Conway Regional innovates in a time of crisis (November 2020)

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NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL

NORTH METRO

NOVEMBER 2020

BUSINESS JOURNAL

Innovation in Crisis

Conway Regional implements telecommuting, telemedicine policies to enhance employee engagement, patient care

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NOVEMBER 2020

NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL

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Innovation in Crisis Conway Regional implements telecommuting, telemedicine policies to enhance employee engagement, patient care For nearly 100 years, Conway Regional has served members of our At the same time, the Conway Regional human resource department community with high-quality, compassionate healthcare services. As began drafting a remote work policy for the organization. “Active the community continues to grow, Conway Regional is also growing, employee engagement is a pillar of the culture at Conway Regional,” supporting patients and their families with new medical offices, more said Richard Tyler, Chief Human Resources Officer for Conway Regional. specialists, innovative services, and expanded access to care. This “As such, the human resources team values employee feedback and continued growth is a strategic priority for the organization, ensuring the routinely conducts research to identify benefits that will keep our staff health care needs of the community are met for years to come. engaged with their work.” Human resources identified telecommuting Conway Regional serves a seven-county service area in North Central as a way to prevent employee burnout and improve work-life balance, Arkansas, operating an expansive physician enterprise that includes a looking to partners in the state for guidance and noting the success of 150-bed medical center, ten primary care clinics, the trial run implemented within the information and seven specialty clinics. systems department.

“Our leadership team is committed to When challenged with a global pandemic, “Through these innovative incorporating new technology to expand services Conway Regional swiftly implemented these efforts, we are able to meet innovative, and much needed, initiatives. Arkansas and advance our mission of providing highquality, compassionate care to the communities had its first COVID-19 case on March 11, 2020, the current needs of our we serve,” said Matt Troup, President and and Conway Regional went live with telemedicine patients, while growing CEO of Conway Regional. “We have a promise services just one week later on March 18. Often and adapting the services to be bold, exceptional, and to answer the call called one of the most unprecedented times in as we support our employees, patients, and history, the pandemic severely limited access to of our health system to community. Growing our organization with in-person healthcare services. However, the need support our growing innovative strategies allows us to continue for high-quality care steadily increased. Conway communities.” fulfilling that promise.”

Regional quickly opened a call center to answer With this forward-thinking mindset, Conway questions from the public about COVID-19, - Matt Troup, President and CEO, Regional consistently evaluates both patient and offered online screening tools, and launched Conway Regional employee experiences to inform improvement telemedicine options. These services provided strategies that ultimately benefit the quality the care patients needed, as well as education on of health care services provided. In previous years, Conway Regional prevention, quarantine, and testing related to COVID-19. identified telemedicine and telecommuting as key initiatives to enhance As Conway Regional continued to meet the needs of the community, the both employee engagement and patient care. services expanded, scaling out to Conway Regional’s primary care clinics, In 2017, the information systems department began laying the technical giving providers an opportunity to triage patient needs before scheduling groundwork, as hardware and software were upgraded throughout the in-person visits. As of October 2020, there were over 90 primary care health system. These updates, known as Project NextGen, were the basis physicians utilizing telemedicine services in the communities served by for future telemedicine and remote work plans at Conway Regional. The Conway Regional. information systems department utilized the updated infrastructure to Additionally, remote work options for employees became an immediate pilot a remote work policy as a starting point for building a more mobile necessity when COVID-19 arrived in the State. Following Arkansas’ first work force. case, many Conway Regional employees who could work without being

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NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL

onsite began working remotely. Information systems utilized a secure login platform to allow employees to access the hospital’s systems and applications. Additionally, Microsoft’s 365 platform, including Microsoft Teams, and Zoom video conferencing became staple tools used to keep the organization connected.

Troy Brooks, the Chief Financial Officer of Conway Regional Health System, spent 10 weeks working from home—an experience new to him during his 39 years in healthcare. “Working remotely was a significant mindset shift for many of our employees,” said Brooks. “It challenged our team to communicate differently, using software like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Our team still performed their jobs, just in a different way. It gave us an opportunity to examine all aspects of our workflow and make improvements to create a better experience.”

