Community Health
Stories, ideas, and information from the Arkansas Primary Care Association.
April 2026
CHCAPartnership
CHCA is excited to partner with CHCollective, the only health center-owned and operated channel partner to Provista-Vizient, the nation’s largest healthcare GPO.
This partnership empowers health centers
to access the most extensive contract portfolio with exceptional savings on supplies, equipment, and services. Many Arkansas health centers are already benefiting from these resources! To learn more, visit www chcollective com
CHCAHires Full-Time Chief Financial Officer
CHCA announced Tafta McCain as its new full-time chief financial officer.
McCain, who has more than 25 years of accounting and financial experience, comes to CHCA after serving as a contract CFO through Community Link Consulting. She also spent nearly 15 years as CFO for Mainline Health Systems, a federally qualified health center and CHCA member
“CHCA has a strong mission and a clear commitment to serving Arkansas community health centers,” McCain said. “I’m pleased to officially join the team in this role and help support the organization’s priorities through sound financial leadership and collaboration.”
CHCAWelcomes
DePaul Community Health Centers
The Partnership will Further Expand Healthcare Access in South Arkansas
CommunityHealthCentersofArkansas(CHCA)is proudtoannouncethatMarillacCommunityHealth Centers,dbaDePaulCommunityHealthCenters,a NewOrleans-basedFederallyQualifiedHealthCenter (FQHC),hasofficiallyjoineditsnetworkasofMarch 2026.TheorganizationisledbyCEOMichaelG. Griffin,MSPH,DSc,FACHE,andhasalready expandeditsmissionacrossstatelinestoserverural communitiesinSouthArkansas.
Theexpansionmarksasignificantstepinadvancing healthcaremissionsacrossborders,withDePaul CommunityHealthCenterscurrentlyoperatingclinic locationsinbothDeshaandLincolncounties OperatingunderthenameDaughtersofCharity HealthCenters,theorganizationopenedaclinicin Gouldin1990andoneinDumasin1992 Thename ofthehealthcentersinbothArkansasandNew OrleanschangedtoDePaulCommunityHealth Centersin2019.
Theseclinicsprovideessentialservicestopopulationsinneed,includingprimarycare,telehealth,dental services,pharmacy,andtreatmentforchronicconditionssuchasheartdisease,kidneydisease, hypertension,diabetes,andHIV.
WeareexcitedtohaveDr GriffinonboardasaCHCAmember,”saidLanitaWhite,PharmD,chief executiveofficerofCHCA.“Heissomeonewholistens,observes,andservesthoughtfully.He’sgoodat seeingthebiggerpictureandislaser-focusedonunifyingforastrongnetworkthatwillbenefit healthcareforall.In2020,hisorganizationservedmorethan50,000patients,atestamenttothescaleand impacttheorganizationbringstotheCHCAnetwork”
Dr.GriffinwasbornandraisedinBatonRouge,Louisiana.Hedevelopedapassionforcaringatanearly age,andhecreditshisparentsforthat.Hisfatherwasapreacher;hismotherwasateacher.
“I’vealwayswantedtogivebacktothecommunity,tohelpasmuchasIcan.That’swhatdrovemeinto thefieldofhealthcare,”Dr.Griffinsaid.
Dr. Michael G. Griffin
Dr Griffinbringsextensiveexperiencetothe Arkansasnetwork,havingspentthepast18years workingincommunityhealthtoreestablishand redevelophealthcareinfrastructureinneighborhoods andcommunities Heislookingforwardtocontinuing hisworkwithCHCAandtheArkansasPrimaryCare Associationandtocontinuinghisworkofproviding healthcaretothoseingreatestneedinthese communities
“Weneedcommunityhealthcentersasamodelfor communityhealth,”Dr Griffinsaid “Healthcareis local.Havinghealthcareprovidedbyindividualswho liveinthatcommunityandhavingthepolicyand programmingdecidedbyboardsandindividualsin thosecommunitiesispivotaltotheimprovementand maintenanceofthehealthstatusofallwholivethere.”
