HJAR Jan/Feb 2025

HEALTHCARE TRANSFORMATION 22 JAN / FEB 2025 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS ACCOMPLISHMENTS Alice L. Walton School of Medicine; Heartland Whole Health Institute Established Opening the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine in 2025 provides the region with a transformational springboard to drive the region’s physician workforce. The medical school will grow and attract medical tal- ent and foster research, innovation, and advancements in healthcare technology. In addition, HeartlandWhole Health Institute is poised to drive Northwest Arkansas in the transformation of the delivery of healthcare by elevating a whole-person model of care that prioritizes the patient experience, sup- ports team-based primary and specialty care models, and incorporates data and analytics. GraduateMedical Education Expanded Addressing the identified gap in gradu- ate medical education (GME), the region made progress in adding new residency programs and established a plan to expand physician training programs more signif- icantly by 2030. This expansion has been crucial in supporting the healthcare sector’s growth by attracting and retaining medi- cal professionals in Northwest Arkansas, thereby enhancing the region’s capacity to meet the healthcare needs of its growing population. The expansion of GME has laid the groundwork for further development in medical education, aligning with the long- term goal of establishing a medical school in the region. However, more work is needed to achieve the goal of training 200 residents by 2040. Washington Regional Medical Cen- ter (WRMC) working with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) took a significant step forward for the state and region when WRMC elected to under- take a geographic wage reclassification with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Ser- vices that would allow it to adjust its feder- ally subsidized residency cap. TheArkansas Legislative Council approved $12.5 million in funding in 2020 to support WRMC’s effort and has committed to additional funding to expand residencies and fellowships across the state. This effort, once complete, will add 76 new residency positions at WRMC and keep moreArkansas medical graduates in the state for their postgraduate training. However, the state still ranks No. 49 in the nation for active physicians per 100,000 people and No. 37 for active primary care physicians, so much more work is needed. Transformational Investment in Specialty Care The Alice L. Walton Foundation, Mercy, Heartland Whole Health Institute, and Cleveland Clinic recently announced a 30-year, $700million partnership to expand specialty care, improve resident training, and drive economic development in North- west Arkansas. This initiative will focus on bringing world-class cardiovascular care and comprehensive health services to the region, anchored by a new cardiac care cen- ter at Mercy’s campus in Rogers and a spe- cialty outpatient center in Bentonville. Mer- cy’s $350million investment and theAlice L. Walton Foundation’s matching investment will also support physician recruitment and retention, enhancing the region’s medical workforce. Cleveland Clinic will provide cardiovas- cular expertise, helping establish a leading cardiovascular center. The collaboration will reduce healthcare costs through value- based care, leveraging technology and tele- health to improve health outcomes. This effort will transform Northwest Arkansas into a premier healthcare destination. The initiative will attract hundreds of new phy- sicians, offering advanced training opportu- nities and positioning the region as a model for preventative, whole- person healthcare. Additionally, it will support theAlice L. Wal- ton School of Medicine in training future healthcare professionals, with Mercy serv- ing as a critical educational partner. This strategic collaboration aims to create a sustainable healthcare model that enhances quality, reduces costs, and improves health outcomes for the Heartland. PROGRESS SINCE 2018 FINDING: Arkansas is a Net Exporter of Medical Talent The state faces significant physician shortages, and this problem is likely to grow given that 35% of Arkansas physicians are over 60 years of age. At the same time, many graduates of Arkansas medical schools are forced to work elsewhere due to a shortage of postgraduate medical residencies. The state has become a net exporter of medical talent, and because most physicians practice within 60 miles of their residency, the state will likely lose this talent. Arkansas has an impressive record for retaining medical res- idents after their training is complete, rank- ing No. 4 in the nation for retention. How- ever, there are simply not enough positions available to accommodate the number of graduates seeking to complete their resi- dency in Arkansas. Solution: More Residency Slots for Arkansas Med Students Washington Regional Medical Center (WRMC), acting with the support of Uni- versity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and other regional hospitals, helped the region take a significant step forward when it applied for a geographic wage reclassifica- tion with the Center for Medicare and Med- icaid Services (CMS). This process allows eligible institutions to increase the number of federally subsidized residency positions beyond its current limit or cap. The process is not without risk. Any institution under- taking this process faces significant startup costs and a lower reimbursement period until the process is complete. The State of Arkansas supported Washington Regional