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The President & CEO Of Arkansas Children’s Hospital To Retire

Arkansas Children's Hospital says its president and chief executive officer Jonathan Bates will retire next summer.

The hospital’s foundation, board of directors and Research Institute announced that with his stepping down, it will establish a $ 3 million endowed chair to initially fund the Jonathan R. Bates Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy.

The center will focus on improving the delivery of health care, while lowering its cost.

Tom Baxter, chairman of the board, praised Dr.Bates Friday, saying he has dedicated the past 20 years of his life to improving the health of children across the state. Governor Beebe and former Congressman Vic Snyder attended the event, and offered their congratulations to the retiring president and the creation of the new center.

Bates served at the hospital for nearly 20 years and is the hospital's second-longest serving CEO in its 100-year history.

Officials say they hope to have a successor in place by the time Bates retires on June 30th.