Put Us On Your Back-To-School List

Prepare for a Healthy School Year: Back-to-School Immunizations and Checkups

As the summer days wind down and the excitement of a new school year approaches, Arkansas parents are gearing up for the back-to-school rush. Amidst the hustle and bustle of shopping for school supplies and new outfits, it’s crucial not to overlook one of the most important steps in preparing your child for a successful academic year: back-to-school immunizations and checkups.

At My Kids Pediatric Clinic, we understand the significance of ensuring your child’s health and well-being, which is why we’re thrilled to introduce you to Dr. Jeremy Porter and the dedicated team of professionals at Healthy Connections clinics.

The Importance

Back-to-school immunizations and checkups play a pivotal role in safeguarding your child’s health and promoting their academic success. These appointments offer a comprehensive assessment of your child’s physical, emotional, and developmental well-being. Immunizations protect against a range of preventable diseases, ensuring that your child is not only healthy but also meeting school requirements. Regular checkups help monitor growth patterns, detect any potential health concerns, and provide a platform for discussing any developmental or behavioral issues that might affect your child’s learning experience.

Meet Dr. Jeremy Porter

At My Kids Pediatric Clinic in Hot Springs and Malvern, we’re proud to have Dr. Jeremy Porter leading our team. Dr. Porter’s passion for pediatric care and his commitment to your child’s well-being make him the ideal partner in managing your child’s health. With a wealth of experience and a warm, friendly demeanor, Dr. Porter creates a comfortable environment where both parents and children can openly discuss health concerns and receive expert guidance. Dr. Porter speaks both English and Spanish, eliminating communication barriers to your child’s care.

All Healthy Connections clinics are able to provide these services. Our team of doctors, APRNs, and PAs, are experienced in caring for our youngest patients.

Scheduling Made Easy – Call 888-710-8220

We understand that your time is valuable, and scheduling appointments should be hassle-free. That’s why we’ve made it easy to book back-to-school immunizations and checkups at all Healthy Connections clinics. Simply call 888-710-8220 to set up an appointment that fits your schedule. Our staff is dedicated to accommodating your needs and ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.

A Positive Experience

We recognize that a visit to the doctor’s office can sometimes be intimidating for children. At My Kids Pediatric Clinic, we strive to create a positive and reassuring atmosphere for our young patients. From the moment you step into our clinic, you’ll find a welcoming environment designed to alleviate any anxiety and make the experience enjoyable for your child.

As you gear up for the upcoming school year, don’t overlook the importance of back-to-school immunizations and checkups. Dr. Jeremy Porter and the team at MyKidsPediatric.com are here to support you in ensuring your child’s health, well-being, and academic success. By scheduling an appointment at any of our Healthy Connections clinics, you’re taking a proactive step toward giving your child the best possible start to the school year. Call 888-710-8220 today to make an appointment and embark on a journey to a healthier, happier school year for your child.

Celebrating 25 Years of Care

A Quarter-Century of Care

In health care, gaps are described as disparities in healthcare access, needs, and medical services when comparing different populations. It may fall along racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic lines. And that is where we thrive.

For more than a quarter-century, Healthy Connections has filled those gaps with high-quality healthcare, dental, behavioral health, and social services. We are a Mena-based nonprofit organization serving the needs of children and adults throughout Central and Western Arkansas. Since our founding in 1998, Healthy Connections has been able to provide much-needed services to families of every lifestyle.

It started from humble beginnings. Based on a community need assessment, Healthy Connections was formed as a home-visiting program to work with new and expectant mothers. This program would provide education, encouragement, education, and resources to ensure these new moms got their babies off to a great start in life.

As needs grew, so did Healthy Connections. First came Western Arkansas Total Community Health, or W.A.T.C.H. as it was known. It grew to a second location in Mount Ida and then to a location at Acorn Schools. De Queen and Hot Springs followed as services were needed.

