St. Bernards Medical Group

07/22/2025

Congratulations, Dr. Hallak!

Congratulations to our own Dr. Ammar Hallak on being voted best cardiologist by the readers of Premiere Magazine! Thank you for providing excellent care to the Paragould community.

Request an appointment with Dr. Hallak online at https://www.stbernards.info/providers/profile/ammar-hallak/.

07/16/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Michael Bone and team on successfully performing the first Inspire V procedure at St. Bernards! This treatment offers a promising new option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea who are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy.

The Inspire V procedure is a new treatment for sleep apnea that utilizes a small device placed in the chest to help maintain an open airway while sleeping. It works by gently stimulating a nerve that moves your tongue out of the way, allowing you to breathe more easily. You turn it on with a remote before bed, and it works quietly while you sleep—no mask or hose needed.

We’re proud to bring the latest, most innovative technology to our community, providing advanced care close to home!

07/14/2025

Congratulations, Dr. Nair and team!

🎉 Celebrating the First WiSE CRT Implant in Arkansas!

We're proud to mark a major milestone—the first ever implantation in the state of the EBR Systems’ WiSE CRT System, delivering the world’s first leadless left ventricular endocardial pacing (LVEP) for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)!

Why it matters:
• Truly leadless – The system uses ultrasound energy transmitted to a tiny electrode (~9 mm long/2.8 mm diameter) implanted in the LV endocardium, which converts it into electrical pacing pulses.

• More physiologic therapy – pacing from inside the LV enables better resynchronization, avoiding many anatomical limitations of traditional CRT .

• Clinically validated – As shown in the SOLVE‑CRT study, WiSE CRT led to a 16.4 % reduction in LV end‑systolic volume and shorter QRS durations—with a strong safety profile once operator experience grew .

• FDA-approved cutting-edge tech – In April 2025, the FDA granted approval for WiSE System—the world’s only leadless LV pacing CRT device.

Our Arkansas case:
• First-in-state procedure—using existing pacing device to trigger synchronized LV pacing via ultrasound!

• Early follow-up shows excellent hemodynamic response and promising clinical improvement.

Next steps:
• Expanding patient access—especially those who failed or can’t receive conventional CRT.

• Continuing education and collaboration among electrophysiology teams across the region.


&vascular

06/13/2025

St. Bernards Medical Center has successfully performed the first minimally invasive mitral valve repair in northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri, giving new hope to heart patients at high risk for traditional open heart surgery.

St. Bernards physicians used a mechanical clip device and delivery system called MitraClip™ to help fix the mitral valve in the heart after it failed to close properly. If successful, patients see improved heart function and regurgitation symptoms. In addition, they can avoid open-heart surgery, minimizing the risks that come with these procedures while also easing recovery from surgery.

The team of physicians that made this procedure possible is made up of Drs. Jay K. Bhama, Amer Hawatmeh, Jack McKee, Devi Nair, and Daniel Thrower. Congratulations to these physicians and the teams involved in bringing this life-changing option to our community.

Read more here ➡ https://www.stbernards.info/newsroom/2025/new-heart-procedure-at-st-bernards-brings-life-changing-option-f/

06/06/2025

The Arkansas Medical Society has selected Dr. Hania Al-Shahrouri for one of their top honors! Dr. Al-Shahrouri earned the Academic Excellence Award for her efforts in serving as faculty for the St. Bernards Internal Medicine Residency Program. Thank you for your dedication to teaching the next generation of physicians. Congratulations and well done!

06/04/2025

We're proud to welcome 20 new physicians to St. Bernards this year across 10 new or expanded specialties. The 2025 physician class builds upon the 94 physicians recruited in the previous five years.

Read more about our new physician class online ➡ https://www.stbernards.info/newsroom/2025/physicians-joining-st-bernards-in-2025-bring-region-new-expanded/.

05/30/2025

Dr. Whitney Rich chose St. Bernards because she saw how our mission cares for more than just the physical health of our patients. Learn more at stbernards.info.

05/15/2025

Join us in congratulating Dr. Cade Martin, Radiology, and Dr. John Lynch, Radiation Oncology (recently retired). They were both recognized as Fellows with the American College of Radiology (ACR).

This is awarded to members of the College in good standing who have demonstrated service to ACR and provided significant accomplishments in scientific and clinical research. Only 15% of current College members have been awarded this honor!

Congratulations to these two outstanding physicians!

05/08/2025

Congratulations to Drs. Brian Dickson and Asa Shnaekel on performing the first OrthoGrid replacement in the state!

OrthoGrid Hip AI is a new guidance tool that is completely surgeon-guided and assists in improving the accuracy and precision of hip replacement procedures. It also allows for less radiation to be used because fewer X-rays may be needed for the procedure.

Our surgical teams are always innovating patient care for better outcomes and patient experiences.

04/24/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Andrew Dunham and team on completing their 50th vNOTES Robotic Hysterectomy!

The vNOTES procedure offers patients a gynecological surgery option without visible scars, a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain and a faster recovery compared to traditional approaches.

04/04/2025

Dr. Joshua Tolleson is a great surgeon and a baseball pitcher, too!

04/02/2025

Join Dr. Emma Jacobs for a virtual education event covering BPH treatment. Discover the latest advancements in BPH treatment with Aquablation® therapy, the first and only ultrasound-guided, robotic-assisted, heat-free waterjet for the treatment of BPH.

Sign up online at https://stbernardshealthcare-ptklb.formstack.com/forms/aquablation_therapy_registration_form