Many employees returned to their offices in June, prompting the formation of a remote work policy committee. This committee included team members from across the organization to provide needed input on a more permanent telecommuting policy. Utilizing the existing policy

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drafted by human resources, the committee finalized and rolled out a remote work policy for Conway Regional in August of 2020. This policy considered employee eligibility—looking at employee suitability, job responsibilities, and equipment needs—as well as remote work costs, work environment and connectivity, security, safety, and timekeeping to ensure success for telecommuting employees.

The implementation and utilization of a telecommuting policy allowed Conway Regional to continue to operate and to provide the much-needed healthcare services to the community during a pandemic, simultaneously providing work options for employees that protected their health and safety. In the future, this policy will allow Conway Regional to recruit and retain additional highly skilled team members.

“Through these innovative efforts, we are able to meet the current needs of our patients, while growing and adapting the services of our health system to support our growing communities,” said Troup. “These changes enrich the patient experience as we provide additional capacity, convenience, and comfort.” n

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NOVEMBER 2020

NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL

conwayarkansas.org

Conway’s annual Christmas celebration adapts in the age of COVID-19 New offerings include a television special, lighting contest, custom Advent calendar

As with many traditions in 2020, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas celebration will look a little different this year. As the nation and world have learned in the past few months, challenges can lead to new opportunities – new opportunities to connect, to innovate, and to celebrate.

While Rogers Plaza will still play host to Conway’s Christmas tree and several selfie opportunities, this year’s Chick-fil-A and Baptist HealthConway Illuminate includes new activities that are designed to bring a piece of #ConwayChristmas from Rogers Plaza to your home. #ConwayChristmas TV Special Instead of coming downtown to Rogers Plaza for the lighting of Conway’s Christmas Tree, families can celebrate the start of the Christmas season from home with a #ConwayChristmas special on Saturday, Nov. 28.

In addition to the tree lighting, the special will include music from the Conway Symphony Orchestra, reading of The Christmas Story, and several holiday segments. It will air at 6:00 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. on Conway Corporation Channel 5. If you miss the special on Saturday, it will be shown on THV 11 on Monday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m.

traditional windows that count down the days to Christmas. Behind each window flap of the Illuminate Advent calendar, you will find creative ways to connect with your community along with prompts for activities you can do with your own family.

Other Activities In addition to the aforementioned activities, Chick-fil-A and Baptist Health-Conway Illuminate will also feature a Santa letter drop box, a drive-thru Santa visit at City Hall, and a #SissysFamilyChristmas photo contest. Visit ConwayChamber.org/Illuminate to find a calendar of Christmas activities and more information on special contests and promotions.

Chick-fil-A and Baptist Heath-Conway Illuminate is presented by Car-Son Construction, Conway Corporation, Crain Hyundai and Crain Genesis of Conway, Lumber 1 Home Center, and Snap-on Equipment.

Other sponsors include Sissy’s Log Cabin, Garcia Wealth Management, Nabco, Oral Surgery of Central Arkansas, PCSI, Acxiom, CenterPoint Energy, Trinity Development, and Virco. n

Light Up Conway Contest (Powered by Conway Corp) Conway Corporation encourages homes and businesses throughout the city to Light Up Conway with Christmas decorations. The residential winner of the lighting contest will receive $500, and the business winner will receive an award to display. Participating homes and businesses will be included on a map that will be available to the public. All participants must register by Monday, Dec. 7. Full contest rules and regulations are available at ConwayChamber.org/Illuminate.

Illuminate Advent Calendar An Illuminate Advent calendar is available for pick-up at Chick-fil-A, Crain Hyundai and Crain Genesis of Conway, Lumber 1 Home Center, and Sissy’s Log Cabin while supplies last. The Conway-centric calendar features a custom ornament to hang on your own Christmas tree and the

A C O N WAY C H R I S T M A S T R A D I T I O N

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NOVEMBER 2020

Public art project completed in Conway The site of a former concrete business in downtown Conway has transformed into a work of art as part of a new, statewide initiative called ARkanvas.

Through ARkanvas, OZ ArtTM – in partnership with the Unexpected and global curator firm Justkids – will install 12 pieces of public art by world-renowned artists across Arkansas. In addition to Conway, the selected communities include Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, Fort Smith (Chaffee Crossing), Little Rock, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff and Stuttgart.

