Bale family donates $1 million to Arkansas Children’s

Arkansas Children’s announced the creation of the Bale Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Interventional Radiology honoring Drs. Joanna and Robert Seibert, made possible by a $1 million gift by the Bale family.

Sharon and John H. Bale Jr., and family have joined with Drs. Joanna and Robert Seibert to create the endowment. The Bale and Seibert families are establishing the endowed chair together to strengthen pediatric interventional radiology, a critical field in diagnosing and treating young patients.

John H. Bale Jr. has continued a family legacy of service to Arkansas Children’s that dates back to 1927, when Bale’s grandfather, Hardin, served on the board of directors. From 1974 to 2023, Bale served on the Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) Board of Directors and, in 2000, he acted as chair, following in the footsteps of his father, John H. Bale Sr., who served as ACH board chair from 1956 to 1958.

Bale’s contributions have been wide-reaching, including his 15-year service on the ACH Physician Board of Directors beginning in 2000, where he supported the hospital’s growth in clinical care, and five years on the Arkansas Children’s Foundation (ACF) Board of Directors, serving as chair in 2004. Bale joined the Arkansas Children’s system Board of Directors in 2016.

The Bale family’s leadership through service continues with Bale’s wife Sharon’s service on the ACF board and their son Hunter’s service on the ACH board.

“Our family’s hope is this endowed chair will empower Arkansas Children’s to provide the very best in pediatric care for generations to come,” said Hunter Bale. “Drs. Joanna and Robert Seibert’s dedication to children’s health has inspired us deeply, and it’s an honor to contribute to their legacy.”

Dr. Joanna Seibert, a trailblazer in pediatric radiology, moved to Arkansas in 1976 and became the state’s first trained pediatric radiologist. Over the years, she and her husband, Dr. Robert Seibert, have dedicated themselves to advancing care at Arkansas Children’s.

Dr. Robert Seibert was the first pediatric otolaryngologist in the state and developed the cleft lip and palate program at Arkansas Children’s. Their contributions have been recognized with the Joanna and Robert Seibert Award, presented biennially by Arkansas Children’s to a physician who exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and excellence in practice.

In 2017, Dr. Joanna Seibert was inducted into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame, recognizing her groundbreaking work and decades of service to children. This endowed chair marks a new chapter in the couple’s legacy, building on the enduring impact they made at Arkansas Children’s.

“The collaboration between these two families reflects a profound commitment to ensuring the region’s children have access to world-class care,” said Fred Scarborough, executive vice president and chief development officer at Arkansas Children’s. “Arkansas Children’s is deeply grateful for their generosity and shared belief in advancing child health.”

Endowed chairs are powerful tools for recruiting top medical talent, the hospital said. The positions help attract and retain leading scientists, practitioners, and professors, ensuring the highest-quality care for patients.