Baptist Health Names Stewart as President of Hospitals in Fort Smith, Van Buren

FORT SMITH, Ark. – Baptist Health is proud to announce the promotion of Brandi Stewart, MBA, BSN, RN, to president of the River Valley Region, effective immediately. Stewart has successfully served as interim president since late April, providing steady leadership and a strong commitment to the community.

Stewart joined Baptist Health in 2024 as the chief nursing officer for Baptist Health hospitals in Fort Smith and Van Buren, as well as the system’s River Valley clinics. Her appointment reinforces Baptist Health’s ongoing commitment to the River Valley and ensures that patients and staff continue to have dedicated leadership focused on quality, faith-based care.

"I am honored to step into this role permanently and continue working alongside our team to serve the River Valley," said Stewart. "I am passionate about working closely with all members of a patient’s care team to improve safety, communication and the overall experience for both patients and their families."

With over 27 years of nursing and health care leadership experience, Stewart previously served as vice president and chief nursing officer of INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon, Oklahoma, where she led initiatives to improve patient care and clinical outcomes. Stewart earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration from American Sentinel University in Aurora, Colorado. An Oklahoma native, Stewart and her husband, Rodney, have three adult children and four grandchildren. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, traveling and watching her grandchildren play sports.

Joining Stewart in a leadership role, Cindy Pratt has been named director of hospital and practice operations. Pratt has already been performing these duties, establishing a strong, collaborative partnership with Stewart to support daily hospital and clinic operations across the River Valley.

About Baptist Health

For more than a century, Baptist Health has delivered all our best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health, Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization, is here For You. For Life. – with more than 300 points of access that include 14 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 75 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; and a graduate residency program. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 12,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. Baptist Health is certified as a Great Place to Work and is honored by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Admired Workplaces 2026. For more information about Baptist Health, visit Baptist-Health.org, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app. Find us on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.