HJAR Nov/Dec 2019

26 NOV / DEC 2019  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS   Healthcare Briefs Medical Center in Little Rock. “It is a true honor to be selected as a recip- ient of this prestigious award,” said Barber. “I am grateful to my professors, mentors, and fam- ily for supporting me throughout my academic career as I prepare to serve as a future leader in healthcare.” Barber was recommended for the scholarship by Richard Ault, MHSA, director of the Master of Health Administration program, and Saleema Karim, PhD, assistant professor in the Health Pol- icy and Management Department, both in the College of Public Health. “This is a tremendous honor for Dia and one that is deserving of such an excellent student,” said Ault. Barbers’ recommendation noted her depth of thought in making decisions, commitment and ability to work well with others. She is a highly sought after teammate for group projects. “In addition to excellent academic work, Dia has availed herself of the many opportunities we can provide to enhance our students’ pro- fessional development,” Ault said. “Outstand- ing professionals are developed in many ways beyond the classroom, and Dia has recognized this and devoted significant time to the effort.” “Dia is an exceptional student and one deserv- ing of this award,” said Karim. “She is a remark- able individual who demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to her studies and her work. She is someone I truly admire.” After graduation Barber wants to work in hos- pital operations. “I hope to enter a leadership role in an organi- zation that serves low-income communities and use a population health approach to drive initia- tives to reduce health disparities,” Barber said. NYITCOM’s Delta Care-a- van Arrives in Arkansas New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine-Arkansas has a new tool known as the Delta Care-a-van that will greatly enhance the free health screenings the medi- cal school has been conducting in Northeast Arkansas. The college celebrated the arrival of the mobile medical vehicle at an unveiling cere- mony held at the Arkansas State University Fowler Center. Last spring, NYITCOM-Arkansas received a United States Department of Agriculture Delta Healthcare Service Grant for $828,748 to fund health education screenings. Much of the fund- ing was used to build the Delta Care-a-van. After months of construction, the 40-foot long vehi- cle recently arrived in Arkansas, and will soon be deployed for health screenings. Since March, NYITCOM-Arkansas - along with Delta Care-a-van partners University of Arkan- sas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), St. Bernards Medical Center, and the Arkansas State Uni- versity College of Nursing & Health Profes- sions - has conducted 13 free health screenings in seven communities designated in the grant. Those communities include Harrisburg, Leach- ville, Lepanto, Manila, Marked Tree, Piggott, and Walnut Ridge. Future screenings will include the Care-a-van vehicle, which is fitted with two exam- ination rooms, an intake area, and telemedicine capabilities. “Our medical students, faculty, staff, and part- ners have already made a tremendous impact as we’ve visited communities to establish relation- ships and provide invaluable health education,” said Shane Speights, DO, dean of NYITCOM- Arkansas. “Now that we have the Care-a-van, that impact will be even greater as we utilize it as a vehicle to better health outcomes in Arkan- sas and the Delta.” NYITCOM-Arkansas was established to help alleviate the significant physician shortage fac- ing Arkansas and the Mississippi Delta and to provide educational programs to help improve health outcomes in those targeted geographic areas, which is statistically one of the poorest areas in the country in terms of health. The Delta Care-a-van addresses both focal points of NYITCOM’s mission. Medical students from NYITCOM-Arkansas, resident physicians from UAMS and St. Bernards Medical Center, and nursing and social work stu- dents from Arkansas State University will conduct the screenings at each event, meaning the Delta Care-a-van provides practical, hands-on training for all of the aspiring medical professionals. Additionally, each Delta Care-a-van event gives community members the opportunity to be screened for hypertension, diabetes, and anx- iety/depression. Participants also receive refer- rals to regional physicians for follow-up care and information about resources that are available in their communities, which meets the public health education component of NYITCOM’s focus. “Through the Delta Care-a-van, our aspiring medical professionals will also experience the joys, opportunities, and challenges of rural prac- tice,” said Brookshield Laurent, DO, chair of clini- cal medicine for NYITCOM and Delta Care-a-van director. “Our medical students along with the residents and A-State students will be working in areas where people are looking to be better informed about their health and health-related issues. We have a real opportunity to make a tre- mendous impact in these communities.” Michael Birrer, MD, PhD, Named UAMSWinthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Director Internationally recognized medical oncolo- gist Michael Birrer, MD, PhD, has been named vice chancellor and director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Birrer spe- cializes in gynecologic cancers and will join the university by the end of the year. He formerly served as director of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Birrer succeeds Laura Hutchins, MD, who served as interim director of the UAMS Cancer Institute since June 2018. “It is an honor to welcome Dr. Birrer as the new director of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. As a highly regarded physician- scientist, Dr. Birrer is uniquely qualified to increase the Cancer Institute’s capacity for innovative Dia Barber

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