Kim Fowler and her husband Chris Fowler, president of Fowler Foods Inc., have donated $750,000 to the Arkansas Children's Foundation, which will use the money to expand its clinic in Jonesboro.
Marcy Doderer, president and CEO of Arkansas Children's, announced the donation during an event Thursday at the Arkansas Children's Jonesboro Clinic at 520 Carson St.
The foundation will use the money to buy the 8,000-SF building that houses the clinic. The building will be renovated, adding a second full-time specialist, a pediatric audiologist and additional diagnostic and ancillary services through the clinic's Fowler Diagnostic Center. The clinic expansion will also include space for speech, physical and occupational therapy.
In 2015, the Fowlers gave $250,000 to create the Fowler Diagnostic Center. The clinic also provides a full-time pediatric neurologist and pediatric care for urology; cardiology; neurology; genetics; infectious disease; and ear, nose and throat.
"Serving the children of Arkansas is a top priority for our family," said Kim Fowler, who is a member of the Arkansas Children's Foundation board. "By donating the funds to support the purchase of the Arkansas Children's Hospital Jonesboro Clinic, we know we've made a positive investment for future generations as well as provided greater access to specialized pediatric healthcare for children in the region."
ACH said that since the clinic opened in 2012, it has seen a 60 percent increase in patient visits. Over the last two years, it's logged more than 5,000 visits.
"Kim and Chris Fowler have been longtime supporters of Arkansas Children's," said Fred Scarborough, president of Arkansas Children's Foundation. "This strategic gift will allow Arkansas Children's to better serve patients and families in the Northeast Arkansas region and alleviate barriers so that families may receive care close to home."
The hospital said the clinic saves about 700,000 minutes of patient travel time to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock each year.
