HJAR Nov/Dec 2023

64 NOV / DEC 2023  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS Hospital Rounds the hospital’s fiscal year, ensuring coverage for her leadership responsibilities and a seamless transition. She attended medical school at Texas Tech before completing a medicine-pediatric resi- dency and chief pediatric residency at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s. Following three years of primary care practice in Northwest Arkansas, she completed a child abuse fellowship at Cin- cinnati Children’s before returning to the faculty at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s. She completed an MPH at the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health. Baptist Health to Manage, Then Acquire Drew Memorial Health System Baptist Health has reached a definitive agree- ment to add Drew Memorial Health System in Monticello to the Baptist Health system. The acquisition will be subject to customary regula- tory approvals, and, in the interim, Baptist Health will immediately begin managing Drew Memorial Health System’s general operations. In December, Baptist Health will officially add Drew Memorial Health System, which includes a 60-bed hospital, two clinics, and home health. That same month, the Monticello hospital will become Baptist Health's 12th hospital and will be named Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County. "Baptist Health was approached by Drew Memorial Health System a number of months ago about our interest in merging Drew Memo- rial Health System into the Baptist Health system,” said Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “In today’s challenging health care envi- ronment, it is not uncommon for independent community hospitals to look for a system partner. Baptist Health has a proven track record for oper- ating our rural hospitals efficiently, allowing them to remain viable while providing quality healthcare in much needed areas of our state.” Drew Memorial Health System has approxi- mately 350 employees on its campus in Monti- cello. The health system offers numerous services such as a cancer and infusion center, emergency department, wound center, rehab therapy, respi- ratory therapy, women's services, a sleep center, radiology, and laboratory, among others. The period from October until acquisition in December will allow the opportunity to minimize disruptions to operations and help with a smooth transition. Katie Halsell, APRN, Joins WashingtonRegional Stroke Team Katie Halsell, APRN, recently joined the Wash- ington Regional stroke program where she pro- vides evaluation and treatment for stroke patients in the hospital. Halsell earned a Master of Science in nursing from the University of South Alabama with a dual focus on acute care gerontology and family nurse practitioner. She has seven years of experience as a registered nurse and previously cared for patients in the Washington Regional emergency department. Leadership Changes to CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, CHI St. Vincent North Announced CHI St. Vincent announced William G. Jones, MD, as the new president of CHI St. Vincent Infir- mary. Jones has served CHI St. Vincent Infirmary as chief medical officer and as vice president of medical affairs for the past five years. In addition to president of the Infirmary, he will continue to serve as its chief medical officer. Additionally, Shawn Barnett, who served as the president at the Infirmary and North, will now serve exclusively as the president of CHI St. Vincent North. "With an extensive background in healthcare leadership and a passion for patient-centered care, Dr. Jones is the perfect fit to lead CHI St. Vincent Infirmary. We are excited as he enters this new role, elevating our mission to provide the highest quality of healthcare to patients,” CHI St. Vincent Market CEO Chad Aduddell said. Jones brings more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Before his roles with CHI St. Vincent, Jones practiced cardiothoracic surgery in Dallas for 27 years. While practicing, Jones served as a chief medical officer for Tenet Health- care and Baylor Scott & White Health. During this time, he was named multiple times among the Best Doctors in Dallas, Texas Super Doctors, and Best Doctors in America. Jones has also served in various leadership roles, including managing physician partner at Texas Regional Medical Cen- ter and president of Texas Cardiothoracic Surgery Associates. A graduate of UAMS School of Medicine, Jones completed training in cardiothoracic surgery at New York Presbyterian and Memorial Sloan-Ket- tering Hospitals in New York City, where he was also a member of the faculty of the Cornell Uni- versity School of Medicine. As president, Jones will oversee all aspects of CHI St. Vincent Infirmary's operations. Arkansas Children’s, UAMS Celebrate Three Honorees at Investiture Arkansas Children’s and the University of Arkan- sas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) celebrated the investiture of three healthcare professionals in a ceremony at CALS Ron Robinson Theater on Sept. 27. The honorees included Mario G. Ferruzzi, PhD, as recipient and steward of the Arkansas Chil- dren’s Endowed Chair in Digestive Disease & Nutrition Research; Peter Mourani, MD, as recip- ient and steward of the Ross and Mary Whipple William G. Jones, MD Katie Halsell, APRN