NONPROFIT
Text and photos courtesy of WelcomeHealth
A Toast to Health: Celebrating 40 Years of Care
Honoring UAMS Northwest Regional Campus and Washington Regional Medical Center
For 40 years, WelcomeHealth has served as a crucial resource for low-income residents who might not have had access to medical or dental care. Starting in 1986 as a small clinic run by volunteers in a church basement, it has become a trusted place for eligible patients across our community.
Jessie Bryant founded WelcomeHealth on a clear belief: Everyone should have access to healthcare, no matter their ability to pay. After 40 years, that mission is still at the heart of what WelcomeHealth does.
Patients can receive a wide range of services, from routine checkups and urgent care to women’s health and treatment for chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The clinic also restores healthy smiles through dental exams and procedures that relieve pain and treat infections. WelcomeHealth provides no-cost medical care from Monday to Wednesday and no-cost dental care on Thursday evenings. Recently, the clinic introduced walk-in appointments on Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m., making care even more accessible.
While WelcomeHealth is proud to celebrate four decades of service, Executive Director Cambre Horne-Brooks believes the milestone is equally about what comes next. “This anniversary is a celebration of the thousands of patients who got care at WelcomeHealth over the past 40 years and the remarkable community that made that impact possible,” Horne-Brooks said. “But it’s also a moment to look ahead with purpose and ambition. We want a future where every eligible neighbor knows care is available, can access it quickly and receives the support they need without unnecessary barriers. Our commitment is to strengthen partnerships, expand awareness and create real change so more people can access quality, no-cost healthcare for the next 40 years and beyond.”
That vision will take center stage at A Toast to Health, WelcomeHealth’s annual fundraising event, scheduled for Aug. 27 at the Fayetteville Public Library.
This year’s event is especially meaningful because it marks WelcomeHealth’s 40th anniversary and honors two organizations whose partnership has improved healthcare access in Northwest Arkansas.
The Jessie Bryant Community Leadership Award will be presented to Washington Regional Medical Center. As the region’s leading healthcare system, Washington Regional has played a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of Northwest Arkansas residents and has been a valued partner in helping WelcomeHealth fulfill its mission.
The Dr. J.B. Hays Distinguished Service Award will be presented to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest Regional Campus. Through resident physician training, educational partnerships, collaborative initiatives and ongoing support, UAMS Northwest Regional Campus has helped expand access to care while strengthening the healthcare workforce that serves the region.
“Strong communities are built through collaboration,” said John Moores, president of the WelcomeHealth Board of Directors. “Washington Regional Medical Center and UAMS Northwest Regional Campus exemplify what can happen when organizations invest in the health of their neighbors. Their partnership has helped us expand healthcare access across our community, and we are honored to recognize their contributions during this milestone year.”
A Toast to Health will bring together healthcare leaders, community partners, volunteers, donors and supporters to celebrate the partnerships that have shaped WelcomeHealth’s first 40 years and to invest in the next chapter of its mission.
“Healthcare is about more than appointments and prescriptions,” Horne-Brooks said. “It’s about dignity, opportunity and ensuring that all people have access to the care they need to live healthy and productive lives. That’s the future we’re working toward, and it’s the future we’re celebrating at A Toast to Health.”