May Employees of the Month

Healthy Connections Announces May 2024 Shining STAR Employees of the Month

Healthy Connections is proud to announce our May 2024 Shining STAR Employees of the Month: Mandy Simers of the Mena Street location and Joanna Welch of the Malvern Pinnacle clinic. Mandy represents the West Communities, while Joanna represents the East Communities. This recognition is based on nominations from their fellow co-workers, reflecting our three pillars of Community, Compassion, and Excellence.

Mandy Simers: West Communities Winner

Mandy Simers, who has been with Healthy Connections since 2020, serves as the Inventory Controller at the Mena Street location. Her dedication and consistent excellence in her role have earned her high praise from her colleagues. One co-worker shared, “Mandy consistently demonstrates excellence in her work. It is a habit Mandy embodies, not just a one-off act. Mandy is extremely reliable; she only misses work when she has preplanned approved PTO. She embodies community by fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment between all departments within HCI and outside of HCI with vendors. She sets a standard for us all and reminds us of what can be achieved with dedication and passion.”

Mandy’s commitment to excellence and her ability to foster a strong sense of community within the workplace exemplify the values that Healthy Connections holds dear. Her role as Inventory Controller is crucial to the seamless operation of our services, and her reliability and passion are truly inspirational.

Joanna Welch: East Communities Winner

Joanna Welch, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the Malvern Pinnacle clinic, has been with Healthy Connections since 2023. Joanna’s hard work, pleasant demeanor, and kindness toward patients have made her a standout employee. Her colleagues commend her ability to embrace change and conquer any challenge thrown her way. One co-worker remarked, “Joanna is a hard worker, always pleasant, and is very kind to our patients. She embraces change and conquers any challenge thrown her way.”

Joanna’s dedication to providing compassionate care and her adaptability in the face of challenges embody the core values of Healthy Connections. Her positive attitude and commitment to patient care make her an invaluable member of our team.

Each month, Healthy Connections selects two employees for this prestigious award, based on nominations from their peers and votes from the Senior Management Team. Mandy Simers and Joanna Welch are shining examples of the dedication and excellence we strive for at Healthy Connections. We congratulate them on their well-deserved recognition and thank them for their outstanding contributions to our organization.

Arkadelphia Clinic Ribbon Cutting and Welcome Celebration

Ribbon Cutting and Welcome Celebration at Healthy Connections Arkadelphia Clinic

On Thursday, the Healthy Connections Arkadelphia clinic hosted a vibrant Ribbon Cutting and Welcome Celebration, in partnership with the Arkadelphia Alliance. This event marked the official introduction of our newest healthcare providers: Kristin Brown, APRN; Leslie Collie, APRN; and Dr. Kara Worley, OBGYN. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone. The event was a wonderful opportunity for the community to meet Kristin and Leslie, who are now available for primary care and family medicine services for patients of all ages.

Our Arkadelphia clinic is committed to providing accessible and high-quality healthcare. We proudly accept Medicaid, Medicare, ARKids 1st, and most major health insurance plans. For those without insurance, we offer a sliding fee scale to ensure no one is left without the care they need. Dr. Kara Worley, known for her “Catching Babies” philosophy, specializes in women’s health, including gynecology and obstetrics.

Kristin Brown, APRN, and Leslie Collie, APRN, bring a wealth of experience and a compassionate approach to patient care. They are dedicated to promoting wellness and providing comprehensive healthcare services to individuals and families in our community. Whether you need routine check-ups, management of chronic conditions, or acute care, Kristin and Leslie are here to support your health journey.

Dr. Kara Worley offers specialized care in obstetrics and gynecology. Her “Catching Babies” philosophy underscores her commitment to providing personalized and empathetic care to expectant mothers. Dr. Worley is well-known for her dedication to women’s health and her ability to make her patients feel comfortable and supported throughout their healthcare experience.

Located at 301 Professional Park Drive, the Arkadelphia clinic is open Monday through Thursday, from 7:45 am to 6:00 pm. For appointments, please call 888-710-8220. You can learn more about the clinic and our services at Healthy Connections Arkadelphia.

