(Hot Springs, AR) Oct. 28, 2024—National Park Medical Center is pleased to announce the addition of Jonathan Ward as its Chief Operating Officer.

“I am excited to be a part of a team that is prepped and ready to take NPMC to the next level,” Ward said. “We are in a good position to meet the healthcare needs of the Hot Springs community and I'm ready to work with our team to achieve the highest levels of quality, safety and service.”

Ward brings much experience in healthcare, having previously served in numerous areas of hospital operations, from working in the cafeteria to leadership roles. He most recently was in the role of associate administrator for two Lifepoint facilities in western North Carolina, where he oversaw facility operations, environmental services, food and nutrition services, radiology, lab, radiation oncology, and the interventional pain clinic. He also oversaw major construction and renovation projects. Before holding leadership roles, Ward worked in quality decision support, regulatory preparedness, and as a patient care tech (CNA).

“Jonathan is a welcome addition to the NPMC family,” said Scott Bailey, CEO. “With his experience of serving in so many different areas of the hospital, he knows the many intricacies and complexities a well-run hospital has. Having served in a myriad of roles has helped him be a strong, compassionate leader as well.”

Ward has also served as a Navy reservist for the past 13 years, first as a Hospital Corpsman and recently commissioning in the Navy’s Medical Service Corp as a Medical Administration Officer.

Ward graduated with a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Trinity University in 2017 and is a certified lean six-sigma black belt and a certified professional in patient safety. In his role of COO, he will work with hospital leadership to ensure patients receive to the highest standard of care possible, and staff have the resources they need to focus on patient care.

“My goal is to remove as many distractions as I can so staff can focus on their part of the patient care process,” he said.

While Ward was working as a CNA, his unit director encouraged him to participate in committees such as purchasing, quality improvement and regulatory preparedness.

“Those experiences opened my eyes to everything going on in the background that we don't often think about when we think of hospitals,” he said. “Hospitals are complex environments, and it takes a combination of discipline and creativity for us to fulfill our mission at a high level. I got into healthcare because of a passion to help patients; it's rewarding.”

Ward and his wife, Chrystal, have three children, Cecily, Oliver, and Eliza. The family has one dog, a rescue named Sampson. He is an avid drummer and Dallas Cowboys fan, “although I wouldn't call that last one much fun lately...” he said.

About National Park Medical Center

National Park Medical Center is a 163-bed full-service acute care hospital located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Our mission is simple: Making Communities Healthier. We are a part of the LifePoint Health family of hospitals, which means we aim to create a place where people choose to come for healthcare, physicians want to practice, and employees want to work. Our core values are honesty, integrity & trustworthiness, inclusion, compassion and legal/ethical compliance. Our hospital’s Joint Commission accreditation powerfully demonstrates our commitment to meeting the highest national standards for quality and safety.