North Arkansas Regional Medical Center President & CEO Sammie Cribbs
Sammie Cribbs has been named president and CEO of North Arkansas Regional Medical Center after holding the role on an interim basis since January.
The move is effective April 1, the health care system said in a news release. She takes over for Vince Leist, who retired at the end of 2021 after 10 years leading the nonprofit organization. The system, which employs more than 850 people, consists of a central hospital in Harrison and 18 clinics serving the rural communities of the region.
Cribbs is NARMC’s former chief nursing officer and vice president of clinical services.
“Sammie leads with safety, quality, integrity, and building community at the forefront — all foundational values of our organization,” Sherri Billings, chair of the hospital’s board of directors, said in the release. “Her experience in healthcare leadership and her knowledge of NARMC, along with a desire to build relationships in our community, will further add to her success as NARMC’s CEO. We are so fortunate to have Sammie leading this organization.”
Cribbs is a 2020 graduate of Leadership Arkansas Class XV and a board member for the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce, College of the Ozarks Nursing Advisory Board, North Arkansas College Adult Education Advisory Board, and North Arkansas Partnership for Health Education. She’s also a former examiner for the Arkansas Governor’s Quality Award.
Cribbs, a licensed advance practice nurse who holds a certification in healthcare finance, has 18 years of clinical experience. She joined NARMC in 2007. Since then, she has redesigned its nursing care delivery system, improved standardization in care, reduced cost of care and strengthened physician engagement, the release says.
Matt Miller, past chair of the NARMC board, said Cribbs proved to be a “trusted and effective leader” in recent years by guiding its operations and clinical care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sammie is passionate about rural healthcare, and she’s committed to serving our patients, employees, medical staff, volunteers, and the community,” Miller said. “We are impressed with Sammie’s focus on quality and her vision for the organization.”
Cribbs holds a master’s in adult health nursing from Arkansas State University, a bachelor’s in nursing from Northwestern State University in Louisiana, and an associate’s in nursing from Louisiana Tech University.
“It is truly an honor to continue serving the community that NARMC cares for,” Cribbs said. “I’m excited for the future of NARMC, and I look forward to the opportunities we have to provide more services to our community members so that they have the best access to quality local care.”
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