Steven Collier

THREE RIVERS AREA — As Dr. Steven Collier walked through the halls of the Woodruff County Health Center in McCrory, a resident of the 120-bed nursing home approached him about some of her test results. Although most of Collier’s time is spent being CEO of ARcare, he still takes time to see an occasional patient. Collier is also chairman of the board for the 80,000-square-foot facility.

Riding the wave of name changes, since 1981, Collier, 57, has stuck by the company that is currently ARcare. Although ARcare is best known for its medical clinics, Collier said the not-for-profit company is much more than that. In fact, through the Arkansas Family Health Foundation, the education, wellness, economic development and transportation needs of rural Arkansas communities are being met, he said.

“I think we’ve solved the health care reform issue,” Collier said.

The clinics use a sliding income-based scale when it comes to billing patients. And in addition to offering medical and dental care and outreach services, ARcare also works with individual communities to fulfill needs that aren’t otherwise being met.

By finding communities that are in need, Collier said, ARcare puts together what is called a Community Initiative. He explained the process as bringing 10 people together from the community to meet with 10 people from ARcare once a month for a year. Through brainstorming sessions and assessments, a determination of the community’s needs and desires are made, and they are not all health care-related needs.

Collier took strategic plans from two Arkansas cities, and while vacationing in Florida, he read the plans and decided to adapt them to fit several rural communities. Seven years ago, a team began working on some longterm plans, and so far, goals have been accomplished in seven communities.

“Long-term, we plan to be outside of our clinic practice,” he said, “and in no way do I want to replace the city council or quorum court. I don’t want to run for office; I’m not a politician.”

Each community’s needs are different, and each initiative is different based on those needs. For example, Augusta didn’t have an educational facility for children under the age of 3. So in cooperation with the city and the school district, the Early Childhood Education and Wellness Center is under construction in Augusta. Within the 19,000-square-foot early-learning center, ARcare will also have a pediatric clinic that will see patients up to 18years of age. Collier said there will be either a physician or a nurse practitioner on site.

“He’s always been about education, and to be able to connect the two, he’s very passionate about it,” Kelly Martin, ARcare business office liaison, said about combining health care and education. “We had 17 clinics in 2002, and it’s double now from where we were. He has a lot of vision.”

Even though the Woodruff County Health Center in McCrory isn’t an ARcare-run facility, the health center is the result of one of ARcare’s community initiatives.

Collier was born in Searcy but grew up in Augusta. After he graduated from Augusta High School in 1973, he attended Baylor University, then graduated from the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. After that, Collier setup his medical practice in Pine Bluff. Later he practiced medicine in Searcy and Augusta. Before becoming CEO of ARcare, he was the company’s medical director.

“Steve is a great leader and visionary,” longtime friend Augusta Mayor Rocky Tidwell said. “He inspires greatness and loyalty in his people, and he has the special ability to gather very good people around him to carry out the mission that he put before them. Steve is the same every day. He has earned the respect of everyone that has gotten to know him.”

Other cities besides Mc-Crory and Augusta that have benefited or will benefit soon from the community initiatives are Bald Knob, which has a new 400-square-foot dental clinic; Searcy and Kensett; Carlisle, which has a new civic center; Brinkley; and Des Arc. Collier said Newport is the next community on the list.

Collier said those who come forth with donations and passion to help build these facilities amaze him.

“It’s magical,” Collier said with a smile. “In every town, there’s something that amazes me. You never know there wasthat much money, or that much passion.”

He also said he believes having health care centers close by is important to people in rural communities.

“A lot of people wouldn’t go to the doctor if they didn’t have access [in their communities],” he said.

Because of his efforts to help improve communities, Collier was named the Eason-Shuler Advocate of the Year by the Community Health Centers of Arkansas.

Staff writer Jeanni Brosius can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or jbrosius@arkansasonline.com.

up closegetting to know Dr. Steven CollierBirth date: Oct. 26, 1954 Hometown: Augusta Occupation: Doctor and CEO of ARcare When did you decide to become a doctor? I was working in janitorial services at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco, Texas, while going to college at Baylor University. I got to know some of the doctors at the hospital.