Arkansas Hospice President, CEO Receives 2020 ACHE Regent’s Award

Arkansas Hospice President and CEO Judy Wooten has received the 2020 ACHE Regent’s Award for Senior Level Healthcare Executive. The recognition is given by the American College of Healthcare Executives, an international professional society of more than 48,000 leaders who oversee hospitals, healthcare systems, and other healthcare organizations.

The award recognizes an Arkansas senior-level healthcare executive who has displayed innovative and creative management skills, contributed to the development of others in the healthcare profession, demonstrated leadership in local and state hospital and health association activities, and participated in community activities and projects.

Wooten is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is active in its local chapter, the Arkansas Health Executives Forum. She is also a certified hospice administrator.

She joined Arkansas Hospice, the state’s largest nonprofit provider of hospice services, as vice president and chief operating officer in 2002, and was named president and chief executive officer in 2011. In addition, Wooten currently serves as president of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Arkansas and was elected to the board of directors for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in 2019.

Wooten was also instrumental in influencing the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management to allocate a portion of its PPE supply to hospice care providers throughout Arkansas. 

In addition, Wooten was inspired to introduce the Cards of Kindness program to Arkansas Hospice, that has placed more than a thousand greeting cards in the hands of Arkansans residing in long-term care facilities who are isolated due to COVID 19 related visitation restrictions.

As part of Arkansas Hospice’s goal to help Arkansans live better in every season of life, Wooten also spearheaded the organization’s Cans of Kindness food drive.

Wooten said she was honored to receive the award, especially during a year consumed by a worldwide pandemic.

“I am deeply humbled by this recognition and share it with all our wonderful Arkansas Hospice employees who have gone above and beyond to bring comfort and peace to our patients and families, and support to our communities, during this difficult year,” Wooten said. “Put simply, we are Arkansans helping Arkansans.  While 2020 put us to the test, it also deepened our commitment to each other and to our mission, so I am proud and grateful to be a part of such a caring organization.”

 

01/11/2021