HJAR Nov/Dec 2024

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  NOV / DEC 2024 33 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalAR.com second location in Hot Springs on Sept. 27. Baptist Health PACE, 2100 Albert Pike Road, provides a unique coordinated care approach for nursing-home-eligible seniors who wish to remain living independently within their communities. This facility will serve residents of Garland and Hot Spring counties. Once enrolled in Baptist Health PACE, all healthcare services are received exclusively from a dedicated care team that includes a primary care provider, nurses, therapists, personal care aides, social worker, dietitian, and other professionals who will oversee all aspects of the patient’s care. Adult day health center facilities, transportation to/from the center and medical appointments, and other services are also available. Baptist Health PACE was created to enhance the quality of life of seniors and empower them to live with dignity in their own home and community. Seniors who wish to remain in their homes and meet the following criteria are eligible: • Be at least 55 years old. • Certified by the Department of Human Ser- vices to be eligible for nursing home level of care. • Be able to live safely in the community at the time of enrollment without jeopardiz- ing his/her health or safety. • Live in the service area encompassing Faulkner, Garland, Hot Springs, Lonoke, Saline, and Pulaski counties. For more information about Baptist Health PACE Hot Springs, call (501) 363-7350 or email info@bhpace.org. UAMS Receives Nearly $2.2 Million Federal Grant to Study Immune Response to Eye Disease The University of Arkansas for Medical Sci- ences (UAMS) received a five-year, nearly $2.2 million federal grant to study how modulating the body’s immune response may potentially ben- efit patients with certain eye diseases. The National Eye Institute (NEI) awarded the grant to a laboratory led by Abdel Fouda, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Phar- macology and Toxicology in the UAMS College of Medicine. Fouda specializes in studying reti- nal ischemic diseases, which are common causes of vision impairment caused by a lack of blood flow to the retina. His lab focuses on developing new therapies for ischemic and trauma-induced retinopathy. The grant allows Fouda’s lab to study the role of a certain type of immune cells, called myeloid cells, in retinopathy. In a process called efferocy- tosis, myeloid cells engulf, or eat, and remove dead cells as part of the body’s natural immune response. Although efferocytosis is well-docu- mented for various diseases, its impact on ret- inopathy is largely unknown. Fouda’s initial data shows that efferocytosis could play a ben- eficial role in treating retinopathy. The project will explore methods of treatment to enhance myeloid cell-mediated efferocytosis, potentially leading to improved injury recovery and better patient outcomes. “I am very excited that we secured this grant,” Fouda said. “This is the second R-type grant for the lab in just three years. I extend my heartfelt thanks to my team for their hard work and dedi- cation to bring this fund to UAMS.” UA Little Rock Receives $5 Million to Combat Drug Use Among Arkansas Youth The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received $5 million in federal funding to address the growing drug and opioid crisis among youth in Arkansas. The award comes from appropriations language authored by U.S. Sen. John Boozman passed into law in 2024. The funding is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Arkansas Youth Drug-Use Reduction Pro- gram will be led by MidSOUTH, a training and education community service unit of the Col- lege of Business, Health, and Human Services at UA Little Rock, in partnership with national experts, state and local agencies, and commu- nity stakeholders. The initiative aims to conduct a statewide assessment and develop an evidence-based, Arkansas-specific curriculum designed to educate young people about the dangers of drug use. MidSOUTH was awarded this significant funding due to its proven leadership in drug abuse pre- vention and training across Arkansas, making it a trusted partner in statewide efforts to combat substance abuse. The program aims to reach 100,000 youth within its first year, with plans to expand as the curricu- lum is implemented. MidSOUTH’s collaboration with experts and state agencies will ensure that the campaign effectively addresses the unique needs of Arkansas communities and fosters long- term prevention efforts. This funding will also provide drug neutralizing agents to citizens to assist in the safe disposal of household medications to keep them out of the hands of youth. An educational campaign will complement the curriculum, broadening its reach to communities across Arkansas. Television and social media advertisements will raise aware- ness among young people about the dangers of drug use, while also providing parents with guid- ance on how to discuss drug prevention with their children. “An important part to drug abuse prevention is peer prevention,” Smith said. “Youth need to be able to recognize peer pressure and feel con- fident saying no to drug use and surround them- selves with friends who respect their choices and values. We are working to build evidence- informed curriculums for youth to share what they learn with their peers. By speaking out, they can help create a culture of awareness and sup- port in their schools. Together, we can empower them with knowledge and tools to make informed choices.” Effective drug prevention and education pro- grams can help save lives by delaying the onset of drug and opioid use and reducing overdose deaths. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is now the No. 1 cause of overdose deaths in Arkansas. Of the 47,695 Arkansas students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 who participated in the 2023 Arkan- sas Prevention Needs Assessment, 21.2% have used alcohol, 16.5% have tried drugs, 15.3% have vaped, 9.2% have used marijuana, and 4.2% have used prescription drugs. The curriculum and training materials created from this funding will be provided at no cost to school districts, law enforcement agencies, non- profits, and other stakeholders. If you are inter- ested in the curriculum, please contact April Null, Arkansas Youth Drug-Use Reduction Pro- gram coordinator, at acnull@midsouth.ualr.edu or 501-891-2964. n