Lawrence Healthcare Looks to Anthony Knighton to Lead Healthcare Services in Walnut Ridge

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (June 24, 2026) – Lawrence Healthcare announced its selection of Anthony Knighton to serve as the system’s new president following a comprehensive search and review process.

Knighton joins Lawrence, bringing more than 25 years working in healthcare, and most recently, in rehabilitation management. Since late 2020, he has served as Director of Rehabilitation for The Blossoms at Oakdale Rehab & Nursing Center in Judsonia. In addition, he held the same role for The Springs of Searcy Health & Rehabilitation for three years. Now with Lawrence Healthcare, he oversees a fully accredited and integrated rural healthcare system that provides Lawrence County and surrounding areas with a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, and a 110-bed skilled nursing facility, Lawrence Hall Health & Rehabilitation (LHHR).

Knighton expressed an eagerness to further rural healthcare efforts in northeast Arkansas.

“Local hospitals and long-term care facilities not only provide our communities with essential care services, they keep families together throughout the healing process,” Knighton said. “It’s exciting to join an established and respected organization like Lawrence, because we’re already doing great things. My job will be to enhance how we deliver care and support our outstanding teams who provide it.”

Lawrence Healthcare board chair John Thomison said that during the board’s first face-to-face meeting with Knighton, the members knew they had found their new president.

“Anthony’s work experience, his commitment to Lawrence Healthcare and his enthusiasm to be with our community impressed our entire board,” Thomison said. “He brings a unique skillset working in long-term care facilities, and his vision aligns with ours for sustained success at our hospital and skilled nursing facility alike. The future is bright for healthcare in Lawrence County.”

While working in Searcy and Judsonia, Knighton was employed by two national rehabilitation providers, Aegis Therapies and Reliant Rehabilitation. He has successfully managed rehabilitation departments across as many as four facilities at the same time and has represented regions spanning Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee on the Aegis Therapies Leadership Council. Furthermore, his work as a speech language pathologist allowed him to work with organizations like Encompass Health/CHI St. Vincent Sherwood Rehabilitation Hospital and Unity Health.

His education includes a bachelor’s in communication disorders from Ouachita Baptist University as well as master’s degrees in speech-language pathology from the University of Central Arkansas (2000) and business administration from Harding University (2012).

Knighton and his wife, Misty, a school psychology specialist, have a daughter, Emilee, and a son, Nate. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, including deer and duck hunting as well as watching his children play and coach sports.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital opened its doors in 1960, with LHHR opening two years later. In 1981, Lawrence formed an enduring management partnership with Jonesboro-based St. Bernards Healthcare. Today, Lawrence Healthcare is the largest employer in Lawrence County, providing jobs to about 300 healthcare worker through a mission “to provide compassionate, quality healthcare to the communities we serve.”