HJAR Nov/Dec 2021

30 NOV / DEC 2021  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS   Healthcare Briefs Arkansas Reports Cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Horses Arkansas has recently reported several cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in horses, which indicates the risk is present in local mosquitoes. EEE is a mosquito-borne virus that causes swell- ing of the brain. EEE is rare in humans; however, humans are susceptible to the virus. Humans can become infected with EEE when mosquitoes who have fed on previously infected animals then feed on humans. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop symptoms. Those that do can experience headache, chills, fever, mal- aise, and joint and muscle pain. This can progress to serious neurological symptoms such as drowsi- ness, seizures, coma and even death. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is stressing the importance of taking precautions against ticks and mosquitoes and the diseases they can carry. Whether in their own backyard or on a trip, Arkansans should protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases. Some of these diseases can be fatal; some of them can also be difficult to diagnose and treat. Mosquito bites can be prevented by: • Using an EPA-approved insect repellant as directed. • Using permethrin on your clothing as directed. • Reducing mosquitoes around your home. Get rid of any standing water on your prop- erty. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a bottle cap full of water. • Wearing protective clothing from dusk to dawn when outdoors. In horses, EEE is fatal 70-90% of the time. Horse and large animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their animals against the virus and to clean out watering sources, such as buckets and troughs, every three to four days to prevent mos- quitoes from breeding there. If you experience any symptoms and think you may have EEE, talk with your healthcare provider about testing. W. Martin Eisele Awarded Doctor of Acupuncture W. Martin Eisele, licensed acupuncturist, Mas- ter of Science in Oriental Medicine, was awarded a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine on Aug. 6. He completed the doctoral program from Pacific College of Health and Science. The program concentrated on research, public health and complementary medicine, with a focus on acupuncture and Chinese medicine’s roles in an integrative healthcare practice. Eisele has been practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine for more than 20 years at Ever- green Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine in Little Rock. His belief is that eastern and western medi- cine can complement each other and uses a team approach to patient care. He is a frequent lecturer on acupuncture and tai chi at UAMS. He was president of the Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture and Related Tech- niques for 14 years and is now the president of the Arkansas Society of Licensed Acupuncturists. He has a full general practice offering traditional acupuncture, dry needling, cupping, moxibustion and Chinese herbal medicine. He also teaches tai chi at Unity Martial Arts. Health Center Serves Students, Families at Fort Smith Public Schools In an effort to address the physical and men- tal health needs of local students and their fami- lies, Mercy Fort Smith and the Western Arkansas Guidance and Counseling Center have teamed up on a health center based at Fort Smith Pub- lic Schools. Mercy Clinic Family Medicine - North H Street is located between Darby Middle School and Tilles Elementary School and will serve students in the Fort Smith Public School District and their families along with the district’s staff members. The school-based health center will provide physical health services as well as prevention and wellness education through Mercy Clinic. Emo- tional and mental health services will be provided by the Western Arkansas Counseling and Guid- ance Center. Heather Erwin, advanced practice nurse with Mercy Clinic, will provide care at the clinic, along with physician collaborator Kendall Wagner, MD. Erwin, along with Medical Assistant Kaitlyn Griss- man and Patient Service Representative Samira Black, saw the first patient at the clinic on Aug. 4. Darby and Tilles family members residing with the student, as well as school staff and their fam- ilies, are eligible for services through the center. Students can use any service at the center after a parent or guardian completes and signs the reg- istration forms. Plans for the school-based health center were developed in 2020 and supported by a grant from the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Second- ary Education, school officials said. “We are very excited about serving students, staff and families,” said Kerri Tucker, school-based health center coordinator with Fort Smith Pub- lic Schools. “All three partners will be working together on a shared goal. We want a healthy school community so students are successful in the classroom and beyond.” Mercy sees the clinic as a chance to provide easier access to healthcare for students and their families in the school district. “This opportunity to serve the health needs of those who may be underserved is in line with Mercy’s mission,” said Kay McCarley, director of operations at Mercy Clinic Fort Smith. “The joint effort between Mercy, The Guidance Center, and Fort Smith Public Schools presented a unique opportunity to reach local students and families and help provide the care they needed. We are pleased to be a part of this collaboration and look forward to serving the needs of the school district for years to come.” The Western Arkansas Counseling and Guid- ance Center will provide services such as mental health awareness; outreach including suicide pre- vention; screening for depression, anxiety, sub- stance abuse and other mental health conditions; and behavioral healthcare including assessment, treatment, referral and crisis intervention, individ- ual, group and family therapy, qualified behavioral health provider services, and social service assess- ment, referral and follow-up as needed. “We are excited about this collaboration with Fort Smith Public Schools’ new health center,” said Marla Kendrick, chief operations officer with The Guidance Center. “Having students and staff able to receive the mental health care they need on campus reduces so many barriers. Allowing students to learn with unnecessary interruptions in their classroom time is so important. This also allows for students to receive services in a safe, convenient and accessible way.”