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