NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Jill E. McCormick, Director, Marketing & Planning
St. Edward Mercy Health System
Phone: 479-314-6037
Email: jill.mccormick@mercy.net

Arkansas Native Joins Mercy Clinic

Fort Smith, Ark. –August 1, 2009 - Arkansas native Dr. Dwight Johnson joined St. Edward Mercy Clinic – Family Medicine in early July. He specializes in family medicine and joins current Family Medicine Clinic physician Dr. Donna Beallis.

Prior to arriving in Fort Smith, Dr. Johnson was a physician at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville, Ark. Dr. Johnson earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Johnson is board certified in family medicine and belongs to the American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Geriatric Society.

Dr. Johnson was born in Fort Chaffee and is a true supporter of Arkansas.

“I love the city, the area, and the people of Fort Smith, and the surrounding region,” said Dr. Johnson.

Treating the whole person is a value Dr. Johnson believes in firmly.

“In my practice, I believe in a holistic, team-based approach with a heavy emphasis on preventive medicine. My goal as a family practitioner is to treat the whole patient to the best of my abilities and training,” said Dr. Johnson. “This has often taken unusual turns. While practicing in remote Alaska, I treated a patient’s malamute dog, and I delivered a baby in an air ambulance at 23,000 feet.”

His interests include boating, water sports, canoeing/kayaking, photography, and flying. There are seven children and three grandchildren between Dr. Johnson and his fiancée.

“I particularly enjoy the role of grandfather and father,” said Dr. Johnson.

St. Edward Mercy Clinic –Family Medicine welcomes new patients. For more information or an appointment, call the St. Edward Mercy Clinic – Family Medicine at 479-314-4620. The Clinic is located at 7001 Rogers Avenue in the St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith.

St. Edward Mercy Clinic is a physician-led and professionally-managed multispecialty medical group practice. Mercy Clinic was founded by St. Edward Mercy Health System in 2008 to expand the base of available primary care and selected specialty physicians in the River Valley. Dr. Johnson is one of seven physicians hired in the month of July. The Clinic currently operates three physician offices and employs over 70 physicians.