< Raising the Bar in Pediatric Healthcare 

Neonatology Outcomes

By the Numbers

* "By the Numbers" data for January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022, in line with the last U.S. News and World Report Survey 

  • 104 beds
  • 2,019 neonatal emergent transports from 7 states
  • Angel One travels a 200-nautical-mile radius, bringing more than 90% of NICU babies from in-state or out-of-state, including Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Missouri
  • Increased the number of advanced practice providers and added 6 new neonatologists in FY23
  • Reduction in unplanned extubations by 63%, a marker of quality of care in intensive care units
  • NICU RN vacancy rate reduced by over 30%; increased the number of certified RNs in the NICU
NICU outcomes graphic.

Awards and Achievements

  • Aligned patient-to-provider ratios with national benchmarks by starting a new acute care team in the NICU 
  • Implemented a new Small Baby Protocol to enhance care for the smallest Arkansans  
  • Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) certified  
  • Members of the Ground & Air Medical Quality in Transport (GAMUT) Collaborative 
  • 7-member Nursery Alliance
    • Conway Regional Health System — Conway
    • CHI St. Vincent — Hot Springs
    • Jefferson Regional Medical Center — Pine Bluff
    • South Arkansas Regional Hospital — El Dorado
    • Unity Health — Newport
    • Saint Mary’s Regional Health System — Russellville
    • Saline Memorial Hospital — Benton

Neonatology Service Chief

Ashley Ross, M.D.

"Practicing at Arkansas Children‘s holds a special place in my heart as a native Arkansan. From the outset of my medical career, I was determined to make a difference in my home state, particularly in caring for newborns. With its rich history of delivering exceptional care to hospitalized pediatric patients, Arkansas Children‘s was my natural choice. I recognized that improving newborn outcomes required more than just care within the hospital walls. What truly excites me about Arkansas Children‘s is its profound understanding of this fact. The institution has developed strategic plans to enhance health care outcomes within the hospital by extending care closer to home, reaching every corner of Arkansas."

Ashley Ross, M.D. 
Neonatologist, Arkansas Children’s Hospital 
Chief of neonatology 
Walmart Endowed Chair in neonatology
Professor of pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

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