HJAR Jul/Aug 2020

32 JUL / AUG 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS   Healthcare Briefs they completed their medical degree in unprec- edented times, citing the global health crisis that forced the ceremony to be held virtually. “Knowing this class, I have no doubt that they will be successful and continue to impress us as they join the medical profession in these uncer- tain times,” Speights said. “I am confident that this very special class is ready, willing, and able to meet the challenges that face them in the next several years.” Graduates were encouraged to submit photos of themselves wearing their regalia, along with a message thanking the friends and family who supported them throughout their medical school journey. “While it’s disappointing that we weren’t able to celebrate together, we understand the circum- stances and enjoyed celebrating with our fami- lies,” said Hallie Frederick, a Jonesboro native and member of the NYITCOM at A-State Class of 2020. “With the virtual format, we’ll be able to come back 10 years from now and watch our graduation, which is special to have. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson was among those who delivered prerecorded messages to the graduates. “The healthcare needs in our state are significant, and NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State is diligently work- ing to address many of those issues in a variety of ways,” Hutchinson said. “Graduates, it starts with you. Your medical school was founded with a direct mission of training physicians in this region, for this region. We need you here, and I hope each one of you will consider practicing in Arkan- sas upon completion of your residency.” UAMS’ Laura James, MD, Named to National Science Board Laura James, MD, director of the UAMS Trans- lational Research Institute, was elected to the national Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) Board of Directors. She joins 13 other directors at large from Clini- cal and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Pro- gram institutions across the United States. James has been director of the institute since 2014 and is UAMS associate vice chancellor for Clinical and Translational Research. She has a 25-year history of translational research in clini- cal pharmacology and toxicology at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. As a clinician-sci- entist and founder of the startup company Acet- aminophen Toxicity Diagnostics, LLC, she is leading development of a rapid diagnostic test for acetaminophen liver injury. In 2014, she was named inaugural fellow of the Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA). The role of the ACTS board is to govern, estab- lish policy, and make strategic decisions about the future of the organization. ACTS supports research that continually improves team science, integrating multiple disciplines across the trans- lational science spectrum. It is also the academic home for translational research education and career development, and is an advocate for trans- lational science. Translational research is the process of taking findings and discoveries (new medicines, health interventions, etc.) and “translating” or applying them to everyday practices that improve health. The CTSA Program is administered by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at the National Institutes of Health. TRI received a five-year, $24.2 million CTSA, grant UL1 TR003107 in July of 2019, and is one of more than 60 CTSA-supported institu- tions nationally. Laura Droke, APRN, JoinsWalker Heart Cardiovascular Clinic Laura Droke, APRN, recently joined Washing- ton Regional Walker Heart Cardiovascular Clinic, where she leads the in-clinic urgent care program. Droke earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sci- ences and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas. She previously worked as an RN in the Emergency Department and has been at Washington Regional Medical Center for more than four years. UAMS’ James Fletcher, MD, Earns Fellow Status from the American Academy of Hospice and PalliativeMedicine James Fletcher, MD, of the University of Arkan- sas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), has earned the designation Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. The status of Fellow is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a physician member of the AAHPM. Fletcher is assistant professor in the UAMS Col- lege of Medicine Division of Palliative Medicine and a faculty member for the UAMS Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) fellowship program, the only HPM subspecialty program in the state. The goal of palliative care is to help patients live as well as possible while facing a serious or life-threatening illness. Palliative care physicians offer care at any stage of illness, including end of life, and address patients’ physical, spiritual and mental needs. Fletcher earned a medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. He received a commis- sion through the U.S. Navy and trained in internal medicine at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Following residency, he was chief of residents at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP). He went on to complete a Nephrology Fellow- ship at the National Capital Consortium. After serving as a staff physician and assistant program director for the Internal Medicine Residency at NMCP, he completed a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Virginia Common- wealth University Health System. Before coming to UAMS, he was on faculty at Texas Tech Uni- versity Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Tex. The AAHPM is the only national medical spe- cialty society for hospice and palliative medicine. Since 1988, AAHPM has supported hospice and palliative medicine through professional edu- cation and training, development of a special- ist workforce, support for clinical practice stan- dards, research, and advocacy. n James Fletcher, MD