Baptist Health names Sheila Williams to PACE post

Sheila Williams, who most recently served as vice president and administrator at Baptist Health-Hot Spring County, has been named executive director of Baptist Health’s PACE program. Her new role will be effective Monday, May 20.

PACE stands for Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, which provides comprehensive and coordinated community-based health care and services to the elderly. PACE is designed for older adults eligible for nursing home care who prefer to live at home as long as possible with the highest quality of life possible.

As a result of Williams’ new position, Tony Hardage has been named interim vice president and administrator for Baptist Health Medical Center-Hot Spring County. Hardage will begin serving in his new role effective Friday, May, 17, and will continue to oversee Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia as assistant vice president.

Williams joined Baptist Health in January 2014. She previously served as CEO and administrator of HSC Medical Center before the hospital’s partnership with Baptist Health. Her career in health care began as a staff accountant in 2000 for HSC Medical Center, where she also served as business office director and chief financial officer.

A native of Bismarck, Arkansas, Hardage began his career with Baptist Health in 1996 as a staff pharmacist at Baptist Health-Arkadelphia. He later worked as director of pharmacy and led daily operations of outpatient services and the hospital-based rural health clinic operations. He has also served in numerous leadership roles and governing boards of local and statewide organizations.