Derwood Brett, esteemed Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors for Healthy Connections, Inc., passed away this week at the age of 76. Brett had an extensive and illustrious career in media, public relations, and the electric utility industry, leaving an indelible mark on each field he touched.
Brett’s journalism career saw him publishing newspapers in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Florida. He believed that every community deserved a newspaper that captured the essence of local life, from Little League games to city council meetings. His tenure as president of the Arkansas Press Association in 1989 was characterized by his focus on thorough, detail-oriented reporting. Brett’s editorials were instrumental in significant community advancements, including the adoption of a school tax increase and the establishment of a community college in Helena.
A graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a BA in Journalism, Brett went on to complete his MA in Journalism/Mass Communications at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he also served on the adjunct faculty for several years. His academic background and professional experience made him a respected figure in both the media and academic communities.
Transitioning to the electric utility industry, Brett served as Manager of Corporate Communications for Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, INC. He later became the General Manager of Clay County Electric Cooperative, overseeing the distribution of electric services across multiple counties in Northeast Arkansas and Missouri. His leadership in these roles underscored his commitment to community service and excellence.
After retiring from the electric utility industry, Brett remained active in public service. He served as president of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and as a board member for Healthy Connections, Inc., where he continued to advocate for community health initiatives. As Chairman of the Board for Healthy Connections from 2011 through April of this year, Brett’s visionary leadership coincided with major growth at Healthy Connections, expanding from two clinics in two cities to more than 15 clinics across central and western Arkansas.
“Derwood Brett’s unwavering support and faith in both me and Healthy Connections have been instrumental in our growth and success. His leadership and commitment to our mission of providing quality healthcare to all have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire us. Derwood’s belief in the power of community and excellence guided us through many challenges, and we are profoundly grateful for his contributions,” said Healthy Connections CEO Tony Calandro.
Brett is survived by his beloved wife, Frances Brett, their three children, and five grandchildren. His attention to detail, commitment to community, and passion for storytelling will be remembered and cherished by his colleagues, friends, and family.
“Derwood Brett was not only a remarkable leader but also a dear friend. Over the years, we worked together on numerous organizations, and his dedication and passion were always evident. His presence will be deeply missed, and his influence extended far beyond the boardroom. Derwood’s friendship and guidance will remain with me forever,” said Al Gathright, who succeeded Brett as chairman of the board in April.
He leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and community spirit that will continue to inspire all who knew him.
The memorial service for Derwood Brett will be held at Joplin United Methodist Church in Mount Ida on July 1, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to:
- Arkansas Newspaper Foundation 501c3, 411 South Victory St, Little Rock, AR 72201
- University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Foundation Scholarship Fund, 1100 College Street, Mena, AR 71953
- Joplin United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 89, Mount Ida, AR 71957
Arrangements are under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home in Mount Ida, AR. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com.
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!
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!
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.
Healthy Connections, a leading provider of community health services across Western and Central Arkansas, is excited to announce the appointment of Ron G. Sellers, MBA, as its new Executive Vice President of Operations. Sellers brings to the organization a rich background in healthcare management, with extensive experience in enhancing operational efficiency and patient care.
“I’m here to help grow the organization, continue the mission, vision, and values of Healthy Connections, and to expand services the patient population that we’re reaching,” he said.
Healthy Connections is a Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) committed to providing medical, dental, and behavioral health services throughout Western and Central Arkansas. Sellers’ commitment to the organization’s core values of community, compassion, and excellence is evident and aligns with his personal and professional aspirations to improve healthcare accessibility and quality.
“One of the reasons I joined Healthy Connections and stayed in the FQHC model is because of what it stands for, what we’re here to do, the patient population that we’re here to serve,” said Sellers, who comes to Healthy Connections after working at another FQHC.
With a strong focus on operational excellence and strategic growth, Sellers is poised to make significant contributions to Healthy Connections. His approach to leadership, deeply rooted in a commitment to service and community engagement, underscores Healthy Connections’ ongoing efforts to provide exceptional healthcare services.
Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, welcomed Sellers, highlighting his strategic vision and commitment to healthcare excellence as invaluable to the organization’s mission.
“With Ron’s leadership, we look forward to expanding our reach and continuing to provide high-quality healthcare to the communities we serve,” said Calandro.
Sellers’ educational background includes a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Health/Health Care Administration/Management from Union University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Health/Health Care Administration/Management from Ottawa University, alongside a Bachelor of Arts and an Associate of Applied Science in Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
For more information or to schedule appointments, please call 888-710-8220 or visit www.healthy-connections.org.
Healthy Connections Russellville Welcomes New Family Nurse Practitioner Kaylee Wolfe, APRN
Broadening Primary Care Accessibility in Arkansas with a Focus on Comprehensive Health Services
Healthy Connections, a Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operating across Western and Central Arkansas, is excited to announce the addition of Kaylee Wolfe, APRN, to its Russellville clinic. Wolfe, a Family Nurse Practitioner, is actively accepting new patients at 3312 West Main Street, bringing a wide array of essential primary care services to the local and surrounding communities.
Kaylee Wolfe, APRN: Enhancing Local Healthcare with Specialized Services
Offering services ranging from primary care/family medicine to HIV management, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction, wellness checks, immunizations, and more, Kaylee Wolfe embodies the comprehensive care model that Healthy Connections is known for. Wolfe’s appointment follows her impactful tenure at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville, bringing valuable experience and a commitment to the health and wellness of the community she knows well.
Reflecting on her new role, Wolfe said, “Returning to serve the River Valley, where my heart truly belongs, has always been my aspiration. I’m eager to contribute to our community’s health by providing a holistic approach to care that prioritizes education, prevention, and comprehensive treatment plans.”
Expanding Services for Diverse Health Needs
The Russellville clinic, open from Monday through Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., is a cornerstone of quality and accessible healthcare in the area. Wolfe’s expertise in family medicine, HIV, hepatitis care, and women’s health complements the already robust services provided by healthcare professionals such as Leslie Ward, MD.
“Kaylee’s profound understanding of our community’s health necessities and her enthusiastic approach to inclusive care perfectly resonates with our mission,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc. “Her vast expertise will significantly enhance our ability to extend primary and specialized care to more individuals in Russellville and its vicinities.”
Navigating Healthcare with Flexible Insurance and Payment Options
Recognizing the diverse financial situations of its patients, Healthy Connections Russellville clinic emphasizes ease of access through a flexible approach to payment and insurance. The clinic proudly accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and is in-network for most insurance plans, ensuring that a broad spectrum of patients can receive the care they need without undue financial burden. Furthermore, for patients without insurance, Healthy Connections offers a sliding-fee scale based on income and family size to those who qualify, underscoring its commitment to ensuring no one is denied healthcare services due to financial constraints.
A Dedication to Enhancing Community Health Outcomes
Healthy Connections’ initiative to provide comprehensive and accessible healthcare services is reflective of its commitment to improving health outcomes and the well-being of communities across Western and Central Arkansas. The integration of Kaylee Wolfe into the Russellville clinic further solidifies Healthy Connections’ role in offering high-quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services tailored to meet the evolving needs of its patients.
For more detailed information about the range of services provided, insurance and payment options, or to schedule an appointment with Kaylee Wolfe or any of our skilled providers, please call 888-710-8220.
About Healthy Connections
As a premier provider of comprehensive health services in Western and Central Arkansas, Healthy Connections stands committed to delivering exceptional medical, dental, and behavioral health care. Through its status as an FQHC, the organization ensures that comprehensive care is accessible to all, highlighting the importance of health equity and accessibility.
For additional information on Healthy Connections and its services, visit our website at www.healthy-connections.org.
