HealthTech Arkansas, along with ten healthcare providers — Arkansas Heart Hospital, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Arkansas Urology, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, Conway Regional, Mercy, St. Bernards Healthcare, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), and Washington Regional Medical Center — are again collaborating on a business accelerator that connects early-stage healthcare companies bringing disruptive technologies to the marketplace with Arkansas healthcare providers for the purpose of conducting pilot projects.
The unprecedented collaboration among competing healthcare providers is driven by their collective desire to bring superior healthcare technologies to Arkansas patients. “The HealthTech Arkansas program introduces new technologies to our hospitals, which makes our hospitals stronger and increases the quality of care for all Arkansans,” said Jeff Stinson, director of HealthTech Arkansas.
It is the clinical and operational engagement that entices startups to apply to HealthTech Arkansas. “The guaranteed opportunity to conduct pilot projects with healthcare providers is what truly sets our program apart from other programs,” said Stinson. “Provider access for early-stage companies is the most important thing you can do for their success. Through these pilot projects, our cohort companies get a direct connection to hospitals and physicians that give them the opportunity to demonstrate value with their technologies and products.”
By making connections to Arkansas healthcare providers, the participating startup companies build relationships that can require them to hire staff in Arkansas to manage the business after the conclusion of the accelerator program. The addition of jobs in the state is one of the reasons HealthTech Arkansas is supported by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). AEDC awarded HealthTech Arkansas a grant under the Arkansas Business and Technology Accelerator Grant Program, which is designed to increase acceleration activities in targeted industries in the state.
Arkansas-based healthcare startup companies also benefit from participation with HealthTech Arkansas. Those that choose to work with the program get access to the coalition of providers for structured mentoring, guidance, and strategic development.
“HealthTech Arkansas has been important to us in a number of ways,” said Dr. Gerry Jones, Chief Medical Officer at CHI St. Vincent. “It allows us to view a large number of early-stage technologies coming to market each year, and then choose the ones with which we want to work. But also, we want to contribute to healthcare entrepreneurship in Arkansas. So we really enjoy providing feedback to startups inside the state when we believe we can be helpful.”
This is the fourth year for healthcare accelerator programs hosted in Arkansas and the second year for HealthTech Arkansas, an expanded iteration of two previous accelerator programs. Stinson also managed the previous two healthcare accelerators in Arkansas and is the director of the Central Arkansas Angel Network, the first angel investor network in the state.
Applications for the HealthTech Arkansas cohort open on February 1, and the cohort will be selected by June 30, 2020. The program is seeking companies in three categories: digital health and software, medical devices, and diagnostic platforms. Each company will receive $75,000 of investment capital and is guaranteed at least two pilot projects with Arkansas healthcare providers.
More information about HealthTech Arkansas, including an online application, can be found at HealthTechArkansas.com.
ABOUT ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S
Arkansas Children's, Inc. is the only healthcare system in the state solely dedicated to caring for Arkansas' 710,000 children, giving the organization a unique ability to shape the landscape of pediatric care in Arkansas and transform the health of children throughout the region. The private, non-profit organization includes two pediatric hospitals, a pediatric research institute and USDA nutrition center, a philanthropic foundation, a nursery alliance, statewide clinics, and many education and outreach programs. Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) is a 336-bed, Magnet-recognized facility in Little Rock operating the state’s only Level I pediatric trauma center; the state's only burn center; the state's only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit; the state's only pediatric intensive care unit; the state’s only pediatric surgery program with Level 1 verification from the American College of Surgeons; and the state's only nationally recognized pediatric transport program. Additionally, ACH is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in four pediatric subspecialties (2018-19): Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Pulmonology. Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW), the first and only pediatric hospital in the Northwest Arkansas region, opened in Springdale in early 2018. ACNW operates a 24-bed inpatient unit; a surgical unit with five operating rooms; outpatient clinics offering over 20 subspecialties; diagnostic services; imaging capabilities; occupational therapy services; and Northwest Arkansas' only pediatric emergency department, equipped with 30 exam rooms. Generous philanthropic and volunteer engagement has sustained Arkansas Children's since it began as an orphanage in 1912, and today ensures the system can fundamentally transform the health of children in Arkansas and beyond. To learn more, visit archildrens.org.
ABOUT ARKANSAS HEART HOSPITAL
Arkansas Heart Hospital is a nationally recognized and award-winning hospital dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and related diseases; also focusing on bariatrics, endocrinology and peripheral artery disease. Awarded a Five-Star Rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), based on seven criteria. Arkansas Heart is one of two Arkansas hospitals and one of 293 to receive this rating. Arkansas Heart offers advanced technology teamed with Arkansas’ leading cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. The hospital operates 30 clinics statewide, nine catheterization labs, three heart-operating suites and a 24-hour Heart Emergency Center. Arkansas Heart Hospital is a training center for physicians from all over the world.
