Monticello Live

The Drew Memorial Hospital board of directors held a special called meeting, Friday afternoon, to discuss several urgent topics, including cash on hand, a sustainability plan to keep the hospital in operation, and discussion of the potential merger with Baptist health systems.

Topics discussed included the fact that Drew Memorial provides $16 million in yearly payroll to employees, relations with funding sources like Blue Cross and Medicare, and also dealing with creditors and ways to collect more revenue.

The video of the meeting is posted below.

If this proposed long-term lease, likely for 25 years, takes place, it could begin as early as July 1, of this year.

Drew Memorial is owned by Drew County, and would continue to be.

The transaction also requires support of approximately 1/2% sales tax increase for the hospital by members of the current Drew Memorial board of directors.

A wide range of questions were asked by the board and hospital staff, and doctors, most of which were answered with either descriptions that were pleasing to most, or in some cases, “just look at our past history of how we’ve dealt with other local hospitals that have joined our system.”

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November 15th at First Assembly Church-915 US Hwy 425- Monticello 9:00AM to 5:30 PM.

Bring insurance cards if you have them. No charge if you don’t.

Dr. Gregory Stephens and Keeanndase Pace

Drew Memorial Health System has contracted with Dr. Gregory Stephens, M.D., J.D to provide mental health services to our region. (more…)

Front row (left to right): Jodie Efird, chief nursing officer at DMHS; Scott Barrilleaux, chief executive officer of DMHS; and Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM. Middle row (left to right): Dr. Brandy Haley, dean of the UAM School of Nursing; and Stephanie Norris, administrative liaison at DMHS. Back row (left to right): Crystal Halley, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs at UAM; and Ben Barton, president of the Drew Memorial Health Foundation.

Recently, leaders of the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) and Drew Memorial Health System (DMHS) gathered on the UAM campus for a scholarship signing. (more…)

In his new role, Arnold will work to provide care that embodies the patient-first values, which are vital to Drew Memorials’ mission. He brings over four decades of experience with him, which will serve him well as he continues to provide surgical services. (more…)

The Arkansas Department of Health reported 15 new cases of monkey pox in Arkansas in the past 2 weeks, making the official count 35 for the state.

The state health department website also reports 79 active Covid cases in Drew County, end of the day, yesterday.

According to the Arkansas Department of Health, there are currently 45 active cases in Drew County. (more…)