Arkansas
Nearly a dozen witnesses appear in 9-hour Arkansas Medical Board hearing into gastroenterologist • Arkansas Advocate
The Arkansas State Medical Board on Thursday heard nine hours of testimony regarding a Little Rock physician who has been accused of sexual abuse and improper opioid prescriptions.
The hearing of Dr. Alonzo Williams, a gastroenterologist and medical director of the Arkansas Diagnostic Center, will continue Friday with additional witnesses. The medical board is also expected to make a decision in the case, whether it be disciplinary or otherwise.
Little Rock gastroenterologist has 30-year history of complaints against him, records show
Williams has been accused of a range of wrongdoing over the past 30 years, including questionable medical care and sexual misconduct. According to an Advocate analysis of documents obtained through the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, the medical board has received about two dozen complaints about Williams since 1993.
None of the previous complaints have resulted in disciplinary action.
Williams appeared before the board Thursday with his attorney Kevin O’Dwyer, who formerly served as the medical board’s legal counsel. The attorney general’s office represented the board.
The first day of the hearing included testimony from 10 witnesses who ranged from a drug control investigator, an experienced gastroenterologist, former and current employees of Williams’ and patients who have received care from the Little Rock physician.
Witnesses called by the state largely discussed Williams’ practice habits, which they said included prescriptions for controlled substances, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and Xanax, despite reportedly knowing risks to patients and having at least one patient who tested positive for cocaine.
The state also argued Williams conducted some procedures at a concerning frequency, including biopsies and an esophagus examination called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or EGD, which can also include a dilation that stretches a patient’s narrow esophagus to help with swallowing.
Among a sample of six of Williams’ patients, records showed he sometimes performed EGDs every month of the year. In one case, Williams performed three sedated procedures in the same month, Michael Lewis with the attorney general’s office said.
Eduardo deMondesert, the state’s expert witness in gastroenterology, said the records he reviewed showed vague indications that Williams’ patients needed the procedures he consistently conducted.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the field, deMondesert also said if an EGD and dilation didn’t prove to relieve a patient’s symptoms the first time, it shouldn’t be done again. He said repeatedly falling below a standard of care as set forth by disciplinary guidelines, and thus putting patients at risk of harm, is gross negligence.
The witnesses who were patients of Williams’ spoke very highly of the care they have received. Williams’ attorney also argued the patient records the medical board reviewed accounted for a small percentage of the physician’s total patient population and represented “extreme outliers.”
One witness stated that she has needed a dilation completed every three weeks for the last three years or she will struggle to swallow, breathe, talk and work with the pain she experiences. The woman said the chronic issue has prompted her to often seek care at emergency rooms, but the staff always refers her back to Williams.
Kim Graves, another patient of Williams’ who testified, said she has been receiving care from the physician for about 15 years. She receives a dilation about once a year and also visits Williams for her colonoscopies.
The patients expressed a high degree of trust in Williams’ medical opinion.
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Sexual abuse allegations
Though she was absent Thursday, attorneys and witnesses made several references to a former employee of Williams’ who accused him of sexual abuse.
Bradley Diner, a state-called witness who works with the Arkansas Medical Foundation, testified that he recently met with Williams to address the possibility of a sexual compulsive disorder. In the 1980s and again in the 1990s, Williams had previous allegations brought against him.
Diner said he could not come to a conclusion whether Williams had a sex-related problem, and he recommended that a further evaluation be completed. Diner said Williams rejected such an evaluation.
Diner said he was also unable to ascertain whether the sexual abuse complaint brought by Williams’ former employee, Rachael Hudspeth, was true or false.
A number of witnesses for Williams testified about Hudspeth’s behavior and referred to her as someone who was “hypersexual.” As her former coworkers, the witnesses said Hudspeth often talked about her relationships and personal life in professional settings. Hudspeth also allegedly touched at least one of her coworkers inappropriately at work and touched her breasts to at least one patient.
The witnesses said they did not file any complaints about Hudspeth with the clinic’s human resources office, stating that she was a friend and they all wanted to help her get her life on the right track.
Hudspeth’s exit from the workplace was described as “storming out.” Suzette Siegler, a witness on Thursday and Williams’ nurse manager, found evidence after Hudspeth left that she had altered medical charts that were in Williams’ name. Siegler said she checked due to suspicions about Hudspeth’s behavior.
Questioning by Jordan Broyles from the attorney general’s office revealed that Siegler, who signed an affidavit affirming she had collected all available records requested by board investigators, had not provided some from the clinic’s surgery center.
The hearing will begin again at 8 a.m. Friday.
