HJAR Jan/Feb 2020

28 JAN / FEB 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS   Healthcare Briefs “This is a field in fast-growing demand both nationally and internationally,” said Patricia Cowan, PhD, RN, dean of the UAMS College of Nursing. “By including it in our course offer- ings we are making sure our students are well prepared for what the healthcare workforce will demand in the coming years.” The nurse anesthesia program is a specialty in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. It is the only accredited doctoral-level nurse anes- thesia program based in Arkansas. The program is led by Michelle Gonzalez, PhD, CRNA, who joined UAMS in January from the Uni- versity of Maryland School of Nursing, where she served as an assistant professor and simulation coordinator and performed clinical practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist at the Uni- versity of Maryland Medical Center. Mark Dunavan, DNP, CRNA, is the assistant nurse anesthesia program director. Dunavan, a native Arkansan, joined UAMS in early Septem- ber from the University of Tennessee Health Sci- ence Center in Memphis, where he was an assis- tant professor and simulation coordinator. He had a clinical practice with Medical Anesthesia Group and the Methodist Healthcare System in Tennessee. Baptist Health Specialty Clinic- North Little Rock Adds Provider Vinisha Reddy Kota, MD, is now providing spe- cialty health services at Baptist Health Specialty Clinic-North Little Rock as a rheumatologist. Kota received a medical degree from Prathima Medical College in India and had a residency in internal medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where she was also a rheu- matology fellow. “I strive to provide the highest quality medical care with a patient-centered approach,” she said. “I always value making decisions along with the patients rather than for the patients.” Kota is a member of the American College of Rheumatology, American College of Physicians, and American Medical Association. Ribbon-cutting Ceremony Celebrates NewNorthwest Health Clinic in Lowell Northwest Health held a ribbon-cutting cere- mony and open house to celebrate the open- ing of a new clinic, Northwest Family Medicine – Lowell, located at 212 W. Monroe Ave., Suite A, in Lowell. The new Lowell clinic is staffed by LeAnn Metheny, DNP, APRN, board-certified family nurse practitioner, who will care for patients of all ages and offer a variety of primary care ser- vices, including minor procedures, general well- ness care, and chronic illness management. LeAnn earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. She completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. UAMSWinthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Elects New Advisory BoardMembers The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) announced the election of new members to its advisory board. Kenan Keyes of Little Rock serves as board chair. The new advisory board members are: Drew Chandler of Texarkana Chandler serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Farmers Bank & Trust in Magnolia. He is a graduate of the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Arkansas program and was named in 2013 to the Arkansas Business 40 Under 40. Rachel Parker Harding of Little Rock Harding is a graduate of the University of Arkan- sas and maintains involvement in her family’s busi- ness, Parker Automotive Group. She is involved in nonprofit organizations in the community. Michelle Hastings of Little Rock Hastings, who served several months until her death in August of 2019, was owner of Trivia Mar- keting, one of the largest screen printing compa- nies and women-owned businesses in Arkansas. Robert S. Moore Jr. of Arkansas City Former Speaker of the House, Moore served in the Arkansas Legislature for three years rep- resenting the 12th District. In 2013, Moore was appointed by then-Gov. Mike Beebe to a 10-year term on the Arkansas State Highway Commission. He has owned a private law practice and served in multiple capacities with the state government, including as chairman of the Arkansas Transpor- tation Commission and director the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, where he remained for two decades. He is an active member of civic organizations statewide and served in the Army in Vietnam. Cindy Murphy of Little Rock An active civic leader and volunteer, Murphy is partners with her husband, Chip, in The Mur- phy Group, a public relations company that works exclusively with nonprofit organizations. She for- merly served as director of communication and marketing for Ballet Arkansas and director of community relations for KATV. Win Rockefeller Jr. Rockefeller is a former board member and past chair of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Insti- tute Advisory Board and has been involved for 11 years. He also sits on the board of directors for Arvest Bank in central Arkansas and is involved in numerous nonprofit organizations across the state. He and his wife, Natalie, are serving as chairs for the Cancer Institute’s 2020 Gala for Life. Joe Clay Young IV of Jonesboro Young is vice president-financial advisor for Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management and the owner of Young Investment, which is active in revi- talizing downtown Jonesboro. He is a member of the City of Jonesboro Comprehensive Plan- ning Advisory Commission – Jonesboro Vision 2030 Team. NYITCOMAnnounces Launch of Delta Population Health Institute New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine-Arkansas announced the launch of the Delta Population Health Institute Vinisha Reddy Kota, MD