Mainline Health Systems announced today plans to assume operations of Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System’s (SABHS) behavioral health clinics in Star City and Sheridan, ensuring continued access to essential behavioral health services as the nonprofit organization concludes an extraordinary 62 years of service to Arkansas communities.

At the same time, Arcare will assume operations of SABHS’s clinics in Stuttgart and Pine Bluff, creating a collaborative transition plan that preserves access to care for patients throughout southeast Arkansas.

Founded more than six decades ago, SABHS was Arkansas’ first community mental health center and has served generations of children, adults, and families through compassionate, community-based behavioral healthcare. While changes in the healthcare landscape have made it increasingly difficult for the organization to continue operating independently, its mission will continue through organizations committed to carrying that work forward.

“For more than 60 years, Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare has played a vital role in improving the lives of individuals and families across our region,” said G. Allan Nichols, Chief Executive Officer of Mainline Health Systems. “We are honored to continue that legacy in Star City and Sheridan and remain committed to ensuring patients have access to the high-quality,
compassionate behavioral healthcare they deserve.”

“For our Board of Directors, this decision has always been about protecting our patients, our employees, and the mission we have served for the past 62 years,” said Sherrie James, SABHS CEO. “We are grateful to have found partners who share our commitment to community-based behavioral healthcare and will continue serving the people who have trusted us for generations.”

The transition is not a traditional acquisition or purchase. As SABHS dissolves as a nonprofit organization, certain assets, including the Star City and Sheridan clinics, will become part of Mainline Health Systems, allowing services to continue without interruption.

Honoring the People Behind the Legacy
For decades, SABHS’s physicians, therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, and support staff have built trusted
relationships with patients and families throughout southeast Arkansas.

Mainline Health Systems, Inc. (MHSI) has been awarded a $15,906 grant from the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation to implement its Smile Smart oral health education program, bringing engaging dental health lessons to 1,963 elementary
students across Southeast Arkansas.

Smile Smart is designed to inspire lasting behavior change among young learners by making oral health education fun, interactive, and memorable. Through age-appropriate lessons, hands-on activities, and practical resources, the program teaches children the
importance of daily brushing, flossing, and healthy eating habits.

The curriculum uses engaging visuals, games, and real-life examples to help students understand the connection between oral health and overall well-being. By introducing healthy habits early, the program aims to equip children with the knowledge and
confidence needed to maintain good oral hygiene throughout their lives.

Mainline Health Systems, Inc. is proud to announce its selection as a 2026-2027 Buckle Up for Life Gift of Safety Partner, joining a national effort to improve child passenger safety and help families travel safely througheducation, resources, and access to life-saving car seats.

Buckle Up for Life is a national child passenger safety education program created by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Toyota. The program works with community organizations across the country to reduce child passenger injuries by
providing education and access to proper car seat equipment for families in need.

This year’s application process was highly competitive, with only a 36% acceptance rate for Gift of Safety partners. MHSI was selected as one of the organizations best positioned to successfully implement the program and make a meaningful impact within its service area.

The grant period runs from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. During that time, Mainline will receive 50 free car seats to distribute to eligible patients and families. In addition, the organization has committed to providing child passenger safety education to at least 110 individuals throughout the communities it serves.

Jefferson Regional is pleased to announce that Ashok Akula, MD has joined the physician team at Jefferson Regional Cardiology Associates. Dr. Akula is a member of the Jefferson Regional medical staff and will be providing specialized care in interventional cardiology.

Dr. Akula received his Bachelor of Medicine from Kakatiya Medical College in Warangal, India, and completed his internal medicine degree at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas. Dr. Akula went on to complete a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock, as well as an interventional cardiology fellowship at Michigan State
University.

He is currently accepting patients at Jefferson Regional Cardiology Associates, located
at 1609 West 40th Ave., Ste. 403. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Akula, call 870-
541-4285.

Jefferson Regional is proud to welcome back Dr. Meer Akbar Ali, who has rejoined the physician group and is now seeing patients at Jefferson Regional GI Associates.

Dr. Ali received his medical degree at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences in
Dehradun, India. He then completed an Internal Medicine residency at the University of
Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN, as well as fellowships in both
Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Advanced Endoscopy at the University Hospitals
Case Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. He is board certified in Gastroenterology.

Before returning to Jefferson Regional, Dr. Ali worked as Associate Professor of Internal
Medicine, Associate Fellowship Program Director, and was a member of the Graduate
Medical Education Executive Committee at the University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences in Little Rock.

