By David Edwards on February 6th, 2025

dedwards@arkansashospice.org 501-748-3303

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARK – The Board of Directors of Arkansas Hospice has named Brian W. Bell, MD, FAAHPM, to be the next President and CEO for Arkansas Hospice’s Family of Care. Dr. Bell, who currently serves as the organization’s Chief Medical Officer, will step into his new role effective March 10, 2025.

Dr. Bell replaces current Arkansas Hospice President & CEO Judith Wooten who announced her retirement last year. Wooten will remain on staff through the end of April to ensure a smooth transition. She joined Arkansas Hospice in 2002 as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Wooten was named President and CEO in 2011 following the death of Michael Aureli, who founded the organization with Dee Brazil-Dale in 1992. Arkansas Hospice is now the state’s largest non-profit provider of hospice services.

“I stand on the shoulders of the remarkable leaders who came before me — Michael and Judy — whose vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment built Arkansas Hospice into the compassionate, mission-driven organization it is today,” Dr. Bell said. “Their leadership has left an enduring impact, and I am honored to carry their legacy forward.”

Dr. Bell joined Arkansas Hospice in August 2016 as Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. He is board certified both in family medicine and hospice and palliative medicine, and he is one of only a few in the state with the designation of Fellow from the Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Working in hospice care since 2006, Dr. Bell is currently on the faculty at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where he teaches hospice and palliative medicine fellows. Currently, he serves on the Professional Education Committee of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, which is now part of the National Alliance for Care at Home. Dr. Bell has served on the Arkansas Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatments (POLST) Taskforce since 2017 and worked with the legislature and others in its passage. Previously, he was on faculty at two medical schools in South Carolina and was the founder and program director of the first hospice and palliative medicine fellowship in that state in 2014.

“Dr. Bell’s experience and proven leadership in both clinical and managerial roles make him the ideal candidate to lead our organization as we start our next chapter,” said Rhonda Finnie, Chair of the Arkansas Hospice Board of Directors. “On behalf of the entire board, we congratulate him and thank Judy Wooten for her tireless dedication. She led Arkansas Hospice through tremendous growth and navigated the organization through COVID, regulatory challenges, and a changing healthcare environment with tremendous compassion and commitment to our mission.”

Arkansas Hospice provides care in 44 counties with an average daily census of 650. In recent years, the organization has developed a continuum of care to provide care for Arkansans before they need hospice care in life’s final months. It includes Arkansas Palliative Care, which provides support for patients at any stage of serious illness while still receiving curative treatments; Arkansas Advanced Care, which offers primary care for seniors where they live; and First Choice Senior Care, which provides non-medical personal care for seniors in Central Arkansas.

CLICK HERE to download a portrait of Dr. Bell suitable for publication.

About Arkansas Hospice

Caring since 1992, Arkansas Hospice’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for those facing serious illness and loss by surrounding them with love and embracing them with the best in physical, emotional, and spiritual care. The hospice care provider is the recipient of numerous local, state, and national awards, as well as the only hospice in Arkansas to be certified by the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs for nonprofit service to Arkansas’ veteran population. For more information, visit https://www.arkansashospice.org.

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