HJAR Jan/Feb 2021

64 JAN / FEB 2021  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS Hospital Rounds labs around the country.” The Speed Torque was first used by Chrisman on Oct. 3 at Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock during a coronary artery intervention. Arkansas Children’s Names Executive to Assume Role of ACNWChief Administrator Arkansas Children’s has selected Shannon Hen- drix, MS, RD, LD, as the next chief administrator of Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW), the region’s only children’s hospital. A longtime pediatric healthcare leader with experience uniting multidisciplinary teams, Hen- drix brings to the position a deep understanding of the special considerations required to run a chil- dren’s hospital, as well as extensive knowledge of overall child health in Arkansas. Hendrix will begin her role at ACNW on Dec. 14, 2020. Her promotion to lead the full-service hospital, which served more than 31,000 unique patients last fiscal year, is part of a thorough suc- cession planning effort by Arkansas Children’s leaders to ensure ACNW grows and evolves to match the diverse needs of the Northwest Arkan- sas community. Hendrix will work closely with Trisha Montague, former chief administrator of ACNW and the cam- pus’ founding leader. Montague, who oversaw ACNW through its design, debut, and continued success, was recently promoted to interim chief operating officer of the Arkansas Children’s sys- tem. She plans to retire in calendar year 2021 after a distinguished 43-year career in pediatric health. Hendrix’s experience at Arkansas Children’s has included leadership responsibilities with teams ranging from clinical operations, such as radiol- ogy and laboratory, to the social support services at the heart of delivering family-centered care, including social work and pastoral care. She has most recently served as vice president of clinical and diagnostic services for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Montague made the announcement on behalf of the Arkansas Children’s system and as part of the team responsible for selecting her successor. Montague said Hendrix exemplifies facets of lead- ership essential to success in leading a hospital such as ACNW, including a commitment to excel- lence in pediatric patient care services. Hendrix has 15 years of healthcare and clinical leadership experience. “Shannon has overseen, with notable success, essential clinical services and operations key to the continued growth of Arkansas Children’s Northwest,” Montague said. “She is a passion- ate advocate for children who knows how to run, and more importantly, grow the operations and services of a full-service hospital that is part of our state’s only pediatric health system.” Hendrix looks forward to shepherding ACNW through its next phase of growth, guided by a five- year strategic plan focused on further strengthen- ing clinical care and expanding outreach. “Arkansas Children’s Northwest has exceeded expectations at every turn – all because of a devoted team, focused leadership and an amaz- ingly supportive community,” Hendrix said. “I am honored to join ACNW as we continue to grow into the pediatric destination of choice. I firmly believe every child deserves a children’s hospital designed, built, and tailored to the needs of chil- dren and families.” Hendrix steps into her ACNW role after lead- ing large divisions comprised of several hundred Arkansas Children’s team members since she joined the health system in 2013. She has most recently served as vice president of clinical and diagnostic services for Arkansas Children’s Hospi- tal. A registered dietitian, she holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition from the University of Central Arkansas. Hendrix is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. CHI St. Vincent Infirmary Part of Regional System Award Recognizing Care for Heart Attacks CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, a participant in the American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline Regional Reports, has received the Mission: Life- line Regional STEMI Trailblazer Achievement Award as a part of the Arkansas Region. The award is presented for implementing specific quality improvement measures at a regional level as outlined by the Association for treating patients who suffer severe heart attacks. “CHI St. Vincent is dedicated to participating in the Mission: Lifeline Arkansas Region and to providing optimal care for heart attack patients,” said Marcia Atkinson, president of the CHI St. Vin- cent Heart Institute. “We are pleased to be a part of a Mission: Lifeline STEMI System of Care rec- ognized for its collective dedication and achieve- ments in cardiac care. Our goal is to continue par- ticipating in the Mission; Lifeline Arkansas Region and to continue to deliver optimal care for each heart attack patient in our region.” Every year, more than 250,000 people expe- rience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possi- ble, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication. The American Heart Association Mission: Life- line program’s goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 911 call, to EMS transport and continu- ing through hospital treatment and discharge. The initiative provides tools, training, and other resources to support heart attack care following protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines and encourages EMS, STEMI receiving centers, STEMI referring hospitals, and other key stakeholders coming together. Conway Regional, UACCM Announce Scholarship Opportunities for Nursing Education Conway Regional Health System and The Uni- versity of Arkansas Community College at Mor- rilton announced a partnership to aid with nurse recruitment and retention. The new UACCMNursing Scholarship Program will provide financial aid opportunities to students pursuing education in nursing with the UACCM Practical Nursing Program. This partnership will award up to six licensed practical nurses (LPN) students with scholar- ships over the next three years with each stu- dent selected receiving $2,500 in financial aid per semester, for three semesters. “Conway Regional is proud to invest in the future of healthcare to ensure the communities we serve are provided high-quality, compas- sionate care for many years to come,” said Matt