Arkansas Children's has selected Shannon Hendrix, MS, RD, LD, as the next chief administrator of Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW), the region’s only children’s hospital.
A longtime pediatric healthcare leader with experience uniting multidisciplinary teams, Hendrix brings to the position a deep understanding of the special considerations required to run a children’s hospital, as well as extensive knowledge of overall child health in Arkansas.
Hendrix will begin her role at ACNW on Dec. 14, 2020. Her promotion to lead the full-service hospital, which served more than 31,000 unique patients last fiscal year, is part of a thorough succession planning effort by Arkansas Children’s leaders to ensure ACNW grows and evolves to match the diverse needs of the Northwest Arkansas community.
Hendrix will work closely with Trisha Montague, former chief administrator of ACNW and the campus’ founding leader. Montague, who oversaw ACNW through its design, debut, and continued success, was recently promoted to interim chief operating officer of the Arkansas Children’s system. She plans to retire in calendar year 2021 after a distinguished 43-year career in pediatric health.
Hendrix’s experience at Arkansas Children’s has included leadership responsibilities with teams ranging from clinical operations, such as radiology and laboratory, to the social support services at the heart of delivering family-centered care, including social work and pastoral care. She has most recently served as vice president of clinical and diagnostic services for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Montague made the announcement on behalf of the Arkansas Children’s system and as part of the team responsible for selecting her successor. Montague said Hendrix exemplifies facets of leadership essential to success in leading a hospital such as ACNW, including a commitment to excellence in pediatric patient care services. Hendrix has 15 years of healthcare and clinical leadership experience.
“Shannon has overseen, with notable success, essential clinical services and operations key to the continued growth of Arkansas Children’s Northwest,” Montague said. “She is a passionate advocate for children who knows how to run, and more importantly, grow the operations and services of a full-service hospital that is part of our state’s only pediatric health system.”
Hendrix looks forward to shepherding ACNW through its next phase of growth, guided by a five-year strategic plan focused on further strengthening clinical care and expanding outreach.
“Arkansas Children’s Northwest has exceeded expectations at every turn – all because of a devoted team, focused leadership and an amazingly supportive community,” Hendrix said. “I am honored to join ACNW as we continue to grow into the pediatric destination of choice. I firmly believe every child deserves a children’s hospital designed, built, and tailored to the needs of children and families.”
Hendrix steps into her ACNW role after leading large divisions comprised of several hundred Arkansas Children’s team members since she joined the health system in 2013. She has most recently served as vice president of clinical and diagnostic services for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. A registered dietitian, she holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition from the University of Central Arkansas. Hendrix is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.