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History

Over Half a Century of Providing Effective Healthcare Services

Baxter Health initially opened in 1963 as Baxter General Hospital, an acute-care medical center with 4 physicians and 39 beds. Today, Baxter Health boasts 268 all-private beds with more than than 180 primary care and specialist physicians and mid-level providers on our medical staff. Under Arkansas law, Baxter Health is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation governed by an uncompensated board of directors.

Baxter Health encompasses about 500,000 square feet of space and is the single largest employer in Baxter County, employing over 2,000 people and utilizing over 500 volunteers in our auxiliary. Baxter Health serves a 2-state, 11-county area. We are deeply ingrained and involved within our local community by hosting, volunteering for and participating in community events.

Baxter Regional Timeline

2021:

  • Baxter Regional achieves ANCC Magnet Recognition® as one of only five hospitals in Arkansas and the first in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri
  • Named one of the Best Places to Work in Arkansas by Arkansas Business for third consecutive year
  • Named one of Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work
  • Baxter Regional Outpatient Surgery Center opens
  • Hometown Clinic Family Practice on Main opens in Mountain View
  • SalivaDirect™ COVID-19 testing implemented
  • Baxter Regional opens COVID-19 Infusion Center for monoclonal antibody therapy

2020:

  • Baxter Regional one of 18 Arkansas hospitals to receive first Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for front line workers
  • Baxter Regional receives 2020 Site Excellence Award from UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation (IDHI) Stroke Program
  • Jan Crawford retires after 40 years of service in Baxter Regional Administration
  • Best Places to Work in Arkansas by Arkansas Business for second consecutive year
  • Baxter Regional Med-Peds Clinic, Hometown Clinic at Mammoth Spring, Willow Street Hometown Clinic open
  • Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinics open in Yellville, Mountain View and Melbourne
  • Baxter Regional and KTLO host virtual Health Fair & Expo
  • 11 new physicians join Baxter Regional medical staff
  • Peitz Cancer Support House celebrates 20 year anniversary
  • Baxter Regional Simulation Center and Laboratory opens
  • Baxter Regional expands telemedicine options in 17 clinics during COVID-19 pandemic
  • Stephanie Free, MSN, RN, CIC, Infection Preventionist, honored as Arkansas Health Hero by US Senator John Boozman
  • ​Baxter Regional Employee Fund Drive celebrates 20 years of giving and $2,170,878 pledged
  • Susan Musgrove, MSN, RN, named to Arkansas Organization of Nurse Leaders Board of Directors
  • Dr. Rebecca Martin, pulmonology, featured in Time Magazine to represent frontline workers named 2020 Guardians of the Year
  • Kim Foxworthy, MSN/Ed, RN, elected to Arkansas STEMI Advisory Council
  • 32 new RN Residents join the Baxter Regional staff
  • First annual Good Catch of the Year awarded to Kandace Washington, RN, of ICU

2019:

  • Best Places to Work in Arkansas by Arkansas Business
  • 8 new physicians join Baxter Regional Medical Staff
  • Baxter Regional and KTLO host 40th annual Health Fair & Expo, Health Forums and 1st annual Teddy Bear Clinic
  • Baxter Regional recognized as Arkansas Stroke Ready Hospital (ArSRH) by Arkansas Department of Health
  • Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation launches Simulation Center and Laboratory Capital Campaign
  • Baxter Regional named one of only 86 hospitals nationwide to receive American College of Cardiology’s National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) Chest Pain – MI Registry Silver Performance Achievement Award
  • Baxter Regional Outpatient Surgery Center groundbreaking
  • Main Lobby and Admissions renovated under master plan to focus on bringing the natural elements of the Ozarks - rock, wood and natural light - into facility
  • Baxter Regional inducted to Mountain Home Education Foundation Hall of Honor
  • Baxter Regional hosts first annual Wellness Awards for employees
  • Surgical reception area renovated and donated by Ed and Gayle Goodman
  • Jeannie Alley donates piano to Baxter Regional Main Lobby to establish music ministry in memory of her parents
  • 24 Mountain Home High School seniors participate in first White Coat Ceremony to mark start of medical internships at Baxter Regional

