Fadil Bayyari Family gives $1 million to Arkansas Children’s Northwest

Springdale contractor and developer Fadil Bayyari and his children – Sara Boelkins, Sophia Bayyari, and Joseph Bayyari – have committed $1 million to support the construction of Arkansas Children’s Northwest near Interstate 49 in Springdale.

“I’ve heard many families share their personal Arkansas Children’s stories and I am endlessly inspired,” Fadil Bayyari said. “As a devoted member of this community, I know that supporting Arkansas Children’s Northwest is simply the right thing to do for our kids. I’m proud of the ways the Northwest Arkansas community takes care of each other and I know this hospital is one important way we will give our kids the promise of good health.”

To honor the Bayyari family’s gift and celebrate their dedication to doing what it best for the community, the family respite area at Arkansas Children’s Northwest will carry the Bayyari name. The respite area will be a comfortable space in which families can rest and regroup during inpatient stays at the hospital. Located on the fourth level of the hospital, the center will be in a private and quiet area for families to gather, converse, and reflect while their child receives care.

“Mr. Bayyari is an exemplary leader within the Northwest Arkansas community and a champion for children. We are fortunate to call him a longtime partner in this work,” said Fred Scarborough, president of Arkansas Children’s Foundation and chief development officer for Arkansas Children’s. “This extraordinary gift will help establish a pediatric health and wellness destination that will fundamentally transform health for children in the region.”

Construction on the new hospital is on schedule for completion around the third quarter of 2017. CEO Marcy Doderer has told Talk Business & Politics the hospital will be completed sometime next fall as it will take time to move the equipment in and set up personnel training ahead of the January 2018 opening to patients.

The Bayyari gift joins more than $55 million already raised toward the ACH Foundation’s $70 million goal. The hospital’s total cost is projected at $427.7 million, including construction, technology, equipment and operational expenses for the first five years. The new hospital will also add 250 jobs to the Northwest Arkansas economy.

This is the first time ACH has built a sister facility that will offer a full range of pediatric health care including specialty services in 20 areas, emergency and pediatric surgery services across the region. ACH Northwest will have its own board of directors, but continue to work closely with the Little Rock flagship, particularly in the areas of training and sharing medical expertise between the two regions.