Arkansas Medical Society member, Hillard Duckworth, MD was recently recognized for over 60 years of service to the Piggott community through the newly opened Duckworth Diagnostic Sleep Center, part of the Piggott Community Hospital. Dr. Duckworth has been a continuous member of the Arkansas Medical Society since 1956.

Full article below from the Clay County Times Democrat, 5/4/2016

Honoring a very special doctor, in 2016 Piggott Community Hospital announced the opening of the H.R. Duckworth Diagnostic Sleep Center. Since 1955, Dr. Duckworth has been a loyal and faithful physician in Piggott. Now, his legacy will live on in a medical service available to citizens throughout the area.

The Duckworth History

Duckworth was born in Pollard and graduated from the University of Arkansas Medical College in 1953. After two year’s internship at St. Louis City Hospital, he “put out his shingle” at what was called the Piggott Clinic. He continues to see patients today at Campbell Medical Clinic. One of the contributions to the communities he serves is a history he offers of the hospital and medical are through the years of his practice.

According to Duckworth, the original location of the hospital was on West Jackson Street and occupied shortly after World War II. It was established by a group of local physicians offering general medicine, surgery and obstetrics. At that time, it was considered one of the finest facilities in northeast Arkansas. It closed in 1979 and has since housed an outpatient clinic.

According to Duckworth,”The hospital system could not operate without adequate nursing service… and could not fulfill its mission without adequate laboratory and xray technicians.” The existing hospital  building was built and occupied July 1,1979. It was and continues to be managed by an administrator and a general health care board appointed by the city.

Since the opening, it has expanded its campus to add a home health building, new emergency facilities and (now) the H.R. Duckworth Diagnostic Sleep Center. Further expansion was experienced with the opening of satellite medical clinics in Rector and Campbell, medical equipment and supplies stores in Corning and Piggott, and home health branch offices in Piggott, Corning, Rector and Campbell, MO.

H.R. Duckworth Diagnostic Sleep Center

The Sleep Center offers a warm, restful atmosphere for diagnosing and disorders associated with sleeplessness. Obviously, special circumstances are necessary for eliciting symptoms interrupted rest. The Center offers that with technology specifically designed to measure sleep interruption.

Measures help determine the presence (or absence) of such problems as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, snoring, chronic insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome and all other aspects of sleep and wake disorders. When you visit the Sleep Center, you can look forward to meeting with trained staff dedicated to the evaluation of a full spectrum of sleep disorders.

Duckworth explains, “The Piggott hospital system has always attempted to expand and advance with medical knowledge and procedures. Efforts are being made to improve technology and build on being better health care providers.” His name is etched to memory for those who have served with him over the years. Now, is it etched on a building.