Your Guide to Flu Shots: Stay Healthy with Healthy Connections

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.

Singleton Finalist For State CFO of Year

Healthy Connections’ Susan Singleton was named a finalist for Arkansas Business Nonprofit CFO of the Year

In the world of financial leadership, Susan Singleton’s journey stands as a testament to dedication and innovation. With an impressive career spanning 26 years, Singleton’s role as Chief Financial Officer of Healthy Connections, a Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Western and Central Arkansas, has earned her a coveted place as a finalist for the prestigious Arkansas Business Nonprofit Organization CFO of the Year 2023 award.

Singleton’s recognition is a result of her outstanding contributions. She stands alongside other distinguished financial leaders: Laine Harber from the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Monique L. Sanders from the Arkansas Foodbank, and Britney Snell from the SHARE Foundation. Together, these exceptional individuals have set themselves apart and distinguished themselves among their peers in contention for this statewide accolade.

The winners of the Arkansas Business CFO of the Year 2023 award will be unveiled on Nov. 2 at the Wally Allen Ballroom at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

Singleton’s journey is a story of personal and professional growth. Over the past 4 years, she has made a significant impact at Healthy Connections, steering its financial growth while upholding the organization’s core values of Community, Compassion, and Excellence.

“In a nonprofit organization, there are many opportunities to step out of your comfort zone, grow, and learn,” Singleton reflects. “CFOs must be creative and strategic in managing finances. As a CFO with additional responsibilities in operations, opportunities exist for improvements in workflows, processes, and operational efficiencies throughout the organization. This, in turn, better positions the company to balance the mission and margin of the organization.”

Her strategic financial stewardship has not only driven Healthy Connections’ growth but also allowed the organization to provide comprehensive healthcare services to diverse communities, making a lasting impact on countless lives.

“With over two and a half decades of financial leadership experience and her dedicated 4-year journey with Healthy Connections, Susan embodies an unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections. “Her approach to financial management has elevated our ability to fulfill our mission, offering quality healthcare services to those we serve.”

Singleton’s journey underscores the pivotal role of financial leadership in fostering growth and positive change. Her expertise and steadfast commitment play a crucial role in advancing Healthy Connections’ ongoing mission of providing accessible, high-quality healthcare services that enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families across Western and Central Arkansas.

Celebrating National Health Center Week

Every August, Healthy Connections is excited as we celebrate National Health Center Week, a time of reflection, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to our mission of providing exceptional healthcare services to the central and western Arkansas communities. This year holds special significance for us as we commemorate our 25th anniversary of serving patients throughout the state.

Unveiling 25 Years of Compassionate Care

For a quarter of a century, Healthy Connections has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services that address the diverse healthcare needs of our patients. What started as a vision has grown into a cornerstone of accessible and patient-centered care, touching the lives of countless individuals and families in Arkansas.

Since our inception, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to everyone who walks through our doors. Our team of skilled healthcare professionals is united by a shared passion for making a positive impact on the health and well-being of our communities. Whether it’s a routine check-up, dental care, behavioral health support, or community outreach, we are here to serve you with compassion and excellence.

National Health Center Week: August 6-12

National Health Center Week, observed from August 6-12, is a time to celebrate the vital role that community health centers play in fostering healthier communities and increasing access to care for all. At Healthy Connections, it’s an opportunity to express our gratitude to our patients, staff, and partners who have contributed to our success over the years.

During this special week, we invite you to join us in celebrating our 25th anniversary. It’s not just a time to look back at our accomplishments; it’s also a time to look forward to the future of healthcare in Arkansas.

Join the Celebration: How You Can Participate

• Come Celebrate with Us: Healthy Connections staff will be participating in the Samaritan Fields and Friends Event in De Queen on Aug. 11, and the Hot Springs Community Resource Fair on Aug. 12. Stop by, say hello, pick up some swag, and learn about the vital role we play in our communities.
• Schedule an Appointment: If you’re in need of medical, dental, or behavioral health services, we encourage you to reach out and schedule an appointment. Call us at 888-710-8220 to secure your spot and experience the care that has earned us the trust of our communities for 25 years.
• Spread the Word: Help us raise awareness about National Health Center Week and our 25th anniversary by sharing our story on social media. Use the hashtag #HealthyConnections25 to join the conversation and inspire others to prioritize their health.
• Support Accessible Healthcare: Consider making a contribution to our mission of providing accessible healthcare to all. Your support enables us to continue offering vital services to those who need them most.
• As we celebrate National Health Center Week and mark our 25th anniversary, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to our patients, staff, partners, and supporters. Your dedication and trust have been instrumental in our journey, and we look forward to many more years of serving the wonderful communities of central and western Arkansas.

Join us in this celebration of health, community, and compassion. Together, we can create a healthier and brighter future for all.

For appointments and inquiries, please call 888-710-8220.

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.