Community Support and Acknowledgements

We are deeply thankful for the overwhelming support from our community, which made this event a success. Special thanks to Patterson Federal Credit Union, Southern Bancorp, Justin Rogers with Farm Bureau, Shuffield Music Company, Arkadelphia Walmart, The V B & Grill, Billie Murphy and the UPS Store, Heartland Pharmacy, Dr. Byrd’s office, Samantha’s Bakery, and Michael Brown with Brown’s Grinding Co. for their generous contributions.

Congratulations to our door prize drawing winners: Patricia McGee of Arkadelphia, Carolyn King of Arkadelphia, KiShiana Walton of Hope, Johnesha of Arkadelphia, Gabrielle Perry of Arkadelphia, Jason Lowe of Point Cedar, Marquita Morehead of Arkadelphia, and Linda Easley of Gurdon. Prizes can be picked up at the clinic during normal business hours.

Thank you once again to everyone who came out to support us. We look forward to continuing to serve the Arkadelphia community with the same dedication and excellence that defines Healthy Connections.

Arkadelphia Clinic Celebration Event June 6

Join Us for the Arkadelphia Clinic Ribbon Cutting and Community Celebration on June 6!

Healthy Connections is excited to invite the community to the ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration of our Arkadelphia clinic on Thursday, June 6. The event will commence at 9:30 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in collaboration with the Arkadelphia Alliance, marking the beginning of a day filled with festivities.

We welcome everyone to stop by and enjoy a complimentary lunch, meet our exceptional healthcare providers, and tour our state-of-the-art facility. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know our new providers Kristin Brown, APRN, Leslie Collie, APRN, and Kara Worley, OBGYN. Our clinic is currently accepting new patients and is in-network for most health insurance plans. We also have openings for Medicaid and Medicare patients and offer a sliding fee scale for those without insurance who qualify.

Join us to meet Leslie, Kristin, Kara, and Dr. Anne Murphy, and to experience firsthand the comprehensive healthcare services we provide. There will be fun activities for both kids and adults, making it a perfect family event.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 888-710-8220. Learn more about our Arkadelphia clinic, its providers, and the services offered by visiting Healthy Connections Arkadelphia Clinic. We look forward to seeing you there!

Grand Opening of Healthy Connections Sheridan Clinic

We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our newest clinic in Sheridan!

Earlier today, we celebrated this milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in partnership with the Grant County Chamber of Commerce. Despite some iffy weather in the morning, the skies cleared up, and it turned into a beautiful day, perfect for the occasion.

The event was a fantastic opportunity for the community to meet our new healthcare providers, Family Nurse Practitioner Clark Roberts, APRN, and Dr. Anne Murphy. Attendees enjoyed a free lunch, delightful entertainment, and guided tours of our state-of-the-art facility. We were excited to share our commitment to Community, Compassion, and Excellence with everyone who came out to support us.

Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, expressed his enthusiasm for the new clinic, stating, “We are incredibly excited to be here in Sheridan and to have Clark Roberts join our team. His dedication to patient care and the community aligns perfectly with our mission. We look forward to making a significant positive impact on the health and well-being of the residents here.”

Healthy Connections is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with clinics spanning from Little Rock to De Queen. Our mission is to fill healthcare gaps in underserved areas, providing comprehensive healthcare services to all individuals, regardless of their financial situation. In Sheridan, we offer primary care services for all ages, along with specialized services such as HIV care, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), and more.

Our Sheridan clinic, located at 1409 S. Rock St. Suite B, in the Laikay Center, is now open for appointments. We offer comprehensive healthcare services from 7:45 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Thursday. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and are in-network for most health insurance plans. For those without insurance, we provide services on a sliding-fee scale to ensure that everyone in our community has access to quality healthcare.

In addition to the services provided in Sheridan, our network of clinics offers a wide range of healthcare services including dental care, behavioral health services, wound care, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, and more. We are dedicated to meeting the diverse healthcare needs of the communities we serve.

A big thank you goes out to everyone who made this event a success. Special shoutouts to Keep & Teach, Malvern National Bank, Mad Butcher, Elder Care, Kick Start Sheridan, Grant County Chamber of Commerce, City of Sheridan, Flower Shopped, GCUCRC-Kathy’s Closet, and Junkers Junction. We also want to thank Jennifer Wise for the wonderful face painting and Vinnie for the fantastic music. A special thanks to our own Justin Wise for all the legwork done to make this a success.

