AGP Executive Report

Physician Pipeline Push: Heartland Whole Health Institute launched a statewide Graduate Medical Education Technical Assistance Center, aiming to expand Arkansas residency slots and keep more doctors in-state as the state graduates ~430 physicians annually but has only ~375 entry-level residency positions. Maternal Care Access: A new Arkansas Center for Health Improvement analysis finds longer drives to labor-and-delivery hospitals, with 29% of pregnant Arkansans traveling over 30 minutes in 2024 and 8% over an hour—after multiple L&D closures since 2020. Fetal Alcohol Research: UAMS received a $2.9 million NIH grant to study fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and neurologic aftereffects, targeting better treatments and prevention. Online Child Safety Lawsuit: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin sued Roblox and Discord, alleging the platforms put children at risk and failed to use meaningful age verification or parental consent. Blood Shortage: Our Blood Institute issued an emergency blood appeal as national supplies hit critical lows, warning hospitals may need to delay procedures. Local Public Health & Safety: Jonesboro police arrested a mother after a 5-year-old was found abandoned and tested positive for multiple drugs; a Pine Bluff couple was charged after children tested positive for meth and the home was found unsafe.

Maternal Care Access: Arkansas Center for Health Improvement data show rural families are driving farther for labor and delivery as units close, with 29% traveling over 30 minutes and 8% over an hour in 2024; since 2020, eight labor and delivery units have closed statewide. Nursing Excellence: Baxter Health earned Magnet redesignation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, highlighting nursing leadership and practice as it renews its national credential. Cancer Care Expansion: Highlands Oncology broke ground on a new five-story cancer-care center in Rogers, targeting a 2028 opening and adding capacity for Northwest Arkansas. Food Safety & Recalls: FDA flagged a Great Value Hawaiian Roll recall tied to an oily/sticky substance on packaging surfaces; no injuries reported. Local Health System Resilience: Eureka Springs Hospital’s new CEO says changes are improving performance, including 24/7 helicopter coverage and shifting from travel nurses to employed staff. Workforce & Workplace Culture: Arkansas Business released its 2026 Best Places to Work list, featuring major health systems and insurers across the state. Gut Health Research: University of Arkansas researchers report celery/parsnip-family compounds reduced gut inflammation in a Western-diet mouse study.

Cancer Care Expansion: Highlands Oncology broke ground on a new five-story, 125,000-square-foot cancer center in Rogers, aiming to open in Q3 2028 and expand access to Northwest Arkansas care. Workforce Pipeline: UAM-CTM reported a 100% first-attempt pass rate for its paramedic class, with graduates recognized at a June 23 ceremony. Nursing Shortage Response: The Arkansas Health Care Association School of Nursing opened a Fort Smith campus for nearly 30 students to earn LPN certification in about 10 months while continuing to work. Blood Supply Alert: Our Blood Institute declared an emergency blood shortage, saying summer donations are down and high-school/university drives are a major source. Medicaid Work Rules: Final federal rules for Medicaid work requirements are out, but advocates warn many enrollees may not know what’s coming or how to comply. Maternal Health Push: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America marked Father’s Day with a campaign urging fathers to help address the maternal health crisis. Food Affordability: A national analysis says a GOP SNAP cut could leave millions losing food assistance, while Arkansas is among states seeing notable produce price pressure.

Medicaid Work Requirements: CMS issued final rules for states to enforce Medicaid work and activity requirements, with a Jan. 1, 2027 rollout looming and agencies scrambling to update systems and avoid coverage losses. Cancer Care in Northeast Arkansas: St. Bernards began offering LUTATHERA (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) for certain GEP-NET cancers, marking a major new targeted therapy option locally. Nursing Pipeline Expansion: Arkansas Health Care Association School of Nursing opened a Fort Smith campus to help current workers earn LPN certification in about 10 months with tuition covered. EMS Training Win: UAM-CTM’s paramedic class hit a 100% first-attempt NREMT pass rate, with six graduates set for recognition at June 23 commencement. Local Health Workforce & Education: Arkansas Teacher Corps continues expanding grow-your-own pathways for educators in high-needs schools, while UCA received a contract tied to teacher support. Community Health & Access: A “blood emergency” alert from Our Blood Institute highlights ongoing supply strain. Maternal Health Push: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America urged fathers to help address the maternal health crisis as new Father’s Day messaging and sign-ons roll out.

