HJAR Sep/Oct 2022

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  SEP / OCT 2022 63 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalAR.com demonstrate robotic surgery in action as one of 15 designated da Vinci Observation Epicenters nationwide. UAMS is the only hospital in Arkan- sas designated as an Epicenter. The da Vinci Surgical System is used in more than 1,500 hospitals in the U.S. Intuitive Surgi- cal, the company that makes it, recently estab- lished the epicenters to provide surgeons who are new to the technology a daylong opportunity to observe and consult with skilled practitioners to learn techniques and best practices. Additional training follows. According to Intuitive Surgical, a case observa- tion center is “a hospital that leads by example, demonstrating the highest quality of care, effi- ciency, and outcomes using Intuitive technologies while hosting surgeons across the United States.” In the fall, UAMS became the only hospital in Arkansas to acquire the Ion Endoluminal Robotic Bronchoscopy System, also made by Intuitive, which allows doctors to discover and biopsy previously undetectable nodules in the farthest reaches of the lungs, where about 70% of nodules reside. Baptist Health Announces Changes to Hospital Leadership Baptist Health recently appointed new lead- ership at its hospitals in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Malvern, and Arkadelphia. Mike Perkins is now president of Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock. He has additional oversight for Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute (BHRI), Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital (BHECH), and Baptist Health College Little Rock. Since joining Baptist Health more than 30 years ago, Perkins has served in various titles includ- ing president of Baptist Health Medical Center- North Little Rock, vice president and administra- tor of BHRI, and vice president and administrator of BHECH. Cody Walker is now president of BHMC-North Little Rock. Walker previously served as vice pres- ident of hospital operations at BHMC-Little Rock. He came to Baptist Health in 2020 from Brook- wood Baptist Health in Birmingham, Alabama, where he held the titles of market administrator, interim COO, and associate administrator. Greg Crain now serves as president of the Cen- tral Region for Baptist Health, with oversight of the health care system’s hospitals in Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Conway. Crain previously served for 10 years as president of BHMC-Little Rock. While president, he also had additional responsi- bilities for BHRI, BHECH, and Baptist Health Col- lege Little Rock. During his more than 25 years at Baptist Health, Crain also served as vice president of patient services at BHMC-Little Rock and BHRI and as assistant vice president of BHRI. Jay Quebedeaux is now president of Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia and Bap- tist Health Medical Center-Hot Spring County. Quebedeaux replaced Tony Hardage follow- ing his retirement. Quebedeaux comes to Bap- tist Health from Mena Regional Health System, where he served as CEO for seven years. Mackenzie Clyburn has joined BHMC-Little Rock as associate vice president of hospital operations. Clyburn most recently worked as division admin- istrator for general, geriatric, and hospital medi- cine at the University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City. CHI St. Vincent Named to the 2022 Fortune/Merative 15 Top Health Systems List CHI St. Vincent has been named to the 2022 Fortune/Merative 15 Top Health Systems list. This is the first time that CHI St. Vincent has been rec- ognized with this honor as one of the top perform- ing health systems in the U.S. The annual list was published by Fortune. Merative, a data, analyt- ics, and technology partner for the health indus- try, has identified the top health systems from a rigorous evaluation of 349 health systems and 3,206 hospitals that are members of health sys- tems. The annual list recognizes excellence in clin- ical outcomes, operational efficiency, and patient experience. “Our healing ministry strives to provide our patients with the highest quality, compassion- ate care possible and we do that by focusing on what’s best for our patients and consistently working to improve healthcare outcomes,” said CHI St. Vincent CEO Chad Aduddell. “Recogni- tion among such esteemed institutions is a true honor and validation of the hard work our health- care professionals do for our communities each and every day.” As compared to their peer health systems, the organizations included on the Fortune/Merative 15 Top Health Systems list had better results on performance indicators intended to measure clini- cal outcomes, operational efficiency, and patient experience. These include lower inpatient mortal- ity rates and fewer patient complications, consid- ering patient severity; care that resulted in fewer healthcare-associated infections; and lower 30-day readmission rates. Arkansas Children’s Achieves Most-Ever Rankings on U.S. News &World Report ’s Best Children’s Hospitals List Arkansas Children’s made record advancements on U.S. News & World Report’ s Best Children’s Hospitals list, celebrating the most service lines in which the state’s only pediatric health system has ever ranked. Seven Arkansas Children’s spe- cialty services are among the best in the nation, according to the list. In addition, Arkansas Children’s continues to be among the most decorated health systems in the state, ranked in the most specialty services across all U.S. News & World Report’s annual surveys. The state’s only pediatric health system has the following programs ranked on the 2022/2023 Best Children’s Hospitals list: • Cancer (42) — first time ranked. • Cardiology and heart surgery (44). • Diabetes and endocrinology (29). • Nephrology (34). • Neurology and neurosurgery (48). • Pulmonology and lung surgery (24). • Urology (40). “These record rankings validate the journey Arkansas Children’s is on as we strive to create a future where every Arkansas child can reach their full potential,” said Arkansas Children’s Presi- dent and CEO Marcy Doderer, FACHE. “While U.S. News & World Report highlights seven of our outstanding service lines, the reality is that team members in every department contributed to these advancements in care. The entire Arkan- sas Children’s team is to be congratulated!” Arkansas Children’s also ranked seventh in regional rankings released by U.S. News & World Report . Arkansas Children’s is ranked within the Southeast Region along with pediatric hospi- tals from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,