Baptist Health Nurses Recognized Among Arkansas' '40 Nurse Leaders Under 40'

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. –  Eight nurses from Baptist Health who are making a significant impact in patient care, education and the nursing profession were recently honored by the Arkansas Center for Nursing (ACN).

Rhonda Finnie,  DNP, MBA, APRN-CNP, AGACNP-BC, ANVP-BC, ASC-BC, director of advanced practice at Baptist Health, received an Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award from the ACN, while seven others were recognized as part of the organization’s annual “40 Nurse Leaders Under 40” list.

The ACN recognizes outstanding nurses across Arkansas who demonstrate leadership, innovation and dedication to advancing health care in their communities. Honorees were recognized on April 20 at a ceremony at the Benton Event Center alongside nurse leaders from across the state.

The Baptist Health nurses recognized as “40 Nurse Leaders Under 40” this year include:

• Whitney Eagle, MSN, RN, CPN – Baptist Health College Little Rock
• Zena Hill, RN, CMSRN – Baptist Health Medical Center–Little Rock
• Cynamon Johnson, MSN, RN, CEN, NREMT – Baptist Health Medical Center–Hot Spring County
• Ann Marie Mahan, RN, CMSRN, OCN – Baptist Health Medical Center–North Little Rock
• Lea Meserole MSN, RN, CCRN – Baptist Health Medical Center–Little Rock
• Jennifer Smith, MSN, RN - Baptist Health–Fort Smith
• Taylor Starks, RN – Baptist Health Medical Center–Stuttgart

The program highlights the next generation of nursing leaders and celebrates those who are shaping the future of healthcare through innovation, mentorship and service.

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 12 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.