2018:

  • Top 20 Rural and Community Hospital in America
  • Named to 50 Best Cardiac Surgery Programs
  • Baxter Regional Adult Behavioral Health unit opens
  • 8 new physicians joined the Baxter Regional Medical Staff
  • Magnet application submitted and accepted
  • $425,000 in nursing scholarships awarded
  • 32 new RN Residents join the Baxter Regional staff
  • New Cath Lab installed
  • Hometown Clinic at West Plains opens
  • 8 new physicians join Baxter Regional medical staff
  • Construction begins on new Hometown Clinic at Mountain View
  • Baxter Regional CARE Telehealth app launches
  • Baxter Regional Laboratory reaccredited with CAP Survey
  • Baxter Regional introduces Cardiac Calcium Screening program
  • Level 3 Trauma redesignation achieved
  • Debbie Henry, VP/CFO, named Arkansas Non-Profit CFO of the Year
  • Baxter Regional premieres Pulse magazine
  • Dr. Peter MacKercher retires after 39 years of service
  • Baxter Regional Auxiliary donates a record $475,278 to Baxter Regional
  • Monitor upgrades in PACU, ARU, Extended PACU, Telemetry and Nursery
  • Randy Hopper joins Baxter Regional Board of Directors

2017:

  • America’s 50 Best Cardiac Surgery Hospitals and Top 5% in America for Patient Safety by Healthgrades
  • Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital by National Rural Health Association
  • Top 10 Hospitals in Arkansas for Nurses to Work by Nurses.org
  • Baxter Regional launches neurosurgery program and opens Baxter Regional Neurosurgery & Spine Clinic
  • 7 new physicians join the Baxter Regional Medical Staff
  • Baxter Regional Medical Complex in Melbourne opens
  • Baxter Regional Hometown Clinics in Melbourne and Calico Rock open
  • Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation awards 135 scholarships totaling over $400,000
  • Implementation of Direct to Cath Lab for STEMI process
  • Baxter Regional Employee Fund Drive sets record 1,279 pledges totaling $156,000
  • Launch of Daisy Awards program for nursing excellence
  • Statewide “Good Catch” acknowledgment for 2 out of 4 quarters
  • Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation raises over $900,000 for the remodel of the Acute Inpatient Rehab
  • Paul Wade joins Baxter Regional Board of Directors

2016:

  • BRMC celebrates the first full year of an Accountable Care Organization.
  • Baxter Regional Home Health receives 5 star rating by CMS
  • 2 clinics opened in Mountain View: Baxter Regional APRN Clinic and Hometown Clinic at Mountain View
  • Foundation provided $398,000 to 108 nursing students for scholarships
  • Rock Steady Boxing Mountain Home begins with great success
  • 80,000 volunteer hours donated by Baxter Regional Auxiliary
  • Pain Management Associates, a department of Baxter Regional, opens clinic in Harrison
  • Baxter Regional Family Clinic chosen by CMS to be one of only a select group of CPC+ Track 2 Clinics
  • All Baxter Regional Security Officers complete an 8 hour edged weapons defense and deployment course and qualified at the level of sharp shooter or above.
  • Baxter Regional Community Paramedic Program instrumental in development of new EMS legislation for the State of Arkansas
  • Baxter Regional Ambulance Services has 9 dispatchers complete National Training as Certified Emergency Medical Dispatchers and becomes first Arkansas ambulance service to receive American Heart Association STEMI Gold Award for Cardiac Services
  • Rev. Randy Ludwig named Hospital Chaplain.
  • Cardiac Rehab Unit remodeled and reopens as Baxter Regional Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit sponsored by the Baxter Regional Auxiliary.
  • Baxter Regional Sleep DME opens and is accredited
  • Debbie Henry named Baxter Regional VP/Chief Financial Officer
  • Baxter Regional Wound Healing Center celebrates 10 year anniversary and a remodel, installing a fourth hyperbaric chamber
  • 5 new physicians join the Baxter Regional Medical Staff
  • Women & Newborn Care Center became a Safe Sleep Certified Center and 4 nurses received lactation certification
  • Lang Zimmerman joins Baxter Regional Board of Directors

