July 20, 2026

Baptist Health announced 11 of its hospitals were recently nationally recognized by the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Get With The Guidelines® program for delivering high-quality, evidence-based stroke and cardiac care that improves patient outcomes and saves lives.

Hospitals include:

-Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia: Get With The Guidelines® - Rural Stroke Bronze; Get With The Guidelines® - Coronary Artery Disease Rural ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Bronze, Bronze Referring, Rural Acute Coronary Syndrome Gold

July 13, 2026

Baptist Health College Little Rock (BHCLR) announced the launch of its first baccalaureate degree program since its founding in 1921: the online RN-to-BSN program.

The college is fortunate to officially offer an online baccalaureate program, one that builds upon its nursing profession legacy. “This program represents a significant milestone for BHCLR and will pave the way for future educational opportunities," said Dr. Crystal Rose, dean of nursing.

July 13, 2026

The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees approved a plan by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to lease and operate the Encore Medical Center, a 53-licensed-bed, 108,055-square-foot hospital in Bryant.

The facility will become the newest hospital in the UAMS Health system, increasing UAMS’s overall bed capacity and extending its clinical footprint into Saline County.

July 13, 2026

Ahmad Debian, MD, has joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Family Medical Center in Fayetteville as a new primary care provider who will be treating patients of all ages.

Debian received a medical degree from Cairo University and completed a residency in family medicine at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus in Fayetteville.

July 6, 2026

Baptist Health Community Outreach is hosting a series of free immunization clinics to help students prepare for the upcoming 2026 school year.

These "Ready 4 School" events will be held at various locations across Central Arkansas throughout July and Aug. 1.

Attendees are asked to bring previous shot records. This is especially important for those who received previous immunizations outside of Arkansas.

For more information regarding these free immunization events, contact Baptist Health Community Outreach at (501) 202-1540.