Chancellor’s Circle grants totaling $100,000 have been awarded to three University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) programs to support health care education, research, and patient care.
Each program made a significant impact on the health and well-being of Arkansans during a challenging year, and each is poised to continue this work in the year ahead. The grants will help UAMS create training for residents and fellows, provide mental health and wellness services for UAMS employees, and address food insecurity issues in the community.
“It’s my honor and privilege to award the Chancellor’s Circle grants each year, and I have our generous members to thank for it,” said UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, MD, MBA, and CEO of UAMS Health. “Your support helps UAMS stay on the forefront of medical education and helps address needs of our healthcare workers and the community.”
The following programs received grants:
The UAMS Wellness Program, led by Natalie Cannady, MEd, received $40,000 to support two initiatives. Nurturing Team UAMS: Caring for the Nurse is a retreat modeled after the Nurturing the Nurse program at Yale University that teaches skills for combating stress and burnout, which are high among nurses. The Department of Family & Preventive Medicine’s Cooperative Wellness Initiative will promote and facilitate an ongoing vibrant culture of wellness and well-being by creating an attractive, well-appointed space to coordinate wellness activities.
Stocked & Reddie, the UAMS campus food pantry led by Mande Corbett, received $30,000 to support its ongoing services. Initially located at the Distribution Center, the program moved to the Monroe Building (former Red Cross building) in March, just in time to switch to drive-thru operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program expanded to deliver dry goods and supplies to regional campuses across the state and launched Stocked & Reddie Plus to support quarantined staff and students.
The UAMS College of Medicine Graduate Medical Education enterprise, led by Molly Gathright, MD, received $30,000 to support the Pathway to Program Excellence Initiative for its ongoing education efforts, needed now more than ever. Medical school graduates are required to complete residency training to practice medicine. Physicians are more likely to remain in the state where they complete their residency, which is an important factor in a state like Arkansas where there are physician shortages, particularly in rural primary care. UAMS has set a goal to increase residency positions in Arkansas by 200 slots over the next decade, with at least 50% of these spots in primary care, and is working to develop new residency programs statewide. The initiative will provide workshops and trainings to UAMS’ 63 GME accredited training programs and partners across the state.