Arkansas Business

He calls 2012 a seven-win, six-loss season and says he hopes to take another leap — in services offered, quality of service and market share — this year.

“We are still the dominant market share for Springdale, but we have significant opportunities left,” Stewart said. “I think there’s plenty of business for everybody to have their fair share.”

Springdale’s hospital has a rich history in the area, employees there note. It was the site of the area’s first open heart surgery. It was the only local hospital to provide 3D mammography. Other facilities in the area followed Springdale when it came to chest pain accreditation.

Among what Stewart calls the distinctive product lines offered at the hospital are psychiatric and geriatric care. The hospital is looking to expand its pediatrics. Stewart has added 15 doctors to the staff since he began overseeing the hospital last year.

Local awareness of those services should increase through the improvements being made.

While the hospital has had three significant renovation projects since 2006, this could be the most meaningful from a perception standpoint, Stewart said.

“Sometimes people equate quality of care with the façade,” Stewart said. “We feel like we do a decent job of taking care of the patients and by having a new façade, people will give us the benefit of the doubt on that.” n