Public Safety Update: Texarkana police confirmed human remains found near Delaware and Ray Street are those of missing Louisiana man Jonathan Bohrer; the case remains under investigation as the medical examiner’s cause-of-death results are pending. Cancer Care in Arkansas: St. Bernards in Northeast Arkansas began treating its first patient with LUTATHERA, a targeted radiation therapy for rare gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, expanding options for eligible patients. UAMS Spotlight: UAMS neurosurgeons raised funds at a New York NeuroCharity softball event, using team-building to support neurosurgery research. Medicaid Spending Watch: Multiple Arkansas communities saw notable Medicaid billing shifts in 2024, including big jumps in dental services (Batesville, Fayetteville, Booneville), medicine services (Lowell, Hope, Ozark, Mount Ida, Parkin), and specialty categories like chemotherapy drugs (Jonesboro) and anesthesia (Forrest City). Blood Supply Alert: Our Blood Institute declared an emergency blood shortage in Oklahoma, affecting hospitals across the region it serves, including Arkansas. Local Health Access & Coverage: Riceland Foods temporarily closed nine rice drying facilities across eastern and southeastern Arkansas, a reminder of how economic shocks can ripple into local health and community stability.

Maternal & Infant Health: A Father’s Day op-ed from Rep. Lee Johnson ties Arkansas moms and babies to early support during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period, arguing families thrive when care and resources are there when they’re needed. Medicaid Spending Watch: New U.S. HHS Medicaid payment data show local increases across Arkansas communities—North Little Rock’s Enteral/Parenteral Therapy rose to $3.13M in 2024 (+9%), Ozark Medicine Services and Procedures hit $345,261 (+13.1%), Parkin’s Medicine Services and Procedures climbed to $438,452 (+15.1%), and Harrisburg Dental Services reached $47,109 (+3.1%). Testing & Treatment Access: Coronavirus Diagnostic Panel billing rose in Pocahontas to $9,318 (+124.8%) and in Piggott to $28,660 (+4.7%), while Dumas Radiology Procedures jumped to $13,860 (+39.6%). Blood Supply Alert: Our Blood Institute declared an emergency blood shortage in its Oklahoma system, warning O-negative inventory dropped to 65 units—less than a day’s supply—impacting hospitals it serves across the region. Food Science & Careers: Arkansas lawmakers approved $5M for a UA Food Science Center of Excellence in Fayetteville, building on $30M in federal support to expand food innovation, health and safety research, and workforce training. Correctional Health & Safety: Arkansas State Police are investigating an assault on a correctional officer at the Larry B. Norris Unit in Tucker, where an inmate allegedly stabbed an officer in the face with contraband; the officer was treated and released.

Nursing Workforce Boost: Arkansas Health Care Association School of Nursing is opening a new Fort Smith location to train medication assistants toward licensed practical nurse (LPN) certification, with the first cohort of 28 starting in July—part of a broader push to grow Arkansas’s nursing pipeline. Food Science Investment: The Arkansas Legislative Council approved $5 million from the state’s restricted reserve fund to build the University of Arkansas Department of Food Science’s Center of Excellence for Food Science and Innovation, adding to earlier $30 million in federal support for a Fayetteville facility focused on food safety, processing, and health. Correctional Officer Assault: Arkansas State Police are investigating an assault at the Larry B. Norris Unit in Tucker, where inmate Christopher Ivey allegedly stabbed a correctional officer in the face with a contraband weapon; the officer was treated and released. UAMS Youth STEM-to-Health: UAMS hosted its inaugural “Summer Under the Microscope” camp for nearly 20 high school students, giving hands-on lab research experiences and career conversations in environmental health and toxicology. CPR Training in Schools: The Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care and the American Heart Association donated CPR training kits to select Arkansas schools, including Southwest Middle School, to help students respond to cardiac arrest. Mental Health Access for Youth in Custody (Regional): Tulsa County, OK, launched a partnership guaranteeing access to a crisis stabilization bed for youth in the juvenile detention center starting July 1—an approach that could reduce out-of-state transfers. Public Safety Tragedy (Regional): Benton County, AR, reported two Tulsa residents found dead in a car near Siloam Springs; the medical examiner ruled the child’s death a homicide and the adult’s death a suicide. Healthcare Career Pipeline (Regional): NYITCOM at Arkansas State University ran Project H.E.A.R.T., a free medical-themed camp for high school students with hands-on activities and exposure to healthcare careers.

