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Nov. 7, 2024 | UAMS is committed to supporting growth in Northwest Arkansas, UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, told the Rogers Rotary at its regular meeting Oct. 28.

“Since we opened our campus in Northwest Arkansas in 2007, we have added new patient care services, research and educational programs as we work to be a part of the exceptional growth happening in this region,” Patterson said. “We are here to stay. Our intention is to work alongside health care providers and business leaders in this area so that we are making meaningful contributions to the quality of life for this area and its residents.”

Joined at the meeting by Michael Manley, UAMS chief of staff, Ryan Cork, vice chancellor for the UAMS Northwest Arkansas Region, and Tim Dockery, UAMS associate vice chancellor for development, Patterson began the meeting by commending the city of Rogers for how the community came together to rebuild after tornadoes ripped through the heart of the city in May.

“That was a terrible time,” Patterson said, “and our hearts went out to everyone in this area who was affected. I know there’s still work to be done, but this city will persevere. I’m so proud of the heart that Arkansans have for each other, which is one of the reasons I’m glad I moved to this beautiful state.”

“UAMS has enjoyed generous support from business leaders and others throughout this city,” Patterson said. “Rogers is growing, and we want to support that growth by working with community and health care leaders here to help promote this city and Northwest Arkansas as a health care hub.”

One of the most visible examples of UAMS’ commitment to Northwest Arkansas is the construction of the UAMS Health Orthopaedics and Sports Performance Center, which is scheduled for completion in 2027. The 115,000-square-foot facility will be the home for all UAMS Health orthopaedic clinics in Northwest Arkansas, as well as sports performance and therapy. Patterson said the center’s goal is to serve patients in Northwest Arkansas and beyond.

“I suspect we will see patients from all over the country come to Northwest Arkansas to get their care here,” Patterson said. “Our orthopaedic and sports medicine specialists are already highly regarded nationally and internationally. With this new innovative facility, this reputation will continue to grow.”

Patterson also spoke about the need for a new campus location to house the expanding clinical, academic and research programs that serve the region.

“Over the last 17 years, our programs, like this region, have grown exponentially,” Patterson said. “We now have programs in 14 different locations in this region, including our main campus building, the old Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville. We have been very grateful for this facility, but we have outgrown it, and it has several challenges including its age and lack of space and parking.”

UAMS acquired 48 acres of land in 2021 near Interstate 49 in Rogers, a portion of which was gifted to the university by Don, Joe, Doug and Mike Mills. Last year, Johnelle Hunt made a gift to support activities at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus, including funding a feasibility study for the development of operations on the land.

“We are currently in the second phase of the feasibility study of that property that will allow us to have a real campus,” Patterson said. “Our goals include creating a space that is inviting and welcoming, where we can increase collaboration among multiple areas and stakeholders and have the newest technology in all spaces.”

The total square footage of the new building will be more than 326,000 square feet and will feature a modern design that incorporates natural light and materials throughout, includes an outdoor space central to the building and a shared collaborative space for the entire campus. Phase two of the feasibility study should be completed by Jan. 1, 2025.

Patterson also pointed out several advancements in the educational arm of its mission in Northwest Arkansas, which includes a variety of programs including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, which is a partnership with the University of Arkansas.

For example, what began as a medical school program in which UAMS College of Medicine students spent two years in Little Rock and then finished their last two years at the Northwest Arkansas campus has expanded to medical students spending their entire four years in Northwest Arkansas. What’s more, UAMS initiated an accelerated three-year M.D. program that is unique to the Fayetteville campus. The first student from that program graduated in May.

After the pandemic highlighted the nursing shortage in Arkansas, UAMS started an accelerated BSN program on the Northwest campus. The accelerated BSN program is aimed at people who have pursued other careers and make a switch to become nurses. They have completed their prerequisites and so their course of study is shorter. There are currently 24 students in that 18-month program.

“UAMS is proud to be a part of the transformation of health care here in Northwest Arkansas,” Patterson said. “We are excited about increasing collaborations with you to ensure that we are building the health care workforce of tomorrow, ensuring that everyone in this region and across the state has access to exceptional care continually transformed through the benefit of laboratory discoveries.”