Laurice A. Hachem, a well-known philanthropist and real estate investor from Rogers, Arkansas, has donated $1 million to support the expansion of Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW), the only children’s hospital in the region. Hachem is the president of Hachem Investments and also resides in Tampa, Florida. She is recognized for her commitment to volunteer work and advocating for children’s healthcare.
Supporting Children’s Healthcare in Northwest Arkansas
Hachem expressed her enthusiasm about the donation, stating:
“For me, it’s an honor and a privilege to support the expansion of this area’s first and only children’s hospital. ACNW places children at the heart of everything it does, and I want to ensure it remains equipped to meet the needs of the growing number of children in northwest Arkansas.”
What the Expansion Will Include
The expansion of Arkansas Children’s Northwest, which started in early 2024, aims to improve pediatric healthcare services by:
- Adding more surgical space
- Increasing the number of operating rooms and procedure rooms
- Expanding hospital beds for inpatient care
- Creating additional clinic spaces
These improvements will help meet the increasing demand for pediatric care in the region, ensuring children have better access to healthcare and a higher quality of treatment.
Importance of Community Support
Fred Scarborough, the executive vice president and chief development officer at Arkansas Children’s, emphasized the importance of donations like Hachem’s. He said:
“Community partners and champions for children like Laurice and her daughter, Mechelle Meredith-Ehardt, are crucial for Arkansas Children’s Northwest to provide exceptional health services. We are deeply thankful for Laurice’s generosity, which will help expand access to care for children.”
A Brief History of Arkansas Children’s
Arkansas Children’s started as an orphanage in 1912 and has grown into a nationally recognized pediatric health system. The organization is committed to being a champion for children by providing top-notch healthcare across the state. Its key facilities and services include:
- Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH): A 336-bed facility in Little Rock, recognized for its trauma care, neonatal and pediatric intensive care, burn center, and surgery programs.
- Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW): The only pediatric hospital in northwest Arkansas, featuring a trauma center, 24 inpatient beds, five surgical rooms, outpatient clinics, diagnostic services, and the area’s only pediatric emergency department.
How to Support Arkansas Children’s
To learn more about the ongoing expansion and how you can support Arkansas Children’s, visit archildrens.org/expansion or call 800-880-7491. You can also donate directly by visiting archildrens.org/donate.
About Arkansas Children’s
Arkansas Children’s is a private, non-profit organization that focuses on caring for the state’s 850,000 children. It operates two pediatric hospitals, a research institute, a nutrition center, and multiple clinics across the state. The system is renowned for:
- Being the only provider of Level I pediatric trauma care in the state
- Offering seven nationally ranked pediatric subspecialties, including Cancer, Cardiology, and Neurology
- Running the only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit in Arkansas
Sources:
- Arkansas Children’s Official Website
- [U.S. News & World Report Pediatric Rankings (2024-2025)]
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