Biomedical Research Funding: UAMS-led INBRE biomedical research program funding was renewed for five more years, extending 30 years of continuous NIH support to $107.7 million total. Health Workforce Pipeline: NYITCOM at Arkansas State University hosted Project H.E.A.R.T., a free four-day medical camp for 30 high school students exploring careers through hands-on learning and campus experiences. Public Health & Safety: Arkansas officials urged livestock owners to stay alert as New World screwworm cases were confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, with reporting and entry health inspections ramping up. Substance Use Warning: Arkansas health leaders highlighted a shift in overdose deaths, saying methamphetamine-related deaths now exceed fentanyl-related deaths in the state. Care Access & Fraud: Attorney General Tim Griffin announced a Trumann woman’s conviction for Medicaid fraud involving fictitious employee billing and kickbacks tied to services not provided. Community Health Moment: Two Baxter County deputies received Life Saving Awards for stopping severe bleeding after a shooting and rescuing an elderly woman from a house fire. Local Medical News: A former Little Rock physician was sentenced after pleading guilty to video voyeurism involving secret recordings of a clinic employee.

Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced Trumann caregiver Brandi Davis, 41, was convicted on two counts of Medicaid fraud and sentenced to prison plus restitution after billing for personal care services that were never provided and using a fictitious employee profile for her son. Local Care & Safety: A former Little Rock doctor, Sikandar Murad, was sentenced after pleading guilty to video voyeurism for secretly recording a female employee in a bathroom. Cancer Care Leadership: Highlands Oncology CEO Jeff Hunnicutt is stepping down after nearly eight years; Dr. Thad Beck will serve as interim CEO while a search begins. Maternal Health Spotlight: Bentonville Film Festival will screen “The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health” narrated by Viola Davis on Juneteenth, tying infant mortality disparities to maternal health outcomes. Clean Water Funding: Arkansas received $3.175M via the Clean Water Act to cut nonpoint source pollution through statewide watershed projects. Workforce Pipeline: Rep. French Hill and Rep. Jonathan Jackson relaunched the bipartisan Skilled Workforce Caucus, highlighting healthcare staffing needs including projected registered nurse shortages. Health Tech Training: UA Hope-Texarkana announced an August start for a fiber optic technician fast-track program, noting growing demand from schools and healthcare facilities. Public Health Context: A national report on small-town healthcare delays underscores how missing hospice and discharge coordination can leave patients without needed pain relief over weekends.

Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: Arkansas AG Tim Griffin announced a Piggot man, Mikel Rios (35), pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud and was sentenced to probation, fines, and $4,273.75 restitution after billing for personal care services allegedly not provided. Hospital Pressure, Local Response: Baxter Health says it’s adding cardiology, cancer care, and OB-GYN services while vowing to stay independent as Arkansas hospitals face low Medicare payments and operating losses. New Care Access in Rural Arkansas: Baxter Health nurse practitioner Amanda Winford is now seeing patients at the Salem clinic (Tuesdays/Thursdays), offering women’s health and hormone therapy. UAM Wellness Expansion: UAM received a $500,000 Windgate Foundation grant to create the Weevil Wellness Center with behavioral health, urgent care, and family practice services. Healthcare Integrity in Labs: A North Little Rock pathology lab and owners agreed to a $30M settlement with the U.S. over alleged kickbacks tied to medically unnecessary testing. Medicare GLP-1 Cost Relief (Regional): A new Medicare pilot aims to cap certain GLP-1 weight-loss meds at $50/month for eligible patients. Student Mental Health Focus: A local op-ed highlights Arkansas’ high childhood trauma rates and urges schools to expand mental health support for students. Workforce Pipeline: High schoolers in Arkansas got hands-on medical career exposure through NYITCOM’s Project H.E.A.R.T.

