HJAR Nov/Dec 2024

30 NOV / DEC 2024  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS   Healthcare Briefs Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Sci- ence in biology and received a Doctor of Medi- cine degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He completed residency train- ing at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Studdard is a fellow in the American Col- lege of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dorris received a Master of Nursing Adminis- tration from Arkansas Tech University and a post- master’s certificate as a family nurse practitioner from Arkansas State University. Lehman received a Bachelor of Nursing from Wright State University in Dayton and a Master of Science in nursing from UAMS. Lehman grad- uated from the women’s health nurse practitioner program then received her post-master’s certifi- cate as a family nurse practitioner from UAMS. Baptist Health Pregnancy Clinic-Little Rock aims to reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates by creating healthier moms and in return, healthier babies. The clinic will help address the gap in care for pregnant women who have issues accessing care regardless of insur- ance coverage. Baptist Health Pregnancy Clinic-Little Rock, at 10117 Kanis Road, Suite B, is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with variable extended hours. Strategic Committee for Maternal Health Sends Recommendations to Gov. Sanders The Strategic Committee for Maternal Health has delivered a report to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders outlining recommended new policies, programs, and approaches aimed at improv- ing health outcomes for pregnant women, new moms, and babies, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) announced. Gov. Sanders established the Committee and initiated a six-month timeline to consider poten- tial reforms when she signed the Executive Order to Support Moms, Protect Babies, and Improve Maternal Health on March 6, 2024. Since then, more than 100 stakeholders representing doz- ens of organizations across the state have met to develop the recommendations contained in the report. “We are incredibly grateful that so many part- ners came together to consider obstacles to maternal and postpartum care that exist in our state today, and to align around this set of mean- ingful solutions which promise to make a real and positive difference in our state,” said DHS Secre- tary Kristi Putnam. “We will act on these changes as quickly as possible because we know they have the potential to improve the health of countless women and babies, and to save lives.” “We are proud to present these strategies and recommendations today,” said Renee Mallory, Arkansas Secretary of Health. “This report is the result of many meetings and listening sessions with stakeholders across the state. While we’ve already begun this important work, we look for- ward to continuing to enact solutions to improve the health and well-being of moms and babies in Arkansas.” The Committee divided into four subgroups, each of which provided recommendations within their respective focus areas: Data, Reporting, and Technology; Education and Outreach; Clini- cal and Practice Improvements; and Health Care Access and Medicaid. “Medicaid pays for more than half of the preg- nancies in our state, so it’s critical that we opti- mize the system so that care is available and encouraged every step of the way before, during, and after birth,” said Janet Mann, DHS deputy secretary of programs and state medicaid direc- tor. “These recommendations put in place signif- icant changes that will remove barriers, improve care, and lead to better health outcomes.” Sam Greenfield, MD, ADH medical director for family health, serves on the Strategic Committee for Maternal Health, and said the recommenda- tions are a positive step toward improving mater- nal health across the state. “I am encouraged to see so many people from different sectors come together to address this issue,” he said. “As chair of the Arkansas Mater- nal Mortality Review Committee, I can attest that the challenges surrounding maternal health are complex. This is a significant step that addresses specific findings and needs in Arkansas. I am sup- portive of these recommendations and look for- ward to the role enactment will play in improving health outcomes for mothers in our state.” Recommendations in the report include devel- oping a dashboard reporting key maternal health Baptist Health Pregnancy Clinic-Little Rock Holds Ribbon Cutting