2015:

  • Baxter Regional chosen as a high-performing hospital nationally in the 2015 HEN High Performing Hospital Video Spotlight Series as part of the American Hospital Association/Health Research & Educational Trust Hospital Engagement Network (HEN) initiative.
  • Acute Inpatient Rehab recognized as 2015 Top Performer for being in the top 10% of facilities
  • Baxter Regional Me Auxiliary adds to Shuttle Service fleet, providing free shuttle service to help patients and visitors get from parking lots to hospital front doors
  • Baxter Regional re-opens in-house Float Pool to assist in clinical staffing needs
  • 6 physicians join Baxter Regional Medical Staff
  • Mruk Family Education Center on Aging hosted free Lunch & Learn bi-monthly featuring renowned expert on aging Dr. David Lipschitz
  • Shannon Nachtigal, MSN, RN, was named Baxter Regional Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer after serving as Interim CNO
  • Arkansas Ambulance Association presents Baxter Regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) the 2015 Advanced Life Support (ALS) Service of the Year Award for Outstanding Service in the EMS Profession
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation program launched by Baxter Regional Rehab Services

2014:

  • Baxter Regional Community Paramedic Mobile Healthcare Program receives grant from the Blue & You Foundation totaling $149,900
  • Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation hosts the first annual Masquerade Ball, kicking off the 2014 Lend-A-Hand campaign and raising over $20,000 for the community houses
  • Dr. Louis Elkins begins performing minimally invasive procedures using the superDimension™ Navigation System to aid with earlier diagnoses of lung cancers
  • 81 children and grandchildren of employees were able to start the new school year with backpacks and supplies thanks to the efforts of the annual BRMC Employee Backpack Drive
  • The Robert L. Kerr Medical Student Scholarship was awarded to 18 medical students from our service area
  • Dr. Ray Stahl retired after 35 years of surgery
  • In July, Phyllis Tucker of Health Information retired after 50 years of service. She began working at BRMC 2 weeks before the hospital opened its doors in October, 1963.
  • Dr. Jamie Pritchard, Cline Emergency Center Medical Director and emergency medicine physician, named Arkansas SAVES Physician of the Year
  • Schliemann Center for Women’s Health Education provides scholarships for 17 high school senior girls at the 2014 Teen Girls Go to College event held in conjunction with ASU-Mountain Home.
  • MyBRMC Patient Portal launched as an online tool for patients to view test results, medical history and their electronic medical record.
  • Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation celebrated 25 of years of donors at the annual Donor Banquet.
  • Cohort II of the RN Residency officially began with 12 residents.
  • Baxter Regional Chapel renovated and dedicated in honor of the Tennison family.
  • Surgery Waiting Room refurbished with a $50,000 gift from the Baxter Regional Auxiliary.
  • The renovated Women & Newborn Care Center opens, equipped with the latest technology focusing on patient-centered care and featuring 10 state-of-the-art labor and delivery rooms, a larger, completely renovated nursery as well as a new nurse call system, fetal monitoring system, and security.
  • 6 new physicians joining the Baxter Regional medical staff

2013:

  • Baxter Regional was chosen as 1 of 34 Arkansas hospitals to earn "Century Club" membership through its achievements to improve patient care and reduce preventable readmissions
  • Baxter Regional celebrates 15 years of offering a complete cardiovascular care program
  • Community Paramedic Mobile Healthcare Program implemented as part of an effort to reduce unnecessary 911 calls or non-emergent visits to the Cline Emergency Center
  • Building for Babies Campaign kicks off to raise funds for the Women and Newborn Care Center remodel
  • Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation awarded grant of $88,000 from the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Mobile Mammography Unit Outreach Program
  • Baxter Regional welcomed 26 new RN graduates to our team with launch of RN Residency Program
  • PCSH hosts open house for newly renovated space, including larger meeting rooms, additional storage and rest room, and a renovated kitchen

