HJLR May/Jun 2019

62 MAY / JUN 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of little rock Hospital Rounds Arkansas Heart Hospital Receives CMS Five-Star Overall Hospital Rating Arkansas Heart Hospital is the only hospital in Little Rock to receive the prestigious Five-Star Overall Hospital rating by the Centers for Medi- care and Medicaid Services (CMS). Arkansas Heart Hospital is one of 293 hospitals nationwide and one of two in Arkansas to receive this distinction. “We are honored by this recognition,” said Pres- ident Drew Jackson. “Our patients are treated like family from the moment they walk in the door. This distinction is not possible without the dedication, commitment, and hard work of our staff and physi- cians. Every department, every employee is essen- tial to our organization. Our mission is to provide extraordinary service; this honor reaffirms that commitment,” said Jackson. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Ser- vices provide the rankings for hospitals across the country. The public information is provided to empower patients, families, and stakeholders with important information they need to compare hos- pitals and make informed healthcare decisions. The Star Ratings drive systematic improvements in care and safety as hospitals strive to achieve and maintain high ratings. Future School, Mercy Partner to Fight Obesity One of the best ways to prevent obesity is to form healthy habits early in life. That’s why Mercy and Future School of Fort Smith have created an innovative partnership that teaches health literacy to high school students. The partnership is part of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement’s Healthy Active Arkan- sas initiative. A Mercy and Future School case study is part of a series of studies highlighting success stories across the state. Allison Montiel, principal of Future School, set up the partnership when she was in a community health education role at Mercy in Fort Smith. She’s used her experience in education and healthcare to develop and teach a health class that exposes the students to healthy activities and life skills including yoga, meditation, shopping for healthy foods, and reading nutrition labels. “Health Literacy for Smart People is a class that gives students real-life experience in promoting healthy behaviors,” Montiel said, adding that the students are modeling the real-world mission of Future School by taking what they’ve learned and applying it. Future School students developed a curriculum to teach fifth-grade students at Howard Elemen- tary School the importance of healthy eating and drinking water. Other high school students drafted and submitted grant proposals to replace water fountains with water bottle filling stations at Future School and Howard Elementary. Obesity causes or exacerbates numerous chronic diseases and conditions that can lead to death, including diabetes and hyperten- sion. Healthy Active Arkansas’ 10-year goal is to increase the percentage of Arkansans who are at a healthy weight. More than a third of Arkansans are obese. “Mercy’s mission is much more than treating and healing the sick but also to help the commu- nity become healthier,” said Father Paul Fetsko, director of mission and ethics at Mercy in Fort Smith. “By partnering with Future School, we’re able to promote a wellness message to younger audiences.” Arkansas Children’s Hospital ReceivesNational Honor for Respiratory Care The Respiratory Care Services Department at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) has received an elite honor from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), which named it a recip- ient of the 2019-2020 Apex Recognition Award. Arkansas Children’s Hospital is the only hospital in the state and one of only two children’s hospi- tals across the nation to receive this year’s desig- nation. Only 12 awards were given to acute care hospitals nationally. “Families frequently comment that they experi- ence outstanding respiratory care when they visit Arkansas Children’s Hospital, so we are honored that this award confirms their observations,” said Mary Salassi-Scotter, MNSc, RN, BC-NE, vice pres- ident of Patient Care Services at Arkansas Chil- dren’s Hospital. “We are very proud of our ded- icated, uniquely qualified respiratory care team who works hard to use and create national best practices to deliver excellent care and help Arkan- sas infants and children breathe easier.” The AARC Apex Recognition Award was devel- oped in 2017 as a way for the AARC Board to rec- ognize respiratory care departments that dem- onstrate high-quality care. The award promotes patient safety by highlighting organizations that provide access to respiratory therapists who uti- lize evidence-based best practices. ACH’s Respi- ratory Care Services Department is a frequent podium and poster presenter at the annual AARC national meetings and has active membership in the national organization. “As a vital component of a well-rounded health- care team, respiratory therapists work hard each day to deliver quality patient care,” said Thomas Kallstrom, MBA, RRT, FAARC, AARC executive director/CEO. “The specialized services and skills unique to respiratory care departments pro- vide the necessary foundation for the total patient experience. We are thrilled to honor these orga- nizations as Apex Recognition Award recipients.” OwenMaat, MD, Joins Conway Regional Gastroenterology Center Owen S. Maat, MD, gastroenterologist, has joined the Conway Regional medical staff. He will practice at the Conway Regional Gastroenterol- ogy Center, alongside Martin Moix, MD, OT Gor- don, MD, and Brandy Eason, APRN. “Conway Regional has been very welcoming and I am thoroughly looking forward to settling into the Conway community,” said Maat, who brings more than 27 years of experience in the practice of gastroenterology to the community from his time in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with Dr. Maat as my partner,” added Moix. “He Owen S. Maat, MD