Dr.Griffinnotedthatwhileurbanandruralhealthcare settings,suchasDumas,population4,500,andGould, population600,sharesimilarities,whereDePaul currentlyserves,thespecificneedsofrural communitiesrequirededicatedcommunicationand growth.
Arkansas Healthcare Leaders Meet to Advance Colorectal Cancer Screening Efforts.
By: Katrina Dupins, CHCA Communications Director
On March 5, healthcare leaders from across Arkansas gathered for a daylong summit entitled MARCHing Together: Arkansas Stakeholder Summit to Advance Colorectal Cancer Screening Colorectal cancer screening reduces preventable illness and death through early detection. The summit’s goal was to establish priorities and actionable commitments to increase screening rates.
“When it comes to detecting colorectal cancer, there is a buffet of screening options available,” said Trena Mitchell, executive director of the Arkansas Cancer Coalition “We’re all here to align around why this work matters and how each of us fits into the vision for improving colorectal cancer screening.”
Marico Howe, Ph.D., chief quality and informatics officer for Community Health Centers of Arkansas, presented information from the Uniform Data System (UDS) showing insights on the progress of screening efforts across federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Arkansas.
First Choice Healthcare, East Arkansas Family Health Center, Inc., and Mainline Health Systems, Inc ranked highest among Arkansas health centers for colorectal cancer screenings
“By examining the operational strategies of First Choice, East Arkansas and Mainline, several themes emerge,” Howe said “High performers rely on structured workflows that normalize preventive care, ensuring screening actions occur reliably during patient visits. They also invest in dedicated staff or navigation teams who take ownership of screening coordination, from reminders to follow-up Additionally, their outreach strategies span multiple channels and extend into communities, reinforcing awareness and addressing barriers.”
Key drivers of high screening rates included personalized outreach, patient transportation, and workflow integration. Susan Ward-Jones, M.D., CEO of East Arkansas Family Health Center, said empowerment and patient education are central to her FQHC’s success.
“Itisanorganizationalfocus,”WardJonessaid.“Everybodyplaysaroleand knowstheirrole.Itisverypersonalto metomakesurewegetthoseratesup Fartoomanypeoplearedying, includingmembersofmyownfamily. Whateverwecandotoencourage screeningorreducebarriers,we’re constantlylookingforwaystoimprove.”
Howesaidnextstepsforstatewide improvementincludescalingthese practicesacrossallcommunityhealth centers,continuingtosharesuccessful models,exploringgrantopportunities, andexpandingtransportationservices.
Bybuildingonprovenstrategies, Arkansashealthcareorganizationscan improvecolorectalcancerscreening ratesandsavelives.
Picturedlefttoright:CHCAChiefOperatingOfficerMiaStark;1stChoiceHealthcare
Marico
CYBERSECURITY TIDBITS
The cybersecurity landscape is shifting rapidly, and the next 12 to 18 months will test individuals and organizations in new ways.
CHCA’s Chief Quality and Informatics Officer, Marico Bryant Howe, Ph.D, recently sat down with Gwen Greene, Ph.D. Greene is the president & CEO of Applied Information Technology, a cybersecurity and engineering compliance firm working in government and commercial contracting. Dr. Greene identified three interconnected cyber threats that demand immediate attention.
The Industrialization of AI-Powered Cybercrime
Artificial intelligence has fundamentally changed the thre environment. Phishing and social engineering attacks are longer generic, easy-to-spot scams.
“It’s highly personalized and believable,” Dr. Greene said “That’s one big issue. That’s why little nuggets of questio are important. Question before you click.”
Ransomware Groups Operating as Bus
Ransomware is no longer the work of lone hackers. These groups now operate with the sophistication of mature enterprises. Emails appearing to be from legitimate companies are a primary entry point. Dr. Greene advises users to question whether an email truly originated from the sender it claims.
When in doubt, verify through a separate channel before taking any action.
