Pamela Ashcraft
Dr. Ashcraft is a Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Central Arkansas, where she also serves as the Research and Scholarship Coordinator, the Nursing Honors Program Coordinator, and serves of many different committees at the departmental, college and university levels. Dr. Ashcraft received her BSN from the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences, her MSN from the University of Central Arkansas, and her PhD from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Ashcraft鈥檚 interest and specialty areas include research, population health, epidemiology and pediatrics. Her PhD research was in the area of adolescent obesity, focusing on inner-city African-American adolescent males. Her most recent research interests involve self-care behaviors of undergraduate nursing students and practicing RNs, effects of simulation on student learning, and building a culture of PhD and DNP collaboration. She has published numerous manuscripts and has delivered presentations at state, regional and national meetings/conferences. In addition, Dr. Ashcraft serves as a journal reviewer for several peer-reviewed nursing journals.
April Bennett
Baptist Health named April Bennett, MSN, CHFP, RN, as the president of Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway in November 2022. Serving as the hospital鈥檚 chief nursing officer since 2020, Bennett has supported the opening and expansion of multiple specialties including the hospital鈥檚 inpatient rehabilitation unit, intermediate care unit and medical/surgical unit as well as the opening of a new intensive care unit and medical/surgical unit. Her successes also include decreasing bedside RN turnover, recruiting and replacing RN travelers with full-time staff and growing the inpatient census by 20 percent.
In 2020, Bennett joined Baptist Health after working for Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri, where she served as the vice president of nursing services for seven years.聽
Bennett received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Missouri Southern University and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.聽
Bennett is married to her husband, Ryan, and has two sons, Aiden and Alex. She is a member of Conway’s First Baptist Church.
When Bennett is not at work, spending time with family or at the baseball field, she also finds time to be actively involved in the Conway community. She serves on the Conway Public Schools Foundation Board, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Board, and University of Central Arkansas College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Advisory Board.
Additionally, Bennett has served as Northeast Regional Chair for the Arkansas Nurses Association and as a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).聽
Katelyn Coney
Katelyn Coney, MS, LPC-S, CFRC, AADC, is a leader, consultant, and founder based in Greenbrier, Arkansas. As the owner of In Sync Counseling, she leads a trauma-informed, multidisciplinary clinic built on clinical excellence, strong values, and intentional leadership.
In addition to her clinical work, Katelyn provides clinical startup consultation and leadership development for organizations and practice owners looking to build, scale, and strengthen their services. She specializes in helping leaders bridge the gap between vision and execution鈥攃reating sustainable systems, strong team culture, and high standards of care.
Katelyn previously served as Chief Operations Officer of a treatment center, where she oversaw operations, program development, and team leadership. This experience shaped her ability to lead at both the clinical and organizational level, bringing a practical, results-driven approach to building effective programs and teams.
She holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas and is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. She also maintains advanced certifications as a Certified First Responder Counselor (CFRC), Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC), and is ICISF-certified in both individual and group Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM).
Katelyn actively serves in leadership and support roles across Arkansas, including with the Arkansas Law Enforcement Assistance Program (ArLEAP), the Arkansas State Police POLAR Team, and Faulkner County鈥檚 Wellness Team. She also serves as a board member for The Club @ Springhill, further investing in community connection and wellness.
With a strong focus on first responder mental health and leadership sustainability, Katelyn is committed to equipping both individuals and organizations to operate with clarity, resilience, and integrity. Through her work, she is not only providing care鈥攕he is developing leaders, strengthening systems, and raising the standard of mental health services.
Jessica Dewberry
Jessica Dewberry is the Director of Therapy Services at Conway Regional Health Systems. She has been with Conway Regional since 2005, starting as a speech language pathologist at the Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. She earned her Master of Business Administration-Healthcare Management in 2022. She lives in Conway with her husband and two children, one of which will be attending U of A in the fall of 2025. Jessica enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her family.
