HJLR Nov/Dec 2018

Healthcare Journal of little rock I  NOV / DEC 2018 37 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalLR.com treat the entire spectrum of GI conditions, which include GERD and swallowing disorders, stomach ulcers, gastritis, enteritis, inflammatory bowel dis- eases like colitis and Crohn’s disease, GI bleeds, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and conditions affecting the bile ducts and gallbladder. The team has the lat- est diagnostic tools in endoscopy, laboratory test- ing, and imaging at their disposition. They are part of the multi-disciplinary UAMS liver trans- plant program, Arkansas’ only liver transplant program. Arkansas Summit Showcases State’s Life Science- based Companies Entrepreneurs, investors, research scientists, service providers, and the public interested in technology companies that develop products to improve people’s lives and health were invited to the Arkansas Life Sciences Summit held recently in Conway. The event showcased presentations from 11 of the fastest-growing technology companies with research and innovation in the life sciences conducted at Arkansas universities and private companies. These companies included medical devices, drug discovery, diagnostics, biotechnology, nat- ural products, and agriculture sciences. The sum- mit was organized and hosted by BioVentures and was held at the Conway Expo and Event Center. Public Invited to Attend Fall 2018 UAMS Community Scientist Academy Arkansans interested in having a voice in UAMS research programs or simply learning how research is done were invited to participate in UAMS’ Fall 2018 Community Scientist Academy. Participants in the Community Scientist Acad- emy interacted with UAMS researchers and com- munity members involved in research in small roundtable discussions and other interactive ses- sions. They learned: • How researchers decide what health issues to study • The research process • The benefits of individual and community orga- nizations’ involvement in research Graduates of the Community Scientist Acad- emy became more knowledgeable volunteers with additional opportunities to help influence UAMS research decisions on behalf of their com- munities. Examples include serving on: • Standing community advisory boards • One-time community boards created to advise researchers on specific studies • Panels that decide what research grants get funded For graduates who are leading community organizations, there may also be opportunities to partner with UAMS on community-based research projects. UAMS researchers conduct clinical studies and community-based studies. Its clinical studies are conducted in UAMS’ hospital and clinics across the state, including at its main campus in Little Rock, Northwest Campus, eight Regional Cen- ters, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, and at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. Health Department Completes Roll Out of Birth, Death Certificate Services in All Counties The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is now offering vital records services in all coun- ties. At least one Local Health Unit (LHU) in every county is now ready to process same-day, in-per- son requests for birth certificates and death certif- icates. In addition to in-person and mail requests, a new .gov online system recently launched in partnership with Information Network of Arkan- sas (INA) for online orders. “The Department of Health has achieved sim- plicity by providing easy and quick access to cop- ies of important documents in every county in the state,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “I com- mend Dr. Smith and the Department of Health for this first-rate efficiency, which is a continuation of the department’s good work to eliminate back- logs and to meet the needs of Arkansans which is our highest priority. This is a great example of government transformation at its best.” ADH has already issued more than 37,000 birth and death certificates from the LHUs as services have become available locally this year. Offering vital records locally helps reduce travel time for Arkansans and has provided an easier option for them to get these important documents. “We are thrilled to now offer these same-day services to Arkansans in every county,” said Nathaniel Smith, MD, MPH, ADH director and state health officer. “It is important for Arkansans across the state to have convenient access to their records.” These services are available in all county health units except WIC-only clinics and health units that are not open every weekday. Same-day services are available in most instances, but there are a few situations that will require more time. Any requests to change or correct information on existing birth or death certificates must still be handled in the Little Rock office located at 4815 W. Markham Street. UAMS Receives $1.27Million Grant for Educational Outreach with Little Rock School District The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received a $1.27 million science edu- cation research grant to teach Little Rock School District students about STEM careers and car- diovascular health using handheld ultrasound devices and other interactive technology. The five-year Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) comes from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health. The program is a partnership with the Little Rock School District and will include activities at both institutions. UAMS faculty will bring pro- grams to ninth-grade physical science classes in the district. The UAMS campus will also host week-long summer camps each year of the grant, and some students will be invited back in subse- quent years to deepen their engagement with Stephan Dehmel, MD