Washington Regional Press Releases

Posted: 12/30/2024

The team of cardiovascular experts at Washington Regional’s Walker Heart Institute is proud to now offer the WATCHMAN FLX™ Pro Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Device. This new technology is designed to reduce stroke risk and serve as an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem, also known as non-valvular AFib or NVAF. Washington Regional has offered the WATCHMAN device since 2018. The WATCHMAN FLX Pro is the newest ver...

Posted: 12/10/2024

U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has once again named Washington Regional the state’s only High Performing hospital for Maternity Care for 2025. This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual study, and the third consecutive year Washington Regional has earned the high performing designation. The Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings help expectant parents, in collaboration with ...

Posted: 12/2/2024

Sherrie Montellano, PA-C, recently joined Washington Regional Neurology Clinic , part of the Washington Regional J.B. Hunt Transport Services Neuroscience Institute , where she provides diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases affecting the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles. Montellano holds a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Metropolitan State College of Denver and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado...

Posted: 11/15/2024

Washington Regional Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for recertification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Washington Regional first achieved certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center in 2019 and is the only Comprehensive Stroke Center in Northwest Arkansas. The prestigious designation means Washington Regional is prepared to treat even the most complex stroke cases with 24/7 in-person care from stroke exp...

Posted: 11/15/2024

Washington Regional Medical Center has once again earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. In addition to this “A” grade, Washington Regional is designated as a “Straigh...

Posted: 11/4/2024

Elizabeth Wohlford, PA-C, is now providing primary care services at Washington Regional Shiloh Clinic in Springdale, including comprehensive medical care for adults and children of all ages, annual wellness exams and routine check-ups, and treatment of common illnesses and injuries. Wohlford holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. She is bilingual and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Latin American Studies from ...

Posted: 11/4/2024

Sarah Campbell, APRN, is now providing care at Washington Regional Cardiovascular Clinic , part of the Walker Heart Institute . Campbell cares for patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions. Campbell joined Washington Regional as a registered nurse in 2016 and has worked as a registered nurse at Washington Regional Cardiovascular Clinic since April 2024. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from th...

Posted: 10/21/2024

Washington Regional has named Danielle Larson as director of value based programs. Larson has over 10 years of experience in the health care industry and has served as a consultant for multiple large health care systems. Prior to joining Washington Regional, Larson was a professional cyclist for three years, training and competing in Europe and the United States. In her role at Washington Regional, Larson will be responsible for leading, directing and managing value-based programs and other federally pr...

Posted: 10/16/2024

Leah Cossey, APRN, recently joined PACE of the Ozarks , where she provides medical care for PACE participants alongside Dr. Kristin Chaffee, Dr. Allan Martin and Noelle Andrychowicz, APRN. PACE, or Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, provides comprehensive care for seniors who live at home and might otherwise need care in a facility. Cossey earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Arkansas Tech University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Maryville University in St. Louis, Miss...

Posted: 10/15/2024

Washington Regional has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline ® Regional Recognition award for its commitment to offering swift and evidence-based care to people across the region experiencing the most severe heart attacks. The Mission: Lifeline Regional achievement award is earned by hospitals and agencies that demonstrate a commitment to treating patients according to the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association. Every year, more th...

Posted: 10/14/2024

Jorge Parodi, Washington Regional’s vice president of cardiovascular services, is among 63 health care leaders across the nation included in Becker's Hispanic and Latino Leaders to Know for 2024. This list honors Hispanic and Latino leaders for their commitment to the health care field, and the ways in which they contribute to healthcare organizations, programs and partnerships that promote health equity and inclusion. Parodi joined Washington Regional this year as vice president of cardiovascular servi...

Posted: 10/1/2024

Adam Crane, MD, recently joined Washington Regional General Surgery Clinic , where he provides robotic, laparoscopic and open general surgical services. Crane earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock and completed residency in General Surgery at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons.

Posted: 9/4/2024

Brittany Flippo, MD, recently joined Washington Regional’s hospital medicine group, where she provides evaluation and treatment of hospitalized patients in the medical center . Flippo earned her medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock and completed a residency in internal medicine at UAMS Medical Center.

Posted: 9/4/2024

Cristina Hernandez, APRN, recently joined Washington Regional Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Clinic , part of the Walker Heart Institute , where she provides care for patients both in the clinic and hospital. Hernandez first joined Washington Regional in March of this year. Hernandez earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri, and has over a decade of nursing experience.

Posted: 9/3/2024

Rhonald Searcy, MD, recently joined Washington Regional Fayetteville Family Clinic , where he provides comprehensive care for adults and children of all ages. Searcy earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. He completed a family medicine residency in Fayetteville through UAMS. Searcy has been in practice for over 15 years, previously serving patients at Washington Regional Advantage Primary Care from 2014 to 2020. Most recently, Searcy provided care ...

Posted: 9/3/2024

Salik Nazir, MD, recently joined Washington Regional Cardiovascular Clinic , part of the Walker Heart Institute , where he provides comprehensive cardiology care for adults, including preventative care and care for acute and chronic conditions of the heart and vascular systems with a focus on coronary and endovascular intervention. Nazir earned his medical degree from Jinnah Sindh Medical University in Karachi, Pakistan and completed a residency in internal medicine at Reading Hospital in West Reading, ...

Posted: 9/3/2024

Kacy Enloe, PA-C, recently joined Washington Regional Brain and Spine Surgery Clinic , part of the J.B. Hunt Transport Services Neuroscience Institute , where she provides care for patients with diseases and disorders of the brain, nervous system and spine. Enloe earned a Master of Health Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine in Tulsa and a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She has more than 6 ...

Posted: 8/23/2024

Farees Farooq, MD, recently joined the Washington Regional Gastroenterology Clinic , located inside Fayetteville Diagnostic Clinic at 3344 N. Futrall Drive in Fayetteville, where he provides evaluation and treatment of disorders and diseases of the digestive system, as well as preventive wellness and diagnostic endoscopy procedures. Farooq has more than 20 years of experience in gastroenterology and provides advanced gastroenterology procedures including ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound, luminal stenting and...

Posted: 8/21/2024

The team of cardiovascular specialists from Washington Regional’s Walker Heart Institute recently became the first in Northwest Arkansas to offer the minimally invasive Impella RP Flex, one of the world’s smallest heart pumps. The Impella RP Flex is the only FDA approved percutaneous heart pump for people with right-sided heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Cardiogenic shock is a life threatening condition that occurs when the heart is suddenly not able to pump enough blood to the brain and other organ...

Posted: 8/20/2024

Washington Regional Medical Center has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2024. Washington Regional is one of only 259 hospitals nationwide and five hospitals in the state to receive the honor. The award recognizes Washington Regional’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that Washington Regional has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients...