LaShannon Spencer named CEO of Community Health Centers of Arkansas

LaShannon Spencer has been named CEO of Community Health Centers of Arkansas (CHCA), the state’s primary care association serving the federally qualified health centers across the state.

Spencer, who is set to begin the job Aug, 15, was more recently the chief strategist with KLS Health Solutions, a healthcare consulting firm with offices in the western United States. She is a native of Arkansas and has more than 16 years of experience in hospital and healthcare leadership positions. In her previous role, she managed multiple strategic projects, programs and initiatives for hospitals, health systems and ACOs. Her skillset includes hospital operations, public policy, advocacy, patient and physician relations, patient safety and quality measures.

“We’re very pleased to have Ms. Spencer join us as an up-and-coming healthcare professional from not only the state level, but the national level as well,” said CHCA Board of Directors Chair Al Sliger. “She will be an asset to help us reach the healthcare needs of patients in our state for years to come.”

Spencer earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill. She has completed her required doctoral course work from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas School of Community Health Sciences in Las Vegas, Nev.

“I look forward to working with the board of directors, staff members and community stakeholders to ensure Community Health Centers of Arkansas thrives on a state and local level,” Spencer said. “Health Centers play such an integral role in communities because they help meet the demands for access to primary and preventive care. I am glad to return to Arkansas.”

There are 13 federally qualified health centers in Arkansas. The Community Health Centers provide a source of primary care services for approximately 172,000 underserved Arkansans.