Mercy Hospitals in FS, Rogers Recognized for Cardiac Care

Mercy hospitals in Fort Smith and Rogers have been recognized among the nation’s top-performing hospitals for heart attack care. Both Mercy Hospital Fort Smith and Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas earned the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2026. The award is the highest honor from the ACC and recognizes hospitals that consistently deliver high-quality, guideline-driven care to patients experiencing heart attacks.

Ozark Center’s Neosho Office Offers Expanded Services to Newton and McDonald County Residents

(Neosho, MO) – Thanks to the recent opening of Ozark Center Neosho, Newton and McDonald County residents have never had so many behavioral health service options at their fingertips. Located at 204 N. Lincoln Street near downtown Neosho, this adult and child outpatient facility recently underwent an extensive overhaul,...

Siloam Springs Medical Center talks impact of JBU launching advanced medical programs

As addressing critical shortages in healthcare remains front of mind for hospitals across Arkansas, officials with Siloam Springs Medical Center hope new programs at John Brown University will help them to get ahead of the issue.

Roll Call: New Schools Set to Enhance Healthcare Education in Arkansas

The shape of healthcare education in Arkansas is changing. Lyon College School of Dental Medicine in Little Rock, the state’s first dental school, welcomed its inaugural class last year. Likewise, the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine in Bentonville hosted its first white coat ceremony last year, ushering in its first class of students.

Circle of Life to acquire Washington Regional Hospice

Circle of Life, a nonprofit offering hospice and palliative care in Northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma, will acquire Washington Regional Hospice and its Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville, the organizations said Friday (Aug. 14). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The agreement between nonprofit health system Washington...

Basis Health Brings Healthcare Closer to Home

Arkansas ARHOME overhaul could reshape care for 13,400 locally

More than 13,400 residents in Sebastian and Crawford counties enrolled in Arkansas' ARHOME Medicaid expansion program are expected to continue receiving health coverage beyond Jan. 1, 2027, even as federal officials move away from renewing the program in its current form. The Arkansas Department of Human Services announced last week that it has requested a two-year extension of the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me (ARHOME) waiver while it works with state lawmakers to develop a new delivery model for Medicaid expansion . State officials say eligible beneficiaries will continue to receive coverage either through a temporary extension approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or through existing state law while lawmakers consider long-term changes during the 2027 legislative session. "The ARHOME waiver will not be renewed in its current form, but this does not mean that Medicaid expansion is ending or that we will lose enhanced funding," DHS Secretary Janet Mann said in a statement. "Coverage will continue for eligible ARHOME enrollees beyond Jan. 1." According to DHS, 9,041 Sebastian County residents and 4,372 Crawford County residents were enrolled in ARHOME as of July 2026. Overall Medicaid enrollment totaled 37,689 in Sebastian County and 17,919 in Crawford

Freeman Health System selected to lead Missouri Rural Health Transformation regional hub

JOPLIN (KOAM) - Freeman Health System held a press conference to announce their selection as the Community Hub Anchor for Hub Eight of Missouri's Transformation of Rural Community Health program, commonly known as ToRCH Care.

Freeman Health CEO highlights strategy after 4-hospital acquisition

Matthew Fry, president and CEO of Joplin, Mo.-based Freeman Health System, said through the acquisition of Springdale-based Northwest Health, the nonprofit health system has doubled its hospital bed count. But this wasn’t its first significant acquisition. Freeman Health System added four hospitals, totaling 487 beds, and associated outpatient centers...

Shoffner touts Social Security, Medicare plans in Van Buren

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Hallie Shoffner campaigned across Crawford County, using a visit to the Van Buren Senior Activity Center to outline her plans for strengthening Social Security, expanding Medicare and addressing Arkansas' rural health care challenges. Shoffner, who is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton in the 2026 election, spent the day July 31 meeting with local officials and business leaders before concluding with a meet-and-greet in downtown Van Buren. Her itinerary included visits with the mayors of Van Buren and Mulberry, as well as stops at Crabtree Farm, River Valley Fabricating and Citizens Bank. Speaking with seniors at the Van Buren Senior Activity Center, Shoffner said her views on retirement and health care policy have been shaped by her family's own experience. "My parents are in their 70s," Shoffner said. "My dad is 79, he has dementia, and he was diagnosed about eight years ago." She said her father's diagnosis prompted her to return to the family farm after he was no longer able to work and exposed her to the challenges many Arkansas families face while caring for aging relatives. "In navigating his care, I have discovered how truly broken our Social Security and Medicare systems are,"

UAMS & Jefferson Regional Medical Center sign affiliation agreement

Jefferson Regional Medical Center announced an affiliation agreement with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to enhance services while retaining all current employees and management.

Delaware County Health Clinic offers extended hours for school vaccinations

The Delaware County Health Department will extend its hours from August 11 to 14, 2026, to facilitate back-to-school vaccinations.

Two Northwest Arkansas hospitals earn Level III Trauma Center designation

Two Freeman hospitals in Northwest Arkansas have earned the Level III Trauma Center designation.

Eureka Springs Hospital is making healthcare more affordable with a new model

EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark. (KY3) - Going to the emergency room can be expensive, but sometimes, that’s your only option for healthcare in rural areas. However, one Arkansas hospital is changing that. Every patient who comes into the Eureka Springs Hospital will be evaluated as always, but then they will...

American Heart Association honors Washington Regional for stroke care excellence

A Monday press release announced that Washington Regional recently received four American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines achievement awards for its excellent stroke care and support throughout the community.

Seven Mercy hospitals receive awards for exceptional heart care

The American Heart Association has recognized multiple Mercy Hospital locations in Arkansas for their heart care.

Ozarks Community Hospital earns national recognition for stroke care

A rural Northwest Arkansas hospital is receiving national recognition.

Inside The Eerie History Of Picher, Oklahoma, ‘America’s Most Toxic Ghost Town’

Located near the border of Oklahoma and Kansas, Picher was a bustling mining center in the early 1900s — but now this abandoned town is surrounded by mountains of toxic waste.

Winslow under boil order due to water main break: ADH

The City of Winslow is under a boil order due to a water main break in the area, the Arkansas Department of Health reported on Thursday.