Arkansas Hospital Association

09/03/2026

"This issue is bigger than one hospital or one contract."

AHA stands firmly with ALL hospitals throughout our state. Fair reimbursement is essential to protecting patient access to quality care and keeping local hospitals strong for the communities who depend on them.

Conway Regional remains in-network with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and is not impacted by the recent changes affecting CHI St. Vincent.

We have been where they are today.

Conway Regional knows firsthand the challenges hospitals face when advocating for fair reimbursement while working to protect access to care for the communities they serve. We stand with CHI St. Vincent and hospitals across Arkansas in advocating for reimbursement that reflects the real and rising cost of providing healthcare.

This issue is bigger than one hospital or one contract. Arkansas hospitals deserve fair reimbursement, and Arkansans deserve access to high-quality care.

To our patients: Conway Regional remains in-network with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Your access to Conway Regional hospitals, clinics, and providers has not changed.

08/31/2026

Safe recovery after surgery starts before you even head home! 🏠✨

Hospitals across Arkansas are joining a nationwide effort called the Billion Pill Pledge. The goal? Help patients manage pain safely after surgery while dramatically cutting down on leftover prescription opioid pills.

By giving patients extra preparation before surgery and dedicated nurse support after, care teams are seeing incredible results: participating patients are using an average of fewer than 5 opioid pills while recovering at home! 👏

📄 Read the full story in Arkansas Hospitals magazine: https://bit.ly/4oXHB7h

08/27/2026

Obstacles don’t define success — how you overcome them does. 🏅

We are thrilled to announce legendary Olympic Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee as our keynote speaker for the upcoming AHA Annual Meeting! Join us as she shares powerful insights on resilience, determination, and turning challenges into triumphs in healthcare and beyond.

🗓 Keynote Address: How to Overcome Obstacles to Success
⏰ Date & Time: Thursday, October 15 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
📍 Location: Little Rock Marriott

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to hear from one of the most inspiring figures in sports and community leadership! Secure your spot today: https://bit.ly/4xhVxvv

08/25/2026

Behind every doctor, nurse, and hospital staff member caring for your family is a strong network dedicated to supporting them. From community hospitals in rural towns to medical centers in our larger cities, AHA serves as the unified voice for hospitals across the state.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘀:
• 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 & 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲: We work with state lawmakers to protect hospital funding and maintain essential services in local communities.
• 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀: We provide training, resources, and guidance to help healthcare workers excel.
• 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀: We bring health leaders together to share best practices and solve big challenges.

Learn more about how AHA supports hospitals in your community: https://bit.ly/4xSosHH

08/20/2026

Today we are gathered for the 2026 Arkansas Maternal Health Roundtable in downtown Little Rock. It is heartening to see all of the energy and presence in the room, especially from our members here today.

AHA’s Executive Vice President Jodiane Tritt noted that while we have made progress there is still work to be done.

Collaboration is key — maternal health is now being looked at as statewide issue as opposed to individual, isolated levels. Now more than ever we need to protect our 30 labor and delivery units still in operation across the state.

Stay tuned as we continue to have these vital conversations surrounding maternal health and in Arkansas.

08/20/2026

As healthcare professionals, your primary focus is on the patient in front of you. But decisions made in government halls directly impact care at the bedside.

In our latest issue, we break down why advocacy is our strongest medicine — especially as Arkansas hospitals face evolving legislative and reimbursement landscapes. Read the full article to learn how you can use tools like VoterVoice, stay informed through the Legislative Bulletin, and host facility tours for state leaders.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4oXHB7h

08/18/2026

Registration is open for the 2026 AHHRA Fall Conference, September 24–25 at the Thousand Hills Resort in Branson.

This year's program offers healthcare HR professionals practical insights on managing leave issues, navigating legal updates, and leveraging HR analytics. Registration is free for AHHRA members, plus members get one free hotel night when booking by September 1.

Download the registration form and view the schedule here: https://bit.ly/4wS0awD

08/14/2026

Tune in tonight at 6:00 PM CT to catch AHA Executive Vice President Jodiane Tritt on Arkansas Week!

She’ll be joining host Steve Barnes and a panel of state healthcare leaders and lawmakers to discuss the critical changes ahead for Medicaid expansion, state budget impacts, and what it all means for the future of Arkansas's rural hospitals.

Don't miss it!

Healthcare across America is changing dramatically and, in Arkansas, the dynamic could become critical. Tonight on “Arkansas Week,” we’ll explore the impact changes to the Medicaid expansion program could have on Arkansans, the state’s budget and rural hospitals. Arkansas Hospital Association Executive Vice President Jodiane Tritt; Ray Hanley — former AFMC CEO and former Arkansas State Medicaid director; UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Chancellor Dr. C. Lowry Barnes; Arkansas House of Representatives' Rep. Lee Johnson for Arkansas (R) and Rep. Ashley for Arkansas (D) join host Steve Barnes to discuss starting at 6 CT.

Learn more now on the Arkansas TV Blog: arkansastv.gov/blog/arkansas-week-current-state-our-healthcare-network

08/13/2026

Staff Spotlight: Tina Creel! 🌟

If you’ve ever attended our Annual Meeting or used a vetted service provider through the AHA Services, you’ve experienced the hard work of Tina Creel. As Vice President of Member Services and President of AHA Services, Tina works tirelessly behind the scenes to secure high-value sponsorships and vet trusted vendors so our member hospitals can access top-tier solutions.

Tina is dedicated to making AHA Services your ultimate healthcare ally. Thank you, Tina, for your dedication and leadership! 👏

08/11/2026

From a fresh graduate to presenting on the national stage — Hart Black’s 18-month AHA Fellowship showed him firsthand how data-driven decisions power modern hospitals. Under the guidance of Donald McCormick, Director of Analytics and Financial Policy, Hart helped develop crucial financial dashboards and research how AI is changing hospital workflows.

Check out Hart's article, "Navigating the Digital Shift: Fresh Perspectives from the AHA Analytics Team," in the latest issue of Arkansas Hospitals magazine! Read more here: https://bit.ly/4oXHB7h

UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences