CHCA July 2026 Newsletter

Community Health

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: The Story of 1st Choice Healthcare

when the hospital in Corning,Arkansas closed its doors in 1990, a community refused to go without Agroup of neighbors led by Brigitte McDonald, a former employee of the hospital, wrote a grant, applied for a federally qualified health center designation, and got to work. 1st Choice Healthcare opened in 1994. McDonald has been there every year since. She serves as the health center’s Chief Executive Officer.

“Thirty-two years later, what started as one clinic in one small town has grown into six locations across northeastArkansas, with a seventh on the way.The mission has never changed: see everyone, regardless of ability to pay,” McDonald said. “It's neighbors helping neighbors. We want to make sure that everyone gets the health care that they deserve "

Many of the providers who deliver that care grew up in the communities they now serve. Dr. Brooke Miller is a product of ruralArkansas who practices at the Highland Clinic. Dr. Spencer Hart returned to the town where he was born and raised. Dr. Murphy has been seeing patients in Pocahontas, including children he watched gro h b i th i kid f 16 years

Clinical Supervisor Kelly Lamb decided she wanted to become a nurse after losing her father and has spent a decade making sure her patients felt well taken care of. "First Choice took a chance on me when I was very young," she said. "I feel like I've gotten to make a difference for a lot of patients "

1st Choice Healthcare also has a mobile unit that travels to underserved communities, and soon to a factory in Jonesboro where shift workers can’t always find time to get off to see a provider

"We're a complete doctor's office on wheels," said Jamie Gosha, LPN.

And for First Choice's Spanish-speaking patients, Norma Obregon has spent 11 years making sure patients feel heard and understood.

As the clinic's Spanish Medical Interpreter and Referral Coordinator, Norma Obregon bridges the gap between providers and a community that might otherwise struggle to understand and be understood. "When they know there's somebody who speaks their language, there's no barrier," she says. "I see it on their faces, that relief that there's somebody there for them "

1st Choice Healthcare is bringing quality, affordable care closer to home for Piggott residents with the opening of a new clinic at 1311 E Main Street.

The new location will mark the federally qualified health center's 7th site, joining existing clinics in Pocahontas, Salem, Walnut Ridge, Corning, Highland, and Paragould.

Planning is still in the early stages, and organizers hope the clinic will be open in Fall 2026 As they prepare to open their doors, they’re looking for dedicated healthcare professionals and support staff who are passionate about community-centered care.

AMDPA Scientific Session Recap

In June, CHCA Board Members and CEO participated In a panel discussion titled The Impact of Federally Qualified Health Centers In Rural Healthcare Photographed from left to right are Sandra Brown, RN, CEO of Jefferson Comprehensive Care System, Inc ; Susan Ward Jones, MD, CEO of East Arkansas Family Health Center, Inc., Allan Nichols, CEO of Mainline Health Systems, Inc.; and Lanita S. Shaverd, PharmD, CEO of Community Health Centers of Arkansas was the moderator.

CHCAleft theArkansas Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association, Inc. (AMDPA) scientific session feeling informed and inspired Ready to continue the work of building an innovative network that provides exceptional healthcare to all Workforce Development Director Sherie Brown staffed the CHCAtable at the scientifc session.

AR HIMSS Annual Conference

Dr Marico Bryant Howe, CHCA's Chief Quality and Informatics Officer, representedArkansas on the stage at this year's HIMSS Conference, held under the theme "Reimagining Care:Technology, Trust, andTransformation."

This presentation explored how the intentional use of health information technology can improve healthcare outcomes across Arkansas. It framed the work of the Community Health Centers of Arkansas and theArkansas Health Center Controlled Network as a collaborative model to strengthen EHR optimization, data analytics, interoperability, care coordination, and readiness for value-based care.

Through examples ofArkansas health centers’challenges and opportunities including rural access barriers, chronic disease burden, workforce shortages, provider burden, data quality, referral management, and transitions of care the presentation emphasized that technology is most effective when aligned with mission, governance, partnerships, and people.