Gloria Ealy
Reading and traveling have always been on Gloria’s list of things she enjoys doing. While most of her traveling has been domestic, she has found that she could travel world-wide through reading. Some years ago, after matriculating through 网曝门 for a third degree, reading for pleasure was put on hold. Seventeen years ago, retirement brought a pivot in her role as a teacher and administrator after 33 years.
Time can bring about a change though. Now, she has a renewed spirit to read, travel world-wide through my reading, and to actually teach again. A virtual book club found her prior to COVID and they continue to meet on-line on a weekly zoom. Also, prominent in her life is a spiritual journey that allows her to read, learn and teach some teens about Christ. They are all cultivating their relationship with Christ and learning together. As for traveling, Gloria and her husband Clifton always revisit favorite travel spots or find new unchartered territories to add to their travel list.
Carol Fleming
Carol B. Fleming, MS, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with experience in schools and healthcare as a clinician, mentor, supervisor, and administrator. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from 网曝门 and maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Her career has been dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and advocacy for individuals with communication disorders.
Early on, Carol was recognized as a Master Clinician in Dementia. Transitioning to the schools, she earned state and national recognitions from the Arkansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArkSHA) and ASHA. Carol holds the distinct honor of being the only school-based speech-language pathologist in Arkansas to be named a Fellow of ASHA鈥攐ne of the association鈥檚 highest honors.
Other accolades include ArkSHA Honors of the Association, a 2008 copyright for her SLP Resource Guide, the inaugural ASHA Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Contributions in PreK- Grade12 Education, and the 2018 Dorothy Dreyer Award for Volunteerism.
Her three-decade career in the Little Rock School District includes being the first SLP elected to the National Education Association (NEA) Board of Directors. In 2019, she was elected President of the Arkansas Education Association, lifting educator voices and advocating to support students. She returned to the school setting in 2023 to work with students at Pinnacle View Middle School.
Carol is dedicated to community philanthropy. She serves on the Disability Rights Arkansas Board and supports Arkansas Down Syndrome Association, Special Olympics Arkansas, and Arkansas Hands & Voices.
Committed to her alma mater, Carol and her husband, Eric, sponsored a room in 网曝门鈥檚 Communication Sciences and Disorders Department and gifted her college letterman sweater to Buffalo Hall. Her goal is to ensure next-generation professionals excel.
Emogene Fox
Dr. Emogene Fox is a Distinguished Professor Emerita at the University of Central Arkansas and a longtime leader in health sciences education. Her remarkable 41-year career at 网曝门 began in 1980 when she joined the Department of Health Sciences faculty. She was named department chair in 1995 and served in that role until her retirement in May 2021.
During her tenure as chair, Dr. Fox helped guide significant growth within the Department of Health Sciences, including the addition of five degree programs and five faculty members with terminal degrees. Under her leadership, the department experienced increases in enrollment, student credit hours, and graduates, while faculty earned recognition for excellence in teaching, grantsmanship, presentations, publications, and scholarly work.
A proud 网曝门 alumna, Dr. Fox credits mentors Dr. Jefferson Farris Jr. and Dr. Arvil Burks with having a profound influence on her education and career in higher education. Her lifelong dedication to 网曝门 was further recognized when she was named a 网曝门 Distinguished Alumna in 2024. She continues her service to the university as a member of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Advisory Board.
Outside of 网曝门, Dr. Fox remains active in her church and community. A lifelong athlete, she participated in basketball, volleyball, softball, and collegiate tennis before taking up golf more than 40 years ago鈥攁 sport she continues to enjoy today. She is also a longtime bridge player and serves on the Bald Knob Country Club Board.
Dr. Fox and her late husband, Norris, her childhood sweetheart and fellow 网曝门 graduate, were married for 66 years. Their two children, Dana and Jay, also graduated from 网曝门 and went on to distinguished careers of their own. Dr. Fox remains deeply proud of her family鈥檚 longstanding connection to 网曝门 and their commitment to supporting future generations of students through endowed scholarships.
Anna Hall
Anna Hall is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Central Arkansas, where she also completed her Dietetic Internship.
