HJAR Jul/Aug 2019

Healthcare Journal of ARKANSAS I  JUL / AUG 2019 43 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalAR.com two weeks in residence with two deans chosen to serve as her mentors. Hunt, who joined UAMS as chair in 2011, is the Aubrey Hough Endowed Professor of Pathology. She is recognized nationally and internationally for her clinical subspecialty expertise in head and neck, endocrine, and molecular anatomic pathol- ogy and has written more than 150 publications. She recently served as chief of staff for the UAMS Integrated Clinical Enterprise and serves on the board of the College of American Pathologists. Before arriving at UAMS, she served as an asso- ciate professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School and an associate chief of pathology and chief of anatomic and molecular pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She is a graduate of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and has a master’s degree in edu- cation from the University of Pennsylvania Grad- uate School of Education. She completed her residency in anatomic pathology and a fellow- ship in molecular genetic pathology at the Hos- pital of the University of Pennsylvania. She was an assistant professor in pathology and laboratory medicine and otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh, Penn., and later served as an associate profes- sor in pathology and laboratory medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University before taking the same position at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Eldredge &Clark, LLP, announced the hiring of new associateAmie K. Alexander. Amie’s practice will be primarily in the area of healthcare where she will represent hospi- tals, physician groups, and other medical ser- vice providers in various corporate and compli- ance matters. Amie, a recent summa cum laude graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, also holds a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. She earned a bache- lor’s degree in agricultural, food, and life sciences from the University of Arkansas in 2015. Prior to joining the firm, Amie developed a pro- fessional policy background while working with various organizations such as the National Agri- cultural Law Center, the Association of Arkansas Counties, and the United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service. UAMS Cancer Institute Bone MarrowTransplant Program Receives Internationally Recognized Accreditation The Bone Marrow Transplant Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received an internationally recog- nized accreditation by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).  The UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Insti- tute is home to Arkansas’ only adult bone mar- row transplant program, which treats patients with blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. This marks the first time UAMS has received FACT accreditation for its allogeneic transplant program, which began in 2015. Allogeneic trans- plants involve the transplantation of stem cells obtained from a donor used to treat patients with lymphomas and leukemias. The autologous transplant program, which treats patients with multiple myeloma and related conditions, has been FACT accredited since 2009 and received a further renewal. Autol- ogous transplants involve collection of stem cells from a patient’s own bone marrow or blood, to be infused into the patient. “FACT Accreditation ensures patients that our cellular therapy treatment programs provide only the highest quality care,” said Muthu Veeraputhi- ran, MD, clinical program director of the UAMS Bone Marrow Transplant Program and assistant professor in the UAMS College of Medicine Divi- sion of Hematology. FACT is an internationally recognized accred- iting body for hospitals and medical institutions offering stem cell transplants (also known as bone marrow transplants), and indicates the accredited institution has met the most rigorous standards in every aspect of stem cell therapy, from clinical care and donor management to cell collection, processing, storage, transportation, administra- tion, and cell release. “As Arkansas’ only adult bone marrow trans- plant program, we provide patients with complex cancers the opportunity to stay close to home while receiving life-saving treatment. The added assurance that our programs have met the high- est quality standards should serve as a reassur- ance that we can and will provide and expand this valuable service for years to come. “FACT Accreditation also opens up the oppor- tunity for UAMS to bring in National Institutes of Health-sponsored multi-institutional clinical tri- als in allogeneic bone marrow transplant, giving patients in Arkansas access to the most current advances in research,” said Veeraputhiran. Accreditation is attained through evaluation of submitted documentation and on-site inspec- tion to determine if an organization complies with FACT standards and the Food and Drug Administration’s rules for Good Tissue Practice. FACT Standards are defined by leading experts based on the latest knowledge of the field of cel- lular therapy. Health Department Urges Safety During Flood Cleanup As residents and volunteers clean up after flooding in the state, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) urges anyone involved in cleanup to be aware of the health risks. Flood water and sewer overflows can contain bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that cause disease. These basic precautions and cleaning tips for your home can help to keep you safe and healthy: • Avoid skin contact with flood water, and keep cuts and sores clean and covered. • Do not allow children to play in flood water. • Do not eat or drink anything exposed to flood water. • Wash hands frequently. • Contact your Local Health Unit for information about septic system inspection. Things that are wet for two or more days, includ- ing carpets and rugs, often have mold growing on them, even if you can’t see the mold. Mold can make the air in your home unhealthy and affect people with asthma, allergies, or other breathing problems. Get rid of any contaminated objects that cannot be thoroughly cleaned. Wash con- taminated surfaces and objects with warm, soapy water and disinfect with a bleach and water