Martha Hendrix

NARMC

Martha Hendrix has had an outstanding career in marketing and communications. She was born and raised in Harrison.

She graduated from the University of Arkansas and received a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She continued her education and completed a master’s degree in marketing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Hendrix worked as the product manager and senior staff communications specialist at Entergy. She also worked as the communications manager at Reliant Energy Arkla. She was the advertising and marketing director for North Point Automotive Group, owner of Retail Therapy and marketing director at Advanced Tissue.

She recently moved back to Harrison to accept the communications and marketing director position at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center.

Hendrix is a wife, mom and friend.

First job: At Boone County Hospital (now North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, or NARMC), I worked the iced tea section of the food line in the cafeteria. I had no idea that my career would bring me right back here.

Favorite food: I gravitate toward veggie dishes, although I’m an equal-opportunity eater.

What attracted you to your career? Although I went to college on a music scholarship (French horn), my parents dissuaded me from getting a music degree. I didn’t really have a clear vision of what I wanted to do in college or after. My parents had the foresight to encourage me to take an aptitude test at North Arkansas Community College (now North Arkansas College) my senior year in high school. The test came back with a strength in marketing and communication, so that was the direction I went. I wasn’t an accomplished high school student, but in my college marketing and communication classes it just seemed to click. I knew that was the right path. I was fortunate to have opportunities with two strong advertising agencies early in my career and that set my trajectory going forward.

What do you love about what you do? My resume is a testament to the fact [that] marketing is a diverse field. I’ve been extremely fortunate to work in a variety of business sectors with some extremely talented people. But, I will have to say, what I’m doing now is what I’ve been working toward. I’ve always wanted to work in the health care field because I believe you can truly have a positive impact on the community you live in and serve. I’m amazed at the outstanding work NARMC is doing and the people that work at the hospital. When I interviewed for the position, I had almost decided I wasn’t interested because I didn’t want to move back ‘home’ to Harrison, but I was so impressed after meeting the people at NARMC and learning what the hospital was accomplishing. There are smart, bright, progressive, caring and extremely talented professionals working here. I wanted to be a part of that team!

Which living person do you most admire? I admire a number of people, but at the moment, there are three that really stand out to me: Dr. Lee Doyle, Beth Lambert and Kendall Byrd.

What is the quality you most admire in other women? The three individuals listed above all have a similar quality: They are making a positive difference. What they are doing is not about them. They are teaching, supporting, defending, exploring and growing, and in doing so, encouraging others to do the same.

Photo by Meredith Mashburn