We were thrilled to see so many members of the community join us and hope everyone had a great time. Congratulations to our prize winners: Sheridan’s Tobie Wilkerson (Bluetooth speaker) and Glen Rose’s Malory Duvall (Bluetooth speaker), Sheridan’s Melodee Owens (S’mores basket), and Likita Mullins (Pine Federal Credit basket). We were excited for you to be there with us and look forward to seeing you at the clinic in the future.

We are so excited to be up and running in Sheridan and can’t wait to make a positive impact on this wonderful community. For appointments, please call 888-710-8220. We look forward to serving you!

April Employees of the Month Announced

Announcing Our April 2024 Shining STAR Employees of the Month

We are pleased to announce our Shining STAR employees of the month for April 2024, celebrating individuals who exemplify our core principles of Community, Compassion, and Excellence. This month, we recognize Halee Baker and Dr. Anne Murphy, outstanding contributors from our West and East Communities, respectively.

Halee Baker, the West Communities winner, has been a vital part of Healthy Connections since 2017. Serving as the Centralized Scheduling Call Center Manager, Halee oversees the team responsible for all our incoming calls. A nomination from one of her colleagues highlighted her exceptional leadership: “She goes above and beyond to make sure her team is taken care of. She is the best manager I have had. She makes us want to show up every day. Not to mention, her patient care is always amazing. We may just answer the phone, but she can make any upset patient happy. She really is an amazing person!” Halee’s dedication ensures that our team members are supported and our patients receive the highest level of care.

Dr. Anne Murphy, DO, our East Communities winner, rejoined Healthy Connections last year, having previously been part of our organization. She currently serves patients in Hot Springs and has expanded her care to Arkadelphia and Malvern, with plans to start in Sheridan later this month. Dr. Murphy’s flexibility and commitment to patient care have been crucial during her time with us. According to a co-worker’s nomination, “Dr. Murphy is a great asset to HCI. She has been filling in at several locations, with Arkadelphia being one of the main ones. She exhibits a passion for taking care of patients no matter what clinic she is in. She shows empathy and compassion. She makes the day fun with her upbeat personality, and we love hearing her dog stories. We love us some Dr. Murphy; she is amazing.”

As winners, Halee and Dr. Murphy will each receive a credit to the Healthy Connections HC Hub Company store. This award is a small token of our appreciation for their significant contributions.

Please join us in congratulating Halee Baker and Dr. Anne Murphy on their well-deserved recognition. Their dedication not only enhances the health and well-being of our communities but also inspires all of us at Healthy Connections to strive for excellence every day.

Sheridan Clinic Grand Opening May 23

Healthy Connections Sheridan Celebrates Grand Opening with Community Event

Healthy Connections is thrilled to announce the grand opening of our newest location in Sheridan. Join us for a festive celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1409 S. Rock St. Suite B. This event highlights a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to provide comprehensive healthcare services to the communities of Central Arkansas.

The Sheridan clinic welcomes all community members to explore the wide range of primary care services offered, suitable for patients of all ages. From Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and HIV care to immunizations and physical exams, the clinic is equipped to meet diverse healthcare needs. The event will also introduce our dedicated in-clinic providers, Dr. Anne Murphy, DO, and Family Nurse Practitioner Clark Roberts, APRN.

Clark Roberts will begin seeing patients at the clinic starting Monday, May 20, just a few days before the grand opening.

“We are excited to open our doors in Sheridan and bring high-quality, accessible healthcare to the community,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc. “This clinic not only expands our reach but also strengthens our commitment to serving Arkansans with the utmost compassion and excellence.”

Attendees can look forward to free food, a chance to meet our healthcare providers, and a tour of the newly-remodeled facility. The Grant County Chamber of Commerce will be present, along with their ambassadors, to assist with the ribbon cutting. The clinic accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and is in-network for most insurance plans. Additionally, a sliding-fee scale is available to assist patients without insurance who qualify, ensuring that no one is denied care due to financial limitations.

Clinic hours are conveniently scheduled from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, to accommodate our patients’ busy lives. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 888-710-8220. Learn more about the Healthy Connections Sheridan clinic and the services it offers by visiting our website at https://healthy-connections.org/sheridan. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to our new location and celebrating this new chapter together.