For Katie and Dr. Ramey Marshell, joining forces with the Baptist Health Foundation seems as though it was always in the cards. Both eager to build community and both in the medical field — Katie as founder and CEO of Spectra Tox and Ramey as a cardiologist in the Arkansas Cardiology Clinic at Baptist Health Heart Institute — the two are uniquely positioned to understand the needs of a health system and its patients.
Soirée sat down with the Marshells to discuss their roles as Bolo Bash 2024 chairs, what’s in store for this year’s events and how funds will effect the future of health and the state at large.
How did you get involved with the Baptist Health Foundation?
RM: Population health within Arkansas has been a common bond we have shared since day one of our relationship. Both native Arkansans, Katie and I met while serving as the president and vice president of the Student Health Advisory Committee during our undergraduate tenures at the University of Arkansas. We married while we were attending the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences — me for medical school and Katie for graduate school. We then spent six wonderful years in Birmingham, Alabama, starting our family while I completed my internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at the University of Alabama Birmingham. In 2020, we had the fortunate opportunity to return home to start our next chapter with two amazing additions to our family, Madison and Mason.
Starting my cardiology practice at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock was a perfect fit for me. It allowed me to work with some of our state’s finest health care providers. They also had the bandwidth and trust across the entire state to afford me opportunities to open very successful cardiology outreach clinics in El Dorado, Clarendon and DeWitt.
When I was asked by my partner, Dr. Scott Davis, to succeed him on the Baptist Health Foundation Board, I again found a very fulfilling opportunity. In my position, I have witnessed firsthand the faith-based, compassionate approach the leadership of our state’s largest health care system takes in enriching the care of Arkansans.
What about Bolo Bash drew you in?
KM: The first Bolo Bash was held 35 years ago in 1989. That first event netted over $50,000 with proceeds benefiting the transplant program at Baptist Medical Center. Since then, the Bolo Bash Luncheon has raised millions to support the mission of Baptist Health in improving access and treatment across the state. To be a part of this long-standing tradition is such an honor, and we are proud to be able to do our part as the chairs this year to ensure its continued success for the next 35 years.
This year’s area of purpose is the Baptist Health College. With nursing shortages plaguing much of the country, how does this spotlight affect the college?
RM: The primary focus of this year’s Bolo Bash is raising funds to help update and expand the Baptist Health College. The Baptist Health College at Little Rock was founded in 1921 and currently offers certificates and degrees in medical laboratory sciences, nuclear medicine technology, occupational therapy, radiography, surgical technology and nursing (among others). Baptist Health College has a long and distinguished history, produced some of the state’s best nurses and health care support staff and has been critical to help meet the needs of the global staffing shortage crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now as we come out of the pandemic, it is time to return our focus to enriching the training and experience our college can offer these bright, ambitious students. This will ensure we can continue to meet the ongoing staffing shortage needs and growing complexities of health care both on a local and statewide level.
What do you wish more people knew about the college?
KM: Before working with the Baptist Health Foundation, I was unaware of just how much of an impact this college has on health care outcomes for our state. Some recent statistics that most Arkansans are also probably not aware of: more than 15,000 nurses are needed in Arkansas; 59 counties in Arkansas are medically underserved; the college graduates over 300 nursing and allied health students each year; the college offers certificate and diploma programs, two-year associate degrees and a number of baccalaureate degree programs in affiliation with partnering universities; and it offers nine programs of study in patient care and laboratory roles.
The shortages in health care reach beyond the field of nursing, and Baptist Health College is in a unique position to train professionals in all of these essential and understaffed fields. Our goal for this year’s Bolo Bash is to raise $250,000 with all proceeds benefiting the Baptist Health College of Little Rock. This money will be used to enrich the programs currently offered and support an expansion of the facility to increase student enrollment. The more students we can enroll each year, the more progress we make toward bringing down that staggering number of shortages seen throughout the state.
As for the events, do you have any new elements in store for this year?
KM: In years past, the reception held the evening before the luncheon has not been as heavily publicized as its own event. This year we are expanding our reach to include more people than just those attending the luncheon on Thursday. In speaking with a lot of members of the community, we found there was an untapped group of the population eager to give back and get involved with the mission of the Baptist Health Foundation. With our new venue for this year’s reception, we are going to be able to accommodate more people and will have more space for live demonstrations and displays.
The silent auction will start at the beginning of the week of the Bolo Bash Luncheon. We will have all of the auction items on display at the reception and at the luncheon. The auction will close at the conclusion of the luncheon. All bidding is done through the online portal, so whether you are attending the reception, the luncheon, both or neither, you are able to bid on these wonderful items that have been generously donated by so many of our local merchants and professionals.
What do you hope attendees gain from guest speaker Georgina Chapman?
KM: As the co-founder of the fashion line Marchesa, former judge for “Project Runway,” model and actress, Georgina’s list of accolades is a testament to her drive and determination to be successful in these ultra-competitive industries. We are thrilled to have her as our guest speaker and look forward to her insight as a successful multi-industry entrepreneur.
What are you most excited about for the event itself?
KM: The fashion show is such an iconic aspect of the Bolo Bash Luncheon. This year, all of the models in the show who will be featuring the new line from Marchesa are current students at the Baptist Health College. They will be sharing their stories of how the college has impacted their lives while getting the opportunity of a lifetime to model a brand known for designing dresses for celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway and Penélope Cruz.
Bolo Bash
Benefiting the Baptist Health Foundation
Reception: Oct. 9, 6 p.m., 42 Bar & Table
Luncheon: Oct. 10, 11:30 a.m., City Center Little Rock
Info: bolobashluncheon.org
Meet four medical professionals furthering the ripple effect from Baptist Health College.
PHOTOGRAPHY
JASON MASTERS
HAIR & MAKEUP
LORI WENGER
KATIE’S CLOTHING
BARBARA/JEAN
RAMEY’S CLOTHING
J. DUKE & CO.