Medicaid Fraud & Lab Oversight: Arkansas AG Tim Griffin announced a Piggot man’s conviction for Medicaid fraud, alleging he billed for personal care services not provided at clients’ homes. Federal Health Fraud Crackdown: A North Little Rock pathology lab and owners agreed to a $30M settlement with the U.S. over alleged kickbacks and medically unnecessary testing, following whistleblower lawsuits. Maternal Health Pressure: A national survey of people who gave birth on Medicaid found worse experiences and outcomes than private insurance, with access concerns and maternity unit closures cited. Medicaid Work Requirements: Final rules for Medicaid work requirements were released, raising questions about coverage impacts for vulnerable patients. Blood Supply Watch: Our Blood Institute promoted America 250 blood drives and warned of a broader national shortage, urging donations—especially hard-to-find types. Animal Health Alert: Arkansas officials said New World screwworm detections in Texas and New Mexico are spreading, with entry restrictions and permits for animals moving into Arkansas. Community Health & Wellness: Saline County unveiled the first segment of a 65-mile Southwest Trail biking project, funded largely through grants. Research Funding: UAMS-led Arkansas INBRE biomedical research program received a five-year NIH extension totaling more than $107M. Local Grants: Arkansas opened applications July 1 for a $10M community assistance grant program, with priorities including food insecurity, workforce/education, public safety, and emergency services.

Rural maternal care push: Boston Mountain Rural Health Center is pursuing Arkansas’ new $209 million rural health funding to expand services, including adding obstetrics—aimed at reaching 12 counties where it’s often the only option for many patients. Hospital consolidation: Baptist Health formally acquired South Arkansas Regional Hospital in El Dorado, now operating as Baptist Health Medical Center-El Dorado, with cardiology, orthopedics, obstetrics and emergency services. Workforce pipeline: UAMS received a $2.6 million grant to expand its doctor-researcher pipeline, strengthening training for future clinician-scientists. Public health and safety: A CDC-linked report highlights that infant mortality hit a new low in 2024 (5.52 per 1,000 live births), while a separate analysis warns rural areas lag in cancer prevention and treatment. Food access: Arvest Bank’s Million Meals campaign raised $214,000 for northwest Arkansas and the River Valley, supporting more than 30 food partners and about 1 million meals. Community health tech: A Mountain Home dentist is pitching BTL aesthetic and wellness technology, planning a June 30 launch. Disease urgency: A new look at Rocky Mountain spotted fever stresses that doxycycline started within five days of symptoms is key to survival.

UAMS Funding Boost: The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences won a $2.6 million NIH grant to expand its M.D./Ph.D. dual-degree program, adding more clinician-scientist training capacity for Arkansas’s research and care needs. Public Health—Tick Warning: A new CDC study highlights Rocky Mountain spotted fever’s fast danger and the key to survival: starting doxycycline within five days of symptoms. Food Safety Alert: The FDA upgraded an Alfredo sauce recall to its highest risk level after Salmonella contamination concerns, affecting food service across 41 states. Healthcare Access—Rural Transit Model: A “Health Connector” dashboard approach is helping rural patients get to appointments by coordinating transit and hospital scheduling in a system designed to reduce missed care. Community Health Support: St. Bernards’ Triple Swing fundraiser drew major participation to support Northeast Arkansas healthcare, with proceeds aimed at expanding services. Policy Fight—PBMs vs. States: Express Scripts and the PBM industry sued to block a Tennessee law limiting PBM-owned pharmacies, arguing it could disrupt prescription access. Local Crime & Safety: A Little Rock man died after a late-night stabbing, while Arkansas communities also continue to respond to serious incidents near public spaces.

