FEATURE
Text and renderings courtesy of Arkansas Children’s
ACNW Grows with the Region
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Imagining a future where more kids have access to specialized care
When Arkansas Children’s Northwest opened to the community in 2018, its leaders made a promise: They’d deliver right-sized care for the region and grow to support Northwest Arkansas’ booming population.
The community can already see that promise taking shape as ACNW’s expansion continues alongside Interstate 49 in Springdale. The project is slated to open in phases in 2026.
The 72,000-square-foot addition to ACNW is part of a $318 million system-wide investment that will equip the state’s nationally ranked pediatric health system to grow with the region’s children.
When completed, ACNW’s expansion will deliver highly specialized care, designed uniquely for kids, to thousands more children and families in Northwest Arkansas. Even fewer families will need to leave the area for specialized care.
The project focuses on increasing access to pediatric care, enhancing exceptional outcomes for children and elevating patient experience.
Construction kicked off in early 2024 and is quickly progressing. The growth will include added surgical space, more operating rooms, procedure rooms, hospital beds and additional clinic space — all developed with children in mind.
The new facilities will help Arkansas Children’s significantly grow the number of providers available in several specialties, creating more access for children and further advancing clinical excellence in the years ahead. ​​
At the same time, new technologies will expedite diagnoses, giving families faster answers and more time to focus on their child’s recovery. ​
“We are building the future together in this next chapter in our story,” said Marcy Doderer, president and CEO of Arkansas Children’s. “The result will define excellence and deliver a healthier tomorrow for the children of Arkansas and the region.”
In 2018, ACNW blossomed into a beacon of hope for families, offering 25 inpatient beds, five leading-edge operating rooms, a bustling 30-exam-room emergency department and a variety of specialized clinics.
Soon, ACNW’s inpatient beds, clinics and emergency room were filled to capacity routinely. As families flourished and the region grew — Benton and Washington counties saw a 32% population surge over the last two census cycles — so did the need for exceptional pediatric care.
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To meet this demand, ACNW thoughtfully expanded its clinics into a nearby medical office building, ensuring even more families have easy access to its expert team.
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To date, the hospital has cared for children during more than 570,000 patient visits, lessening the travel burden for many families. Even more children will be able to experience specialized care close to home through the new space and resources.
Designers and planners are working carefully to ensure ACNW retains the feel and character that make it a vital part of the local community. Northwest Arkansas donors, volunteers and supporters have been the foundation of ACNW’s success.
“We deeply value the strong partnership we’ve forged with the Northwest Arkansas community,” said Dr. Rustin Morse, senior vice president and ACNW chief administrator. “Their understanding and appreciation of ACNW’s critical role is a privilege. Their generous support has underpinned our success, and we are thrilled the region’s children will continue to flourish because it has sustained.”