LEADING LADS CLARK ELLISON VP, Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas
Clark Ellison was born and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri. He received a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications/Graphic Arts from Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri) in Warrensburg, Missouri. In March 1991, he moved to Rogers and in November that year, he married his wife Karen. They have two children, Carli and Chuck, and a doodle named Opal. From 1991-98, he worked for Springdale Memorial Hospital, now called Northwest Health. In 1999, he started working at St. Mary’s Hospital, now Mercy Health System. His roles at Mercy have included marketing, public relations, community education, volunteer services and now the foundation. In 2014, his responsibilities expanded to include Mercy foundations in Fort Smith; Hot Springs; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Laredo, Texas. He is now vice president of Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas.
Education: B.A. Mass Communications/Graphic Arts, Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri) in Warrensburg, Missouri
Best part of your job: I would have to say the best part of my job are the people I get to work with, meet with, and collaborate with – and the impact those relationships have for Mercy, our patients and our community. My job isn’t a routine job – there is something different every day where I can use my experience and creativity to further Mercy’s mission.
Quality you admire most in others: Trustworthiness
What nonprofits are you involved with and why? Currently I’m on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas, and serve on the compliance, finance and development committees. I first became acquainted with the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas through my work with the CooperAnthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center in Hot Springs when I was asked to assist the Mercy owned center with fundraising activities. It didn’t take long to realize the amazing work our CAMCAC coworkers do every day, and the support they provide to children and their families truly touched my heart. The CAMCAC is part of the CAC-AR, a network of 30 Child Advocacy Centers throughout the state of Arkansas.
What do you do for fun? Any hobbies? “Family Fun Time” has to be at the top of my list. This is our family’s coined phrase when we get to spend time together as a family. I also enjoy fishing, hunting, trap and skeet shooting, golfing, and Razorback sports.
Personal Mantra: Always be present, and lean in to any circumstance you can add value to.
How do you stay motivated? Knowing every day that what I do professionally helps support my family and has an impact on others - making my co-workers lives a little brighter, and those who come to Mercy are cared for with state-ofthe-art tools and a caring environment. 54