A decade of care close to home

For 10 years, Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway has helped bring specialized care closer to home. But for hospital President April Bennett, the anniversary is about more than the services added or the building that opened on Sept. 16, 2016.

“Our story isn’t written in the facilities we have opened,” Bennett said. “It is written in the lives we have had the honor to heal.”

The hospital marked its first decade in September, celebrating a commitment to Christian compassion and a guiding belief: “There is nothing more important than our people and our patients.” That commitment has shaped its growth alongside the community. Services in pulmonology, endocrinology, obstetrical care and rehabilitation have expanded local options, helping residents receive more of the care they need without traveling far from home.

When patients need services beyond those available in Conway, the hospital’s connection to the broader Baptist Health system helps its team coordinate that next step.

“As part of the system, our physicians and team members can collaborate directly with individuals at other Baptist Health facilities to ensure patients receive the care they need,” Bennett said.

Today, the hospital is a Level III Trauma Center, a DNV-certified Primary Stroke Center and Faulkner County’s only facility with the “Baby-Friendly” designation.

Behind those distinctions are people who have helped build the hospital from its earliest days. Nearly 20% of its workforce has been there since the opening.

“This longevity speaks to a culture where employees don’t just work here–they belong here,” Bennett said. “Our hope is that every employee feels valued and respected and truly understands what our Mission is and how their role supports it.”

Patients and families also help shape the hospital’s work. Through conversations with hospital leaders and a Patient and Family Advisory Council, they can share experiences and suggest improvements to care.

To mark the anniversary, the hospital launched its “10 for 10 Initiative,” committing to 10 acts of service that support community well-being beyond its walls. Efforts included raising more than $ 2,100 for THV11’s Annual Summer Cereal Drive, stocking care closets for the Conway Public School District, providing free “Stop the Bleed” training and offering education about obstructive sleep apnea through Dinner with a Doctor.

As its second decade begins, Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway is focused on developing the workforce that will carry its mission forward. The next chapter will depend on the same foundation as the first: people caring for their neighbors, both inside the hospital and throughout the community it serves.

For more information, visit BaptistHealthConway.com or call 1.888.BAPTIST.