UAFS restarts nursing degree program

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

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, with Baptist Health-Fort Smith and Mercy Fort Smith participating in tuition reimbursement.

The UAFS on Monday (May 20) announced the return of an associate of applied science-nursing (AAS) degree in the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing approved the new degree plan on May 16, with previous approvals from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, according to UAFS.

UAFS hopes to have 20 students in the first semester, and grow the program to 30 students per cohort. The AAS in nursing allows students to work toward a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and higher degrees.

UAFS restarts nursing degree program

Manojna Konda, M.D., and Vivek Yadala, M.D., Join UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Network

By Marty Trieschmann

Oncologists Manojna Konda, M.D., and Vivek Yadala, M.D., have joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to support the expansion of UAMS cancer services to Baptist Health locations.

Konda is a medical oncologist treating patients at the UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Center at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. She is a graduate of the UAMS College of Medicine where she completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hematology-oncology. Konda received her medical degree at Gandhi Medical College in Telangana, India. She is board-certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology.

UAMS provides enhanced medical oncology and infusion services for cancer patients at the UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Center in Little Rock, including access to novel clinical trials and proton therapy.

Manojna Konda, M.D., and Vivek Yadala, M.D., Join UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Network

Image by Bryan Clifton

Baptist Health Opens UAMS Milk Bank Depots in Conway and Stuttgart

LITTLE ROCK — Baptist Health, in support of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Milk Bank, has opened milk depots at two of its medical centers in Conway and Stuttgart.

The Conway Baptist Health Milk Depot and the Stuttgart Baptist Health Milk Depot are designated spaces for women to donate milk, which will be sent to the UAMS Milk Bank for screening, pasteurization and nutritional analysis. After processing, milk will be sent, according to need, to hospitals throughout Arkansas.

Located in the Monroe Building just off UAMS’ main campus in Little Rock, the UAMS Milk Bank, the first facility of its kind in Arkansas, focuses on the health of mothers and newborns in Arkansas through encouragement and support of breastfeeding. The new milk bank helps ensure a ready supply of donor milk for sick and vulnerable infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) around the state, shortening the time it takes for regional hospitals to receive critical milk supplies and improving outcomes for babies.

Baptist Health Opens UAMS Milk Bank Depots in Conway and Stuttgart

The Conway Baptist Health Milk Depot and the Stuttgart Baptist Health Milk Depot will support the UAMS Milk Bank. Image by Andrew Vogler

UAMS, Baptist Health Celebrate Opening of New Cancer Clinic in Little Rock; Infusion Center to Open This Fall

By Marty Trieschmann

Baptist Health and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) on Thursday, May 18, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new cancer clinic and infusion center on the campus of Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock.

UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Clinic-Little Rock, in Suite 500 of the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center, offers expert diagnosis and care for patients with cancer.

“Both Baptist Health and UAMS understand that cancer care is a critical part of providing quality health care to our community,” said Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “That’s why we are committed to expanding cancer services and resources together so that Arkansans can receive the care they need as close to home as possible. We remain committed to helping those who are fighting this difficult battle and ensuring they receive the best possible outcomes. It is our mission to provide Arkansans with compassionate care that meets the highest standards of quality.”

https://news.uams.edu/2023/05/18/uams-baptist-health-celebrate-opening-of-new-cancer-clinic-in-little-rock-infusion-center-to-open-this-fall/

A ribbon cutting was held May 18 to celebrate the opening of the new UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Clinic and Infusion Center located in the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center, Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. Image by Baptist Health

UAMS, Baptist Health Celebrate Opening of New Cancer Clinic in Little Rock; Infusion Center to Open This Fall

By Marty Trieschmann

Baptist Health and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) on Thursday, May 18, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new cancer clinic and infusion center on the campus of Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock.

UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Clinic-Little Rock, in Suite 500 of the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center, offers expert diagnosis and care for patients with cancer.

“Both Baptist Health and UAMS understand that cancer care is a critical part of providing quality health care to our community,” said Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “That’s why we are committed to expanding cancer services and resources together so that Arkansans can receive the care they need as close to home as possible. We remain committed to helping those who are fighting this difficult battle and ensuring they receive the best possible outcomes. It is our mission to provide Arkansans with compassionate care that meets the highest standards of quality.”

https://news.uams.edu/2023/05/18/uams-baptist-health-celebrate-opening-of-new-cancer-clinic-in-little-rock-infusion-center-to-open-this-fall/

A ribbon cutting was held May 18 to celebrate the opening of the new UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Clinic and Infusion Center located in the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center, Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. Image by Baptist Health

UAMS, Baptist Health Partner on New Cancer Care Initiative

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences announced to employees on Tuesday (June 1) that it is collaborating on a new cancer care initiative with Little Rock-based Baptist Health.

“Building on our longstanding relationship, UAMS and Baptist Health are taking steps to expand the innovative and unique oncological care found at our Cancer Institute, starting with the opening in the near future of the UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Center on Baptist’s North Little Rock campus,” UAMS Chancellor Dr. Cam Patterson revealed in a memo to employees.

Patterson said locations for additional new UAMS Baptist Health cancer centers are not final yet, but Baptist’s statewide footprint stretches from Fort Smith through central Arkansas and ranges from north central Arkansas into south Arkansas.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/06/uams-baptist-health-partner-on-new-cancer-care-initiative/

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences announced Tuesday it is partnering with Baptist Health on a new cancer-care initiative.

CREDIT UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES

Proton Cancer Treatment Center Coming to UAMS in Little Rock

Cancer patients in Arkansas will soon have an alternative to radiation therapy, which can damage healthy tissues and have long-term consequences.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Baptist Health and Proton International have signed a letter of intent to build a proton treatment center at the UAMS Radiation Oncology Center in Little Rock. In a joint announcement, the consortium said the center will be the first such facility in Arkansas and one of about 40 nationwide.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/first-proton-treatment-facility-planned-arkansas-fight-cancer

First Proton Treatment Facility Planned For Arkansas To Fight Cancer

Cancer patients in Arkansas will soon have an alternative to radiation therapy, which can damage healthy tissues and have long-term consequences. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Baptist Health and Proton International have signed a letter of intent to build a proton treatment center at the UAMS Radiation Oncology Center in Little Rock.