Arkansas Hospital Launches Campaign for Newborns to Teens

A hospital in Searcy, Arkansas is bringing hope to families by expanding care for the community's youngest and most vulnerable patients.

Unity Health Foundation will celebrate the public launch of its Start Strong Stay Strong campaign Wednesday at 11 a.m. The free event at the Hubach Conference Center welcomes everyone to learn how the hospital is transforming care across all ages.

The campaign focuses on three game-changing improvements. First, new technology for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will give premature babies and their families access to leading edge care during life's most fragile moments. Second, a patient needs fund for the Adolescent Recovery and Wellness Unit will remove barriers to healing for young people receiving mental health and recovery services.

Third, Unity Health is acquiring a PET/CT scanner for its cancer center. This means patients can receive critical diagnostic imaging close to home instead of traveling long distances during treatment.

"Start Strong Stay Strong is about meeting people where they are and ensuring they have access to the care and support they need, right here at home," said Jamie Higgins, Unity Health Foundation Executive Director. The campaign represents hope for families facing serious illness, for newborns just beginning life, and for adolescents working toward recovery.

Wednesday's celebration will feature program updates from Unity Health physicians explaining how these initiatives are shaping regional healthcare. Jim Dickerson and the Harding Academy seventh grade boys choir will provide musical entertainment.

The Ripple Effect

When communities invest in healthcare infrastructure, the benefits extend far beyond hospital walls. Families no longer face the stress and expense of traveling to distant cities for specialized care. Parents of sick newborns can stay close to home during the most frightening moments of their lives. Teenagers struggling with mental health challenges can access the resources they need without financial barriers stopping them.

Unity Health system President and CEO LaDonna Johnson emphasized that community support makes these improvements possible. "When we invest together in health care, we are investing in the strength, resilience and future of the families we serve," she said.

The campaign demonstrates what happens when a hospital listens to its community's needs and responds with concrete solutions.

No registration is required for Wednesday's event, and everyone is welcome to attend and learn more about how these improvements will serve White County families for generations to come.