Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Conway-based Pediatrics Plus is expanding into Northeast Arkansas through the acquisition of Jonesboro-based Cynergy Rehab Group and Arkids Pediatric Day Centers, a move company leaders say will bring new therapy services to the region while significantly expanding care for children.
According to reporting by Casey Mann of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the acquisition gives Pediatrics Plus its first major presence in Northeast Arkansas and adds the longtime Jonesboro-based organizations to its statewide network.
The combined organization will serve more than 10,000 children through nearly 40 locations across Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
Pediatrics Plus CEO Scott Street told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette the acquisition was driven by the similarities between the two organizations rather than simply growing the company’s size.
“So the two organizations coming together, I think there’s a uniqueness about it because we are so similar,” Street told the newspaper. “It’s really very neat in how we have very similar core values and missions as far as why we do what we do in taking care of children.”
Perhaps the biggest impact for Northeast Arkansas is the planned expansion of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy into the Jonesboro area.
According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Street said Pediatrics Plus expects to begin offering ABA services in Jonesboro by the end of this year. The company will also evaluate other Northeast Arkansas communities for future expansion through 2027.
ABA therapy is commonly used to help children, including many diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, develop communication, behavioral and daily living skills through structured teaching and positive reinforcement.
Street told the Democrat-Gazette the company believes its therapy model fills an important need in Arkansas, particularly in rural communities.
Cynergy Rehab Group and Arkids Pediatric Day Centers have operated developmental preschool programs, outpatient therapy and school partnerships since 2008 from their Jonesboro base.
According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, current owners Kevin James and Ronnie Norman will remain in leadership roles as the organizations transition into Pediatrics Plus.
The acquisition also means all Cynergy and Arkids employees will join the larger organization. The combined company will employ approximately 2,100 people.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Pediatrics Plus plans to continue hiring therapists and behavioral health professionals as demand for pediatric services continues to increase.
Street told the newspaper shortages exist across pediatric healthcare, particularly for occupational, physical and speech therapists, along with board-certified behavior analysts and registered behavior technicians.
He said every location has multiple job openings and the company is actively recruiting through universities and other programs.
According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Street said demand for autism-related services has risen dramatically in recent years.
The newspaper also cited information from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, which says autism diagnosis rates have increased largely because of broader diagnostic criteria and improved awareness and screening rather than a sudden increase in the condition itself.
The first phase of the acquisition is expected to take about six months, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. During that period, patients should experience little disruption while the organizations work through operational integration.
Branding changes, new signage and facility updates will be rolled out over the next year.
Pediatrics Plus did not disclose financial terms of the acquisition.
Source: Reporting by Casey Mann, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. This story has been rewritten and summarized for Jonesboro Right Now.