Northwest Heath System announced the appointment of Pamela German Hill as its new market chief financial officer, joining the hospital on July 1.
Hill has more than 15 years of leadership experience, most recently serving as vice president and chief financial officer at Vista Health System in Waukegan, Ill., and previously in key leadership financial roles over the last 10 years in Dyersburg, Lexington and Jackson, Tenn. 
Hill has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., and a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Memphis.
"Pamela has an extensive background in healthcare finance, and we're pleased that she has joined our team," said Dan McKay, CEO of Northwest Health System. “As we expand Northwest's reach throughout Northwest Arkansas, Pamela's range of financial expertise will be helpful in our growth process."
Hill points to the fiscal stability of Northwest Health System as a key strength in providing high quality medical care.
"I am pleased to join a team that values fiscal responsibility," she said. "Our patients will benefit from the knowledgeable, comprehensive and sound financial decisions that we make."
Dr. Carlos F. Rodriquez also recently joined Northwest Health System clinic in Springdale as a family medical physician.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Rodriguez completed his medical degree at Juan N. Corpas School of Medicine in Colombia, South America. He then moved to Fort Smith to complete his residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Area Health Education Center West.
Rodriquez said practicing medicine in both Colombia and the U.S. made him better at practicing medicine.
“I bring not only the experience I got during my three years of residency training in the U.S., but close to five years of experience as physician in Colombia,” he said. “Medicine is my passion, and that makes me a better physician because I love so much what I do.”
According to the 2010 census, approximately 35% of households in Springdale speak Spanish as their first language. Rodriquez’s ability to speak both Spanish and English fluently may help bridge a medical communication gap many Northwest Arkansas’ families face.
CEO of Northwest Health System, Dan McKay, said having another bilingual physician in the community is an asset.
“For people whose first language is Spanish, they often find having a physician that is fluent in both English and Spanish comforting,” he added.