Anna has been with Arcare for nine years and currently serves as Vice President of Coordinated Care, where she oversees in-house chronic disease education services. In this role, she has led the strategic growth and development of chronic disease management programs, expanding access to care, enhancing quality standards, and improving patient outcomes across the organization.
Her professional service extends to both state and national levels. Anna served a two-year term on the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) as the Newly Credentialed Practitioner representative and has contributed as an exam item writer and reviewer. She was honored as the 2022 Young Achiever by the University of Central Arkansas Department of Nutrition and Family Sciences. Anna is an active member of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education
Specialists and has served on multiple committees, including diabetes technology initiatives.
Anna is married to her husband, Sawyer, and they have two sons, Walker and William. She is a member of First Baptist Church in Damascus. Outside of work, Anna enjoys spending time with her family on the farm and remains actively involved in her community, most recently as a member of the Conway Area Leadership Institute (CALI) 2025 graduating class.
Trey Hankins
Trey Hankins (2003) is the Director of Customer and Digital Experience & Design at Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield. Since beginning his career at the company as a Web Content Specialist in 2006, Trey has held various roles across the Digital Solutions, Group Marketing, Design and Customer Experience teams. The CX/DX/Design teams are responsible for managing and optimizing the company’s websites; overseeing the development and maintenance of the member portal; enhancing the tool that helps members find healthcare providers and estimate costs; implementing and managing the program to gather and analyze member feedback; and ensuring that all design elements are consistent and adhere to brand guidelines. In addition to the CHBS Advisory Board, Trey also volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Arkansas. He’s an avid 网曝门 fan and returns to campus frequently to cheer on the Bears and Sugar Bears.
Shannon Hendrix
Shannon Hendrix is Vice President of Operations at Serve2Perform, where she leads strategic programs and partnerships that help organizations strengthen leadership, culture, and performance. With more than 15 years of experience in healthcare and organizational leadership, she is recognized for her ability to align strategy, people, and operations to drive meaningful results.
In addition to her role at Serve2Perform, Shannon serves as a Physician Consultant with MedExcellence, advising healthcare organizations on operational effectiveness and leadership development.
She is actively engaged in community leadership and serves on several boards, including the Arvest Bank鈥揝pringdale Board, Brooklyn Project Foundation, Blood Cancer United Board of Trustees鈥揘orthwest Arkansas, and the University of Central Arkansas Foundation Board. She also serves in an advisory role with the University of Central Arkansas College of Health and Behavioral Science.聽
Shannon holds bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees from the University of Central Arkansas and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Her leadership has been recognized statewide through numerous honors, including Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Woman to Watch, Women鈥檚 Foundation of Arkansas Top 100 Women of Impact, and Arkansas Business Top 250 Most Influential Leaders.
Jim Hoyme
Jim Hoyme, PT, MBA, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, is a 1981 graduate of 网曝门 with a BS in Physical Therapy.聽 He also has a BA in biology from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD and an MBA from Bethel University in St. Paul, Mn.聽 His MBA focus was on Organizational Leadership.
Jim is the former co-owner of OSI Physical Therapy, an 8-clinic independent physical therapy practice and Therapy Partners, Inc, a management services organization for 25 independent therapy practices in Minnesota. During his time with Therapy Partners, Jim worked closely with health insurance companies in relationship management, contract negotiations, value-based contracting, and revenue cycle management.
Jim currently provides leadership development, team building, and business management consulting/teaching to health care businesses and universities through his business, LeadershipEdge.
Jim received the Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumnus in 1996 from The 网曝门 Physical Therapy Program; The Ole Odney Award for exceptional participation in and service to Augustana University Athletics and is a member of Augustana鈥檚 Sports Hall of Fame; and received the Barbara Sanders Service Award in 2020 from Texas State University.
Georgia Johnston
With over 35 years of experience in health care, Georgia has built a career defined by compassion, innovation, and advocacy. A Registered Nurse by training, she has worn many hats over the course of her career, ranging from bedside nurse and nurse consultant to business developer and founder of a multi-state health care organization.