Targeting Critical Infrastructure and Identities
“We're also seeing increased targeting of critical infrastructures,” Dr. Greene said. “If we go to the news, we see how many reports of targeted health care systems, government agencies, state and local, have been targeted for cybercrimes?”
Dr. Greene recommends before responding to any request for personal or sensitive information, users should confirm the identity and legitimacy of the source. A quick phone call could prevent a serious breach.
The bottom line: question before you click.
Camp Quality USA Focuses on
Joy for Families Facing Cancer
Camp & Program Locations - Summer Camp Applications now open!
Nearby Upcoming Summer Camps:
May 31-June 5 in Burton, TX
May 31-June 5 in Leitchfield, KY
June 1-6 in Excelsior Springs, MO
June 7-12 in Neosho, MO
June 14-19 in Morrilton,AR
For a child diagnosed with cancer, life can become a whirlwind of hospital visits, treatments, and medical jargon Camp Quality, an international non-profit, is working to ensure that these children don't lose the most important part of their identity: being a kid.
Operating under the motto “Letting Kids with Cancer be Kids Again,” Camp Quality provides year-round programming and summer camps designed to foster hope and inspiration for the whole family All of the programming is offered at no cost to the families they serve, which helps to ensure access for children and families regardless of their financial circumstance.
Founded in Sydney, Australia in 1983, the organization has since expanded internationally and now operates summer camps in 13 different states including Arkansas.
Jenn McNew is a territory director who oversees programs in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and the Missouri Ozarks McNew is a pediatric cancer survivor herself. She was diagnosed with retinoblastoma when she was 2 years old. Though she was fortunate to avoid chemotherapy, she recalls the immense emotional burden the diagnosis placed on her family and the long journey toward emotional healing.
“I’m grateful for the work I do at Camp Quality,” McNew said “I love that it provides an opportunity to show kids there are places of connection, safety, and a sense of belonging. It allows families to realize there are others going through these situations and gives them a chance to take a break from all the worry about the diagnosis.”
Camp Quality serves children ages 5 to 17 at any stage of their cancer journey including active treatment, remission, or recovery The program is intentionally inclusive; siblings are also invited to attend, acknowledging that a cancer diagnosis affects the entire household.
Safety is a top priority for the volunteer-run organization. Each camper is typically paired one-to-one with a volunteer companion who serves as a mentor and guardian for the week. Additionally, camps are staffed with onsite medical personnel, therapists, nurses and social workers Each camper also has a crisis plan to ensure emergency needs are met immediately
Through its dedicated volunteers and specialized programs, Camp Quality continues to prove that even in the face of a difficult diagnosis, the quality of a child's life can remain high.
CHCA’s 2025 Bienn
Sparks "Renewal" Awards, and Hundre
Community Health Centers of Arkansas, Inc (CHCA) brought together hundreds of attendees and more than 50 speakers for its 2025 Conference, centered on the theme “Renewal! Revitalizing Connections, Reimagining Care ” The event, which is the first conference since 2019 celebrated the impact of s to munity h each Chief nd so ingle
The conference featured dynamic sessions across five tracks focused on leadership and management; finance and revenue cycle; clinical insights and solutions; information technology and cybersecurity; and quality improvements and data analytics. There was also a panel of experts discussing maternal health and a keynote address from New York Times bestselling author, motivational speaker, and body language expert Janine Driver.
During the opening session, CHCA unveiled a new logo designed to reflect connection, trust, and resilience –qualities that define both CHCA and the Federally Qualified Health Centers in Arkansas.
Inadditiontopowerfulkeynotes,paneldiscussionsandbreakoutsessions,theconferencehighlighted CHCA’songoingroleasadriverforstrongerhealthcaresystemsacrossArkansas,ensuringthat communityhealthcenterscontinuetomeettheneedsofmorethan300,000Arkansanseachyear.
Janine Driver gives keynote address
Maternal Health Panel
2027CHCABIENNIAL CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2027
HotSpringsConventionCenter