HJLR Mar/Apr 2019

42 MAR / APR 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of little rock   Healthcare Briefs field associate for Americans for Prosperity.  Tom Ricciardone has joined AFMC as director of development and partnerships, where he will focus on business development and strategic marketing. He comes to AFMC with more than 25 years of national experience in strategic mar- keting, communications, and public affairs. He will help AFMC better position itself in the highly competitive health industry and expand AFMC’s services. Ricciardone earned a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University in New Jersey and a mas- ter’s degree from University of Louvain in Bel- gium. “Tom was hired to help AFMC deliver ser- vices in the private sector. He comes to us with a rich background in helping organizations both large and small in growing their business,” said Ray Hanley.  UAMS Hires Michelle Gonzalez, PhD, to Direct NewNurse Anesthetist Program The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has hired Michelle Gonzalez, PhD, CRNA, to guide the formation and accreditation of a new nurse anesthesia educational program. Gonzalez comes to UAMS from the University of Maryland School of Nursing, where she served as an assistant professor and simulation coordina- tor and performed clinical practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist at the University of Maryland Medical Center. “Starting a new educational program from scratch can be a formidable task, as there are many processes that must take place before we can actually begin to admit students,” said Gon- zalez, pointing to securing accreditation and procuring equipment and facilities. “It’s very important to earn buy-in from the com- munity and engagement of those early adopters and supporters of this program to which we are all extremely grateful. Their commitment of time will be an enormous help in making this program a success from day one, but with their help I know we can overcome many challenges,” she said. Before the program can be established, it must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, a pro- cess that involves a rigorous and comprehensive list of requirements to meet nationally established standards of academic quality. “We are very pleased to have someone as capable as Dr. Gonzalez,” said Patricia Cowan, PhD, RN, dean of the UAMS College of Nursing. “Her leadership will prove instrumental in shep- herding our CRNA program from vision to reality as we prepare to seek accreditation, a daunting first step, but one we’re confident she will accom- plish with distinction.” Gonzalez earned a bachelor’s degree in nurs- ing from North Park College in Chicago in 1986. She earned a master’s in nursing from DePaul University, also in Chicago, and concurrently, a diploma in nurse anesthesia in 1998. Over the fol- lowing eight years, she earned another bachelor’s degree in Chinese nutrition and a master’s in ori- ental medicine. In 2016, she completed a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at Trident Uni- versity International in Cyprus, California. Gonzalez has been a practicing nurse anesthe- tist since 1998, beginning at Cook County Hospi- tal in Chicago. She continued in that role working in hospitals and private practice in Illinois, Texas, and Maryland before joining the faculty of the University of Maryland Medical Center in 2010 and the University of Maryland School of Nurs- ing in 2013. During that time, she also served in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Department of Anesthe- sia, rising to the rank of commander and head- ing the department. Mallory Smith, MD, Joins Conway Regional to Offer Infectious Disease Care to Faulkner County Mallory Smith, MD, an infectious disease phy- sician, has joined Conway Regional Health Sys- tem to establish the first infectious disease clinic in Faulkner County. “We are very excited to have a physician of Dr. Smith’s expertise join our staff,” said Rebekah Fincher, chief administrative officer of Conway Regional Health System. “Infectious disease has historically been an area of need for the health system, as well as the community, and we are excited to partner with Dr. Smith to provide this new service.” Smith is practicing out of the Conway Regional Infectious Disease Clinic. The new clinic special- izes in diagnosis and treatment of infectious dis- eases including infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. In addition to see- ing patients in her clinic, Smith will provide infec- tious disease care to patients admitted to Con- way Regional Medical Center. “Infectious disease is such a diverse medical discipline. I’m so thankful to have my training here in Arkansas and to provide care to Arkansans,” said Smith. “I look forward to a long relationship with Conway Regional in helping serve the Cen- tral Arkansas community.” Smith completed a two-year fellowship in the Tom Ricciardone Hannah Ray Gloria Boone Michelle Gonzalez, PhD, CRNA