The Conway location was announced at the Conway Downtown Partnership’s annual meeting on Oct. 14, which took place outside the former Conway Block Plant Silo, located at the northwest corner of College Avenue and Front Street.

Painter and muralist Alexis Diaz was commissioned to install the mural on the large barrel façade of the preexisting infrastructure of the Block Plant. Diaz is known for his chemical and dreamlike depictions of animals in a state of metamorphosis. The work was completed in midNovember and features animals native to the area.

The Conway Block Plant was a local concrete business in 1950. In 1980, Paul Tipton purchased the business, and it remained in operation until 2005. Recently, there have been plans to turn the industrial center into an area for interactive and workable space for innovative companies, solidifying Conway’s position as a regional technology hub for central Arkansas. n

NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL

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Honorees named for ninth annual Women in Business Awards The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s ninth annual Women in Business awards luncheon will take place Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus beginning at 11 a.m. Presented by Stoby’s and PattiCakes Bakery, Women in Business honors women in the Conway area who have excelled in leadership and community service and inspired others on both a personal and professional level.

Crystal Kemp of Conway Corporation is the 2020 Diamond Achievement Award recipient. This award is presented to a woman with at least 25 years of professional experience who has inspired and empowered many generations of women and has had a positive impact on those in her profession and in the community.

Four individuals have been named Outstanding Women in Business. The honorees embody high standards of excellence, dedication, and accomplishment to their respective organizations, industries, and to the business community.

Vickie Crutchfield of Arkansas Property Brokers, Julie Goodnight of Julie’s Sweet Shoppe, Cate Ketcheside-McConnell of Smith Ford, and Denise Perry of Sandstone Real Estate Group, are the 2020 Outstanding Women in Business.

The 2020 Outstanding Woman in Nonprofit is Dr. Shaneil Ealy of UCA’s Division of Outreach and Community Engagement. This award recognizes those in the nonprofit, education, or government industry sectors who embody a high standard of excellence, dedication, leadership, and accomplishment to her field.

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce opened nominations to the public, and women executives outside Conway selected the award recipients.

In addition to the awards, Women in Business features an executive-level speaker. Arkansas native and CNN correspondent Jessica Dean will speak via Zoom. Following Dean’s presentation, attendees will be dismissed for lunch at around 12:30 p.m. at a pre-assigned, participating Conway restaurant.

Registration is priced at $75 per person and includes entry to the awards ceremony, lunch, and a gift bag.

To be in compliance of the COVID-19 safety guidelines for large events, all attendees must wear a mask outside of the times they are eating or drinking.

Seating will be arranged in a manner that provides social distancing between groups and family units. For those who would prefer to view the event from their home or office, a livestream link will be provided. Carry-out options will also be offered in addition to dine-in lunch service.

To reserve a place at Women in Business, email director of events Therese Williams at therese@conwayarkansas.org or call 501-932-5411.

In addition to Stoby’s and PattiCakes Bakery as presenting sponsors, the 2020 Women in Business Awards is sponsored by Acxiom, First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Francis M. Fine Jewelry, Nabholz Corporation, and Conway Corporation. n

North Metro Economy at a Glance Population US ..........................328,239,523 Arkansas ....................3,017,804 Conway............................67,638 Cleburne County ..............24,919 Conway County ...............20,846 Faulkner County ............126,007 Perry County ....................10,455 Van Buren County ............16,545 Civilian Labor Force August-2020 Seasonally Adjusted US ..........................160,838,000 Arkansas ....................1,343,186 Not Seasonally Adjusted US ..........................160,966,000 Arkansas.....................1,345,569 Conway............................32,706 Cleburne County.................9,033 Conway County..................8,078 Faulkner County...............59,963 Perry County......................4,079 Van Buren County ..............5,671 Unemployment Rate August-2020 Seasonally Adjusted US ..................................... 8.4% Arkansas ........................... 7.4% Not Seasonally Adjusted US ..................................... 8.5% Arkansas............................ 7.4% Conway.............................. 6.1% Cleburne County ................ 8.1% Conway County ................. 6.6% Faulkner County ................ 6.2% Perry County ...................... 6.2% Van Buren County .............. 7.2%

