Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
For release September 21, 2023
Contact: Trish Villines
Phone: 501-804-7409
Email:
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An architect firm, hospital, makeup manufacturer, dental insurance provider, two long-term care facilities and two service organizations had one thing in common earlier today. Each organization was awarded with an Arkansas Governor’s Quality Award during the 29th Annual Awards Celebration at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald presented the awards.
The architect firm and hospital earned the highest level awarded this year—the Achievement Award. Cromwell Architects Engineers and White River Medical Center have both worked over the last few years to advance to the third of four award levels. Achievement Award recipients have shown a commitment to and practice quality principles demonstrating systematic processes and favorable performance results. These applicants prepare a 45-page application and participate in a one and one-half day site visit.
Delta Dental of Arkansas, Sherwood, and L’Oreal USA, North Little Rock received the second level—the Commitment Award. Applicants are required to respond to a condensed set of questions and receive a feedback report to better understand their process and results strengths and opportunities.
Four organizations received the first award level, the Challenge Award which included: ARORA of Little Rock, MEMS of Little Rock, Manila Healthcare Center of Manila and Gosnell and Rehabilitation of Gosnell. The Challenge Level is the starting point for any organization and requires organizations to define key characteristics such as mission, vision, values, customer groups, and strategic challenges and advantages.
The award process drives organizations toward quality principles. Organizations self-assess and carefully review the award-level requirements before deciding at which level to apply. Each level increases the requirements of the applicant to describe systematic processes and results. In addition to the award recognition, the greatest value for program participants is the in-depth evaluation and written feedback report citing strengths and areas for improvement. Only 27 Arkansas organizations have ever received the highest-level, the Governor’s Award for Performance Excellence.
The goal of the program is to encourage Arkansas organizations to engage in continuous quality improvement, which leads to performance excellence. Created as a not-for-profit organization, the program is dedicated to assist in building a strong infrastructure for Arkansas businesses. The award process aligns with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality award and used the Baldrige Excellence Framework.
The Governor’s Quality Award program is coordinated by the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.
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Aaron Gilkey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Aaron Gilkey
MEMS Mourns the Loss of Cassandra Peña-Romero
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Aug. 23, 2023) - Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) Dispatcher Cassandra Peña-Romero succumbed to her injuries today sustained from gun violence on Saturday, August 19.
She began her career as a Dispatcher with MEMS in July of 2021.
“Dispatchers are the first step of the life-saving work of emergency services, and Cassandra was a true community hero,” said Greg Thompson, executive director of MEMS. “We appreciate the care she received at UAMS and the valiant efforts of our law enforcement partners to quickly apprehend the suspect of this heinous act. We mourn the loss of Cassandra and our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and colleagues. As an organ donor, Cassandra continues her life-saving legacy.”
The Little Rock Police Department worked with Texarkana Police and the Arkansas State Police, and the suspect was brought into custody at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night. The suspect is a former employee of MEMS and the estranged husband of the victim. His employment was terminated earlier this month.
MEMS will have mental health professionals available for employees in this difficult time.
About MEMS
MEMS is a public, non-profit entity, and is governed by the Little Rock Ambulance Authority (LRAA). Serving Pulaski and Grant Counties and the cities of Maumelle, Sherwood, and Cabot, MEMS covers approximately 1,800 square miles and more than 400,000 people. Since 2004, MEMS has been accredited with the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) which signifies a “Gold Standard” in emergency medical service providers.
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Aaron Gilkey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Aaron Gilkey
MEMS Responds to Shooting on Saturday, August 19
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Aug. 20, 2023) – The following is a statement from Greg Thompson, executive director of Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS):
“On Saturday, August 19 at approximately 5:26 p.m., a Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) employee was shot and wounded. The Little Rock Police Department worked with Texarkana Police and the Arkansas State Police, and the suspect is now in custody.
The shooting occurred in the parking lot of MEMS’ Station One on 7th Street in Little Rock. Our hearts are broken, and we send our thoughts and prayers to the employee, their family, and the entire MEMS community.”
About MEMS
MEMS is a public, non-profit entity, and is governed by the Little Rock Ambulance Authority (LRAA). Serving Pulaski and Grant Counties and the cities of Maumelle, Sherwood, and Cabot, MEMS covers approximately 1,800 square miles and more than 400,000 people. Since 2004, MEMS has been accredited with the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) which signifies a “Gold Standard” in emergency medical service providers.
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Aaron Gilkey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Aaron Gilkey
MEMS Recognized During Arkansas EMT Association Annual Conference Banquet
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (August 9, 2023) - Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) Executive Director Greg Thompson and Assistant Medical Director Dr. Brandon Morshedi were recognized for their service at the Arkansas EMT Association’s (AEMTA) annual conference banquet on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Hot Springs. Each year, the AEMTA and partners collaborate to recognize outstanding achievements and contributions in Arkansas EMS.
Thompson was awarded the David A Taylor, Sr Excellence in EMS Award, and Morshedi was recognized as Medical Director of the Year.
“Medics are members of a tight-knit community that I am incredibly grateful to be a member of,” said Thomspon. “We lean on each other, we share resources and best practices, and we have dedicated our professional lives to advancing the medical care in the communities we serve. This award is so special because it comes from our dedicated, resilient peers.”
Morshedi, who has been affiliated with MEMS for 13 years collectively, said, “Every day, I am proud to represent MEMS and to work alongside some of the most hard-working individuals I have ever met. We are a team - with deep bench strength - and this award really belongs to all of us.”
A photo from the event may be downloaded at this LINK.
About MEMS
MEMS is a public, non-profit entity, and is governed by the Little Rock Ambulance Authority (LRAA). Serving Pulaski and Grant Counties and the cities of Maumelle, Sherwood, and Cabot, MEMS covers approximately 1,800 square miles and more than 400,000 people. Since 2004, MEMS has been accredited with the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) which signifies a “Gold Standard” in emergency medical service providers.
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