Mena Regional Health System

02/04/2026

We had the pleasure of hosting LPN Orientation yesterday, and we are so excited to be part of the clinical journey for these future nurses!

Mena Regional is proud to partner with the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain to provide hands-on learning opportunities as students grow in their education and experience. Watching them learn, develop new skills, and gain confidence is one of the best parts of what we do.

We’re thrilled to welcome this new group into our facility and look forward to supporting them every step of the way. The future of healthcare is bright—and it starts right here at home!

Thank you to UA Rich Mountain for your continued partnership and for trusting us to be part of your students’ success.

02/04/2026

🌎💙 Welcome to the World Wednesday! 💗🌎

We’re excited to celebrate all the precious little ones born at Mena Regional Health System during the month of January! Each baby brings new joy, new hope, and new beginnings—and we are honored to be part of these special moments for so many families.

Whether we captured their first photo or simply had the privilege of helping welcome them into the world, we celebrate every single January arrival and the families who love them.

Thank you for trusting us with your care and your most precious blessings. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and sweet memories ahead!

🍼✨ Congratulations to all our January families! ✨🍼

01/29/2026

🏆 We’re Proud to Share Some Great News! 🏆

Mena Regional has been recognized for our outstanding work in Stroke Bands and Door-to-CT times from July 2024 through June 2025 — and this achievement belongs to our incredible care teams. 💙

This recognition reflects the care, consistency, and teamwork our crews bring to stroke patients every single day, ensuring they receive the right care at the right time when every second matters.

We’re honored to be recognized by the Arkansas Department of Health as part of efforts to improve stroke care across the state. Your partnership and dedication help make a real difference for patients throughout Arkansas.

👉 Read more here: https://healthy.arkansas.gov/article/arkansas-department-of-health-honors-healthcare-providers-for-excellence-in-stroke-care/

Thank you to our dedicated staff, EMS partners, and everyone who plays a role in delivering exceptional care — this is something to celebrate! 👏🧠💙

01/21/2026

❄️ Cold Weather Safety Tips — Stay Safe This Weekend! ❄️

With some potential weather threats and cooler temps in the forecast, it’s important to be prepared and protect yourself and your loved ones from cold-related illnesses like hypothermia. Hypothermia happens when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it — and can be dangerous if not recognized early.

📌 Know the Warning Signs:
• Uncontrollable shivering
• Extreme tiredness or confusion
• Slurred speech or fumbling hands
• Pale, cold skin or loss of consciousness
• In infants: bright red, cold skin and very low energy

🌡️ Cold Weather Safety Tips:
✔ Stay indoors and in a warm area as much as possible.
✔ Increase fluid intake — warm drinks like broth or juice are great (avoid alcohol & caffeine).
✔ Dress in layers; wear a hat, scarf, and waterproof boots to help retain body heat.
✔ Take frequent breaks in a warm place if you must be outdoors.
✔ Check on neighbors, especially older adults and young children.

If you or someone else shows signs of hypothermia, move to a warm area and seek medical help immediately — severe hypothermia is a medical emergency.

Stay safe and warm this weekend, Mena! 💙

Department of Health and Senior Services Hypothermia web pages

01/20/2026

✨ Happy CRNA Week! ✨

This week, we’re proud to recognize and celebrate our amazing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Pyke Bobo and Zach Mesko, for the vital role they play in caring for our patients at Mena Regional.

From keeping patients safe and comfortable during surgery to providing calm, expert care in high-pressure moments, Pyke and Zach bring exceptional skill, professionalism, and compassion to our surgical team every day. Our operating rooms wouldn’t run the same without them!

Thank you, Pyke and Zach, for your dedication to our patients and to our community — we appreciate you more than you know! 💙

01/16/2026

01/15/2026

🩺💙 Respiratory Viruses & Older Adults: What You Should Know

For adults 65 and older, illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, and RSV aren’t just uncomfortable — they can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and longer recovery times.

As we age, our immune systems don’t respond as strongly, making it harder to fight off respiratory infections. That’s why prevention and early care are so important.

✔️ Stay up to date on recommended vaccines
✔️ Wash hands often and avoid close contact with sick individuals
✔️ Wear a mask if you’re feeling unwell or around someone who is
✔️ Seek medical care early if symptoms begin

⚠️ Watch for symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, or body aches. If you or a loved one start feeling worse, don’t wait to get checked out — early treatment can help prevent serious illness.

Let’s do our part to help protect our seniors and keep our community healthy. 💙

01/14/2026

Today, hospital and EMS healthcare leaders from across Southwest Arkansas met in Hope, Arkansas as the Southwest Arkansas Healthcare Consortium with a shared goal: partnering together to better serve the citizens and communities of our region while supporting long-term healthcare stability.

Through open discussion and collaboration, these leaders are focused on strengthening healthcare across Southwest Arkansas today and into the future.

We would like to recognize and thank our hospital and EMS partners who participated in today’s meeting:
• Arkansas Rural Health Partnership
• Howard Memorial Hospital
• Little River Memorial Hospital
• Mena Regional Health System
• Ouachita County Medical Center
• Pafford Medical Services
• Sevier County Medical Center
• Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center
• Southwest EMS

Thank you to each organization for your leadership, partnership, and commitment to the people of Southwest Arkansas.

01/13/2026

01/12/2026

💊✨ Happy National Pharmacist Day + Employee Spotlight: Heather Tinnell ✨💊

Today, on National Pharmacist Day, we’re proud to spotlight Heather Tinnell, one of our amazing pharmacists here at Mena Regional Health System! 💙

Heather’s very first job was working for her dad at Chiquita’s, where she learned the value of hard work early on. Today, she says what she enjoys most about working at Mena Regional is the people — and we’re incredibly lucky to have her as part of our team.

Outside of work, Heather is a busy mom to Karsyn (12), Kamryn (9), Kase (8), and Charlie Kate (2), and she also has three furry companions — Muffins, Rambo, and Milo 🐾. Her hobbies include reading, singing, gardening, and crafting, and she loves hiking, traveling, and spending time with family. On her bucket list? Trips to Germany and Greece — and we have no doubt she’ll get there!

Pharmacists play a vital role in patient safety and care, and Heather’s dedication, attention to detail, and heart for others make a difference every single day.

Join us in thanking Heather — and all pharmacists — for the incredible work they do. 💊💙
Happy National Pharmacist Day!

01/12/2026

🩺 Colon Cancer Screening & Treatment — Close to Home

If colore**al cancer screening or treatment is needed, Tomas Sullivan, MD provides colon and re**al surgical care right here in our community.

Preventive colore**al cancer screenings — including colonoscopies — are covered by Arkansas Medicaid for eligible adults, typically starting at age 45 (or earlier based on risk factors).

Why screening matters:
✔️ Colon cancer often has no early symptoms
✔️ Screenings can find cancer early, when it’s most treatable
✔️ Polyps can be removed before they become cancer

💙 If you have Arkansas Medicaid, your screening may be covered at no cost.

📞 If you’re due — don’t wait.
Talk with your provider about scheduling your colore**al cancer screening today.

01/10/2026

Senior Behavioral Health sincerely thanks Ann Hoyle of Ann’s Quilts and Collectibles for the beautiful quilts she so thoughtfully created and donated for our patients. Your generosity has touched many hearts, and we are incredibly thankful for you.