Bank Deposits June Conway 2020....................$2,225,851,000 2019....................$1,835,390,000 Percent Change................21.27%

Conway County 2020.............................$489,873 2019.............................$512,559 Percent Change ..............-4.43% Tax Rate........................... 1.75%

Faulkner County 2020.............................$943,294 Cleburne County 2020........................$638,385,000 2019.............................$870,934 2019........................$556,697,000 Percent Change ............... 8.31% Percent Change................ 14.67% Tax Rate........................... 0.50% Conway County Perry County 2020....................... $394,275,000 2020.............................$153,044 2019....................... $364,163,000 2019.............................$136,517 Percent Change..................8.27% Percent Change ............. 12.11% Tax Rate........................... 2.50% Faulkner County 2020.................... $2,668,253,000 Van Buren County 2019.................... $2,228,144,000 2020.............................$418,764 Percent Change................19.75% 2019.............................$401,134 Percent Change ............... 4.39% Perry County 2020......................... $71,362,000 Tax Rate ........................... 2.00% 2019......................... $65,345,000 Percent Change..................9.21%

Restaurant Sales* Van Buren County Year to Date (October) 2020....................... $324,814,000 Conway 2019....................... $278,929,000 Percent Change................16.45% 2020......................$156,546,285 2019......................$171,482,819 Sales & Use Tax Collections Percent Change...............-8.71% *Includes mixed drink sales October Conway 2020...........................$3,016,203 2019...........................$2,867,315 Hotel Sales Percent Change................. 5.19% Year to Date (October) Tax Rate.......................... 2.125% Conway 2020........................$10,724,306 Cleburne County 2019........................$15,404,069 2020.............................$460,120 Percent Change.............-30.38% 2019.............................$460,608 Percent Change...............-0.11% Tax Rate......................... 1.625%

Residential Building Permits Year to Date (October) Conway 2020......................................189 2019......................................230 Percent Change.............-17.83%

Values of Residential Units Sold** Year to Date (October) Conway 2020......................$151,752,687 2019......................$130,791,855 Percent Change.............. 16.03%

Year to Date (October) Residential Units Sold** Cleburne County (New and Existing) 2020..................... $106,815,714 Year to Date (October) 2019....................... $75,226,105 Conway 2020......................................689 Percent Change..............41.99% 2019......................................667 Conway County Percent Change................ 3.30% 2020.........................$19,687,203 2019.........................$15,393,467 Year to Date (October) Percent Change................27.89% Cleburne County Faulkner County 2020......................................481 2020. . .....................$319,869,795 2019......................................378 Percent Change.............. 27.25% 2019.......................$259,384,108 Percent Change................23.32% Conway County Perry County 2020......................................153 2019......................................138 2020..........................$6,345,546 Percent Change.............. 10.87% 2019..........................$4,363,382 Percent Change.............. 45.43% Faulkner County Van Buren County 2020....................................1546 2019....................................1376 2020........................$30,960,395 Percent Change.............. 12.35% 2019........................$22,949,355 Percent Change.............. 34.91% Perry County Average Price of 2020........................................48 Residential Units Sold** 2019........................................39 (New and Existing) Percent Change.............. 23.08% Year to Date (October) Conway Van Buren County 2020.......................................235 2020..............................$220,892 2019.......................................199 2019..............................$196,090 Percent Change................18.09% Percent Change................12.65% **Includes sales of residential units

Year to Date (October) Cleburne County 2020.............................$222,070 2019.............................$199,011 Percent Change.............. 11.59% Conway County 2020..............................$128,675 2019..............................$111,547 Percent Change................15.35% Faulkner County 2020.............................$206,919 2019.............................$188,506 Percent Change................ 9.77% Perry County 2020.............................$132,199 2019.............................$111,882 Percent Change.............. 18.16% Van Buren County 2020.............................$131,746 2019.............................$115,323 Percent Change.............. 14.24%

Proud sponsor of Pulse of Conway Sources: 2014-2018 ACS 5-Year Data Profiles, Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, C2ER, Sperling’s Best Places, Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Cooperative Arkansas Realtors’ Multiple Listing Services, Arkansas Realtors Association, and City of Conway.

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