Conway Regional Health System has acquired Conway Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center (COSMC). The announcement brings together two organizations that are committed to providing comprehensive orthopedic services to Central Arkansas and the River Valley.

“Partnerships are what make our community successful and organization stronger,” said Matt Troup, President and CEO of Conway Regional Health System. “After a long-standing relationship with the Conway Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center, this is an exciting opportunity to come together and enhance orthopedic access. The dedicated physicians and staff of COSMC have built an extremely reputable practice, and we are honored to align our two institutions as we continue our mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care.”

Effective today, Conway Regional Health System will manage and oversee all operations of the orthopedic center. Physicians who currently practice and who will remain at the COSMC location include: Scott Smith, M.D., Tod Ghormley, M.D., Jay Howell, M.D., Grant Bennett, M.D., James Head, M.D., Rick McCarron, M.D., and Glenn McClendon, D.P.M. The center is located at 550 Club Ln in Conway, Arkansas.

“Over the past several years, we have been approached by many hospitals and orthopedic groups seeking to partner with our organization,” said Dr. Scott Smith. “In evaluating the landscape and what will ensure our long-term success, we have chosen to partner with Conway Regional. This exciting partnership will strengthen us as an organization, expand our reach in the community, and enhance patient experience.”

Conway Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center has provided comprehensive orthopedic care to Central Arkansas since 1988. The clinic offers a wide range of services, including specialized care for the hand, upper extremity, foot, and ankle; minimally invasive surgeries of the knee and hand; total hip, knee, and shoulder replacements; and sports medicine services.

All current services of Conway Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center will remain in operation, and patients will continue to see their current physicians. Physicians and staff of the orthopedic center will become Conway Regional Health System employees, and the center will retain its name and current location.

About Conway Regional

Conway Regional Health System provides complete health care services to a seven-county service area of North Central Arkansas including Cleburne, Conway, Faulkner, Perry, Pope, Van Buren and Yell Counties. Centered on a 150-bed, acute care medical center, the health system provides patients with a variety of services including heart health, orthopedic care, neuro-spine surgery, vascular surgery, gastroenterology services, women’s health, surgery, and rehabilitation. Conway Regional operates an expansive physician enterprise, including ten primary care clinics and seven specialty clinics. Additionally, the health system operates a Rehabilitation Hospital and a 70,000-square-foot Health and Fitness Center. In June of 2019, Conway Regional announced a management agreement with the Dardanelle Hospital, since renamed the Dardanelle Regional Medical Center.

With more than 200 physicians providing services at Conway Regional, the organization partners with the medical staff in an Accountable Clinical Management Model (ACM). This one-of-a-kind partnership creates a model of shared governance to promote meaningful engagement of physician leaders with hospital administrative leadership—all in an effort to improve patient experience and enhance care.

Conway Regional maintains an employee engagement score in the top 20% of hospitals throughout the country and a Medical Staff engagement score in the top 5%, as compared to hospitals of similar size and scope. Conway Regional was the first hospital in Arkansas to partner with Arkansas Children’s Hospital in the Nursery Alliance, allowing more babies to receive care closer to home. Conway Regional is the only hospital in Arkansas named to Modern Healthcare’s National Best Places to Work in 2018, and then received the honor again in 2019. Conway Regional has been named an Arkansas Best Place to Work in 2017, 2018 and 2019.