One of Warren’s best-kept secrets is the Rural Health Clinic, located across the street from the Bradley County Medical Center’s emergency room.
Center Director Paulette Tolefree and Dr. Kristen Dent were the guest speakers at Monday’s Bradley County Economic Corp.’s monthly board meeting.
Dent said she is a Mississippi native and Louisiana State University graduate. She did her residency at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis. An OB doctor, she said she was drawn to Warren by its small-town aspects. She is in family practice at the clinic and she has also trained medical students for four-week terms.
Tolefree said the clinic provides OB and family medicine services. Besides Dr. Dent, it employs two nurse practitioners. “Our goal there is to get more patient visits,” she said.
In other action:
- Board Treasurer Carlton Davis gave the financial report, listing a net worth of $886,000. The only income for the month was $500 from a lease with Sorrells Lumber Co.
- Board Chairman Dr. Bob Smalling said Tracy Rawls of T&T Construction Co. was contacted about making repairs to the Warren Industrial Park property that BCEDC owns and which had been intended for a regional jail. Warren Building Official Rob Johnson will supervise the work and make sure it is done properly.
- Smalling reported the recent Job Fair which was co-sponsored by BCEDC, Bradley County Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas Department of Workforce Development was a success. About 75 vendors were present, along with the ADWD van. BCEDC served lunch to the vendors.
- Smalling reported the Bradley County Fair had a successful Junior Livestock Show, with several vendors setting up booths and school tours held.
- A proposal had been made to rent part of the BCEDC building but the Executive Committee decided against it.
- A motion was approved to donate $100 to help sponsor the Buck Fever Festival in Banks.
- Board member John Lipton reported on the Southeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facilities Authority. He said county judges in Bradley and Drew counties worked together to complete a new road including an 80-foot drainage pipe.
Top photo: From left, Paulette Tolefree, Rural Health Clinic director, and Dr. Kristen Dent and Bradley County Economic Development Corp. board member Marilyn Johnson are shown at the BCEDC monthly board meeting. Tolefree and Dent were guest speakers. Photo by Tim Kessler.