Thanks to Our Corporate Partners!

The Arkansas Hospital Association wishes to thank the companies and organizations participating in the 68th Annual Meeting and Trade Show. With the financial support of these organizations and companies, high quality educational programming is made possible for the AHA membership.

AAMSCO
Accutemp Products Inc.
AHA Services ***
Air Purification Inc.
Alliance Homecare Equipment
Alliant Food Service
AMCO (Arkansas Managed Care Organization)
Amcom Software, Inc.
American Health Care Providers, Inc.
Amerinet/Intermountain Health Care
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield *****
Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, Inc.
Arkansas Health Care Access Foundation, Inc.
Arkansas Health Executives Forum ***
Arkansas Medicaid/EDS
Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency
Arkansas Sound Corporation
Baird, Kurtz & Dobson, CPAs ****
B. Braun McGaw
Bonotech Corporation
Booth Medical Equipment
Brentwood Health Management
BrightStar Information Technology Group
Brossett Corp. Hyperbaric Medicine
BT office Products
Carstens
CBSA - University Collections
Centurion Industries Inc./A-Lert Roof Systems Division
CIC Corp **
Consumer Collection Management
Cooper Medical Buildings, Inc.
Crews & Associates, Inc.
Cromwell Architects Engineers **
Datascope Corp.
Digital Voice, Inc.
Disability Determination for Social Security Administration
Durfold Sleepchair Corporation
Engelkes, Conner & Davis, Ltd. *
Enhanced Telecommunications Inc.
Entergy **
Federation of Associated Health Systems, Inc.
Freemyer Collection System, Inc. *****
Friday, Eldredge and Clark **
Gardner & White
Gaymar Industries, Inc.
Genesis Health Management Corporation
Gideons International
Hagan Agency & Hagan Newkirk
Harper Systems Executone
Harris, Kovacs, Alderman and Associates, Inc.
HCIA, Inc. ****
Healthstaf
Hill-Rom
Home Care Association of Arkansas
Horizon Mental Health Management
Hospital Building & Equipment Company
Hospital Reimbursement Systems, Inc.
Hughes, Welch & Milligan, CPAs
Innovative Solutions Group, Inc.
International Computer Systems
Jay S. Stanley & Associates
JMGR, Inc.
Kinco, Inc.
La-Z-Boy Concepts
Lithotripsy America, Inc.
Marshall Erdman & Associates
Martin & Martin ****
Mayfair Bird Aviaries
MCS/Mestamed
MD Network
Medicaid Managed Care Services
Medical Imaging Services
Medical Management Consultants, Inc.
Medicus Resource Group, Inc.
MedPlus Leasing **
MedTerm
MEPA
Merritt, Hawkins & Associates
Metlife Resources
Miracorp Financial Services
Mobile Instrument Service & Repair
Modern Biomedical Services, Inc.
Modular Services
Moore Stephens Frost
Multiplan, Inc.
Nabholz Construction Corp.
National Data Corporation - NDC
National Wallcovering
NationsBank *
New Day, Inc.
Nicholson Communications
NovaSys Health Network
Pharmacy Associates Incorporated
PharmaThera, Inc.
PHICO ****
Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.
Press, Ganey Associates
Professional Consulting Services, Inc.
Profitable Concepts
Pulaski Bank **
Remote Support Services, Inc.
Rural/Metro Ambulance
Safety Kleen
Sedgwick James of Arkansas, Inc.
Service Professionals, Inc.
Sign Systems, Inc.
SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories
Snell Prosthetic and Orthotic Laboratory
Southwest Medical
Southwest Specialties Inc.
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company **
Sprint PCS
Square One Rehab
SSI Incorporated
St. Paul Medical Services
Staffmark Medical Staffing
Stephens Inc. **
Sterling Healthcare Group
StoneCrest Group
Stryker Medical
Superior Consulting Co.
SVI Systems, Inc. - Instant Healthline
Sysco Food Services of Arkansas
Taylor Made Ambulances
The Ocoee Company
The Virginia Insurance Reciprocal (TVIR) *****
Trans Union Corporation
Universal Hospital Services, Inc.
U.S. Office Products
VALIC **
Vintage Health Resources, Inc.
Welch Allyn
Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson, Inc.
Xerox - The Document Company

* Sponsor ** Host Sponsor
*** Bronze Sponsor **** Silver Sponsor
***** Gold Sponsor

"Achieving Balance in Healthcare"

Arkansas Hospital Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show, October 4-7, 1998

The Arkansas Hospital Association's 68th Annual Meeting and Trade Show focused on issues being discussed today in executive offices and board rooms of member hospitals across Arkansas--governance, partnering in the delivery of services, improving the quality and access of services, future prospects for hospitals that are not part of a system, and survival against apparent insurmountable odds.

