Upcoming Club 99 Programs — Join Us!

How are we meeting the health care needs for Arkansas' future? Kyle D. Parker, president & CEO of Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith has a growing portfolio of graduate programs, is training physicians, public health professionals and other advanced providers for Arkansas and the region. ACHE has intentionally built its curriculum, rural rotations, residencies and an MPH in Rural and Community Health to “grow its own” workforce for rural and medically underserved communities across the state. ACHE will share with the club how it's generating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact while building a durable pipeline of doctors and caregivers who strengthen access to care, support local hospitals and clinics all to enhance Arkansas’s long‑term health and economic competitiveness.

Two of Arkansas’s most influential arts leaders: Victoria Ramirez of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and Rod Bigelow of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will share how their institutions have propelled Arkansas onto the national stage as a vibrant center for arts and culture. As AMFA continues into its third year and Crystal Bridges recently announced its major expansion, both museums are redefining what it means to connect communities through art, education and innovation. This program will highlight the bold vision, groundbreaking exhibitions and community-driven initiatives that are positioning Arkansas as a cultural destination. 

You may know Mark Abernathy as the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame chef and restaurateur,  but he played a pivotal role in creating the Central High National Historic Site by conceiving, founding and leading the initial effort to establish the Central High Museum. Abernathay will share the inspiring story behind the creation of the Central High School National Historic Site and what it took to turn a local idea into a national landmark. Mark spearheaded the museum effort as a community betterment goal, securing early support, which later evolved with federal recognition, making it a National Historic Site.
Mark’s story reflects this year’s Rotary theme, Building Arkansas—showing how one person’s creativity, persistence and civic spirit can preserve history, strengthen community and inspire a better future.

Builiding Arkansas includes developing character in young people. Coach Neil Erisman launched UA Little Rock’s wrestling team as the 15th intercollegiate sport in 2018 and rapidly grew it into a nationally ranked, championship-level program. Coach Erisman will show how a clear vision, culture-building and relentless development can transform a startup into a standard-setter. He will connect his experience mentoring 20 NCAA All-Americans and four individual national champions at programs like Oklahoma State, North Carolina and now UA Little Rock to practical lessons Rotary members can use to build strong organizations, invest in young talent, and help “Build Arkansas” in their own spheres of influence.

Mayor Frank Scott Jr. will give a State of the City report to Club 99 with a candid conversation about successes and challenges the city faced in 2025 and will look forward to  opportunities ahead for 2026 as city leaders work to build a better Little Rock. Mayor Scott began his second four-year term as Mayor of Little Rock on Jan. 1, 2023. He is the city's 73rd mayor and is Little Rock's first ever popularly-elected African American mayor.

UAMS interim chancellor, C. Lowry Barnes, M.D, will share insights on the health in Arkansas with a focus on how the institution is innovating in training, technology, clinical advancement and workforce development. As Arkansas’s only academic medical center and largest public employer, UAMS is here “for a better state of health." While most companies have five-year and ten-year plans, UAMS looks decades ahead as it plans to train healthcare leaders and providers.