By John R. Schirmer
News-Leader staff
Howard Memorial Hospital celebrated two milestones and announced another honor Friday afternoon, Sept. 20, as guests packed into the lobby area at the front of the facility.
Chief Operating Officer Stacy Harberson told the crowd that “75 years ago, in 1949, Howard Memorial opened the doors and began the journey that brought us to where we are today.”
She also said that HMH has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States for the second straight year.
In addition, Howard Memorial was recently notified that it has been recognized by Becker’s Healthcare as one of the 350 cleanest hospitals in the nation and one of only six in Arkansas.
Present and former board members and hospital staff were on hand for the recognition program.
Harberson said that in 1987, HMH became a Critical Access Hospital.
“It wasn’t always easy,” she said of the hospital’s history. “That journey was crooked and bumpy.”
Harberson named each of Howard Memorial’s former CEOs, including Dan Clark, Bob Green, Charles Lonchar, Terry Peeples, Brian Thomas, Larry McAvoy, Lynn Crowell, Bruce Bennett, Rex Jones, Darrell Thornton, Jim Cox, Ray Webb, Brian Bickel, Murray Brown and Debra Wright.
Those CEOS “charted new territory in technology and equipment while continuing to provide excellent care to improve the health of the communities we served,” Harberson said.
Being named to the Top 100 two years in a row “is a testament to our dedication and commitment to our patients, our facility and our community,” according to Harberson.
The Top 100 hospitals are identified by CHARTIS, a comprehensive healthcare advisory firm that compiles the data and recognizes the top performers, Harberson said. The company conducts research on publicly reported data in three key areas – market, value and finance. Howard Memorial’s index rank for all of those areas combined was 96.5, enabling the facility to be named to the Top 100.
Howard Memorial was recently recognized as one of the top recommended hospitals in the United States and again was among only six in Arkansas. HMH received five stars out of five stars to earn the recognition.
“Receiving this award and these recognitions means we are at the top echelon of Critical Access Hospitals,” Harberson said. “Other hospitals look to us for inspiration and guidance. We embrace this, lean into it, and continually look for ways to improve and offer our patients and their families the very best. This award and recognition belongs to all of you.”
On behalf of the HMH team, “I consider it a privilege and honor to present this Top 100 award to you all. Thank you for your support of HMH and thank you for joining us for today’s celebration,” Harberson said.
During the recognition, Harberson thanked the community “for the support we receive from you every day.”
She thanked the staff, physicians and other providers who achieved the results “necessary to receive these honors.”
Harberson thanked CFO Bill Craig, “who works incessantly to ensure our finances are in order.”
She also thanked the planning committee “who worked diligently to make this event so beautiful” and the Hospital Auxiliary members “who volunteer their time to assist us.”
Harberson expressed her appreciation to the hospital and health system and foundation board of directors who volunteer to serve.
“For 75 years, we have continued to expand services and focus on quality care for our friends and neighbors. I mean that sincerely. Your patients are truly our friends. They know us, and they trust us. That means so much to all of us, and we are so glad that you are here to celebrate with us today. It takes a huge team as evidenced by all of you who are responsible for HMH receiving this award and recognition.
Harberson introduced CEO Dr. John Hearnsberger, who has been involved with Howard Memorial since 1978.
Dr. Hearnsberger recognized doctors and past administrators including Debra Wright, who served 14 years. “It was her dedication and hard work that got us to this point,” he said.
He also thanked the “HMH team. We couldn’t do it without the team. We are where we are today because of them.”
Dr. Hearnsberger thanked a number of people for their support of Howard Memorial.
Following his remarks, Nashville businessman Woody Futrell expressed his appreciation to the HMH staff and doctors. He noted that he had surgeries performed at each of the hospital’s three locations.
