Since transitioning to a nonprofit in 2023, South Arkansas Regional Hospital has made several changes in both culture and practice, according to hospital officials.
"This past year has been exciting and challenging," Dana Taylor, SARH president, said. "We're still working to lay a strong foundation for who we want to become in the future. We have established our senior leadership team and feel we have a group committed to the community and to fulfilling our mission."
One of the improvements, Taylor noted, was the purchase of a Da Vinci surgical machine.
Surgeons with varying experience levels can deliver up to 43% less force on tissue by sensing push-and-pull forces at the instrument tip through force feedback technology, according to Intuitive, the maker of the Da Vinci 5. The system was designed to help hospitals increase the scale and efficiency of minimally invasive surgery.
Taylor also mentioned that computer systems have been updated throughout the facility.
She pointed out that Medicare reimbursements, which have remained unchanged since the 1990s, are a significant obstacle for all health care facilities.
"Costs are increasing, but reimbursements are not," she said. "Patients are sicker, they need access to care, and we've got to take care of our community.
"We've been really focused on trying to recruit and retain our staff so we're not just paying higher rates for contract labor. We want full-time people to care for our patients."
"From the outside looking in, maybe the community would like to see more specialists or big, flashy developments at the hospital. But I'm really proud of what we've accomplished with our local leadership team, our board of directors, and our collaboration with UAMS."
Brian Jones, president and CEO of the SHARE Foundation -- the nonprofit that purchased the hospital -- reflected on 2024, saying, "It's been an exciting time to think about the potential to start from scratch and build a hospital that meets the needs of South Arkansas. That's what we're trying to do: rebuild this hospital to serve our community."
Jones said that SARH is partly focused on cardiology for 2025, saying, "We're working on that. We have a campaign right now."
In June, SARH launched "Hearts Close to Home," a capital campaign to raise money to enhance cardiology and surgical services at the hospital.
According to SARH, the purpose of this initiative is to improve heart health in rural Southern Arkansas. The organization also aims to serve surrounding counties, including Columbia, Ouachita, Calhoun, Bradley, and other areas. Their objective is to raise $5 million over the two-year campaign.
Jones also highlighted the hospital's B rating with Leapfrog, which, according to its site, is "a nonprofit watchdog organization that serves as a voice for health care consumers and purchasers, using their collective influence to foster positive change in U.S. health care. Leapfrog is the nation's premier advocate of transparency in health care -- collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data to inform value-based purchasing and improved decision-making."
"The next three to five years will see continued improvement of facilities, equipment updates, personnel changes, and service-line expansions to ensure the health needs of South Arkansans are being met close to home," Taylor said.
Finally, SARH is working to maintain a positive work culture, according to Alphe Wells, Chief Engagement Officer.
"Satisfied employees are basically just showing up for work and being content. We want employees to feel ownership, enthusiasm, and commitment to the success of South Arkansas Regional Hospital," Wells said. "Everything we do is about shifting the culture."
