Healthy Connections is thrilled to introduce the newest member of our esteemed team, Sharon Meador, MD, who joins the Little Rock Midtown Clinic.
With an illustrious career spanning more than 40 years as an occupational medicine physician, Dr. Meador brings an unparalleled level of expertise and dedication to the clinic, aligning perfectly with our core values of Community, Compassion, and Excellence.
Dr. Meador’s qualifications extend far beyond the ordinary. She is a certified HIV Specialist recognized by the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM), a distinction that highlights her unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care in HIV prevention and treatment. Her achievement places her in an exclusive league of healthcare professionals devoted to ensuring the optimal health of those living with or at risk for HIV and related conditions.
“When I first saw and treated people with HIV, it was AIDS. We didn’t know what it even was, and it was a death sentence essentially. But the current treatments are wonderful, and the issues we’re seeing now with our folks living with HIV is they live so long, they get old people diseases like the rest of us, which is a great problem to have,” Dr. Meador said.
The clinic location at 1100 N. University Ave., #200, in Little Rock, features the Healthy Connections Community Health Network, Health For Life Clinic, Evolve Behavioral Health Services and Medication Management, and Noydeen Midtown.
Dr. Meador will see patients for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), HIV, and PrEP.
“We are exceptionally proud to have Dr. Sharon Meador join our team. Her certification as an HIV Specialist by AAHIVM underscores her dedication to providing top-tier care,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc. “Her arrival marks a remarkable milestone for the Healthy Connections Little Rock Midtown Clinic.”
With Dr. Terry Jefferson and Dr. Absalom H. Tilley, the Healthy Connections Little Rock Midtown clinic is among the most experienced in central Arkansas in providing inclusive care for both the LGBTQ+ community and those seeking treatment for opioid addiction. This collaborative environment ensures patients receive comprehensive, top-quality medical services in an inclusive environment.
“Over the years, I’ve treated people living with HIV, transgender community folks, and people with substance abuse orders of all sorts,” Dr. Meador said. “That’s kind of my niche where I’m practicing now, and I love doing that.”
Healthy Connections is a Mena-based Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with locations throughout Central and Western Arkansas. The Community Health Network offers much-needed medical, dental, and behavioral health services and attempts to fill healthcare coverage gaps. The clinics accept Medicaid, ArKids 1st, Medicare, and most health insurance. There is also a sliding fee scale for patients without insurance who qualify.
“Especially in the Ryan White Program, patients don’t have other insurance. We try to take care of a lot of those needs without having to refer them to multiple places. Healthy Connections does that and it’s perfect,” Dr. Meador said.
Join us in celebrating the arrival of Dr. Sharon Meador, a distinguished addition to the healthcare landscape of Little Rock. For appointments or more information, please visit our website at www.healthy-connections.org or call us at 888-710-8220. Together, we look forward to serving the diverse healthcare needs of our community with excellence and compassion.
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.
At Healthy Connections De Queen, we are excited to announce that both Angela Martin, APRN, and Autumn Morales, APRN, are accepting new patients.
It’s our mission to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare to our community, and Angela and Autumn are dedicated to making that a reality for you and your family.
Martin has an extensive background in nursing, combined with several years as a nurse practitioner, demonstrating her deep-rooted connection to De Queen. She is a well-respected figure in the De Queen area, having previously owned the Martin Family Medical Clinic and worked at the De Queen Medical Center. Angela is passionate about contributing to the well-being of the De Queen community and Sevier County.
“When I was an ER nurse, you see patients all the time that don’t need to be at the ER. They need to be seen in a clinic setting. I just wanted to be able to help people,” Martin said of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Morales, the latest addition to our healthcare team, brings her wealth of experience and dedication to De Queen, Sevier County, and the surrounding areas. She’s not only a healthcare provider; she’s a community member who genuinely cares about the well-being of her neighbors.
“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. My goal is to provide top-notch healthcare and make a positive impact in the lives of our patients.”
The De Queen clinic is conveniently located at 1206 W. Collin Raye Drive. Healthy Connections’ commitment to ensuring access to high-quality healthcare is unwavering, and we are proud to serve the De Queen community and Sevier County. Whether you’re covered by Medicaid, Medicare, ArKids 1st, or most insurance plans, we’ve got you covered. And for those without insurance who qualify, our sliding fee scale makes healthcare accessible, regardless of your financial situation.
“We are thrilled to welcome Angela Martin and Autumn Morales to our De Queen clinic team. Their dedication to community healthcare aligns perfectly with our mission, and they embody our commitment to providing quality healthcare for our patients,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc.
Booking an appointment is simple – just call us at 888-710-8220, and our friendly staff will assist you. We’re here to serve you, and your health and well-being are our top priorities.
To learn more about the services, providers, and everything Healthy Connections has to offer, visit our website at https://healthy-connections.org.
We’re looking forward to welcoming new patients into our healthcare family and providing you with the best care possible. Your health matters, and we’re here to make sure you receive the care you deserve.
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.
