Hachem gives $1 million to Arkansas Children’s Northwest expansion

Laurice Hachem, a philanthropist and real estate investor, has donated $1 million to the Arkansas Children’s Northwest expansion project, the Little Rock-based health care system announced Tuesday (Oct. 15).

Hachem, president of Hachem Investments, is a resident of Rogers and Tampa, Fla.

“For me, it’s an honor and a privilege to support the expansion of this area’s first and only children’s hospital,” Hachem said. “ACNW places children front and center in everything it does, and I want to help make sure it stays right-sized for the growing pediatric population of Northwest Arkansas.”

In early 2024, Arkansas Children’s kicked off the expansion of 24-bed Arkansas Children’s Northwest in Springdale. The expanded hospital will include added surgical space, more operating rooms, procedure rooms, hospital beds and additional clinic space. The expansion is part of a $318 million project that also includes Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

“Community partners and champions for children like Laurice and her daughter, Mechelle Meredith-Ehardt, are critical for Arkansas Children’s Northwest to deliver unprecedented child health,” said Fred Scarborough, executive vice president and chief development officer at Arkansas Children’s. “We are profoundly grateful for Laurice’s generosity, which will help expand access to care at Arkansas Children’s Northwest.”

Arkansas Children’s Northwest is the first and only pediatric hospital in Northwest Arkansas. It’s a level IV pediatric trauma center comprising a surgical unit with five operating rooms, outpatient clinics offering more than 20 subspecialties, diagnostic services, imaging capabilities, occupational therapy services, and the only area pediatric emergency department with 30 exam rooms.