Presented by
June 27, 2023 | University of Central Arkansas
In March, nominations were accepted for the following award categories: Nurse, Physician, Healthcare Professional, Administrator, Dental/Optical/Mental Health Professional, Health Promotional Specialist, and Community Impact.
The Conway Area Healthcare Forum honors individuals and companies that are making an impact on the overall health of the community they serve or their company employees.
For information on how you can attend this event, please contact Sarah Henry at Sarah@ConwayArkansas.org.
To view a list of previous award recipients, visit the document below.
To view a list of previous award recipients, visit the document below.

north_metro_healthcare_award_winners.docx | |
File Size: | 20 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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Award Sponsors
Nurse of the Year
The Nurse of the Year recognizes and honors a North Metro area nurse who has consistently shown dedication and commitment to providing exceptional patient care, pursuing excellence in nursing, and performing above expectations in the face of adversity. Examples: RN, LPN, CNA, APRN, CRNA, APN, CNS.
Honorees: Lesia Green, Conway Regional Health System
Jacqueline Thorne, Baptist Health - Conway
The Nurse of the Year recognizes and honors a North Metro area nurse who has consistently shown dedication and commitment to providing exceptional patient care, pursuing excellence in nursing, and performing above expectations in the face of adversity. Examples: RN, LPN, CNA, APRN, CRNA, APN, CNS.
Honorees: Lesia Green, Conway Regional Health System
Jacqueline Thorne, Baptist Health - Conway
Physician of the Year
The Physician of the Year award recognizes and honors a physician who has used their talents and skills to provide exceptional and compassionate care to the North Metro community. Examples: family physician, pediatrician, OB/GYN, psychiatry, osteopathy, chiropractic, anesthesiology, oncology, cardiology, neurosurgery.
Honoree: David Naylor, Banister-Lieblong Clinic
The Physician of the Year award recognizes and honors a physician who has used their talents and skills to provide exceptional and compassionate care to the North Metro community. Examples: family physician, pediatrician, OB/GYN, psychiatry, osteopathy, chiropractic, anesthesiology, oncology, cardiology, neurosurgery.
Honoree: David Naylor, Banister-Lieblong Clinic
Administrator of the Year
The Administrator of the Year recognizes and honors a member of a healthcare company's leadership team in the North Metro area who is dedicated to exceptional organizational quality, empowers their team, and has a passion for improving the community they serve. Examples: CEO, COO, CFO, CNO, Director, Vice President.
Honoree: Rebekah Fincher, Conway Regional Health System
The Administrator of the Year recognizes and honors a member of a healthcare company's leadership team in the North Metro area who is dedicated to exceptional organizational quality, empowers their team, and has a passion for improving the community they serve. Examples: CEO, COO, CFO, CNO, Director, Vice President.
Honoree: Rebekah Fincher, Conway Regional Health System
Healthcare Professional of the Year
The Healthcare Professional of the Year recognizes and honors an individual whose commitment to excellent service and professional guidance has positively affected the overall quality of healthcare in the North Metro region. Examples: first responder, EMT, hospital department staff, physician’s assistant, radiologist, lab technician, insurance expert, physical therapist.
Honoree: Karen Byers, Conway Human Development Center
The Healthcare Professional of the Year recognizes and honors an individual whose commitment to excellent service and professional guidance has positively affected the overall quality of healthcare in the North Metro region. Examples: first responder, EMT, hospital department staff, physician’s assistant, radiologist, lab technician, insurance expert, physical therapist.
Honoree: Karen Byers, Conway Human Development Center
Dental Professional of the Year
The Dental Professional of the Year recognizes and honors an individual whose work exemplifies their commitment to providing quality dental work, preventative care, as well as excellent customer service. Examples: Dentist, Oral Surgeon, Orthodontist, Hygienist.
Honoree: Sarah Clark, Southern Smiles Family Dentistry
The Dental Professional of the Year recognizes and honors an individual whose work exemplifies their commitment to providing quality dental work, preventative care, as well as excellent customer service. Examples: Dentist, Oral Surgeon, Orthodontist, Hygienist.
Honoree: Sarah Clark, Southern Smiles Family Dentistry
Mental Health Professional of the Year
Recognizes and honors an individual whose work exemplifies their commitment to providing quality mental health services and advocacy on behalf of their clientele. Examples: Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Therapist, Social Worker, Counselor
Honoree: John Knott, Conway Counseling & Wellness
Recognizes and honors an individual whose work exemplifies their commitment to providing quality mental health services and advocacy on behalf of their clientele. Examples: Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Therapist, Social Worker, Counselor
Honoree: John Knott, Conway Counseling & Wellness
Optical Professional of the Year
The Optical Professional of the Year recognizes and honors an individual whose work exemplifies their commitment to providing quality eye care as well as excellent customer service and contributions to their field. Examples: Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, Optician.
Honoree: Susan DeBlack, Conway Family Eye Care
The Optical Professional of the Year recognizes and honors an individual whose work exemplifies their commitment to providing quality eye care as well as excellent customer service and contributions to their field. Examples: Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, Optician.
Honoree: Susan DeBlack, Conway Family Eye Care
Health Promotional Specialist of the Year
Recognizes an impactful individual working in the industry, helping make members of the community healthier. This figure is recognized for their motivational nature, advocating for others while helping them work towards their goals. Examples: Dietitians, Fitness Professionals, Social Workers, Health Educators/Coaches, Physical/Occupational/Mental Health Therapists
Honoree: Amanda Castillo, Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center
Recognizes an impactful individual working in the industry, helping make members of the community healthier. This figure is recognized for their motivational nature, advocating for others while helping them work towards their goals. Examples: Dietitians, Fitness Professionals, Social Workers, Health Educators/Coaches, Physical/Occupational/Mental Health Therapists
Honoree: Amanda Castillo, Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center
Community Impact Award
Recognizes an organization or individual who has shown a commitment to a particular cause through community outreach efforts, increasing general awareness, fundraising events or other service projects. Examples: fundraising events such as auctions, fairs or races; medical/dental services provided to the public; other events or campaigns designed to increase funding and/or awareness to aid in the fight against a particular disease or condition.
Honoree: Thad Hardin, Banister-Lieblong Clinic
Recognizes an organization or individual who has shown a commitment to a particular cause through community outreach efforts, increasing general awareness, fundraising events or other service projects. Examples: fundraising events such as auctions, fairs or races; medical/dental services provided to the public; other events or campaigns designed to increase funding and/or awareness to aid in the fight against a particular disease or condition.
Honoree: Thad Hardin, Banister-Lieblong Clinic