HJAR Mar/Apr 2026

30 MAR / APR 2026  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS   Healthcare Briefs CDCUpdates Childhood Immunization Recommendations In January, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Acting Director Jim O’Neill updated the U.S. childhood immunization schedule. CDC recommends all children be vaccinated against: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whoop- ing cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, human papillomavirus (HPV), and varicella (chickenpox). The agency also rec- ommends one dose rather than two of the HPV vaccine. For certain high-risk groups or populations, CDC recommends vaccination against: respira- tory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY, and meningo- coccal B. CDC recommends immunizations for rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B be deter- mined through shared decision-making between physicians and parents. All immunizations recommended by CDC as of December 31, 2025, will continue to be fully cov- ered by Affordable Care Act insurance plans and federal insurance programs, including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Vaccines for Children program. UAMS to Receive $40M in Congressional Appropriations UAMS announced that it will receive $40 mil- lion in congressional appropriations for a variety of programs. The programs targeted for the fund- ing include: • The Arkansas Center for Women and Infants’ Health at UAMS, a call center that coordinates efforts across the state to reduce infant and maternal mortality and recently began calling postpartum moth- ers across Arkansas to ensure that they and their babies are off to a healthy start. The center also partners with hospitals state- wide to provide moms with an “I Gave Birth Bracelet” so all medical providers can be aware of the mother’s needs in a medical emergency. • Renovating the Shuffield Building to become the UAMS Medical Center’s low- intervention birthing center. • Continuing upgrades to the Monroe Build- ing to add services for mothers at the UAMS Milk Bank, creating a Maternal & Infant Edu- cation Center. • Relocating the UAMS Student Wellness pro- gram to the Monroe Building for improved student mental health and wellness. • Expanding and relocating the Student & Employee Health Clinic for better service and to make room for a future expansion of the UAMS SIM Center. • New vans to improve patient care and on campus transportation, especially cancer patients being transported to the Radia- tion Oncology Center. • New equipment for mobile vision screen- ing and simulation equipment for expanded maternal and infant care training. • Renovating 14,000 square feet of space in the Barton Building to create a new Bridge to Translational Research in the Division of Research and Innovation to foster optimal collaboration of UAMS research from basic science to clinical implementation. Baptist Health Foundation Welcomes Four NewMembers to Board of Trustees Baptist Health Foundation welcomes Ted Garrison, Wes Martin, SaraCate Moery, and Ross Owyoung to its board of trustees for 2026. Garrison is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and serves as a senior proj- ect manager at CDI Contractors. He is involved with Baptist Health Foundation, serving on the Bolo Bash Golf Tournament Committee, and also dedicates his time to the Saline County Career & Technical Campus Advisory Board. Martin is a graduate of Missouri State Univer- sity and serves as principal and vice president at Hathaway Group. He has been a member of the Bolo Bash Golf committee for two years. He has served on the Little Rock Regional Chamber Board of Directors, the Better Business Bureau of Arkansas board, and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors. Moery is an attorney with PPGMR Law. She has degrees from the University of Arkansas and the UALR Bowen School of Law. Moery is involved with Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Ted Garrison Wes Martin SaraCate Moery Ross Owyoung