Backers champion Children’s

Foundation lights Beacon of Hope

Arkansas Children’s Northwest is open for business as of Jan. 9, and some 430 lead donors gathered Jan. 6 on the new campus to celebrate the opening.

Marcy Doderer, Arkansas Children’s president and chief executive officer, told backers that 14,000 donations in the past two years brought in $80,000 for the construction of the region’s first and only children’s hospital.

Highlights of the evening included an announcement from Mandy Macke, associate director and secretary for the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation — a capital campaign gift of $8 million from the foundation to the hospital, one of the foundation’s largest ever given. The brightly lit stairwell of the hospital building can be seen from miles away. “Tonight, it’s my honor to light and name this tower the Pat Walker Beacon of Hope. May it lead the way for every child and every family who needs Arkansas Children’s Northwest.”

Two other areas on the campus will be named in the Walkers’ honor: the Willard Walker Helipad in support of the Angel One Transport Team that transports some 350 critically ill children from 11 counties in Northwest Arkansas, and the Pat & Willard Walker Family Outpatient Clinics, which will house more than 15 pediatric subspecialties. Some of the subspecialty programs will be able to expand their programs in the new space.

Barbara Tyson announced a gift of an endowment from the Tyson Family in honor of Terri and Chuck Erwin, chairman of Arkansas Children’s Northwest Board of Directors.

The new hospital includes a

24-hour pediatric emergency department, pediatric surgery unit with five operating rooms, outdoor gardens, nature trails with interactive features for children and 24 inpatient beds for children requiring overnight stays.

Those championing children’s health care close to home included Robin and Gary George, Cathy and David Evans, Barbara Tyson, Terri and Chuck Erwin, Tamara and John Roberts, Lynne and Jim Walton, Mandy Macke, Sue and Charles Redfield, KC and Joseph Tucker, CC and Kirk Dupps, Anita Scism, Vicki and Mark Saviers and Gov. Asa Hutchinson and wife Susan.

For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER (from left), Olivia Tyson, Barbara Tyson, Fred Scarborough, Arkansas Children’s chief development officer, and Trisha Montague, Arkansas Children’s Northwest chief administrator, gather at the new hospital’s celebration Jan. 6 in Springdale.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Connor Roberts and Haley Hauk (from left), John and Tamara Roberts and Alex Ryals and Blakely Roberts celebrate with Arkansas Children’s Northwest.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER David and Cathy Evans (from left) and Marcy and Mark Doderer visit at the Arkansas Children’s Northwest celebration.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Dr. J.B. Norton (from left), Charles George, Anna and Carl George, Robin and Gary George, Julie and Patrick Swope and Mary Kathryn and Matt Brown help support Arkansas Children’s Northwest.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Mandy Macke and Fred Scarborough celebrate the $8 million gift from the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation to Arkansas Children’s Northwest.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Kyden and Melanie Reeh (from left), Mike and Jill Sewell and Shelli and Tony Engle enjoy the Jan. 6 celebration.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Gov. Asa Hutchinson and wife Susan (from left) and Mark and Vicki Saviers attend the Arkansas Children’s Northwest celebration.