Rev. Cornell Maltbia, the pastor and founder of True Holiness Saints Center in Conway, is the new chairman of the Board of Directors for Conway Regional Health System.
He succeeds Barbara Williams, PhD, RN, the recently retired chairman of the UCA Department of Nursing, who completed a two-year term as chairman of the Conway Regional Board in December.
The Conway Regional Board of Directors is made up of 10 volunteers from the community who serve staggered, six-year terms. The Board approves the budget and strategic direction of the not-for-profit health system based on the recommendations of Conway Regional’s executive leadership team, including President and CEO Matt Troup.
Troup, who has worked with Dr. Williams for 18 months, expressed his appreciation of her service as chairman of the Board, in particular the role she played in Conway Regional’s management agreement with CHI-St. Vincent.
“Barbara was the leader in discussions with CHI-St. Vincent and did a stellar job in ensuring that the management agreement positioned Conway Regional to thrive in a competitive and dynamic environment,” said Troup. “She has a passion for health care and that made a very meaningful difference with the management agreement. She took a lot of personal ownership in making sure that it was successful.”
In addition to the management agreement, Dr. Williams led the Board in taking a number of strategic actions over the past two years to improve how Conway Regional provides care to the community including:
$5.8 million in improvements to the medical center that included a facelift for the patient care floors, lobbies and the ER waiting area.
More than $4 million in capital improvements including a new CT Scanner, a new cardiac catheterization laboratory, renovation of the gastroenterology lab and the addition of 3 D mammography. Addition of two primary care clinics in Conway and Pottsville as well as establishing the Conway Regional Cardiovascular Clinic
Troup said he is looking forward to what the Board will be able to accomplish under the leadership of Rev. Maltbia. “Cornell is very adept in the board room setting; when he comes to the meetings he is always knowledgeable, focused and efficient,” said Troup. “Cornell is good in that role without being an expert in the field that we are discussing. He hones in on the key issues.”
In addition to his duties at True Holiness Saints Center and at Conway Regional, Rev. Maltbia has been appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson to the University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees.
Rev. Maltbia joined the Conway Regional Board in 2010 after serving on the health system’s Community Advisory Board for several years. He has spent many hours at the hospital with church members and families and has observed how the staff’s attitude and professionalism has made a difference in the healing process.
“I am humbled by the vote of confidence given by the Board of Directors to serve in this leadership capacity,” said Rev. Maltbia. “I look forward to continuing to work with the employees, medical staff, and fellow directors to provide quality and compassionate care from our flagship healthcare system.”
Also, joining the Board this month are Thad Hardin, MD, (pictured second) a Family Practice physician with Banister-Lieblong Clinic and a physician on the medical staff at Conway Regional Medical Center; and Jeff D. Standridge, (pictured third) recently retired Vice President of Audience Solutions with Acxiom and the founder of Cadron Creek Capital and team leader of the Conductor initiative.
Greg Kendrick, MD, (pictured fourth) is the new Chief of Staff for the Conway Regional medical staff, which numbers more than 200 physicians. Dr. Kendrick, an internal medicine specialist, is the medical director of the Hospitalist program at Conway Regional. He succeeds James France, MD, a urologist with Conway Urology.
Dr. Williams will remain on the Board and is joined by Andrea Woods, JD, Vice Chairman; Andrew Cole, MD; Tom Poe, Wayne Cox and Jim Rankin, Jr.