UAMS and Arkansas Rural Health Partnership Partner to Provide Community Health Workers in Chicot County

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June 24, 2022 | FAYETTEVILLE – Four community health workers were recently hired as part of a partnership between the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership to help Chicot County residents navigate in the health system.

As Embedded Community Health Workers, Autumn Bridwell, Jana Kamal, Anna Ragland and Ileen Talavera are available to answer basic health care questions and provide education and resources to the public.

“As community health workers, we support community members by connecting them to local resources related to health care, empowerment and social justice,” Ragland said. “It is our duty to promote reliable and safe resources to all members of the community.”

Community health workers work within their communities to help the public get the care they need and answer essential health care questions, such as when someone should see a doctor. They can also provide valuable information about vaccines.

“We are thrilled to be working with Autumn, Jana, Anna and Ileen to provide the people of Chicot County with a new resource as we enter the next and hopefully final stage of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said said Stephanie Kruger, Partner. Director of Community Programs in the Office of Community Health and Research at UAMS. “We are also excited to work with the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership and the community of Chicot County as we work to create better health for all Arkansasians.”

To contact Bridwell, email [email protected] or call 870-632-7299; to contact Kamal, email [email protected] or call 870-632-8751; to contact Ragland, email [email protected] or call 870-632-7299; and to contact Talavera, email [email protected] or call 870-632-8300.

For more information on the UAMS Community Health Worker Project, visit nwa.uams.edu/chr/chw. For more information about COVID-19, including resources, mobile vaccination events and education, visit nwa.uams.edu/covid.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under an award totaling $9,892,799 with 0 percent funded by non-governmental sources.

UAMS is the only health sciences university in the state, with colleges of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, health professions, and public health; a doctoral school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwestern Arkansas Regional Campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and seven institutes: Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, and Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses the entire clinical enterprise of UAMS. UAMS is the only Level 1 adult trauma center in the state. US news and world report Recognized UAMS Medical Center as Best Hospital for 2021-22; ranked its otolaryngology program among the top 50 nationally for the third year; and named five high performing areas – colon cancer surgery, diabetes, hip replacement, knee replacement and stroke. UAMS has 3,047 students, 873 medical residents and fellows, and six resident dentists. It is the largest public employer in the state with more than 11,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide patient care at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu Where www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube Where instagram.

UAMS’ Northwestern Regional Campus includes 288 medical, pharmacy, nursing, and health professions students, 64 medical and pharmacy residents, two sports medicine fellows, and 1,000 community faculty. The campus has nine clinics, including a student-run clinic and physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services. Professors conduct research to reduce health disparities. Visit www.uams.edu Where www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube Where instagram.