assistant at our De Queen clinic. Her dedication and positive attitude have made her an invaluable member of the De Queen team. In her nomination, her colleagues had this to say about her: “Katie is a wonderful member of the De Queen team. She is a help to everyone and always has a positive attitude!”
Her commitment to our patients and her fellow staff members truly embodies the essence of Healthy Connections.
Anna Lear: East Communities Winner
Anna is a Patient Care Coordinator at our Hot Springs clinics. Her consistent pleasant demeanor, helpful nature, and exceptional competency have left a lasting impression on both patients and colleagues. One client even shared, “I missed her when she was gone. She is always pleasant and helpful.”
Anna’s dedication to her work and her unwavering commitment to our mission have made her a true asset to Healthy Connections.
Recognizing Excellence
At Healthy Connections, we believe in recognizing and rewarding excellence. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that Katheryn and Anna, our September Shining Star Employees, will each receive a $50 credit to the HC Hub Company Store. This credit allows them to grab some Healthy Connections swag as a token of our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.
Nominate the Next Shining Star
Do you know a colleague who goes above and beyond to embody our values of Community, Compassion, and Excellence? We invite you to nominate them for next month’s Employee of the Month award. Your nominations help us recognize the outstanding individuals who make Healthy Connections exceptional. To submit a nomination, please visit our website at www.healthy-connections.org/nominate.
As we celebrate 25 years of caring for our communities, we’re reminded that our success is built upon the dedication and excellence of individuals like Katheryn and Anna. Their commitment to our mission and values is truly commendable, and we are grateful to have them as part of the Healthy Connections family.
Healthy Connections is thrilled to welcome back experienced Family Nurse Practitioner Angela Martin, APRN, to our healthcare team at the De Queen clinic.
Angela is now accepting patients at the De Queen clinic, conveniently located at 1206 W. Collin Raye Drive. Schedule primary care/family medicine appointments by calling 888-710-8220.
With more than 30 years of nursing experience and 13 years as a nurse practitioner, she is deeply rooted in De Queen, having called it home for more than two decades. Angela previously worked at Healthy Connections. Other area locales included the Martin Family Medical Clinic and De Queen Medical Center.
“We are thrilled to have Angela back with us at Healthy Connections in De Queen. Her unwavering commitment to community healthcare perfectly aligns with our mission, and her expertise will undoubtedly benefit our patients,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc.
In her family practice clinic, Angela is dedicated to caring for patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. Healthy Connections De Queen operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, offering services to both pediatric and family medicine patients. Other providers at this location include Carolin Hockersmith, APRN, and Autumn Morales APRN.
As a family nurse practitioner, she brings specialized educational and clinical training to family practice, with a strong focus on long-term health and wellness, particularly emphasizing preventive care.
“When I was an ER nurse, I often saw patients who didn’t need to be in the ER. They needed care in a clinic setting. At the time, there weren’t many providers in De Queen, and I simply wanted to be there to help people,” Angela said of her initial journey to becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Healthy Connections, a nonprofit organization based in Mena, has been serving the healthcare needs of children and adults throughout West-Central Arkansas since its establishment in 1998. From its humble beginnings as a home-visiting program, Healthy Connections has grown to offer essential health and dental services to families from diverse backgrounds.
For those seeking quality healthcare from Angela, please call (888) 710-8220 to schedule an appointment and experience the excellence of care she brings to the De Queen community.
In the battle against the flu, taking the right steps can mean the difference between a mild inconvenience and a severe, even life-threatening illness. One of the most crucial steps you can take to protect yourself and your community is to get vaccinated annually.
Here at Healthy Connections, we understand the importance of this preventive measure, and we’re dedicated to making it accessible to everyone. Our Community Health Network clinics across Arkansas are proud to offer flu shots, and we strive to ensure that cost is not a barrier to your health. The flu vaccine is free with most health insurance. We accept various forms of coverage, including Medicaid, ARKids 1st, Medicare, and most insurance plans. For those without insurance, we are making the vaccine accessible for just $35.
So, why should you choose Healthy Connections for your flu shot?
- Firstly, our experienced nurses administer the vaccine safely and effectively. Your health is in capable hands.
- Secondly, we understand that life can get busy. That’s why we offer convenient appointments designed to fit your schedule, including evening slots at select locations.
- Lastly, our commitment to affordable, high-quality care is unwavering. We believe that everyone deserves access to the best healthcare, regardless of their financial situation.
This year, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of the flu shot is magnified. Both the flu and COVID-19 share respiratory symptoms, and vaccination reduces your risk of contracting and spreading these illnesses.
In addition to COVID-19 concerns, consider these factors:
- Experts anticipate a more severe flu season.
- Some flu strains may be less responsive to the vaccine.
- Vaccination significantly lowers the risk of complications such as pneumonia.
- It provides protection for vulnerable populations, including young children, older adults, and individuals with chronic health conditions.
If you have any questions about the flu vaccine, don’t hesitate to consult your healthcare provider. Ready to take the first step toward a healthier you? Call us at 888-710-8220 to schedule your appointment today.
Your health is our priority, and we’re here to keep you safe and well.
