ARKANSAS, USA — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received a five-year, $3.25 million federal grant to fund the creation of a new healthcare program that will help students from 20 underserved counties in the Arkansas Delta and southern part of the state.
The Arkansas Delta Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Academy will recruit and assist students from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds— including high school juniors and seniors, undergraduate students, and adult and nontraditional learners.
“Students in the Delta face numerous academic and socioeconomic challenges that serve as barriers to their success,” said Gittens, Ed.D., MPA, vice chancellor of the UAMS Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “We want to break down these barriers and create the opportunity to fill areas of need in the health care field.”
According to a 2022 report by the United Health Foundation, Arkansas ranked among the least healthy states in the nation in 48th place.
These issues are more prevalent in the Arkansas Delta, where residents are disproportionately affected by medical conditions such as heart disease, cancer, strokes, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
The HCOP Academy will focus on expanding the workforce in various healthcare disciplines, including sonography, dietetics, health administration, medical lab technology, mental and behavioral health, occupational and physical therapy, physician assistant studies, public health, radiography, and respiratory therapy.
“UAMS is excited to establish the HCOP Academy, which represents another step in our mission to provide equitable health care to all Arkansans,” said Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, the chancellor of UAMS and CEO of UAMS Health.
The program will serve the following counties: Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Cleveland, Columbia, Crittenden, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Jefferson, Lee, Lincoln, Monroe, Ouachita, Phillips, Sevier, St. Francis, and Union.