HJAR Nov/Dec 2023

40 NOV / DEC 2023  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS   Healthcare Briefs Baptist Health Offering Light Adjustable Lens Baptist Health recently implanted its first RxSight Light Adjustable Lens (LAL). Baptist Health is the first in central Arkansas to offer the LAL to patients. The state-of-the-art technology is the only intra- ocular lens implant that enables ophthalmolo- gists to customize a patient’s vision after cata- ract surgery. “RxSight’s Light Adjustable Lens allows oph- thalmologists to give cataract patients even more precise vision than ever before,” said Christian Hester, MD, a board-certified surgeon at the Lit- tle Rock Eye Clinic who operates at Baptist Health Eye and Surgery Center. “We’re always striving to provide the best care possible for our patients, and with the LAL, we have a powerful tool to help us do just that.” During cataract surgery, a patient’s natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear synthetic one. Until now, surgeons relied upon the accu- racy of pre-surgery measurements to determine a patient’s post-operative prescription power. RxSight’s Light Adjustable Lens is changing that with the ability to customize vision after surgery. Studies show that patients who receive the LAL and the recommended post-surgery treatments were more likely to achieve 20/20 vision or bet- ter without glasses compared to all other con- trol lenses. Bradley Reed, MD, Joins Northwest Health Bradley Reed, MD, family medicine physician, recently joined the active medical staff of North- west Health, practicing at Northwest Medical Plaza – Springdale. The clinic is located at 4077 Elm Springs Road, Suite 105, in Springdale, and he is currently accepting new patients. Reed is a graduate of the University of Arkan- sas in Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He earned a medical education at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in Cupecoy, St. Maarten. He then completed a fam- ily medicine residency at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northeast Regional Cam- pus in Jonesboro. Washington Regional Hospice Named 2023 Hospice CAHPS Honors Recipient Washington Regional Hospice has been named a 2023 Hospice CAHPS Honors Award recipi- ent by HEALTHCAREfirst, a leading provider of CAHPS and bereavement surveys for home health and hospice organizations. Washington Regional Hospice was the only hospice agency in Northwest Arkansas to achieve the honor. This prestigious annual review recognizes agen- cies that continuously provide positive patient and caregiver experiences and high-quality care. It acknowledges the highest performing agen- cies by analyzing the performance of the Hos- pice Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Pro- viders and Systems (HCAHPS) survey satisfaction and quality measures. “This honor recognizes the dedication of our multidisciplinary care team that includes physi- cians, advanced practice providers, nurses, nurs- ing assistants, social workers, chaplains, and sup- port staff and volunteers,” said Karen McIntosh, Washington Regional’s vice president of innova- tion and transitions. “The relationship between Washington Regional Hospice and Washington Regional Medical System offers a unique contin- uum of care approach regardless of a patient’s condition, age, or ability to pay.” Baptist Health Family Clinic-LakewoodWelcomes Ashley Bruce, MD Ashley Bruce, MD, recently joined the team at Baptist Health Family Clinic-Lakewood. Bruce received a medical education from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She later completed residency training through the Baptist Health-UAMS Medical Education Program in North Little Rock. Baptist Health Family Clinic-Lakewood is located at 2508 Crestwood Road in North Lit- tle Rock. UAMS Earns The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Spinal Fusion Treatment The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS Health) is the first health organization in Arkansas to earn The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Certification in Spinal Fusion. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to pro- viding safe and quality patient care. The Joint Commission, founded in 1951, is an independent, not-for-profit organization that meticulously reviews and certifies disease-specific programs in the United States. It is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accred- iting body in healthcare. “Achieving this certification is a reflection of UAMS Health’s commitment to provide the highest quality of care and safety every day for patients with spine disorders,” said Michelle Krause, MD, MPH, senior vice chancellor for UAMS Health and CEO for UAMS Medical Center. A team of reviewers from The Joint Commis- sion performed a rigorous, unannounced on-site review of the UAMS spinal fusion program July 31. The review included on-site observations and interviews. Ashley Bruce, MD Bradley Reed, MD