From the moment the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and vocalist Kristi Tingle performed Broadway show tunes during the annual Chairman's Dinner, to the opening address by Governor Mike Huckabee, to the Administrators Forum breakfast meeting, annual meeting participants heard leaders in the fields of healthcare, business, and politics who have successfully met challenges that appeared to be obstacles in the journeys through their own careers and lives.

Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Frances Hesselbein shared her experiences in transforming the declining Girl Scouts of the USA into the thriving, vital enterprise it is today; health policy analyst and keynoter Emily Friedman examined controversial issues such as the oversupply of healthcare resources, overcoming resistance to change, the impact of managed care, and issues related to the "right to die;" and international adventurer and photojournalist Brian O'Malley shared his award-winning photography and inspiring stories of accepting challenges, taking risks and pursuing dreams.

Participants also heard presentations by healthcare consultant Dick Hoerl who discussed the future of solo hospitals; UAMS professor of pharmacy Jonathan Wolfe who looked at medication error reporting and proven methods to address problems, while avoiding sanctions; Dr. David Landswerk, a former school superintendent, who energized the audience with his take on commitment and challenge; and human resources consultant John Lloyd, who shared his thoughts on critical factors for success for the CEO of the future. A panel of Arkansas media personalities also debated the state's current political climate in the few weeks remaining before the November general election.

AHA 1998 Diamond Awards Presented

The Arkansas Hospital Association's 1998 Diamond Awards were recognized at an October 6 luncheon during the AHA's annual meeting in Little Rock. The competition, cosponsored by the Arkansas Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations, is designed to recognize excellence in hospital public relations and marketing. Diamond, Excellence, and Judges' Merit Awards were possible in two divisions (hospitals of 175 beds or less and hospitals of more than 175 beds) in nine categories. The competition drew 74 entries from 22 Arkansas hospitals. Award-winning hospitals are:

External Publications (newsletters or magazines published more than once a year for patients, community, physicians, etc.)

Conway Regional Medical Center (175 beds or less) Diamond Award
Arkansas Children's Hospital (more than 175 beds) Diamond Award
CARTI (175 beds or less) Excellence Award
Washington Regional Medical Center (more than 175 beds) Excellence Award

Internal Publications (newsletters or magazines distributed to internal audiences such as employees, medical staff, volunteers, etc.)

St. Mary's Hospital (175 beds or less) Diamond Award
Arkansas Children's Hospital (more than 175 beds) Diamond Award
Van Buren County Memorial Hospital (175 beds or less) Excellence Award
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (more than 175 beds) Excellence Award

Single Publication (Brochure, pamphlet, handbook, videotape, etc., designed to meet a specific need)

Conway Regional Medical Center (l75 beds or less) Diamond Award
Arkansas Children's Hospital (more than 175 beds) Diamond Award
Sparks Regional Medical Center (more than 175 beds) Diamond Award
St. Mary's Hospital (175 beds or less) Excellence Award
Medical Center of South Arkansas (more than 175 beds) Excellence Award
St. Joseph's Regional Heath Center (more than 175 beds) Judges' Merit Award

Print Advertising (Newspaper or magazine advertising in any size, using one or more colors)

Arkansas Heart Hospital (175 beds or less) Diamond Award
St. Joseph's Regional Health Center (more than 175 beds) Diamond Award, Judges' Merit Award
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (175 beds or less) Excellence Award
Northwest Health System (more than 175 beds) Excellence Award
Conway Regional Medical Center (175 beds or less) Judges' Merit Award

Radio Advertising (Single advertisement or public service announcement that has been developed or commissioned for radio)

North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (175 beds or less) Diamond Award
Arkansas Heart Hospital (175 beds or less) Excellence Award

Television Advertising (Single television advertisement or public service announcement developed or commissioned to promote a hospital service or program)

Conway Regional Medical Center (175 beds or less) Diamond Award
St. Joseph's Regional Health Center (more than 175 beds) Diamond Award
Arkansas Heart Hospital (175 beds or less) Excellence Award
The University Hospital of Arkansas (more than 175 beds) Excellence Award
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (175 beds or less) Judges' Merit Award

Outdoor Advertising (Copies of outdoor advertising such as billboards, benches, buses, using one or more colors)

Conway Regional Medical Center (175 beds or less) Diamond Award
Arkansas Heart Hospital (l75 beds or less) Excellence Award
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (175 beds or less) Judges' Merit Award

Internet Web Page (A web page design, developed or commissioned to promote a hospital's programs and services)

Conway Regional Medical Center (175 beds or less) Diamond Award
Sparks Regional Medical Center (more than 175 beds) Diamond Award
St. Joseph's Regional Health Center (more than 175 beds) Excellence Award

Campaign Advertising (Series of advertisements developed or commissioned to promote a hospital program or service)

North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (175 beds or less) Diamond Award
St. Joseph's Regional Health Center (more than 175 beds) Diamond Award, Excellence Award
Conway Regional Medical Center (175 beds or less) Excellence Award
Baptist Memorial Medical Center (more than 175 beds) Judges' Merit Award