Dr. Steven Collier

In 1980, Dr. Steven Collier thought he would stay in Augusta only for a year. He has been there ever since.
In 1986, the Augusta native helped form the nonprofit White River Rural Health Care Inc. to provide medical services at a discounted rate. (White River’s name was changed to ARcare in July.) Collier was its medical director and served as the only doctor for three clinics.
To feed his passion for learning, Collier started taking medical management classes. That came in handy in 2002 when he decided to accept the job as CEO of the network of medical and dental services, which now has 24 centers in Arkansas with two more on the way. ARcare also has 300 employees.
Collier said his management philosophy was to be hands-off. “I see my role as giving vision,” he said.
He said he holds four major meetings a year with his management team. “We record those meetings and study them again for new ideas,” Collier said.
His approach has been successful.
In 2010, revenue was up 11.7 percent to $20 million compared with the previous year. “We’re serving the poorest part of the state and we’re surviving,” Collier said.
ARcare also reported 100,000 patient encounters for 40,000 patients last year. Patients are expected to pay at least $20 per visit, but they won’t be turned away even if they can’t pay. Collier said his goal was for ARcare to have 100,000 patients with 300,000 patient encounters.
Collier said he’s not sure what health care reform will mean for ARcare. “In heath care, it seems that every day is a new day,” he said. “We’re going to be prepared no matter what.”

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