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Welcome to our Chamber Connection Newsletter!
In an effort to connect our Chamber Members to valuable news, information, and resources each month we will feature a spotlight topic to better connect our community. This month's topic is healthcare and next month we will feature updates regarding economic and workforce development efforts.
September | 2021 | Healthcare
This Month's Newsletter Topic Sponsored By:
More From our Newsletter Sponsor: Arvest Private Banking Serving Your Needs
PRIVATE BANKING

At Arvest Private Banking, we specialize in serving executives and professional individuals with a commitment to client satisfaction and personal service at the highest level. Our primary focus is to help you reach your financial goals, both personal and professional.

Arvest Private Bankers understand your fast-paced lifestyle combined with complex financial needs. We offer a complete line of products and services available to assist you with managing and accessing your funds. Depending on the products used, many of these are available to you as a Private Banking client at no charge. One of the biggest benefits you will have is your own professional banker who will come to understand your financial picture and work hard to simplify your life.
Meet our local team of Private Bankers to learn more about how Arvest Private Banking can help you with a comprehensive approach to banking. 

(479) 573-1290
5000 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith

Member FDIC, EHL
2021 Physician of the Year: Dr. Leslie Ziegler
2021 Physician of the Year
Dr. Leslie Ziegler
We are excited to announce our 2021 Physician of the Year Award Recipient is Dr. Leslie Ziegler. 

Dr. Ziegler has served as the volunteer medical director for the Good Samaritan Clinic for nearly 15 years. She serves as the Assistant Dean of Clinical Medicine at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education. She sees over 5,000 patients per year on average at the Good Samaritan Clinic that treats basic medical needs for patients without insurance coverage. According to the Good Samaritan Clinic, under her leadership, both hospitals systems are saved the upward side of $2 million per year in indigent care write-offs due to her long-term commitment to serving the underserved in the River Valley and giving them an option for their continuum of care besides emergency rooms, for nonemergent care.

Patti Kimbrough, Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Clinic, said this of Dr. Ziegler: 
“Community should really be Dr. Ziegler's middle name! She never turns down the opportunity to motivate medical students to give back, as she has done at the Good Samaritan Clinic for over 15 years. She has led the way for the students to assist at vaccine and testing clinics throughout the greater FSM area, she has been side by side with students doing wellness checks at the Salvation Army, the Next Step Dayroom, the Rescue Mission, the Hope Campus, and the list goes on and on.”
Watch Dr. Leslie Ziegler's Acceptance of the Physician of the Year Award:
Congratulations to our Healthcare Heroes Recipients 
2021 Healthcare Hero Recipients

As part of the Fort Smith Chamber's Healthcare Celebration during the month of September, the Chamber asked for nominations for a Healthcare Hero from our area, weekly. Nominations were made on our Facebook page and included many amazing healthcare industry workers that are working with passion and dedication in many fields. We randomly selected from weekly nominations a hero to spotlight and awarded a surprise prize package to them. Below are the four recipients for this year's Healthcare Celebration.
New Physicians Welcomed to Our Area
The Fort Smith Regional Chamber and Healthcare Celebration Sponsors Would Like to Say Welcome to Our New Area Physicians Joining our Healthcare Systems
As part of the welcome to our new area physicians, the Fort Smtih Chamber delivered special goodie bags filled with appreciation gifts from the Chamber business community. Here are a few of our deliveries.
Info & News Shared From our Chamber Healthcare Committee  
Arkansas ranks in the top five states in America for food insecurity among its aging population. The 5A is working to change that by making people aware of the nutrition resources available for seniors in Arkansas.

