Schliemann Center celebrates 20 years of women’s health education

The Schliemann Center for Women’s Health Education celebrated its 20th anniversary on June 18 with a community gathering that highlighted two decades of free programming for women throughout the Twin Lakes Area.

Board members, volunteers and community supporters gathered at the Mountain Home facility to reflect on its growth from a small support house into a comprehensive resource for women’s health education in north central Arkansas.

The center opened in 2005 through the vision of Dr. Mary Wren, a Cotter native who served as chief of obstetric services at Baxter Regional Medical Center. Working with 15 local women, Wren established the center to address unmet needs in women’s healthcare.

“Dr. Mary Wren was a visionary,” said Corinne Hiser, one of the founding board members. “She realized in her private practice as an OBGYN that there were areas for women that were not being met.”

Originally called the Women’s Health Education Center, the facility was renamed in 2008 when Josée Schliemann, a friend and patient of Wren’s, provided a substantial endowment that allowed the center to expand its facilities and establish its garden area.

“Josie and Dr. Mary Wren formed a fast bond, a deep, long-lasting bond,” Hiser said. “As a result of that, Josie blessed us with her tremendous philanthropy.”

Janie Robbins, current board chairperson, emphasized the center’s comprehensive approach to women’s health education. “We have services for women in all stages of their lives, from teenagers up to anywhere in between,” she said. “All of what we do is provided free.”

The center’s signature programs include “Teen Girls Go to College,” held each March, where scholarships are awarded and career speakers inspire young women. The event gives participants “a chance to see what can I do with my life and what am I interested in,” Robbins said.

Regular programming features weekly dance classes at the nearby WEB building, all taught by volunteers. The center hosts educational lunch-and-learn sessions with guest speakers and Girls Night Out events throughout the community.

Other key offerings include prenatal classes for childbirth and breastfeeding, exercise programs such as Heart Healthy Line Dancing and Brazilian Dance classes, and support groups addressing infant loss, heart health and breastfeeding challenges. The center also offers the nationally recognized Safe Sitter certification course each summer for young people interested in babysitting.

Educational programs have become community fixtures, including Working Women in the Know sessions and a monthly book club called Novel Women. The center also provides specialized support groups and wellness education programs.

The facility has evolved to focus specifically on the local area rather than the broader multi-county region originally envisioned. “We realized that it wasn’t feasible for people from Harrison to drive over here, people from Cherokee Village,” Hiser said.

The anniversary celebration featured refreshments, information about current programs and Schliemann Center merchandise for sale. Attendees could learn about available resources while celebrating the center’s impact on women’s health education in the region.

The center’s physical location carries special significance. The house previously belonged to a local family that raised four daughters there, one of whom became an OBGYN practicing in Little Rock. “It was coming full circle,” Hiser said. “The fact that the house belonged to a family that raised four girls here and now several of them are still in the community and paying back.”

Though Wren died in 2015 and Schliemann died last fall, their legacy continues through the center’s ongoing work. Of the original 15 founding women, Amanda Thornton and Hiser remain active on the advisory board.

The Schliemann Center serves as one of four support houses affiliated with Baxter Regional Medical Center, alongside the Mruk Family Education Center on Aging, Peitz Cancer Support House and Reppell Diabetes Learning Center.

Board member Cindy Costa reflected on Wren’s lasting impact during the celebration, noting it had been 10 years since the doctor’s death. “Dr. Wren is one of those people you can’t delete off of email or off your phone,” she said.

The center continues promoting its mission of supporting good health and well-being for women at every stage of their lives. For more information about programs and services, contact the Schliemann Center at (870) 508-2345.