Dental Insurance Leadership: Delta Dental of Arkansas named Jimmy Anthony president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2027, succeeding retiring CEO Kristin Merlo (who stays on as an adviser through Q1 2027). Hospital Expansion in Bryant: The Landes Group completed its acquisition of Encore Medical Center and finalized a long-term lease with UAMS, setting up a new operating partnership for the 108,055-square-foot hospital. Maternal Health Focus: DHS submitted a request to extend the ARHOME Medicaid waiver for two years, aiming to keep enhanced funding while CMS requires changes to the delivery system; DHS says coverage for current enrollees continues beyond Jan. 1. School Nutrition & Local Food: Arkansas signed on to USDA’s “Harvest to Hallways” initiative to bring more locally produced food into school cafeterias, alongside planned cafeteria infrastructure and Farm to School grants. Maternal Safety Tool: Hospitals nationwide are adopting “I Gave Birth” postpartum wristbands to flag emergency responders to pregnancy-related risks after discharge. Cancer Research Funding: UAMS Cancer Institute received a $2.3M NIH grant to study how coinfection with a gammaherpesvirus and malaria can lead to endemic Burkitt lymphoma. Maternal Care Costs: A national tracker highlights the high price of pregnancy and childbirth, with state-by-state differences in what patients may pay out of pocket. UAMS Clinical Growth: UAMS and NWACC partner to provide health assessments for Northwest Arkansas community college student-athletes. Healthcare Industry Tech: PathNet will bring PTEN and FGFR3 biomarker staining in-house for prostate and bladder cancer treatment guidance.