PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Big plans are underway to improve healthcare in Jefferson County.
A United States Department of Agriculture grant will expand some much-needed resources.
The Watson Chapel Health Complex in Pine Bluff is about to have a new look as it takes in the Jefferson Regional Nursing School and houses a new program aimed at fighting food insecurity for seniors.
"We're excited about partnering with the USDA on this endeavor, and when you join together, it's amazing what you can do," Jefferson Regional Vice President and CEO Wendy Talbot said.
Talbot said the $844,000 grant will make a big difference, especially when more resources are added for those who need it the most.
That's made possible through the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership's Good Food RX program.
"What we plan to do is partner with physicians in the area," Talbot said. "They will help us identify patients with some sort of chronic care condition who are above 65 years old and would benefit from having healthy meals provided for them."
The program started in Lake Village and Helena and is now coming to the Watson Chapel Health Complex in Pine Bluff.
It will house a commercial teaching kitchen to operate the Good Food RX program.
"We will utilize employees, volunteers and caseworkers to help prepare and deliver those meals to families," Talbot said. It will be a meal for four, four times a week."
Talbot said that's a much-needed resource for the area.
"Many people make food choices based on what they can afford and what is easy," Talbot said. "As we all know, that's not always our healthiest choice, so this is coupling that chronic care needs with the resources of a healthy meal."
The grant will also move and expand the Jefferson Regional Nursing School into the second floor of the Watson Chapel Health Complex.
"We could have 150 students in this new space," Talbot said. "Whereas previously, we were probably limited to about 100."
Jefferson Regional hopes they'll stick around when they graduate and call south Arkansas their home.
"We're in desperate need of nurses," Talbot said. "Getting that talent to stay in this area is critical."
Talbot hopes to see the Good Food RX program expand into surrounding counties as the renovation is expected to start in early 2024.
It will also include improvements for the Jefferson Regional School of Nursing Telehealth Training Center and provide dedicated space for a new ARHP regional office in Jefferson County.