ABOUT ARKANSAS UROLOGY
Arkansas Urology provides the latest innovations in medical technology and surgical techniques to patients through its eight Centers of Excellence in urological specialties. The physicians and professional staff comprise one of the most experienced and respected urological practices in the region. Arkansas Urology treats approximately 90,000 patients a year at eleven facilities in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, Clinton, Conway, El Dorado, Heber Springs, Pine Bluff, Stuttgart, Russellville and Bentonville along with its dedicated Arkansas Prostate Cancer Center and Centerview Surgery Center. Arkansas Urology is made up of 18 Physicians, 11 Advanced Practice Providers, and more than 250 clinical and business staff employees.
ABOUT BAPTIST HEALTH
Baptist Health is an Arkansas-based, locally owned and managed, not-for-profit, and faith-based health care organization. Baptist Health is also Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization with more than 200 access points and approximately 11,000 employees operating 11 hospitals. For more information about Baptist Health, visit baptist-health.com or call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST.
ABOUT CHI ST. VINCENT
CHI St. Vincent is a regional health network serving Arkansas since 1888 with a history of many firsts. Headquartered in Little Rock, our network includes primary care, specialty clinics, urgent care, hospitals, home health, rehabilitation and surgery centers across the state. U.S. News & World Report ranks care delivered at CHI St. Vincent as “high performing” in multiple areas, including Heart Failure, Colon Cancer Surgery, Hip Replacement and Knee Replacement. It is also part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. CommonSpirit Health is committed to creating healthier communities, delivering exceptional patient care, and ensuring every person has access to quality health care. Learn more at chistvincent.com
ABOUT CONWAY REGIONAL
Conway Regional Health System provides complete health care services to a seven county service area of North Central Arkansas including Cleburne, Conway, Faulkner, Perry, Pope, Van Buren, and Yell Counties. Centered on a 150-bed, acute care medical center, the health system provides patients with a variety of services including heart health, orthopedic care, neuro-spine surgery, vascular surgery, gastroenterology services, women’s health, surgery, and rehabilitation. In addition, Conway Regional operates an expansive Physician Enterprise, including 10 Primary Care Clinics and seven specialty clinics.
With over 200 Physicians providing services at Conway Regional, the organization partners with the Medical Staff in an Accountable Clinical Management Model (ACM). This one of a kind partnership creates a model of shared governance to promote meaningful engagement of physician leaders with hospital administrative leadership--all in an effort to improve patient experience and enhance care.
Conway Regional maintains an employee engagement score in the top 20% of hospitals throughout the country and a Medical Staff engagement score in the top 5%, as compared to hospitals of similar size and scope. Conway Regional was the first hospital in Arkansas to partner with Arkansas Children’s Hospital in the Nursery Alliance, allowing more babies to receive care closer to home. Conway Regional is the only Hospital in Arkansas named to Modern Healthcare’s National Best Places to Work in 2018, and then received the honor again in 2019. Conway Regional has been named an Arkansas Best Place to Work in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
ABOUT MERCY
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care, managed and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy's IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
ABOUT ST. BERNARDS HEALTHCARE
St. Bernards Healthcare, a non-profit health system based in Northeast Arkansas, serves as the corporate parent of a number of healthcare entities, including the largest hospital in the region, St. Bernards Medical Center, a 438-bed acute care hospital that serves as a regional referral center for 23 counties in Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. It is the only Level III Trauma Center in the region, includes a brand new four-story surgical and intensive care services tower, houses the only Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the eastern part of Arkansas and has served as the trusted provider of comprehensive, compassionate healthcare services for 119 years. For more information, please visit stbernards.info or call the St. Bernards Healthline at 870.207.7300.
ABOUT UAMS
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute and Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise including its hospital, regional clinics and clinics it operates or staffs in cooperation with other providers. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. U.S. News & World Report named UAMS Medical Center the state’s Best Hospital; ranked its ear, nose and throat program among the top 50 nationwide; and named six areas as high performing — cancer, colon cancer surgery, heart failure, hip replacement, knee replacement and lung cancer surgery. UAMS has 2,727 students, 870 medical residents and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.
ABOUT WASHINGTON REGIONAL
Washington Regional is the only not-for-profit, community-owned and locally governed healthcare system in Northwest Arkansas. Its comprehensive healthcare network employs over 3,000 people and consists of a 425-bed medical center and more than 40 clinic locations. Washington Regional is committed to improving the health of people in communities it serves through compassionate, high-quality care, prevention, and wellness education. Visit wregional.com for more information.
ABOUT AEDC
Created in 1955 to make Arkansas more competitive in the post-World War II era, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) seeks to create economic opportunity by attracting higher-paying jobs, expanding and diversifying local economies in the state, increasing incomes and investment, and generating positive growth throughout The Natural State. Arkansas is a pro-business environment operating leaner, faster and more focused through a streamlined state government designed to act on corporate interests quickly and decisively.