UAMS and Mitchell’s Park Street Pharmacy Partner to Provide Community Health Worker in Izard County

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June 28, 2022 | FAYETTEVILLE — Whitney Beard, of Calico Rock, was recently hired through a partnership between the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Mitchell’s Park Street Pharmacy to help Izard County residents navigate the health system.

As an Embedded Community Health Worker, Beard is available to answer basic health care questions and provide education and resources to the public. 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 Whitney to provide the people of Izard County with a new resource as we enter the next and hopefully final stage of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Stephanie Kruger, Director Community Programs Associate in the UAMS Office of Community Health and Research. “We are also excited to work with Mitchell’s Park Street Pharmacy and the community of Izard County as we work to create better health for all people in Arkansas.”

Beard previously worked as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) before joining Izard County Medical Center, where she worked in the center’s stroke awareness program while continuing her education to become a registered nurse. She has over 10 years of service to her community.

“It is an honor for me to serve as a Community Health Worker at Mitchell’s Park Street Pharmacy,” Beard said. “I can use my nursing education to help patients navigate the health care system, which can be confusing at times. I’m available to talk about your medications, answer your questions, or just talk about your concerns.

Mitchell’s Park Street Pharmacy is located at 526 Park St. in Calico Rock and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday. To contact Beard with health or vaccine-related questions, go to the pharmacy or call 870-297-8107.

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.