Arkansas Colleges of Health Education hire provost, dean

Dr. Ray Stowers has been named provost and vice president of academic affairs of Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith, the school announced Friday (Dec. 14).

Dr. Rance McClain was hired as the new dean of the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. He will start in his new position Jan. 1.

“As ACHE continues to grow at an accelerated pace, the need for a provost and vice president of academic affairs has become imperative,” said Kyle Parker, president and chief executive officer of ACHE.

“We couldn’t ask for a more qualified person than Dr. Stowers, who was recently presented the American Osteopathic Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant fundamental contributions to the osteopathic profession and demonstrated lifetime of commitment to osteopathic medicine, its principals, and its practice. He has over 20 years of proven leadership in academic affairs and is a perfect fit to lead our academics as we continue to add more colleges and programs to ACHE,” Parker said.

McClain joins ARCOM as the second dean of the osteopathic medical school. McClain currently serves as associate dean of clinical sciences at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Miss. A 1996 graduate of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, he completed his family medicine residency at the Medical Center of Independence in 2000.

He is dually board-certified in the specialties of family medicine and neuromusculoskeletal medicine/osteopathic manipulative medicine. He is fellowship-trained and holds a certification of additional qualifications in sports medicine. McClain is a member of numerous local, state and national osteopathic medical societies, and serves the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners on test review committees and as an osteopathic manipulative treatment rater for the COMLEX – Physical Exam section of Level II. McClain is on the Board of Directors for the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine and the Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association. He is an associate editor of the Journal of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

“I am just as excited to bring Dr. McClain to our team as our new Dean of ARCOM,” Parker added. “He came with excellent references from his former co-workers. His extensive experience in clinical and rural medicine has prepared him to make a seamless transition into his new role. Rance is our kind of people. He lives the mission every day.”

The newest facility at ACHE, a 66,000 square foot, $25 million building that will house future programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy and physician assistants, is on track for completion. The new facility will result in 30 faculty positions with annual pay, on average, of $100,000 each.

“Steel is also going up on the residential and retail project, the $11 million Heritage Village, which is located directly across the street from the medical school. Great things are happening for our community,” Parker said.

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education is a private, non-profit institution located on 228 acres at Chaffee Crossing. ACHE’s first college, the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM), will graduate its inaugural class of 150 osteopathic medical students in May 2021.