Deborah Ferguson
State Representative
West Memphis,AR
Summary
History of making significant impact on areas of representation by writing and enacting strong laws such as the Arkansas Telemedicine Act and the establishment of the Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Successful at collaborating with legislators of both parties to achieve dramatic results. Articulate and diplomatic communicator with strong negotiation and organizational skills.
Overview
9
9
years of post-secondary education
46
46
years of professional experience
Work History
State Representative
State Of Arkansas
Little Rock, AR
01.2013 - Current
- Serving a 5th term in the House. Served on the Public Health, Welfare, and Labor committee and the Insurance committee to efficiently craft bills for consideration by the full Legislature.
CFO
Medical Center Properties
West Memphis, AR
06.2010 - Current
- Oversee deployment of strategic business plans to accomplish accounting, compliance and revenue targets.
- Oversee all financial operations company-wide, including budgets, payroll and accounts payable and receivable.
Volunteer Dental Staff
University Of Southern California, USC
Los Angeles, CA
01.2008 - 06.2008
Volunteered to teach a composite restoration class.
Family Dentist
Self-employeed
West Memphis, AR
01.1980 - 01.2005
- Improved patients' comfort by providing calm and professional care, explaining procedures, answering questions and carefully managing pain by starting my own practice
- Helped train future dentists by participating in the student externship program
- Hired and collaborated with associate dentists
Education
No Degree - Master of Public Health
University of Arkansas School of Public Health
Little Rock, AR 08.2020 - Current
DDS - College of Dentistry
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Memphis, TN 01.1977 - 12.1979
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
University of Mississippi
University, MS 08.1971 - 05.1976
No Degree - Biology
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI 06.1972 - 07.1972
Skills
Special Appointments
Affiliations
- American Dental Association
- National Council of Insurance Legislators Executive Committee
- National Conference of State Legislators Health Innovation Committee
- Southern Legislative Conference State Dinner Chairman
Timeline
No Degree - Master of Public Health
University of Arkansas School of Public Health
08.2020 - Current
State Representative
State Of Arkansas
01.2013 - Current
CFO
Medical Center Properties
06.2010 - Current
Volunteer Dental Staff
University Of Southern California, USC
01.2008 - 06.2008
Family Dentist
Self-employeed
01.1980 - 01.2005
DDS - College of Dentistry
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
01.1977 - 12.1979
No Degree - Biology
University of Hawaii At Manoa
06.1972 - 07.1972
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
University of Mississippi
08.1971 - 05.1976
Legislative Recognition
Emerging Legislative Leaders- The State Legislative Leaders Foundation 2015
Arkansas Medical Society Outstanding Legislator 2013
Arkansas Dental Association Distinguished Legislator 2013
Arkansas Municipal League Distinguished Legislator 2013, 2019, 2021
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Distinguished Legislator 2015
Arkansas Body Modification Association Distinguished Legislator 2013
Arkansas Bankers Association Legislative Excellence Award 2019
Arkansas Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award 2019
Community Health Centers of Arkansas Legislative Advocacy Award 2019
Honorary Degree from ASU Mid-South 2015
Legislative Affiliations and Accomplishments
Public, Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, Chair 2016, Vice-Chair 2017-present
Legislative Council Health Insurance Marketplace Oversight Committee, Chair 2019-present
Insurance and Commerce Committee
Arkansas Legislative Council
Rules Committee
Legislative Healthcare Task Force 2015
Legislative Task force for Substance Abuse Treatment
Chair of Arkansas Girl's State 2015, 2016
Chair of Southern Legislative Conference State Dinner 2014
Event Coordinator for Southern Legislative Conference Arkansas Reception 2013
National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), Executive Committee
NCOIL Chair of Life Insurance and Financial Planning 2018
NCOIL Chair of Bylaws 2019
NCOIL Vice-Chair Health Insurance and Long-Term Care Committee 2020, 2021
Council of State Governments Medicaid Fellowship
National Conference of State Legislators Maternal and Infant Mortality Fellowship 2019
National Conference of State Legislators Health Innovation Committee
Women in Government State Director 2015-present
Communiity
West Memphis Chamber of Commerce Board
Prior to serving as a State Representative:
Bank of West Memphis Board Member
Guardian Ad Litem for Foster Children
Outstanding Young Arkansan Arkansas Jaycees
American Heart Association Outstanding Leadership
Arkansas Arts Council Member
Delta Arts Council Auction and Children's Theater Sponsor
Odyssey of the Mind Head Coach
Junior Auxiliary Finance Chair
Legislative Recognition
Arkansas Medical Society Outstanding Legislator 2013
Arkansas Dental Association Distinguished Legislator 2013
Arkansas Municipal League Distinguished Legislator 2013, 2019, 2021
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Distinguished Legislator 2015
Arkansas Body Modification Association Distinguished Legislator 2013
Arkansas Bankers Association Legislative Excellence Award 2019
Arkansas Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award 2019
Community Health Centers o Arkansas Legislative Advocacy Award 2019
Legislative Affiliations and Accomplishments
Public, Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, Chair 2016, Vice-Chair 2017-present
Legislative Council Health Insurance Marketplace Oversight Committee, Chair 2019-present
Insurance and Commerce Committee
Arkansas Legislative Council
Rules Committee
Chair of Arkansas Girl's State 2015, 2016
Chair of Southern Legislative Conference State Dinner 2014
National Council of Insurance Legislators, Executive Committee
Chair of Life Insurance and Financial Planning 2018
Chair of Bylaws 2019
Vice-Chair Health Insurance and Long-Term Care Committee
Council of State Governments Medicaid Fellowship
National Conference of State Legislators Maternal and Infant Mortality Fellowship 2019
National Conference of State Legislators Health Innovation Committee
Women in Government State Director 2015-present
Communiity
Guardian Ad Litem for Foster Children
Outstanding Young Arkansan
American Heart Association Outstanding Leadership
Arkansas Arts Council
Delta Arts Council Auction and Play Sponsor
Odyssey of the Mind Head Coach
Finance Chair for Junior Auxiliary
Legislative Recognition
Arkansas Medical Society Outstanding Legislator 2013
Arkansas Dental Association Distinguished Legislator 2013
Arkansas Municipal League Distinguished Legislator 2013, 2019, 2021
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Distinguished Legislator 2015
Arkansas Body Modification Association Distinguished Legislator 2013
Arkansas Bankers Association Legislative Excellence Award 2019
Arkansas Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award 2019
Community Health Centers o Arkansas Legislative Advocacy Award 2019
Legislative Affiliations and Accomplishments
Public, Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, Chair 2016, Vice-Chair 2017-present
Legislative Council Health Insurance Marketplace Oversight Committee, Chair 2019-present
Insurance and Commerce Committee
Arkansas Legislative Council
Rules Committee
Chair of Arkansas Girl's State 2015, 2016
Chair of Southern Legislative Conference State Dinner 2014
National Council of Insurance Legislators, Executive Committee
Chair of Life Insurance and Financial Planning 2018
Chair of Bylaws 2019
Vice-Chair Health Insurance and Long-Term Care Committee
Council of State Governments Medicaid Fellowship
National Conference of State Legislators Maternal and Infant Mortality Fellowship 2019
National Conference of State Legislators Health Innovation Committee
Women in Government State Director 2015-present
Communiity
Guardian Ad Litem for Foster Children
Outstanding Young Arkansan
American Heart Association Outstanding Leadership
Arkansas Arts Council
Delta Arts Council Auction and Play Sponsor
Odyssey of the Mind Head Coach
Finance Chair for Junior Auxiliary