HJLR Mar/Apr 2019

38 MAR / APR 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of little rock   Healthcare Briefs UAMS-Led Arkansas Stroke ProgramNamed National Hearst Health Prize Finalist The Arkansas SAVES telemedicine stroke pro- gram, led by the University of Arkansas for Med- ical Sciences (UAMS), has been named one of three national finalists for the 2019 Hearst Health Prize for Excellence in Population Health. Founded in 2008 by UAMS’ Curtis Lowery, MD, the Arkansas Stroke Assistance through Virtual Emergency Support (AR SAVES) program links patients in rural emergency rooms to remote neu- rologists through interactive video to diagnose and treat stroke. The prize winner will be announced March 19 at the Population Health Colloquium in Philadelphia and will receive a $100,000 cash prize. Lowery will represent AR SAVES at the meeting. “I cannot be prouder of my AR SAVES team, and all the lives they have positively affected through our work together,” Lowery said. “Being named a finalist for the Hearst Health Prize is a great honor and recognition for the program, second only to the honor of seeing patients who received AR SAVES care going on to live fulfilling, rich lives after their strokes.” AR SAVES has helped Arkansas drop its stroke mortality standing from number one in the nation to number six, and 99 percent of Arkansans now live within a 60-minute drive of an AR SAVES site, a dramatic increase from 38 percent in 2009. A partnership between the UAMS Center for Distance Health—also founded by Lowery, the state Department of Human Services, and 55 participating hospitals, AR SAVES provides sup- port 24 hours a day. One of the program’s stroke neurologists evaluates whether emergency room physicians should use a powerful blood-clot dis- solving agent within the critical four-and-a-half- hour period following the first signs of stroke.  When Arkansas SAVES was created, its high ranking for stroke death was attributed partly to a lack of stroke awareness and access to neuro- logical support because of the inability for small, rural, and critical access hospitals to afford these specialists. Potential stroke victims would be transported to the nearest hospital with a neu- rologist on call, often hours away. The time delays adversely affected the chances of stroke survival and avoiding long-term stroke injury. Public knowledge of stroke symptoms was also low, with no organized educational effort to inform the public of these symptoms and what to do in the event of stroke. Arkansans were suffer- ing the long-term consequences resulting from untreated strokes, including death. Arkansas SAVES is increasing Arkansans’ aware- ness through multiple campaigns, some of which include local media. Hospital nurse facilitators are encouraged to provide two public aware- ness events per month in their communities. This translates into more than 1,500 outreach activities a year for stroke education throughout Arkansas. Shannon Fleming, EdD, Named Executive Director of Development for UAMS Cancer Institute Shannon Fleming, EdD, has been named exec- utive director of development at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). His posi- tion will focus on fund raising efforts for the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. “Dr. Fleming brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the UAMS Cancer Institute. He will be a great asset to our team as we continue to expand our research and treatment programs for all Arkansans,” said Laura Hutchins, MD, interim Cancer Institute director. Fleming joined UAMS in 2015 as senior director of development working on behalf of the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and Regional Pro- grams. During that time, his efforts resulted in $20 million in gifts for the institution. Prior to joining UAMS, Fleming served as executive director for the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation and vice president for institutional advancement for Philander Smith College. Fleming received a Bachelor of Science in Busi- ness Administration at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, a Master of Business Administra- tion at Louisiana Tech University, and a Doctor- ate in Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is a member of the Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals and was recognized in 2016 as Outstanding Fund Raising Professional. Fleming is a past board member of the Coun- cil for the Advancement and Support of Educa- tion and the Arkansas Chapter of Special Olym- pics. He has been active on committees for the Conway Chamber of Commerce and is a past president of the Drew Country Chamber of Commerce. Sayre Sellars to Supervise Conway Regional Therapy Services in Greenbrier Sayre Sellars has joined Conway Regional Ther- apy Services as the supervisor for the therapy cen- ter in Greenbrier.  Sellars graduated from the UCA’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2016 and has a Bach- elor of Science in Health Sciences with emphasis in physical therapy from UCA.  Prior to joining Conway Regional, she worked in a rural clinic in North Central Arkansas caring for outpatients. “I’m excited to return to Central Arkansas,” said Sellars. “I enjoyed living here when I was a student at UCA and have been looking forward to returning to the area and serving the people Curtis Lowery, MD Shannon Fleming, EdD