Northwest Arkansas pediatric practice marks 40th anniversary

Northwest Arkansas Pediatrics (NWAP), the state’s largest private pediatric practice, celebrated its 40th anniversary with an event on Sept. 28 in Fayetteville.

NWAP is a clinic of the independent physicians’ group Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas (MANA). The staff includes 19 board-certified pediatricians and locations in Fayetteville and Rogers.

“It’s such a privilege to continue the clinic’s role in this community for 40 years,” Dr. Grant Gaines said. He joined the practice in 2019.

After completing their residency at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, Drs. Joe T. Robinson and Terry Payton started the practice in 1983 with a clinic in Colt Square in Fayetteville. They catered to busy parents by offering evening hours. NWAP continues that service today with an acute care walk-in clinic with evening and Saturday hours.

Their clinic was also the first in the area to have separate well and sick lobbies and care areas to prevent cross-contamination.

The practice remained independent after joining with other private practices in Northwest Arkansas in 1999 to form MANA Medical Associates. As a result, they shared costs and resources to manage their practices while providing patient care efficiently.

NWAP established the state’s first free-standing pediatric wellness clinic in 2008, expanded to Benton County in 2010 and built a new facility in Rogers in 2018. NWAP pediatricians rotate between Fayetteville and Rogers.

Gaines emphasized the privilege of working at NWAP.

“Loving children and their families is a blessing, and I am so proud to be part of this team,” he said.