Today, Healthy Connections is a thriving and growing organization with clinics and services available all over Arkansas. The footprint stretches as far north as Russellville, as far west as Sheridan, as far south as De Queen, and to our home base in Mena.

“We’re driven by the mission that we can provide quality health care to the population in the areas we serve. That is a population that has been neglected in the past,” said Healthy Connections CEO Tony Calandro. “This population is considered underserved for a lot of services – medical, dental, and behavioral health. We allow them to have easy access, affordable access, to quality health care.”

Healthy Connections providers treat thousands of patients each year who either have no insurance or not have enough insurance to cover essential health, dental, and behavioral health services.

Healthy Connections has become a lot of things to the communities it serves, including primary care providers, dentists, pediatricians, therapists, specialists, and community service workers. But mostly it remains a place the community can receive quality care.

At Healthy Connections, we use our Three Pillars to guide our actions each day.

Community

Community comes first as it is the most visible aspect of the three pillars. We want to serve our communities, but we also want to be part of them. That means high school football Friday nights and local performances downtown. It means community events and positively representing our communities.

Compassion

No one knows what anyone else has been through or is going through. Our employees strive to show compassion to everyone who walks through the doors of our clinics. This means assisting in whatever way possible to ensure that everyone is welcome and comfortable when they visit us.

Excellence

We want to be known as an excellent provider. We want to see five-star reviews from our patients after they visit. It is the expectation that we will provide the highest quality, excellent care to everyone who walks through the doors.

Healthy Connections accepts Medicaid, including ArKids 1^st, Medicare, and most forms of health and dental insurance. However, no person will be turned away for lack of insurance. Qualified families will be charged according to their total family income and the total number of persons living in the household. This sliding-fee scale allows many to receive treatment who otherwise would not have been able to afford it.

Take Care of Yourself on Self-Care Day

National Self-Care Day is a day dedicated to reminding us all of the importance of taking care of ourselves and our mental well-being. At Evolve Behavioral Health Services, we understand that self-care is an integral part of maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. On this special day, we invite you to join us in celebrating the power of self-care and explore how our comprehensive mental health services can support you on your journey to improved well-being.

What is National Self-Care Day?

National Self-Care Day, observed on July 24, serves as a reminder to prioritize self-care and mental health. Amidst the fast-paced and often stressful nature of modern life, it is crucial to set aside time to nurture ourselves physically, emotionally, and mentally. It is a day to reflect on our individual needs and engage in activities that promote relaxation, joy, and inner peace.

Why Self-Care Matters

Self-care is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Taking care of your mental health is vital for overall wellness, allowing you to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and strength. Engaging in self-care practices can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, enhance self-esteem, and foster better relationships with others. It is an investment in your well-being that yields long-term benefits.

Discover Evolve Behavioral Health Services

At Evolve Behavioral Health Services, we are dedicated to providing exceptional mental health support to individuals seeking a path to personal growth and improved mental wellness. Our team of experienced and compassionate professionals offers a range of services designed to meet your unique needs:

1. Individual Therapy:
Personalized one-on-one counseling sessions provide a safe and supportive environment for exploring your thoughts, feelings, and challenges. Our therapists employ evidence-based approaches to address anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health concerns.

2. Group Therapy:
Connect with others who may be experiencing similar struggles in a nurturing group setting. Group therapy offers the opportunity to share experiences, gain insights, and build a strong support network.

3. Mindfulness and Stress Management:
Learn valuable techniques to manage stress and incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine. These practices can help you develop a greater sense of self-awareness and inner peace.

4. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Our therapists utilize CBT techniques to assist you in recognizing and challenging negative thought patterns, fostering positive behavioral changes, and improving coping skills.

5. Teletherapy:
For your convenience and privacy, we offer teletherapy sessions, allowing you to receive quality care from the comfort of your own home.

How to Get Started

Taking the first step towards prioritizing your mental health is commendable, and we are here to support you throughout your journey. To learn more about our services and schedule an appointment with one of our caring therapists, please visit our website www.evolvebhs.com or call us at 800-409-6250.

