HJAR Mar/Apr 2024

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  MAR / APR 2024 63 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalAR.com for safety and quality, according to a repeat des- ignation awarded by the American College of Sur- geons (ACS). The ACS Children’s Surgery Verification Pro- gram verified ACH as a Level 1 Surgery Center — the highest designation a hospital can receive — for providing excellent quality children’s surgi- cal care. The ACS Children’s Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program has recognized just 70 programs in the nation with this distinc- tion, distinguishing children’s surgical programs where quality improvement efforts have measur- ably improved surgical standards and prevented complications, reduced costs, and, most impor- tantly, saved lives. By providing this specialized standard of care, ACH creates better outcomes for children, improved safety protocols, and a standardized quality of care across the many crucial facets of children’s surgery. The renewed Level 1 verifica- tion, awarded for the first time to ACH in 2019, will be valid for three years. “This distinction is a campus-wide effort, with teams across many services collaborating to ensure Arkansas Children’s Hospital provides the highest quality surgical care for children,” said Rick Barr, MD, executive vice president and chief clini- cal and academic officer for Arkansas Children’s. “Right-sized care delivered in an environment committed to safety and quality ensures each child can leave our care ready to reach their high- est potential.” To become a verified center, ACH met essential criteria for staffing, training, and facility infrastruc- ture and protocols for care, ensuring its ability to appropriately care for children who have surgery. After submitting an application, centers seeking verification undergo an extensive site visit by an ACS team of surveyors. The surveyor teams con- sist of experienced children's surgeons, anesthesi- ologists, and nurses who review the center's struc- ture, process, and clinical outcomes data. Baptist Health Announces Little Rock Hospital Leadership Changes Two existing members of leadership at Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock have received promotions. Mackenzie Clyburn has been promoted to vice president of hospital operations at BHMC-Little Rock. David Shenker, MD, is now the hospital’s chief medical officer. Clyburn has been in healthcare administration since 2018 and previously served as assistant vice president of hospital operations at BHMC-Little Rock. She most recently won the 2023 ACHE Early Career Healthcare Executive Award at the Arkan- sas Hospital Association annual meeting. Clyburn received a Bachelor of Science in pub- lic health from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Health Administration from UAMS. In addition, she completed an Administrative Fel- lowship at The University of Kansas Health Sys- tem in Kansas City in 2019 and served in various healthcare leadership roles there before coming to Baptist Health. Shenker attended University of Arkansas in Fay- etteville where he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. From there, it was back to Little Rock where he attended the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to receive a Master of Science in physiology and biophysics. He com- pleted residency training in obstetrics and gyne- cology at UAMS. Shenker’s time at Baptist Health began in 1989 as a surgical assistant in orthopedic surgery. Since then, he has amassed an extensive background in medicine at various health care organizations in Arkansas. Arkansas Children’s Hospital Auxiliary Announces $6.25M Commitment to Support Expansion, Renovation The Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) Auxiliary has committed $6.25 million in support of the hos- pital’s largest-ever expansion. ACH Auxiliary presi- dent Sara Beth Hughes made the announcement at the 18th annual Miracle Ball held Dec. 9 at Chil- dren’s Hall on the ACH campus. “The Arkansas Children’s Hospital Auxiliary has been proud to support this amazing hospital for more than half a century,” Hughes said. “The gift is not just a number; it is a symbol of unwaver- ing commitment to invest in ACH as we embark on a historic expansion plan that will deliver bet- ter access and an improved patient experience. Together, we’re building a healthier tomorrow for the next generation.” In May 2023, Arkansas Children’s announced a $318 million investment for new construction and renovations at ACH in Little Rock and Arkansas Children’s Northwest in Springdale. The 2023 Mir- acle Ball, a shared project of the ACH Auxiliary and Arkansas Children’s Foundation, raised $1.03 million toward the new $6.25 million commitment to expansion efforts. “We are extremely grateful for the ACH Auxil- iary and this year's Miracle Ball chairs, Tiffany and Daniel Robinson," said Fred Scarborough, exec- utive vice president and chief development offi- cer for Arkansas Children's. "The Auxiliary's sub- stantial commitment underscores the pivotal role members play in making Arkansas a healthier, safer place to be a child, and the Robinsons have most certainly demonstrated a deep passion for philanthropy and volunteering." In fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023), Arkansas Children’s served 170,000 children — more children than ever before — and the need for services continues to grow. The 8-year Mackenzie Clyburn David Shenker, MD