2012:

  • 14 medical students receive the Dr. Robert L. Kerr Medical Student Scholarship
  • Baxter Regional Mobile Mammography Unit becomes the first mobile unit in the United States to offer 3-D digital mammography and kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month in NYC at the NASDAQ opening bell ceremony
  • The first Pink for Peitz Rodeo was held in August to raise awareness of breast cancer and support services offered at the Peitz Cancer Support House
  • EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound Bronchoscope) purchased for advanced diagnoses
  • Dr. Max Cheney retires after 50 years of service
  • Fairlamb Senior Health Clinic opens for patients 65+
  • Award-winning Breast Imaging Center opens
  • Shared Governance is formed at Baxter Regional as our Journey to Magnet Excellence moves us toward the new future
  • In March, 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) equipment arrived at BRMC
  • Baxter Regional was one of 25 hospitals to receive the State Medicaid Quality Award
  • Baxter Regional Employee Council creates I CARE values
  • Baxter Regional earns Level 3 Trauma Designation

2011:

  • Baxter Regional unveils the da Vinci® Surgical System
  • Baxter Regional becomes the first hospital in Arkansas and Missouri to offer 3-D Mammography
  • Lend-A-Hand Campaign was held and designates 100% of the funds raised to the 4 community houses
  • Baxter Regional reopens upgraded 2 West unit
  • Jerry Don Cunningham joins Baxter Regional Board of Directors

2010:

  • Employees participate in the Baxter Regional Employee Fund Drive for the 10th year
  • Baxter Regional Wound Healing Center opens in its new state-of-the-art facility on Burnett Drive
  • The 1st Annual “Move It for Diabetes” 5K event was held by Reppell Diabetes Learning Center
  • Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation implements Heroes with Halos program, offering patients and their families a way to honor and recognize employees and volunteers
  • Sally Gilbert joins Baxter Regional Board of Directors

2009:

  • Electronic Medical Records implemented
  • eICU (Electronic Intensive Care Unit) opens
  • Baxter Regional becomes a member of ANGELS (Antenatal and Neonatal Guidelines, Education and Learning System) and Arkansas SAVES (Stroke Assistance through Virtual Emergency Support), telehealth programs linking specialists from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital
  • 10 medical students from the Baxter Regional service area are first to receive the Robert L. Kerr Medical Student Scholarship
  • Adopt-A-Room Campaign raises funds to renovate 2 West
  • Baxter Regional Center on Aging is dedicated as Mruk Family Education Center on Aging thanks to a generous donation from volunteers Janet and Paul Mruk

2008:

  • Baxter Regional opens North Central Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in former Guest House location
  • Chief Nursing Officer Margaret Fielding retires after 25 years
  • Ambulance Department helps with hurricane relief in Louisiana
  • Preparation continues for Electronic Medical Records to go live in April, 2009
  • Risk Manager Sandy Priebe, MSN, RN, appointed to State Nursing Board
  • BRMC President and CEO Ron Peterson is named Administrator of the Year by Arkansas Hospital Association
  • Women’s Health Education Center is dedicated as the Schliemann Center for Women’s Health Education after Women’s Health Advisory Board founding member Josee Schliemann
  • Ted Sanders joins Baxter Regional Board of Directors

2007:

  • Emergency department becomes known as the Cline Emergency Center following a donation by volunteer Betty Cline and family
  • New hydrotherapy pool in Physical Therapy Department donated by Baxter Regional Auxiliary
  • Baxter Regional receives the Sperduto and Associates Award for Highest Employee Satisfaction
  • Baxter Regional named one of the nation’s top performance improvement leader hospitals by Thomson Healthcare
  • Baxter Regional Ambulance named EMT-Paramedic Emergency Medical Service of the Year by EMS Magazine and National Association of EMTs
  • Ron Peterson named Baxter Regional president and CEO

2006:

