Multi-million dollar jail death settlement may be heard by Sebastian County Quorum Court

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Sebastian County Quorum Court members are expected on Tuesday (Aug. 20) to hear about a proposed settlement in the August 2021 death of Larry Price Jr. resulting from “cruel and inhumane” treatment while an inmate in the Sebastian County Detention Center.

A lawsuit was filed Jan. 13, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas seeking a jury trial. Sebastian County and Turn Key Health Clinics, the company contracted to provide medical care at the jail when Price died, were named as defendants.

In a June 10, 2024, filing, Turn Key Health asked for a settlement hearing.

Multi-million dollar jail death settlement may be heard by Sebastian County Quorum Court

Larry Price’s body was photographed Aug. 29, 2021, after being pronounced dead at the Mercy Fort Smith hospital.

Arkansas Medical Board revokes license of Little Rock gastroenterologist

KUAR | By Mary Hennigan / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

After approximately 20 hours of testimony during atwo-day hearing, the Arkansas State Medical Board voted to revoke the license of Dr. Alonzo Williams, a Little Rock gastroenterologist accused of sexual abuse and improper prescription practices.

The medical board, led by Dr. Ward Gardner, approved 16 of the 17 charges against Williams, many of which were related to gross negligence or “ignorant malpractice” for the over-utilization of medical procedures such as biopsies, colonoscopies and a specific esophagus examination called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or EGD.

The hearing centered around an investigation of six of Williams’ patients, whom he and his attorney Kevin O’Dwyer described as “extreme outliers.”

Arkansas Medical Board revokes license of Little Rock gastroenterologist

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

Dr. Alonzo Williams, a gastroenterologist and medical director of the Arkansas Diagnostic Center, testifies at an Arkansas State Medical Board hearing into his practice in Little Rock on Aug. 9, 2024.

UAMS Announces a Partnership with Amedisys and Contessa, Creating a Comprehensive Care at Home Suite of Services

By UAMS News Staff

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Amedisys (NASDAQ: AMED), a leading health care at home company, and Contessa, an Amedisys company and the leading comprehensive care at home provider, announced a partnership bringing a new care at home option to Central Arkansas. The joint venture offers patients a full spectrum of medical care in the comfort and convenience of their own homes.

“UAMS is leading the ambitious goal of making Arkansas the healthiest state in the region, and this strategic initiative supercharges that vision,” said Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS chancellor and CEO of UAMS Health. “We are thrilled to partner with Contessa and Amedisys to bring this first-of-its-kind model to the region and the first Comprehensive Care at Home program to the state. We look forward to giving our patients an innovative option that delivers on our commitment of community-focused, patient-centered care.”

https://news.uams.edu/2022/10/11/uams-announces-a-partnership-with-amedisys-and-contessa-creating-a-comprehensive-care-at-home-suite-of-services/

UAMS is partnering with Amedisys and Contessa, to bring a new care at home option to Central Arkansas.