Georgia鈥檚 educational journey reflects her dedication to growth and lifelong learning. She earned her Registered Nurse Diploma from the Baptist School of Nursing in 1992 and obtained her Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification in 1995. In 2015, she returned to academia, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, an achievement that speaks to her commitment to continually advancing her knowledge and skills.
Her leadership has extended beyond clinical and operational roles. Georgia has actively served on numerous boards and committees, always championing the well-being of others. Her passion lies in promoting holistic health, mind and body alike. She is especially devoted to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, a mission that drives her most recent venture: The Gardens of Arkansas. This organization represents her lifelong commitment to addressing the shame often associated with mental illness and bringing these conversations to the forefront of health care.
Georgia has been married to her high school sweetheart, Billy, since 1989. Together, they share one son, Kyzer. Both Billy and Kyzer are proud alumni of the University of Central Arkansas, where Georgia fondly credits 网曝门 as 鈥渃hanging the course of our lives and I love it.鈥�
Through every chapter of her professional and personal life, Georgia has remained a steadfast advocate for compassionate care, community empowerment, and the belief that every person deserves access to mental and physical health resources without shame or stigma.
Mallory Lefler
Mallory Lefler is the Fitness Manager at Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center. She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science.
Mallory has been a part of Conway Regional since 2005 and currently oversees the fitness and aquatic departments, including personal training, medical fitness programs, private and group swim lessons, aquatic classes, and all fitness and aquatic staff. She also manages the internship program for Exercise Science students and is passionate about community wellness initiatives such as Get Moving Arkansas and Kids Run Arkansas, both sponsored by the Health and Fitness Center.
Mallory is a certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise and serves as the Head Coach for the Rock Steady Boxing program, which supports individuals living with Parkinson鈥檚 disease. She also holds certifications as a Functional Training Specialist, Diabetes Training Program (Levels 1鈥�3), and American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor.
A Conway native, Mallory and her husband, Chance, are proud to call the community home. Together they have three children 鈥� a daughter, Lakyn, and twin boys, Logan and Lucas.
Colonel Addie Morris
Colonel Addie Morris is a 27-year U.S. Army veteran, led the Youth Enrichment Program under the late Lt. Governor Win Rockefeller. She is recognized for founding the Ralph Vines Public Speaking Contest and playing a pivotal role in establishing the Hat & Gloves Society. Known for her servant鈥檚 heart, Col. Morris is passionate about community engagement, especially in minority and youth outreach.
Colonel Lionel Riley
Lionel Riley serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Riceland Foods, the world鈥檚 largest miller and marketer of rice. Riceland stores, transports, processes, and markets more than 2.5 million metric tons of grain each year and its products are sold across the United States and in 25 countries. He is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of Riceland鈥檚 human capital strategy, People teams, talent acquisition, compensation, and training & culture teams. Lionel鈥檚 career history spans two decades in various human resources leadership roles across several industries.
In addition to his civilian career, Colonel Riley also serves as a member in the Air National Guard and is the 188th Mission Support Group Commander at Ebbing Air National Guard Base (Ft. Smith, AR).聽 Colonel Riley leads more than 400 Airmen who provide base operating support to the wing through various specialty and career fields, including base defense, internal security, civil engineering, personnel management and accountability, communications, contracting, supply, transportation, lodging, dining, and recreational services. He has previous leadership positions as a Squadron Commander, Director of Operations, Intelligence Officer and Equal Opportunity Director.
Throughout his 25+ years of service, He has served in several campaigns including but not limited to: Operation Joint Guard, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lionel and his wife Alicia are the proud owners of Graze Craze. A charcuterie business ready to help you Celebrate Everything!聽 Lionel considers it a privilege to serve and give back to his community by serving on several grassroots committees and non-profit programs.聽 He and Alicia have established the Future Solutions Now Scholarship for graduating seniors at his alma mata, Ft. Smith Northside High School.
Krista Tapp
Bio Coming Soon
Sharri Thielke
Bio Coming Soon