Leadership at Arkansas Children's Northwest

Ryan Solomon, JD, MPS, Interim SVP and Chief Administrator at Arkansas Children's Northwest

Ryan Solomon, JD, MPS, serves as Interim SVP and Chief Administrator at Arkansas Children’s Northwest. Ryan has a broad knowledge and expertise in healthcare operations, law and quality and safety. He has spearheaded several system initiatives that have led to growth and improved patient experience and access, including developing the CANDOR  (Communication and Optimal Resolution) program and the BERT (Behavioral Emergency Response Team) team, launching Harvey Pediatrics Operated By Arkansas Children’s, and serving as a chief advisor in the establishment of the Arkansas Children’s Clinically-Integrated Network and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Nursery Alliance.
 
Ryan holds a B.A. in Political Science and Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas, a Master’s Degree in Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service and has received the National Diversity Council’s DiversityFIRST™️ Certified Diversity Executive (DFCDE) designation.

Dr. Robert Williams, Chief Medical Officer

Robert S. Williams, M.D., FAAP, serves as chief medical officer (CMO) for Arkansas Children’s Northwest. Previously, Williams served as an assistant professor of pediatrics for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He worked closely with electronic medical record systems as the information technology medical director at the Children’s Hospital at OU Medicine before being named the medical director for pediatric emergency medicine.

Williams earned his undergraduate degree in English from the University of California and received his medical degree from St. George’s University. He completed both his pediatric residency and fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Arkansas Children's Hospital.

Michael Howard, Chief Nursing Officer

Michael Howard, DNP, RN, NE-BC, serves as chief nursing officer (CNO) for Arkansas Children’s Northwest. He is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the overall operations of nursing/patient care services at ACNW.

Howard came to ACNW from the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, where he served as the director of pediatric emergency services. For more than nine years he led the emergency services team and facilities, which includes two emergency departments, an urgent care center, a center for abused children and a staff of 120 personnel.

Howard earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Waynesburg College in 1996. He went on to complete a master’s degree in management, a master’s degree in health administration and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix.