Connections: Walton medical school hires assistant dean

The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine in Bentonville (AWSOM) has hired Ken Hopper as assistant dean for health systems science education.

Hopper’s medical career spans 30 years serving in various leadership roles. Most recently, he worked as physical development coach for the Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University. He also served as chief medical officer for Humana’s behavioral health division.

Hopper spent the bulk of his career in Texas but is relocating to Northwest Arkansas.

First announced in March 2021, AWSOM is a standalone sister organization of Bentonville nonprofit Whole Health Institute, created in 2020 by Walmart Inc. heiress and philanthropist Alice Walton.

Pending accreditation, AWSOM will welcome its first class of students in 2025.

NEW HIRES
Fundraising
Stacy Seger
Centerton
Employer: University of Arkansas
Title: assistant director of development; College of Engineering
Previous employer: Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter
Previous title: development director

Healthcare
Christian Gross
Fort Smith
Employer: Baptist Health
Title: vice president of operations, western region
Previous employer: HCA Healthcare
Previous title: director of operations

Shane Jennings
Fort Smith
Employer: Baptist Health
Title: chief medical officer, western region
Previous employer: University of Kansas Health System
Previous title: associate director, associate program director

Retail
Craig Mahan
Bentonville
Employer: Junk Brands
Title: president
Previous employer: Outdoor Cap
Previous title: head of strategic development

PROMOTIONS
Banking & Finance
Taryn Golden
Prairie Grove
Employer: Arvest Bank
Title: vice president, mortgage lender
Previous title: mortgage lender

Tina McCarver
Farmington
Employer: Arvest Bank
Title: vice president, mortgage lender
Previous title: mortgage lender

Dax Moreton
Lincoln
Employer: Arvest Bank
Title: community president; west Washington County
Previous title: executive vice president, commercial loan manager

Biotechnology
Anna Daily
Fayetteville
Employer: Namida Lab
Title: chief scientific officer
Previous title: vice president of product development and innovation

APPOINTMENTS
Banking & Finance
Patty Young
Fayetteville
Employer: Arvest Bank
Title: director of Small Business Strategy and Innovation
Appointment: small business banking committee
Organization: Consumer Bankers Association