Healthcare

UAFS restarts nursing degree program

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) seeks to address an estimated shortage of more than 200 nurses in the Fort Smith metro by restarting its nursing degree program,…

The Centers Foundation hires Jamie Higgins as executive director

The Centers Foundation hired Jamie Higgins as its new executive director. Higgins brings more than 20 years of development experience to The Centers with previous roles at Community Service, Inc.,…

Arkansas Center for Food Allergy Research receives $2.3 million award

The Arkansas Center for Food Allergy Research (ArCOFAR) at the Little Rock-based Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) has received a $2.3 million award from the National Institutes of Health. The…

Gov. Sanders, Commerce Department distribute $20 million for state’s nursing pipeline

More than $20 million in training grants were awarded to 19 two-year and four-year Arkansas schools to expand the state’s nursing profession. Gov. Sarah Sanders, Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald and…

It’s time to prioritize maternal health in Arkansas

Mothers have a fundamental role in the fabric of our families and society. Each May allows us the opportunity to express our profound gratitude for their love and sacrifice, and…

Wallis family commits $500,000 to UAMS for radiation oncology efforts

James “Jim” Wallis and Patricia “Pat” Wallis pledged $500,000 to create the James and Patricia Wallis Professorship in Radiation Oncology in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College…

Lyon College to locate dental school in LR’s Riverdale neighborhood, vet school in Cabot

Lyon College officials announced Tuesday (May 7) the locations of their planned dental and veterinary schools with one locating in Little Rock and the other in Cabot. In November 2023,…

New chief administrator named at Arkansas Children’s Northwest

According to the hospital system, Dr. Rustin Morse is the new chief administrator at Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW) in Springdale. He will begin in July after relocating his family from…

Draft rule requiring pharmacy payments hits roadblock

A draft Arkansas Insurance Department rule that would have required pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse pharmacists for 110% of their drug acquisition costs plus a $10.50 dispensing fee has hit…

Better reimbursement, access and more midwives among maternal health ideas

Policymakers, government agency officials, doctors and medical advocates on Wednesday (May 1) discussed the need for action to improve maternal health in Arkansas, which has the highest maternal mortality rate…

Heartland Forward seeks to improve maternal health outcomes

Bentonville-based Heartland Forward is addressing U.S. maternal health and negative pregnancy outcomes that result in $165.3 billion in medical costs. Arkansas is one of four states with the lowest maternal…

Walmart shutters 51 health centers and ends virtual care service

Walmart’s experiment in the muddled healthcare sector ended abruptly Tuesday (April 30) when the retailer reversed course and announced it is closing healthcare centers and ending its virtual care service….

Pat and Jim McClelland pledge $1 million to Arkansas Children’s

Pat and Jim McClelland of Little Rock have committed a $1 million legacy gift to Arkansas Children’s, the hospital announced Tuesday (April 30). The McClellands have served as board members…

ACHI: Most Arkansas births performed by physicians

A report issued Monday (April 29) by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement indicates that almost 99% of babies delivered in Arkansas in 2022 were delivered by physicians, with a…

Gosses sentenced to prison in Preferred Healthcare bribery and kickback saga

Bontiea Goss and Tommy Goss on Monday (April 29) were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a multimillion-dollar public corruption scheme that involved embezzlement and bribes paid to…

ACHI analysis shows who is delivering babies in Northwest Arkansas

A new analysis by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) provides a comprehensive look at delivering providers in Northwest Arkansas, including physicians and non-physician healthcare professionals. According to a news…

Riff Raff: It’s more than just a medical school

More than 11 years ago this fella told me about a new Fort Smith-based organization of which he was certain would do great and transformative things. One of the few…

Jordan Carlisle takes on COO role for Northwest Arkansas healthcare startup Sober Sidekick

Bentonville entrepreneur Chris Thompson says Jordan Carlisle has been a go-to relationship for founders and investors interested in Northwest Arkansas as an emerging hub for healthcare innovation. He knows that…

UAMS ‘Community of Practice’ collaboration receives $750,000 hunger relief grant from Walmart Foundation

The Northwest Arkansas Food Insecurity Community of Practice will receive a $750,000 award from the Walmart Foundation. The funding will help develop strategies to reduce hunger in Northwest Arkansas over…

Rural health initiative to focus $450,000 for EMT training

Nearly a half million dollars from the Delta Regional Authority will help fund a new initiative led by the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership (ARHP) to train new medical workers in…