We’re proud to officially kick off the 2025 Healthy Connections Awards. These awards recognize team members across our organization who exemplify excellence, leadership, service, and commitment to the communities we serve. Over the next several days, we’ll be highlighting individuals whose work makes a meaningful difference every day, and we’re excited to share their stories and celebrate their impact.
Thank you to everyone for a great 2025.
Rookies of the Year
We’re kicking off our 2025 Healthy Connections Awards series by recognizing our Rookies of the Year. These team members may be newer to the organization, but they have already made a strong impression through their work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to supporting patients, coworkers, and clinics across the organization.
Congratulations to Michelle Reynolds, PMHNP, with Evolve Behavioral Health Services, based at the Hot Springs McAuley Clinic, along with Kaitlyn Simmons and Byron DeJarlo of the Mena Clinic. Each of these individuals has stepped into their role and made an immediate impact, and we’re proud to recognize the contributions they’ve already made at Healthy Connections.
Support Staff Super Star Award
Today, we’re proud to recognize the recipients of the Support Staff Super Star Award as part of the 2025 Healthy Connections Awards. This category honors team members whose work behind the scenes plays a critical role in keeping our clinics, teams, and operations running smoothly. Over the coming days, we’ll continue announcing a new award category each day, recognizing individuals who exemplify Community, Compassion, and Excellence.
Congratulations to Traci Brannigan (Marketing and Communications Team), Andrea Pilcher (Assistant Director of Nursing), and Paula Bradley (Administrative Assistant). Each of these individuals consistently goes above and beyond to support coworkers, strengthen communication, and ensure the day-to-day success of Healthy Connections. Their impact may not always be visible to patients, but it is felt across the organization every single day.
Customer Service Award
As we continue the 2025 Healthy Connections Awards, today we’re recognizing the recipients of the Customer Service Award. This category honors team members who consistently set the standard for how we treat patients, coworkers, and community partners. Through every interaction, they exemplify Community, Compassion, and Excellence, and help shape the experience people have with Healthy Connections from the very first moment.
Congratulations to Debbie Bailey (Human Resources, Recruitment) and Jaelyn Graves (PCC, Mena Clinic). Both are known for their professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine care for others. Whether supporting new team members or welcoming patients, their commitment to outstanding service makes a meaningful difference every day.
Behind the Scenes Hero Award
As part of the 2025 Healthy Connections Awards, today we’re honoring our Behind the Scenes Hero Award recipients. This category recognizes team members whose work often happens out of the spotlight but is essential to keeping our clinics, services, and operations running safely and effectively. Their dedication exemplifies Community, Compassion, and Excellence in ways that impact patients and coworkers every single day.
Congratulations to Mikie Manning (Pharmacy), Ed Haines (Facilities Services), Jim Davis (Facilities Services), and Dale Suezaki (Facilities Services). From supporting patient access to medications to maintaining our facilities across the organization, these individuals quietly go above and beyond to make sure Healthy Connections can deliver care without interruption.
Rising Star Award
Today, we’re recognizing the recipients of the Rising Star Award as part of the 2025 Healthy Connections Awards. This category honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional growth, initiative, and leadership potential, and who are already making a meaningful impact across the organization. Their work reflects Community, Compassion, and Excellence, and points to a strong future for Healthy Connections.
Congratulations to Dr. Phi Tang (Pharmacist) and Clay McDowell, APRN (Mena and Mount Ida Clinics). Both have shown a commitment to high-quality care, collaboration, and continuous improvement, and their contributions are helping move Healthy Connections forward in important ways.
Game Changer Award
The Game Changer Award recognizes individuals whose leadership and vision have driven meaningful progress and lasting impact across Healthy Connections. This year’s recipients, Michelle Gibson, Manager of Quality, and Dr. Absalom Tilley, Chief Medical Officer, exemplify Community, Compassion, and Excellence through their commitment to improving systems, strengthening care delivery, and leading with purpose.
Through innovation, accountability, and a focus on quality, Michelle and Dr. Tilley have helped shape how Healthy Connections continues to grow and evolve. Their work has influenced both day-to-day operations and long-term strategy, making a lasting difference for patients, providers, and teams across the organization.
Providers of the Year
The Providers of the Year award honors clinicians who consistently go above and beyond to improve patient care while answering the call whenever and wherever they are needed. Autumn Morales, APRN, and Jennifer Scott, APRN, were selected for their dedication, flexibility, and unwavering commitment to the patients and communities they serve.
Throughout 2025, Autumn and Jennifer stepped up without hesitation, providing reliable, compassionate care while supporting their teams and clinics. Their professionalism, clinical excellence, and patient-centered approach reflect the very best of Healthy Connections and the standard of care we strive to deliver every day.
Employee of the Year
The Employee of the Year award is the highest individual honor at Healthy Connections, recognizing an employee whose leadership strengthens the entire organization. Jessica Hood, RN, Director of Nursing, was selected for her exceptional leadership, consistency, and steady influence across our nursing teams.
Jessica’s leadership has brought stability, clarity, and excellence to nursing operations throughout 2025, directly impacting the quality of care delivered to patients every day. Her dedication to supporting staff and maintaining high standards exemplifies what it means to lead with Community, Compassion, and Excellence.