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Arkansas
Arkansas basketball stars Meleek Thomas, Trevon Brazile selected in NBA Draft second round | Whole Hog Sports
Arkansas
Arkansas Athletics, CommunityAmerica Credit Union launch multi-year partnership including Razorback Stadium naming rights
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Department of Athletics has signed a long-term partnership with CommunityAmerica Credit Union, marking a significant step in the credit union’s growing commitment to Northwest Arkansas. Facilitated by Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties, Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will become CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium beginning with the 2027 football season.
Rooted in more than 85 years of helping individuals and families achieve financial peace of mind and building on a 65-year legacy of service in Arkansas, CommunityAmerica is excited to engage with Razorback fans and support the communities they call home.
“This is so much more than a name on a stadium. It’s about becoming part of the Razorback Nation experience and helping fans, students, student-athletes and the communities we and the university serve,” said Lisa Ginter, Chief Executive Officer of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. “Our members are at the heart of everything we do and when we evaluate partnerships like this, it starts with what matters most to them. The University of Arkansas is a powerful source of pride and connection for people across the state and in many of our markets. This partnership underscores our long-term commitment to Northwest Arkansas, where we look forward to growing our presence and helping more families achieve financial peace of mind. We’re already deepening our roots with plans for a campus location and several new branches throughout the region.”
The multi-phased partnership extends beyond naming rights and designates CommunityAmerica as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics. CommunityAmerica will also serve as an official sponsor of Arkansas Athletics, supporting student-athletes and fans alike. The comprehensive partnership will also include the rebranding of the SEC Club inside Razorback Stadium as the CommunityAmerica Club, where fans enjoy premium amenities on gameday. As part of the agreement, CommunityAmerica will engage directly with Razorback student-athletes providing Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, valuable financial education and programs to help them succeed both on and off the field.
“We are thrilled to welcome CommunityAmerica Credit Union as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics as one piece of a partnership that will benefit our student-athletes, fans and the state of Arkansas for years to come,” said Hunter Yurachek, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at the University of Arkansas. “Our vision in the Department of Athletics is to be our best and CommunityAmerica’s commitment to excellence as a trusted, people-driven financial institution mirrors that same vision. This partnership is just getting started but its impact will help shape our future.”
Beginning with the 2027 football season, the partnership will expand into its second phase with the naming of CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium and the launch of CommunityAmerica Razorback Checking, Debit and Credit Cards.
With a legacy of serving members across Arkansas and nationwide, CommunityAmerica is ranked among the most trusted and innovative credit unions in the country and among the largest in the Midwest. CommunityAmerica is excited to engage and serve Razorback fans and members more deeply with a variety of financial products and services that align to their passion for the University.
“Our members are proud of where they live and what they stand behind, and for so many in Arkansas and across our shared communities, that means being part of Razorback Nation,” Ginter said. “As we look ahead to launching Razorback-branded products in 2027, we’re excited to offer experiences that celebrate that pride, strengthen relationships and deliver meaningful value for the people and communities we serve.”
“This is a historic partnership featuring an innovative brand with a passion and proven track record of supporting their community, paired with one of the leading college athletics programs in the country,” said Allison Fillmore, Senior Vice President, Business Development at Learfield. “Learfield and Razorback Sports Properties are excited to collaborate with Arkansas Athletics, which will enhance fan and student-athlete experiences for years to come.”
Razorback Sports Properties is the locally based Learfield team that is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Arkansas Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Razorbacks.
About the University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
The University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics pursues its vision to “Be Our Best” while developing 465+ student-athletes into Razorbacks and Champions for Life. As members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Razorbacks consistently compete at the nation’s highest levels while proudly representing the University of Arkansas and the entire state. Arkansas has established itself as one of the most competitive programs in the nation, winning nine NCAA titles and over 50 SEC Championships in recent years.
About CommunityAmerica Credit Union
CommunityAmerica Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution committed to helping members get on a path to thrive and achieve financial peace of mind. Founded in 1940, and with Arkansas roots dating back to 1968, CommunityAmerica has grown to meet the evolving financial needs of its members. With nearly $10 billion in assets and more than 600,000 members, the credit union is ranked among the nation’s 50 largest credit unions. It is the largest credit union in Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri, and one of the largest financial institutions with expanding operations in Northwest Arkansas. CommunityAmerica offers a full suite of financial products and services for individuals and businesses, including checking and savings, mortgages, loans, commercial banking, wealth management, retirement planning, and insurance. Federally chartered, CommunityAmerica serves members across multiple markets nationwide with branch locations in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas. Learn more at CommunityAmerica.com.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
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