Fort Smith Metro Daily News Briefs: UAFS-ACHE agreement, and a bank promotion

Following are recent news brief items from the Fort Smith metro.

UAFS, ACHE Agreement
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) and the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) signed a new affiliation agreement that guarantees qualified UAFS students an admissions interview for graduate programs at ACHE.

The partnership creates a formal pathway for UAFS students seeking admission to ACHE’s Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Physical Therapy, School of Occupational Therapy, and Master of Science in Biomedicine program.

Under the agreement, UAFS applicants who meet specific academic and professional criteria will bypass ACHE’s initial screening process and automatically receive an admissions interview. To be eligible for interview consideration, students must complete all prerequisite coursework from a regionally accredited institution and meet minimum GPA and entrance exam scores specific to each ACHE program.

“We have 29 UAFS alums right now enrolled across all of our programs, and we want that number to grow,” said Dr. Christopher Smith, ACHE assistant provost.  “And we believe that through this agreement, building strong relationships from the top all the way across our institutions, and ensuring that those relationships continue to grow and continue to benefit both of us, will make that possible.”

Dr. Shadow Robinson, UAFS provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs echoed the importance of regional partnerships to drive regional success.

“I think all of us have in our hearts a mission to serve this region,” Robinson said. “We know that the demand and need for health care is going to go up. And at a university committed to social mobility, we want to see our students get those amazing jobs, hopefully in this area. You help make that possible. And as we look to spur the economic growth of our community, you help make that possible, too.”

Although a guaranteed interview is offered under the agreement, admission is not guaranteed. The agreement is effective for three years and will automatically renew annually unless terminated by either institution with 90 days’ written notice. It will continue to apply to currently enrolled UAFS students at the time of any termination.

Bank Promotion
John Craig has been promoted to president of Cadence Bank’s Fort Smith market where he will oversee the seven bank branches and 38 employees in the Fort Smith metro. Craig has been a banker for nearly 30 years and with Cadence Bank for more than nine years.

“While bringing the energy and enthusiasm for community banking to our River Valley branches, my team and I will stay true to Cadence’s mission of helping people, companies and communities prosper,” Craig said.

“John is a proven leader who understands the importance of relationships and delivering quality service,” said Ty Warren, Cadence Bank Arkansas and Missouri regional president. “Cadence continues to build on the resources it provides customers, which benefits individual and business account holders and the communities where we live and work.”

Craig earned a bachelor’s degree in business at Northeastern State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Troy State University. He has also completed coursework at the American Bankers Association Graduate Commercial Lending School and the Graduate Banking School at Louisiana State University.

Craig is board chairman of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, and is involved with several area nonprofits associated with the United Way of Fort Smith. His wife, Jennifer, is a business teacher at Northside High School, and they have two daughters, Emily and Sarah.

Mercy Rating
Mercy Home Health – Fort Smith has been awarded a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for both Quality of Patient Care and Patient Survey Satisfaction, making it the only home health provider in Arkansas to receive five stars in both categories.

“We are honored to be recognized by CMS for both the quality of our care and the voices of our patients,” said Pamela Raggio, director of Mercy Home Health – Fort Smith. “This achievement is a testament to our dedicated team of nurses, therapists and caregivers who go above and beyond every day to serve our community.”

The CMS star ratings are based on performance data, including outcomes from the Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) survey and clinical quality measures. These ratings help patients and families make informed decisions about their home health care options.

Mercy Home Health – Fort Smith operates in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. In-home services include physical and occupational therapy, nutritionist support, short-term aide services, patient/family education, ostomy care, wound care and more. Physician-ordered care is reimbursed through Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance.

ATU-Ozark Student Success
Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus cardiac sonography graduates in the class of 2025 achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the cardiac sonography board examination administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

“We are extremely proud of the 2025 ATU cardiac sonography graduates,” said Kristen Wendling, ATU-Ozark cardiac sonography program chair. “Successfully passing the registered cardiac sonography exam is a significant achievement and a testament to their dedication and hard work. We are confident that this exceptional group will go on to become outstanding cardiac sonographers, making a meaningful impact on their patients and the communities they serve.”

The ATU-Ozark cardiac sonography program is housed at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Research Institute Health and Wellness Center in Fort Smith. Students in the program complete more than 100 hours in on-campus labs using both peer practice and volunteer subjects. They also log more than 950 hours of clinical rotations in hospitals and clinics throughout the region.

New UAFS Faculty
Twenty-five new University of Arkansas at Fort Smith full-time faculty have been hired for the 2025-26 academic year in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Industry, and College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences.

College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Deborah Chun, department head and professor of mathematics
Dr. Radwa Hanafy, assistant profgssor of microbiology
Kang Ma, assistant professor of graphic design
Dr. Michael Maguigan, visiting assistant professor of physical science
Dr. Christopher Pierret, department chair and professor of biological sciences
Dr. Peter Sassman, assistant professor of mathematics
Dr. Tom Sokolowski, assistant professor of English, rhetoric and writing, and media communication

College of Business and Industry
Mike Franks, instructor of welding technology for the Western Arkansas Technical Center (WATC)
Pradip Kharbuja, instructor of network engineering technology for the WATC program
Dr. Yuchen Luo, assistant professor of finance
Eric Rygaard, instructor of welding technology for the WATC program
Lee Stovall, instructor of accounting and business
Dr. Dillon Walker, assistant professor of accounting

College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences
Brittany Arnold, practical nursing instructor for the WATC program
Dr. Stephen Berry, assistant professor of psychology
Madison Branham, instructor, School of Nursing, associate of applied science in nursing program
Corri Brosius, visiting instructor, early childhood education
Dr. Netlla Cureton, visiting instructor, School of Education
Serena Dodson, visiting Instructor in allied health
Michaela Lantz, instructor, School of Nursing, bachelor of science in nursing program
Lindsey Pannell, visiting instructor, School of Education
Malia Price, instructor, School of Nursing, associate of applied science in nursing program
Alicia Redding, instructor of imaging sciences-sonography

Boreham Library
Deidre Grzymala, collection development librarian
Roxy Wylie, student success librarian

Police Task Force
The Fort Smith Police Department has established a Violent Crimes Task Force in response to recent incidents of gunfire, including multiple drive-by shootings that have resulted in property damage and the loss of one life.

“We will not allow a handful of criminals to terrorize our community,” Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker said in a statement. “The Violent Crimes Task Force has been created to address these incidents head-on, and the men and women of the Fort Smith Police Department remain committed to protecting our residents and keeping crime down.”

The temporary task force brings together specialized officers and resources to target violent offenders, strengthen community partnerships, and provide timely updates to the public as progress is made. Progress will be monitored for its continued need and effectiveness.