Community Health & Safety: A predawn shooting in Pine Bluff left 37-year-old Tyrondrick Dobbs dead, and police say the investigation is ongoing. Child Safety & Violence: Three children were shot near the John Cain Aquatic Center in Stuttgart; police took a suspect into custody within minutes and the center closed “until further notice.” Hospital Updates: Baptist Health formally welcomed South Arkansas Regional Hospital in El Dorado into its system, with operations assumed June 14 and new branding revealed at a ribbon-cutting. Care Access & Workforce: The University of Arkansas at Little Rock AI Hackathon had students building solutions for dementia care, maternal health, insurance access, mental health, and patient services, with a music-therapy platform winning $10,000. Public Health & Food Safety: FDA recall coverage expanded for Farm Rich frozen pizza snacks in 21 states due to possible metal contamination. Policy Watch: Republican attorneys general, including Arkansas’, urged the EPA to classify mifepristone as a water contaminant, arguing it threatens waterways. Local Funding: Arkansas opens a $10 million community grant program July 1, prioritizing projects that fight childhood food insecurity, unemployment, education needs, and services for crime victims. Wellness & Community: Tyson Family Foundation pledged $500,000 to Northwest Arkansas Equality to support NWA Pride Weekend through 2030.

Medicaid Policy: Final federal rules on Medicaid work requirements are out, spelling out what millions of enrollees must do to keep coverage—while states scramble to update systems and avoid coverage losses. Hospital Expansion: Baptist Health formally completed its acquisition of South Arkansas Regional Hospital in El Dorado, renaming it Baptist Health Medical Center-El Dorado and folding it into the 13-hospital system. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded an Alfredo sauce recall to the highest risk level (Class I) over potential Salmonella contamination; the product was sold in Arkansas and 40 other states. Child Health Access: A new KIDS COUNT Data Book finds Arkansas’ uninsured children rate has doubled over the last decade, rising to 8%—a hit to access for preventive care and screenings. Cancer Care Coordination: CARTI and SHARE HIE integration via Flatiron OncoEMR is aimed at real-time oncology record sharing across Arkansas hospitals. Public Safety & Health Facilities: Pine Bluff’s Carl Redus Jr. Aquatic Center stays closed as the city reviews a drowning; Stuttgart also saw a juvenile shooting at an aquatic center with a suspect in custody. Community & Wellness: Arkansas heat-illness prevention tips highlight hydration, breaks, and recognizing heat cramps, exhaustion, and heatstroke early. Environment & Health Politics: Republican AGs, including Arkansas’, urged EPA to classify mifepristone as a water contaminant, despite experts saying there’s no clear harm shown in water systems. Local Health Funding: Applications open July 1 for the 2026 Arkansas Community Assistance Grant Program, prioritizing needs like child food insecurity, housing, nutrition, and emergency services.

Medicaid Work Rules: Final CMS rules spell out how many Medicaid enrollees must prove they’re working or in training/volunteering, with states scrambling to update systems and avoid coverage losses. Workforce & Access: A new report highlights how nurse shortages are pushing DACA recipients into critical care roles even as deportation threats loom. Hospital Staffing Relief: Arkansas hospitals may get breathing room after a federal H-1B fee ruling that had threatened hiring for hard-to-fill roles. Lifestyle Medicine Leadership: Dr. John Findley, based in Bentonville, was named CEO of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, aiming to expand whole-person care. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded an Alfredo sauce recall to Class I risk across 41 states, citing possible Salmonella from a dry milk powder ingredient. Public Health & Community: Arkansas State University launched a freshman-to-med pathway with NYITCOM for early medical school admission. Local Health Business: Arkansas Business named its 2026 “20 in Their 20s” class, including health leaders and clinicians. Workplace Health Equity: A story on Medicaid’s role in opioid treatment underscores how coverage can make lifesaving care possible.