There were several doctors in the house
by August 27, 2009 10:12 pm 56 views
The Health Care Council of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomed to the Fort Smith area the many new physicians hired by area hospitals in the past months.
Held Thursday night (Aug. 27) at the Fort Smith Town Club, the event had regional business and civic leaders gather to meet the new physicians and personally welcome them to the area.
Jason Green, vice president-human resources at Fort Smith-based Baldor Electric Co. and chairman of the chamber’s council, said at the event that quality physicians “are key to the community,” with the retention and recruitment of doctors necessary to “the growth of the regional economy.”
The Chamber created the council in March 2007 to help address health care issues within the region as part of its quality of place agenda.
Members of the council meet regularly to discuss concerns about the health care industry in the Greater Fort Smith Region and to find innovative ways to bring more pharmacists, physicians, nurses and all medical professionals to the community, according to a statement from the chamber.
Officials from area hospitals, the city of Fort Smith, the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith as well as business and community leaders are members of the council.
The council conducted in October 2007 a survey asking area doctors how to improve the environment for members of the medical community.
“Based on those results, the council is also focusing its efforts on providing more networking opportunities; providing more education and continuing education opportunities in the region and working closely with the Area Health Education Center that trains six to eight doctors each year right here in Fort Smith,” the chamber noted.