Many of the Area Agency on Aging of Western AR's clients are surprised to learn help is accessible to them at all. In fact, several free resources are available to seniors who are struggling with food insecurity.
Covid-19 antibody testing is back All donors can receive a COVID-19 antibody test with their donation while supplies last. It is important to note that minors will need parental consent. Schedule your donation today by visiting visit arkbi.org or call 877-340-8777!
Baptist Health opened La Clínica del Pueblo on Kelly Hwy this month. This primary care clinic in Fort Smith aims to help eliminate language barriers for Spanish-speaking residents seeking health care services in the River Valley.
Vaccine clinic hours will remain the same at the new location:

Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to noon

Thursdays, 3-7 p.m.
Mercy Fort Smith’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic will move to Mercy Clinic Primary Care – Fianna Hills.

Starting Oct. 5, patients scheduled to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will go to the Fianna Hills location at 9101 Jenny Lind Road. Vaccines will no longer be given at the former Mercy Convenient Care location at Mercy Tower West in Fort Smith.

Anyone interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine can make an appointment by visiting mercy.net/FSMVaccine or by calling 479-573-3939. Walk-ins also are welcome. Anyone 12 years and older is eligible; those under 18 years will need a parent or guardian present.
Methodist Village Senior Living celebrated a ribbon cutting on its 2021 updates to its administrative offices and groundbreaking on its respite care additions this summer.
Save the Date - Annual Meeting October 27th
2021 Annual Meeting

This event recaps our prior year’s activities and puts focus on the goals of the Chamber for the upcoming year.

We will also highlight important accomplishments important to our Chamber members. 
2021 Guest Speakers include Singapore Ambassador to the US, Mr. Ashok Mirpuri and General Gary L. North (USAF Ret.) Vice President Customer Requirements for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

Singapore Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Ashok Mirpuri

Mr. Ashok Kumar Mirpuri took up his appointment as Singapore's Ambassador to the United States of America (USA) in July 2012. Prior to his current appointment, he served as Ambassador to Indonesia from 2006 to 2012, High Commissioner to Malaysia from 2002 to 2006, and High Commissioner to Australia from 2000 to 2002.

A career diplomat, Mr. Mirpuri joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in 1984. In 1994, he was appointed Director of MFA's Policy Planning & Analysis Directorate I (Southeast Asia). In 1997, Mr. Mirpuri was seconded to Shell International Ltd in the United Kingdom as Corporate Advisor (Asia Pacific). He was subsequently assigned to the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta in 1998 as Minister-Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission, having previously served in Jakarta as First Secretary (Political).

Mr. Mirpuri graduated with an honors degree from the National University of Singapore. He received his MA at the University of London's School of Oriental & African Studies under a Raffles Scholarship. He attended the Programme for Executive Development at the Institute for Management Development, Switzerland, and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, USA.
General Gary L. North (USAF Ret.) Vice President Customer Requirements for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

Gen. Gary L. North, USAF (Ret) retired from the Air Force in October 2012, culminating his career as commander, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He is a 1976 graduate of East Carolina University, N.C., and holds a master's degree from Golden Gate University, Calif. A command pilot, he flew over 4,700 hours in the F-4, F-16, and F-15, including 83 combat missions. During his career, he commanded at the squadron through the major command levels.

He is currently vice president for customer requirements for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., where he is
responsible for engagement and activities across the aeronautics portfolio. He resides in Aledo, Texas.

Don't Miss These Great Speakers! Register Today!

Date and Time:
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
11:30am-1:00pm
VIP Meet & Greet 10:30-11:30am, additional ticket required

Location:
Fort Smith Convention Center, Halls A-B-C
55 S 7th St, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Fees/Admission:
Individual Tickets are $50
VIP Meet & Greet tickets, $25 add on to a regular ticket or Sponsorship ticket
Sponsorships and Reserved Table Rates are available.

Contact Information:
Lindsey Trantham Senior Events Coordinator 479-783-3111
Send Email
Upcoming Chamber Connection Newsletters:
Future Chamber Connection sponsorships available. Contact Dawn Turner at dturner@fortsmithchamber.com to learn more.
October 28, 2021 - Economic & Workforce Development
November 18, 2021 - Shop Local
December 23, 2021 - Membership
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