When you meet Patti Irwin, it’s easy to see why so many call her the heart of Fort Smith. As CEO and executive director of Good Samaritan Clinic, she leads with grace, humility, and grit, a steady goodness that quietly changes lives. Her career has always centered on people, but it’s her return home and leadership at Good Samaritan that define her calling. Under her guidance, the clinic continues its mission to provide non-emergent medical care to those who need it most, restoring dignity and hope one patient at a time.
As we enter this season of giving, Patti reminds us that compassion isn’t seasonal. With that spirit in mind, she sat down with Do South to share more about her work and her heart for service.
DS: You’ve built a career around helping others. Who shaped your heart for service, and what lessons from your family still guide you today?
PIK: Two amazing women, my mother and grandmother. One nurtured, one disciplined. Both worked hard and gave selflessly. My mother taught me about love, caring for others, and being there when people need you most. As a nurse, she went the extra mile for her patients, always with a cheerful, compassionate heart. She’s the one responsible for my servant’s heart, some days I want to kiss her; some days I want to kick her!
DS: Before returning to nonprofit work, you led special events and guest services for Razorback Athletics. How did that experience shape your leadership style?
PIK: My years as Director of Guest Services for the University of Arkansas Athletic Department were rigorous, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Working with legendary Coach Broyles was both demanding and rewarding. The hours were long, the work challenging and sometimes political, but for a Southern girl who loves sports, it was a dream job — though nonprofit work is what I was born to do. My leadership style today mirrors much of what I learned from Coach Broyles. He trusted his team and could spot a workaholic at fifty paces. While he expected excellence, he gave people the freedom to do their jobs, and he was deeply caring. I strive every day to live up to what he saw in me.
DS: How would you describe Good Samaritan Clinic and the people you serve?
PIK: Good Samaritan Clinic is a place where the underserved, uninsured, and underinsured have options — where neighbors in need can receive quality medical care for a small co-pay or no cost at all. Everyone is treated with dignity and respect. My mom used to say, “You never know when it could be you in need,” and that’s the heart of what we do. Like the story from Luke 10:25–37, we don’t look away; we meet people where they are, with compassion and care.
DS: What’s one misconception about community health you wish more people understood?
PIK: The biggest is that we only serve the homeless. Our patients are what the industry calls ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed. They’re hardworking neighbors who simply fall through the cracks when it comes to affordable, accessible healthcare.
DS: The Good Samaritan Clinic recently moved into a new space. What does this new home mean for your team and patients?
PIK: We’re so grateful to the Mercy Health System for believing in our mission and helping us relocate to a beautiful new facility. Going from an older law office to a true medical clinic has been a blessing. We expanded from four exam rooms to ten, added on-site X-ray and a small procedure room, and created dedicated training space for ACHE medical students and UAFS BSN nursing students! Our patients are proud of the new clinic, and it allows even more people to seek care when they need it.
DS: Can you share a moment that captures what the clinic’s mission looks like in action?
PIK: Recently, a young woman in her early twenties came to one of our vision care nights with Dr. Adam Schluterman, our 2025 Physician of the Year. She hadn’t had new glasses or an eye exam since the seventh grade, nearly ten years. She’s a local waitress who relies on her sight! When she put on her new glasses, she said she felt pretty for the first time in years. It made my eyes water. Such a small thing, yet life changing. That’s what we do here; help people see and feel their worth.
DS: When you look back at how far the clinic has come, what makes you most proud?
PIK: Our patients, volunteers, donors, and devoted team mean everything, but one milestone stands out. Before COVID, I asked retired surgeon and beloved community leader Dr. Cole Goodman to help us meet the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics’ benchmarks. Five years ago, we earned our first Gold Standard of Care rating, recognition we’ve proudly maintained. That achievement reflects the dedication of our Clinic Manager, Melissa Morton; Medical Director, Dr. Leslie Ziegler; and the volunteers and staff who make Good Sam a beacon of care in the River Valley.
DS: You made a personal commitment a few years ago to focus on your health, even turning pickleball into a fundraiser. How has that journey shaped you and your leadership?
PIK: About three years ago, I went through a difficult season and realized I wasn’t prioritizing my own well-being, even while helping others with theirs. I made a life change and committed to my health. With the support of my trainer, Andrew Downs, and a wonderful gym family, I’m down 95 pounds and stronger than ever. It’s made me a better leader, more alert, balanced, and joyful, and I hope it inspires others, too.
DS: What advice would you share with those who pour so much into others about remembering to pour back into themselves?
PIK: I’m the world’s biggest workaholic; I’ll give everything to my job, my family, and others, but for years I rarely made time for myself. A close friend recently reminded me how important that is. You can’t care for everyone else if you’re sick or unwell. Good health is a gift, and it’s one I no longer take for granted. Be kind to yourself, you’re worth the same care you give to others.
DS: What’s been one of the most meaningful lessons you’ve learned about resilience or faith through your work?
