Healthy Connections is expanding its network of community health clinics with the opening of a new location in Conway. The clinic will begin serving patients on Nov. 10 at 2125 College Avenue, where Conway residents can expect the same trusted, compassionate care that defines every Healthy Connections location.
Leading the clinic will be Family Nurse Practitioner Mandi Mears, APRN, a familiar face in the Conway area who has provided family medicine for more than a decade. “I really enjoy getting to know my patients and their families,” Mears said. “That’s what primary care is all about — helping people stay well and being there when they need you.”
Healthy Connections CEO Tony Calandro said the Conway opening marks a natural step forward in the organization’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare across Arkansas. “We’ve had our eye on Conway for quite some time,” Calandro said. “It’s a growing, vibrant community that shares the same values we do — community, compassion, and excellence. This new clinic allows us to bring high-quality healthcare closer to the people who live, work, and study here, and we’re proud to have Mandi Mears leading the way.”
A Focus on Comprehensive Family Care
Mears provides primary and family medical care for patients of all ages—from children and college students to adults and seniors. Services include wellness visits, physicals, immunizations, testing, and chronic care management, along with walk-in appointments for same-day needs.
“I love being part of something that truly makes a difference for people right where they are,” Mears said. “Conway is such a unique place. You have families who’ve lived here for generations and students who are just starting out. I want this clinic to be a place where everyone feels welcome — whether it’s a mom bringing in her child for a checkup, a student needing a physical, or a senior managing ongoing care.”
The clinic is open Monday through Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., offering flexible hours that work for busy schedules. Healthy Connections accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurance plans. Patients without insurance may qualify for the organization’s Sliding Fee Scale, which ensures that cost is never a barrier to care.
A Community Connection
Mears brings a deep understanding of Arkansas healthcare, having worked as a registered nurse at Arkansas Children’s Hospital before serving patients in Faulkner County and beyond for more than 13 years. Her care philosophy is simple and sincere: “To build an open, honest, down-to-earth relationship with patients and their families.”
She will also receive advanced training in HIV care and addiction treatment, expanding the Conway clinic’s ability to meet a broad range of healthcare needs locally. “Being part of an organization that supports training and growth means a lot,” she said. “It helps us make sure we’re always providing the most up-to-date, evidence-based care for our patients.”
Looking Ahead
The Conway clinic will relocate to its permanent home at 2425 Dave Ward Drive, Suite 102, in January 2026. The newly remodeled facility will allow Healthy Connections to serve even more patients while maintaining the personal, community-based approach that defines its care.
“Mandi embodies what Healthy Connections stands for,” Calandro said. “She listens, she cares, and she’s deeply connected to the people she serves. That’s exactly the kind of provider we want leading this new chapter.”
Healthy Connections invites Conway residents and UCA students, faculty, and staff to experience healthcare that’s convenient, compassionate, and centered on community. To schedule an appointment, call 888-710-8220, visit the Conway clinic page at healthy-connections.org/locations/conway, or request an appointment online at this link.
Healthy Connections — Community. Compassion. Excellence.