Ultimately, it positions HITnot as the end goal but as a critical enabler of better visibility into patient needs, more coordinated care, improved quality performance, cost efficiency, and a more sustainable healthcare system for the communities served.

Pharmacists Association Convention

CHCACEO Dr Lanita S Shaverd discussed the evolving role of pharmacy inArkansas's federally qualified health centers at theArkansas Pharmacists AssociationAnnual Convention last week, presenting Pharmacy in Focus:A360 View of PharmacyToday.

Arkansas FQHCs serve more than 368,000 patients annually, and the pharmacy workforce supporting them is growing!The future of primary care cannot be built without pharmacists.

FY24-25

Where do we go?

Author: Sherie L. Brown

Workforce Sustainability and Support Plan

Dear Workforce Partners,

I'd like to share an update on our statewide progress in strengthening and sustaining our state's healthcare workforce Our community health centers continue to serve more than 368,000 patients, and the need for a strong, well-supported workforce has never been more important.

Over the past year, we have made meaningful strides in building a coordinated, future-focused workforce strategy.To support you and your growth, we expanded upskilling pathways, strengthened clinical training environments, advanced compensation equity, and deepened partnerships with academic institutions, workforce organizations, and community groups. Together, these efforts help us grow talent from within, improve retention, and ensure our teams feel valued and supported.

At the same time, we continue to face challenges especially provider shortages, growing skill gaps, and increased competition for talent, particularly in rural and behavioral health roles These realities push us to keep evolving, listening, and investing in solutions that meet the needs of our staff and the communities we serve.

Looking ahead, we are prioritizing behavioral health capacity, digital health readiness, rural workforce pipelines, expanded apprenticeships, and data-informed planning. We are also strengthening the role of Community Health Workers to improve access and outcomes across the state

Together, we are positioningArkansas to be both an employer and provider of choice.Thank you for your leadership, partnership, and ongoing commitment to this work I look forward to continuing our progress—side by side

Warm regards,

Sherie L. Brown Director of Workforce Development

Workforce Sustainability and Support Plan

Ececutive Summary

Arkansas health centers are facing ongoing workforce challenges driven by provider shortages, post-pandemic labor shifts, retirement trends, and increasing patient complexity.These challenges are especially pronounced in rural communities and behavioral health services, where recruitment remains difficult, and vacancies are prolonged.

Findings from the 2023–2024 statewide workforce assessment identified four critical priorities:

Ongoingrecruitmentchallenges, particularlyinruralandbehavioral healthroles

Gapsinfoundationalandadvanced clinicalcompetencies

The need for structured upskilling and clearly defined career pathways

Demand for standardized job descriptions and competitive, equitable compensation frameworks

In response, CHCA’s FY2024–2025 strategy is built on five integrated pillars designed to strengthen workforce capacity and sustainability:

CHCA UPCOMING EVENTS

Sign up at chc-ar.org to view event details.

Teach-Back in Practice: Plain-Language Communication for Safer Patient- and Family-Centered Care

July 8, 2026 | Virtual SHARE Health Data Hub (HDH): File Extraction & Historical Data Review

July 21, 2026 | Virtual

July 23, 2026 | Virtual

July 28, 2026 | Virtual

August 4, 2026 | CHCA

July 7, 2026 | Virtual Annual HIV Kick-Off Training

TechnicalAssistance: Recognizing & Addressing Interpersonal Violence

TechnicalAssistance: UpToDate (Expert Al)

TechnicalAssistance: UDS Updates: ProgramAssistance Letter Part 2

TechnicalAssistance: Green Dot Training

August 21, 2026| CHCA

Strategic Planning & Workgroup Meeting Sept. 17, 2026 | CHCA

This publication is supported by the Health Resources and ServicesAdministration (HRSA) as part of an award totaling $1,203,478 with 0 percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the US government. For more information, visit hrsa.gov.