Conclusion

As we celebrate National Self-Care Day, let us be reminded of the importance of nurturing our mental well-being. At Evolve Behavioral Health Services, we are committed to helping you embrace self-care and empowering you to lead a more fulfilling life. Take the leap and invest in yourself—your mental health matters, and we are here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Happy National Self-Care Day!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

May Employees of the Month

Congratulations to our Healthy Connections Shining STAR Employees of the Month for May:

(DRUMROLL)

WEST: megan neer

EAST: ashley steadham

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, Megan and Ashley are winners of a $50 gift card to the HC Hub Company Store.

Megan is a previous winner of this award. She is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Mena and works with Centralized Scheduling to answer nurse-related questions from patients. She has been with Healthy Connections since 2021. Ashley is the lead Patient Care Coordinator (PCC) at the Malvern Pinnacle clinic. She joined Healthy Connections when the clinic came on board earlier this year.

“Megan is simply the best. You can always count on her to get done what she says she will, and you can 100 percent guarantee if she misses your phone call she will call you back, and I am saying this as a patient and coworker. She is excellent with patients. There are too many great things to say. She is kind, hard-working, prompt, and consistent. Healthy Connections is truly privileged to have her on our team.”
“Ashley is a Patient Care Coordinator at our location and never ceases to go above and beyond for our patients and staff. She is so kind and has a true passion for what she does. Our patients and staff adore her very much.”

Congratulations to both Megan and Ashley.

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.

HCI Participates in Go Red For Women

Healthy Connections’ Sarah Thomas and Ann Calandro participated in the 2023 Go Red For Women Health Expo and Luncheon on May 10 in Benton.

Ann Calandro, Director of Pharmacy Services, and Sarah Thomas, Community Relations Specialist, at the Go Red For Women event.

This year’s theme was “Be the Beat For Someone You Love.”

The event spotlights the fight against heart disease and stroke and celebrates the passion and power of women in their fight against these silent and deadly diseases. More than 44 percent of women ages 20 and over are living with some form of cardiovascular disease which remains the leading cause of death in women.

Thomas is part of the 2023 Circle of Red, which makes commitments annually to support the Go Red For Women movement and serve as an ambassador for the cause.

The American Heart Association is committed to advancing its mission to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Together, we can encourage women to make life-saving lifestyle choices and learn how their family history plays a role in their ongoing health. Education and action can save mothers, best friends, and sisters everywhere. For more information on becoming a Circle of Red member, contact carmen.parks@heart.org.

Celebrating Phyllis Cuningham

Healthy Connections, Inc., held a special event on Tuesday to celebrate the retirement of Director of Nursing Phyllis Cunningham.

She has spent the past 14 years with Healthy Connections and the past 32 years in nursing. She has been an amazing leader to us all and we wish her the best in the next chapter of her life.

“Kindness is so critical to our success and to making our workplace happy. I love Maya Angelou’s quote: ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I’ve always tried to live by that,” Cunningham said. “I don’t know that I bring a lot of skill but I do try to bring that. Being kind and loving people and caring about people makes all of our work every day so much easier.”

Cunningham has been a part of tremendous growth for Healthy Connections in her 14 years with the organization. When she started, Healthy Connections had just two clinics – Mena and Mt. Ida. There are now 13 clinics in nine communities stretched from Little Rock to De Queen.

“From the staff and everyone at Healthy Connections, we want to let Phyllis know how much we appreciate you,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc. “I think everyone is aware of how large we have gotten and Phyllis has gone along with the paces the entire time. In everything we have done, she has stepped up.”

Cunningham is known for her sense of humor and sayings that bring smiles to the faces of her co-workers. One of her favorites is, “We choose our attitude every single day.”

“This has been a great place. There are so many opportunities here,” Cunningham said.

Thanks, Phyllis for all you’ve done for our patients, co-workers, and communities.

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