PIK: When I joined the clinic, things were tough, the bottom line was shaky, and I was nervous. We rolled up our sleeves, tackled each challenge, and leaned on a board that believed in me. Over the years, we’ve weathered adversity, COVID, and even a major relocation, yet we’ve come out stronger. I truly believe this clinic is guided by something greater. Since the day Ramona Roberts and Dr. Kamal Kutait founded Good Sam 23 years ago, it’s done more than survive, it’s thrived.
DS: Who inspires you, personally or professionally, when it comes to giving back and leading with heart?
PIK: Good Sam means so much to me, and I strive to honor the legacy of those who built it. My faith sustains me, along with a loyal circle of donors, staff, and volunteers. My mother and grandmother taught me to live the teachings of Jesus and treat everyone the same, whether a CEO or a janitor. I’ve been blessed with mentors from my first-grade teacher to Coach Broyles. If I’m remembered for anything, I hope it’s for leading with grit, compassion, and laughter. This isn’t just a job, it’s a mission of love and hope.
DS: The holidays are a time for gratitude and giving. What do they mean to you?
PIK: The holidays are in my DNA! I was born on Thanksgiving, a true “turkey baby,” as my sisters say, weighing in at ten pounds, two ounces. I celebrate every holiday, my church family even calls me “Pagan Patti,” which I take in stride! My mom loved holidays, dressing up for her patients, making our costumes, and filling our home with cheer. Holidays bring out the best in people. I see incredible kindness and generosity this time of year, and I try to spread a little cheer to those who find the season difficult.
DS: How does Good Samaritan embrace the holiday spirit?
PIK: Our annual Shine the Light campaign is our largest and longest-running fundraiser. Anyone can make a donation, any amount, and designate someone to receive a holiday card announcing the gift was made in their honor. Businesses send them to clients, families to loved ones who already “have everything,” and together they help give the gift of health to our patients. Shine the Light provides nearly a fourth of our annual budget and truly embodies the spirit of giving.
DS: You’ve created some wonderful traditions with your team. What does that end-of-year celebration look like?
PIK: I have the entire staff over to my house for an annual lunch and pajama party! We all wear our Christmas pj’s to work, we work half a day and then celebrate our last afternoon together before heading off to spend the break with our family and friends. It’s so much fun. My dog, Bogey, loves all the attention!
DS: What’s the most meaningful way readers can support your mission?
PIK: We always need simple items like copy paper or over-the-counter medicines—ibuprofen, throat spray, vapor rub—but the greatest gift is spreading the word. I always say, “You might not need us, but you probably know someone who does. Financial donations are always appreciated. No patient is ever turned away for inability to pay. Our co-pays range from $10–$35, and if someone can’t afford it, they pay nothing.
DS: Looking back on this past year, what are you most grateful for, and what gives you hope for the year ahead?
PIK: I’m most proud of our new clinic, earning our Gold Standard of Care, and that after 23 years, we continue to serve with compassion, grace, and dignity. I want to reach more people than ever before. And we’re kicking off 2026 with something special, country music star Tracy Lawrence will headline our Gala for Good – The Best Night of the Year on April 9 at Kay Rodgers Park. Mark your calendars!
DS: How would you describe Good Samaritan Clinic in one word?
PIK: Gift. A gift to our patients, our community, our medical and nursing students, our volunteers, and to our team that witnesses miracles here every day.
In a world that often rushes past kindness, Patti chooses to slow down and extend it, to see people, to serve people, and to remind us that good still has a place. This holiday season, her example feels like a gift: proof that when compassion guides the work, communities flourish, and hope is never out of reach. Read Patti’s full extended interview, at DoSouthMagazine.com.
PATTI’S FAVORITE THINGS
Favorite Comfort Food:
Skim milk & Oreos
Favorite Local Restaurant:
Uncork’d
Favorite Music Right Now:
Phil Wickham, My God Is an Awesome God!
Favorite Feel-Good Movie:
The Holiday (Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Jack Black & Cameron Diaz)
Favorite Way to Unwind:
Playing pickleball
Favorite Reset Spot:
Trout fishing on the White River at Cotter
Favorite Source of Joy:
Her black and tan dachshund, Humphrey “Bogey” Bogart
Favorite Podcast:
New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce
Favorite Holiday Tradition:
Her sister making their Nanny’s homemade chicken and dumplings each Thanksgiving
Favorite Fun Fact About Herself:
She’s obsessed with Elvis, and owns an incredible velvet Elvis painting.
About Good Samaritan Clinic
Established in 2003, Good Samaritan Clinic offers free medical, and pharmaceutical care to uninsured adults across the River Valley. Now serving thousands each year, the clinic—led by CEO Patti Irwin—remains rooted in one mission: compassionate care for all, regardless of ability to pay.
479.783.0233
1400 Zero Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas
goodsamaritanfs.com
