Conway, Arkansas – Conway Regional Health System has selected a familiar face to take on its top leadership role. The organization announced that Angie Longing will become its next president and chief executive officer, with her appointment scheduled to begin July 20.
Longing steps into the role at a time when the health system continues to focus on growth, patient care, and workforce stability. Her selection also signals a return to an organization where she previously held a key leadership position, giving her both institutional knowledge and a strong understanding of its operations.
Before this appointment, Longing served at CHI St. Vincent, where she most recently worked as interim president of CHI St. Vincent Infirmary. She also held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive for the Arkansas market, overseeing nursing operations across four hospitals within the system. Her work there placed her in charge of large-scale coordination efforts tied to patient care and clinical leadership.
Her return to Conway Regional is not new territory. From 2016 to 2022, Longing served as the organization’s chief nursing officer. During that period, the health system reached a major milestone by earning its first Magnet designation, a recognition tied to nursing excellence and high standards in patient care. The system also reported improvements in patient experience, employee engagement, and overall nursing performance during her tenure.
Leadership at Conway Regional described Longing as a strong fit for the organization’s next chapter. “Angie is an accomplished healthcare executive whose career has been defined by her commitment to quality, patient-centered care, employee engagement, and organizational excellence,” said Jeff Standridge. “The Board of Directors is confident in her ability to lead Conway Regional through its next chapter while continuing to advance our mission and strengthen the health of the communities we serve.”
Support for her appointment also came from outside the organization. Dr. William G. Jones highlighted Longing’s leadership experience and her impact across Arkansas healthcare systems. “Conway Regional plays a vital role in our state’s healthcare delivery system and we fully support Angie in this new role and are confident she will continue to make a positive impact for patients, employees, and communities throughout central Arkansas,” Jones said.
Longing herself expressed appreciation for the opportunity and emphasized her long-standing connection to healthcare in the region. “I am honored and excited for the next chapter of my life to be dedicated to quality care in Conway, Longing said. “As a lifetime resident of the Natural State, my career has been dedicated to improving the healthcare of the communities of central Arkansas. I believe that serving patients through the relationships we build with providers, caregivers, and our community is the key to success.”
Her appointment comes as Conway Regional continues to navigate changes in healthcare delivery, workforce demands, and community needs. Leaders within the system are expected to rely on her previous experience inside the organization as it works to strengthen services and maintain patient trust.
Longing will succeed outgoing president and CEO Matt Troup, marking a leadership transition that officials say is aimed at continuity and long-term stability. With her background in nursing leadership and executive management, her return is being viewed as both a homecoming and a strategic step forward for the health system.
As the July 20 start date approaches, attention now turns to how Longing will shape the next phase of Conway Regional’s development and how her leadership style will influence one of central Arkansas’s key healthcare providers.
