HJAR Jul/Aug 2022

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  JUL / AUG 2022 39 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalAR.com where she provides comprehensive care for the heart. Meza earned a Master of Science in nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sci- ences and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Arkansas. She most recently served as critical care coordinator at Washing- ton Regional. Arkansas Medical Partnership Launches Health Careers WorkforceMobile Unit The Health Careers Workforce Mobile Unit, a new traveling medical education facility, is hitting the road to educate students across the state on the various career opportunities in healthcare. The UAMS-led program is managed by the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership (ARHP) with support from the Community Health Centers of Arkansas (CHCA). The purpose of the mobile training facility is to visit schools in rural communities to increase understanding, awareness, interest, and connec- tion to health career opportunities. Students learn about available healthcare careers through simu- lation experiences and visits with healthcare pro- fessionals, including UAMS medical students. “We are proud of this program because we recognize that by introducing health care career opportunities to individuals in rural communities, it may also get them excited about the possibil- ities that lie ahead,” said Richard Turnage, MD, vice chancellor for UAMS regional campuses. “When programs like this invest in the future of students, everyone benefits.” The interactive experience provides students with information on the education requirements needed for entry into specific medical fields, how many years of training are required, the average cost of programs, and the institutions that offer medical training and then guides them through the admissions processes and scholar- ship opportunities. “In addressing the health care gap in Arkansas, we need to pursue innovative approaches like the Health Careers Workforce Mobile Unit,” said Mellie Bridewell, president of ARHP. “Through the variety of resources that this facility offers, we have a proactive strategy in directing students toward careers in health care, helping to allevi- ate the growing demand for quality treatment.” “What we are excited about is that this proj- ect is the culmination of focused collaboration between several organizations, and we under- stand that is crucial in providing excellent local- ized health care,” said Rex Jones, MBA, CEO of ARHP. “Through these partnerships, we believe we have established the groundwork for future programs that will further help underserved com- munities in Arkansas.” The unit has an exam room, two blood draw rooms, and state-of-the-art equipment such as smartboards. Career counselors are available both on-site and virtually to connect interested students to customized college and career path preparation. Through the partnership, multiple possibilities are being explored to utilize the mobile unit for junior and senior medical stu- dents to participate in providing care, or addi- tional training, to rural and underserved commu- nities or to assist in promoting health professions to junior and high school students. There will also be an option through the AHEC Scholars pro- gram at UAMS for a senior elective that will allow students to accompany the unit’s staff at visits. “What we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that we need creative solutions to accommodate the demand for personalized care throughout the state,” said Lanita White, PharmD, CEO of CHCA. “This is especially so for vulnerable, minority and rural populations.” To schedule a visit, contact Nathan O’Fallon at nathan@arruralhealth.org or call (870) 939- 8772. For more information on ARHP’s health- care career programming, visit careers. arruralhealth.org . The program is grant-funded by the UAMS also has worked with chronic and severe mental illness in adults. Laura Knapp is a qualified behavioral health provider for the Fayetteville clinic. Knapp is a 35-year broadcast and print media veteran with a passion for working with adolescents and teens impacted by trauma and grief. She is entering a master’s program in social work with the Univer- sity of Kentucky online with a goal to complete certification and licensure as a licensed clinical social worker after graduating. Miranda Goforth, APRN Joins Washington Regional Eureka Springs Family Clinic Miranda Goforth, APRN, recently joined the Washington Regional Eureka Springs Family Clinic where she provides comprehensive medi- cal care for adults and children of all ages along- side Stacey Burnett, MD, Paul Daidone, MD, Jon Loudermilk, MD, and Sarah Grigg, APRN. Goforth earned a Master of Science in nursing from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Arkansas State University. She has more than 12 years’ experience as a family nurse practitioner and seven years as a registered nurse. Goforth is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. ErikaMeza, APRN, Joins Washington Regional Cardiovascular Clinic Erika Meza, APRN, recently joined the Wash- ington Regional Cardiovascular Clinic, part of the Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute, Miranda Goforth, APRN Erika Meza, APRN