He is currently accepting patients at Jefferson Regional GI Associates, located at 1801
West 40th Ave., Ste. 7B. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ali, call 870-541-7201.

DePaul Community Health Centers welcomes Dutton Day, DMD as a dentist serving patients at DePaul’s Gould location (407 South Gould Avenue, Gould, AR  71643). Starting Monday, July 6, Dr. Day will provide comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages.

A native of White Hall, Arkansas, Dr. Day earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with minors in Business Administration and Chemistry from Mississippi State University before receiving his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry. Throughout his academic career, he remained actively involved in leadership, research, and community service, including conducting biomaterials research and participating in outreach initiatives focused on expanding access to care for underserved populations. His dedication to rural health care was recognized through his selection as a Mississippi Rural Dentist Scholar.

James Atkins

39
Pediatrician & Owner
SEARK Children’s Clinic
Monticello

Professional achievements

• American Board of Pediatrics, board-certified pediatrician.
• Chief of staff, Baptist Health Drew County.

Community involvement

Board member, SEARK Concert Association; board member, Arkansas chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics; member, First United Methodist Church Monticello; Little League baseball coach.

Baptist Health is proud to welcome board-certified general surgeon Jason Gault, DO, MBA, to Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County, expanding access to high-quality surgical care for patients in Monticello and surrounding rural communities.

With 15 years of experience in general surgery, Dr. Gault brings a deep commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. He has spent most of his career serving patients in Missouri and is now excited to care for Arkansans in a close-knit, rural setting.
Dr. Gault earned his Doctor of Osteopathy from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed his general surgery residency at Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center in Michigan.

Dr. Gault performs a wide range of surgical procedures, including laparoscopic surgeries for gallbladder disease, appendicitis, hernias and bowel conditions, as well as open abdominal surgeries, breast biopsies, wound and skin procedures, vasectomies, colonoscopies and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

His goal is to offer advanced surgical care close to home—so patients don’t have to travel far to receive the treatment they need. Understanding that surgery can often bring fear or uncertainty, Dr. Gault is known for his calming presence and collaborative approach.

“My goal as a general surgeon is always, while working supportively with their primary care physician, to realistically address those fears while offering accurate diagnosis within a relaxed, comfortable environment,” he said.

In addition to his medical experience, Dr. Gault is a U.S. Army veteran, having served as a combat medic specialist—reinforcing his dedication to service and care under pressure.

Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County, located at 778 Scogin Drive in Monticello, continues to grow its range of services to meet the needs of rural families. To learn more about surgical services or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gault, call (870) 460-3515 or visit Baptist-Health.com.

About Baptist Health
For more than a century, Baptist Health has delivered all our best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health, Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization, is here For You. For Life. – with more than 250 points of access that include 12 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 100 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; and a graduate residency program. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 11,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. For more information about Baptist Health, visit Baptist-Health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app.

MHSI’s two new maternal health research
coordinators, Cyndy Woods and Pam Leeper, traveled to Little Rock this week for training
at the Community Health Centers of Arkansas headquarters. The University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences (UAMS) is partnering with the Community Health Centers of Arkansas
(CHCA) for a maternal health research program, Delivering HOPE (Helping Women
Optimize Prenatal Equity).

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Geriatric psychiatry provider John Cherry, APRN, recently joined Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County.

Cherry, a native of Columbia, South Carolina, earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University. He is a board certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

“When it comes to my patients, I believe in treating everyone as if they are a family member; with compassion and respect,” Cherry said. (more…)

Mainline Health Systems, Inc. has partnered with the Blue & You Foundation for Healthier Arkansas to improve patient outcomes using remote patient monitoring.

The MHSI program implemented in early 2024, Breaking Barriers, provided remote monitoring equipment to 780 patients already enrolled in Chronic Care Management. Since the program’s initiation, 98% of patients surveyed reported an increased sense of control over their chronic illness and 32% of patients reported improved med compliance. These improvements also contributed to the prevention of ER visits and hospital stays, as MHSI staff were able to identify arising issues more quickly. Other improvements noted by the program were lower glucose and blood pressure levels, as well as a decline in Chronic Heart Failure exacerbations and a decrease in admissions for COPD. (more…)

Baptist Health mailed notification letters to Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County. (“Drew County”) patients, employees, and dependents whose information may have been involved in a data security incident that occurred in July 2024. (more…)

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