  • Dr. Robert Kerr returns "home" to serve as interim President and CEO
  • Peitz Cancer Support House expands
  • Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation receives gift and names Lagerborg Dining Room
  • Reppell family endows Reppell Diabetes Learning Center
  • BRMC opens four new clinics: Ash Flat, Urology, Pulmonology, and Orthopaedics
  • Rosalyn Blagg joins Baxter Regional Board of Directors

2005:

  • Women’s Health Education Center opens
  • Hospice House opens
  • East and West Lobbies renovations completed
  • Baxter Regional Auxiliary announces $1 million endowment through Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation
  • Baxter Regional, ASU-MH and UAMS collaborate to offer respiratory care program
  • Steve Luelf joins Baxter Regional Board of Directors
  • 3 new physicians join medical staff

2004:

  • BRMC adds new specialists in endocrinology, cardiovascular surgery and psychiatry
  • Dr. Robert Kerr retires from practice after 37 years
  • Renovation begins on Women’s Health Education Center
  • Construction begins on new Hospice House
  • Cath Lab performs 1,000th cardiac catheterization
  • Women’s Center delivers a new record number of babies
  • Auxiliary introduces new yellow uniforms

2003:

  • Baxter Regional Medical Center celebrates its 40th anniversary with a community-wide celebration
  • 12 physicians join medical staff
  • Rheumatology and bariatric surgery services added
  • Women’s Center delivers a record number of babies – 720
  • BRMC nursing staff ranks number one in the nation for employee satisfaction
  • In October, BRMC Cardiovascular Team celebrates 1,000th open-heart case
  • Women’s Health Advisory Board formed

2002:

  • New Diabetes Learning Center house dedicated
  • 5 new physicians join medical staff
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation program begins

2001:

  • BRMC performs 500th open-heart surgery
  • Remodeling of dietary, materials management, and laundry areas completed
  • New exterior and interior signage added
  • Oncology unit moves to 4 South

2000:

  • Hospital officially changes name to Baxter Regional Medical Center
  • Stephen M. Erixon named CEO
  • Administrator H. William Anderson retires after 17 years of service
  • 6 story tower that includes a new patient registration area, cardiac care center, relocation of RCU, and Hensley Behavioral Health Center dedicated
  • Peitz Cancer Support House dedicated

1999:

  • Two new surgery suites and a second cardiac catheterization lab completed
  • Hospital performs first angioplasty
  • Construction of 6-story tower begins
  • New parking lot is added on Hospital Drive
  • Four new labor and delivery, recovery, and postpartum rooms (LDRP) added to the Women’s Center

1998:

  • Phase IV expansion begins including a 6-story, 90,000-square-foot patient tower that brings total number of beds to approximately 275
  • Homes along Hospital and Broadmoor drives are purchased for patients’ family use and additional parking
  • Hospital performs first cardiac bypass surgery

1996:

  • Physical Rehabilitation Center opens
  • Hospital parking increases with the addition of a 187-space parking deck
  • Ahrens Clinic opens in Yellville.

1994:

  • Emergency room grew to 17 beds, 9 treatment rooms, consultation and decontamination rooms

1993:

  • Phase III expansion doubles the size of the hospital, increasing the number of beds to 197
  • Home Health and Hospice Building completed

1992:

  • Medical Arts Building completed
  • Bull Shoals Ambulance Station established

1990:

  • Hemodialysis unit opens
  • Yellville Ambulance Station established

1989:

  • Phase II plans include an 8,000-square-foot expansion and the addition of a cancer treatment center
  • Hospital grows to 151 beds

1988:

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) added to Radiology Department

1987:

  • Baxter Regional Auxiliary donates their third ambulance

1983:

  • Phase I expansion completed
  • Hospital grows to 133 beds with a 3 story addition

1978:

  • Renovation completed for a 5 bed surgical intensive care unit

1977:

  • New construction completed that provided additional space for radiology, surgery, emergency room, and pharmacy
  • Total bed capacity grew to 97

1974:

  • 52 beds and a separate in-service education building added

1963:

  • Baxter General Hospital opens with 39 beds and 4 physicians