Newsroom

SPRINGALE, Ark. (April 2, 2026) – In celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2, Northwest Health is proud to announce the success of its fourth annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive. This year, the health system collected more than 4,800 jars of peanut butter to help fight food insecurity across Northwest Arkansas. “This initiative continues to grow each year and that speaks to the heart of our team and this community," said Juli McWhorter, CEO of Northwest Medical Center — Benton... ... Read More

In recognition of National Doctors' Day, celebrated annually on March 30, Northwest Health is honoring its medical staff with charitable contributions to local nonprofit organizations. This day serves as an opportunity to recognize physicians for their skill, compassion and dedication to improving the health of the communities they serve. "Our physicians are at the heart of everything we do at Northwest Health," said Juli McWhorter, CEO of Northwest Medical Center — Bentonville. "Their commitment to del... ... Read More

JOHNSON, AR — Mataya Duncan, 24, says her life has significantly improved after receiving specialized care for endometriosis in Northwest Arkansas, following a challenging and painful health journey. Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, yet many experience symptoms for years before receiving a diagnosis. Originally from Little Rock, Duncan moved to Northwest Arkansas to attend the University of Arkansas for graduate school. In the summer of 2024, she began experiencing s... ... Read More

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — What began as surgery to fix a painful knee replacement turned into a potentially lifesaving discovery for Robert Merritt, a 65-year-old retired Air Force veteran and former marathon runner who recently moved to Northwest Arkansas to be closer to family. After relocating from central Arkansas 18 months ago, Robert sought relief for a 2021 knee replacement that had never properly healed. His primary care provider, Whitney Oliver, PA-C, with Northwest Medical Plaza at Sugar Creek refer... ... Read More

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — At just 35 years old, Stephen Howard experienced a life-threatening heart attack caused by a blockage in what is commonly known as the “widowmaker” artery. Now 54, the Northwest Arkansas resident is sharing his journey to encourage others not to ignore warning signs, delay treatment or avoid prescribed medications. Howard’s first cardiac event occurred in 2007 while he was living in Little Rock. Despite a family history of heart disease on his father’s side and high cholesterol diagno... ... Read More

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – What began as a routine primary care visit became a life-saving moment for James Jolly, a recent retiree to Northwest Arkansas. After discussing his family history of heart disease, Jolly was referred for a coronary calcium scan, a test that led to early treatment and helped him avoid a major heart attack. “The scale they use goes from 0 to 700,” Jolly said. “Mine came back at 559.” Based on the elevated calcium score, Jolly was referred to cardiologist Dr. Pahul Singh at Northwest M... ... Read More

What began as a normal morning quickly became a life-altering wake-up call for Erica Mackall, a Southwest Missouri mother who nearly dismissed a key warning sign of stroke as something less serious. “I just couldn’t see clearly,” Mackall said. “My vision was very blurry. I could get up and do normal things, but I couldn’t focus on text messages. That’s what caused me concern.” Blurry vision was the only symptom Mackall initially noticed, but her son later pointed out that the right side of her face appe... ... Read More

Two Northwest Health hospitals earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety, for fall 2025 — Northwest Medical Center — Springdale and Siloam Springs Regional Hospital. This national distinction recognizes the health system’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and error in the hospital. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of... ... Read More

In the movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” Spider-Men Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield share a scene where they complain about their backs being stiff from “all the swinging.” Though it’s supposed to be a joke about getting older, they make a good point—even superheroes experience back pain. In fact, studies show that 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Some common causes of that pain include: Lifestyle and other risk factors. Back problems are more common among people... ... Read More

9 ways to support immunity As the weather cools and the air dries, we spend more time indoors at work, school and social gatherings. That also raises our risk of catching a cold or the flu. The good news is that there are nine easy ways you can boost your immunity, including: Move your body . Regular exercise makes it easier for your body to detect and fight germs. That’s why it is important to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, but do not forget to do strength trainin... ... Read More