UAMS Northwest Growth Takes Shape in Third Year

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ expansion into Northwest Arkansas has established roots.

That much is evident by increased enrollment numbers and multiple renovations at the former home of Washington Regional Medical Center, among other factors.

“Northwest Arkansas was the logical choice,” UAMS vice chancellor Dr. Peter Kohler said. “And while it’s provided a statewide benefit, we feel like it’s been a huge benefit for this region as well.”

When expansion efforts were launched about five years ago, the idea was to add a regional campus because UAMS’ Little Rock sites were becoming saturated. As it’s unfolded, UAMS Northwest has supplied students with a more practical environment, thanks to partnerships with six major hospitals in Benton, Washington and Sebastian counties, as well as a slew of other clinics, pharmacies, etc.

Kohler said UAMS Northwest’s curriculum is “a little less block-oriented” than that of the Little Rock campus.

“It simulates real-word practice a little bit better,” Kohler added.

Besides helping stock the local and statewide pipelines with future medical and pharmaceutical personnel, UAMS Northwest provides additional benefits such as making the area more attractive for businesses looking for a home or relocating and overall job creation, Kohler said.

Now in its third year hosting third- and fourth-year students, UAMS Northwest has 107 total students. That includes 19 studying medicine and 37 pharmacy students. The remaining 51 are split between nursing and radiology programs.

The site also is home to 30 post-graduate residents in family medicine.

Now the long-term goal is to increase medical student class size to 40 or 50. The pharmacy program is hoping to up its class size to 30 per year.

Kohler said another goal is to add a clinical skills center – a place that simulates clinical settings – and a continuity clinic, which would allow students to follow a patient’s progress from beginning to end. He also is hopeful about adding an industrial pharmacy program that could help fund the campus.

Until then, UAMS Northwest relies largely on philanthropic gifts.