Lenora Newsome, P.D., COP ’80, has been an integral a part of the expansion of the pharmacy occupation in Arkansas, particularly in rural areas.
Picture by Nationwide Affiliation of Boards of Pharmacy
| Lenora Newsome, P.D., COP ’80, has had a distinguished profession as a pharmacist, and she or he’s not accomplished but. She’s seen the occupation evolve considerably through the years and now helps form the place pharmacy is headed subsequent by her positions on state and nationwide boards.
Nonetheless, a pharmacy profession wasn’t initially on her radar. At first, she needed to be a nurse.
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“My greatest pal and I made a decision we have been going to be nurses,” Newsome stated. “Properly, she cherished it, and I didn’t. Considered one of my instructors stated, ‘Have you considered pharmacy?’ and I stated no.”
Newsome determined to consider it however continued as a common science main at Southern State Faculty, now Southern Arkansas College, later transferring to the College of Arkansas. There she attended a well being professions assembly that includes audio system from UAMS, together with J.R. McCowan, Ph.D., then affiliate dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy.
“Dr. McCowan spoke about pharmacy, and he talked about what number of girls have been going into pharmacy, that issues have been actually altering,” Newsome stated. “Afterwards, I spoke to him about it and instructed myself that it was one thing I may do.”
After graduating from the UAMS Faculty of Pharmacy in 1980, Newsome served her residency at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Price, Texas. However her coronary heart was nonetheless in Arkansas.
“I at all times needed to return again to my hometown of Smackover to follow,” she stated. “My specialty was to be a hospital pharmacist, however that didn’t pan out in a small city. So I needed to reinvent myself and alter right into a retail pharmacist.”
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Newsome labored as a pharmacist at Walgreens a couple of yr earlier than being provided a place in 1985 at Brookshire’s as the primary pharmacist at its new El Dorado location. Solely a yr into her retail pharmacy profession, she now ran her personal store.
“That was an expertise, with the ability to open a pharmacy from scratch,” Newsome stated. “What number of occasions do you could have the chance to try this? I took that problem on and was profitable. They principally left the pharmacy operations as much as me.”
It was additionally a brand new expertise with expertise. The Brookshire’s in El Dorado was computerized, in contrast to the opposite pharmacies Newsome had labored at, which nonetheless used typewriters. Fortuitously, her time as a resident with Harris Methodist gave her expertise with two not too long ago applied applied sciences — computer systems and fax machines.
“Previous to that, to gather orders we needed to make rounds to select up orders on the nurses’ stations, carry the orders again to the pharmacy and fill them, then ship the medicine again to the flooring,” Newsome stated. “So, issues how they have been within the late Seventies, it appeared very primitive to what we’re capable of do now. Pharmacy has come a good distance.”
Newsome quickly realized she loved retail pharmacy, and she or he’s stayed in it ever since. At this time, she’s a pharmacist at Walmart in Camden, but in addition works at places in El Dorado and Fordyce.
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“I’m very completely happy to maintain the individuals of Camden, El Dorado and Fordyce,” Newsome stated. “I’ve a lot data that I can cross on to them that may make an enormous enchancment of their lives. It’s virtually like a ministry to me. I’m right here to assist individuals.”
In 1996, then-Gov. Jim Man Tucker appointed Newsome to the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, the place she has since been reappointed by each governor since. She credit her lengthy retail expertise with making her a greater board member.
“You recognize, I really feel that the Lord places stuff earlier than you, and also you’re studying stuff with out actually realizing that it could be the subsequent step to doing one thing completely different,” Newsome stated.
“Lenora Newsome has lengthy been a constant, calm voice on our board, the place her sage recommendation and steering has helped form the follow panorama for Arkansas pharmacists for the final three a long time,” stated John Kirtley, Pharm.D., govt director for the state pharmacy board. “Lenora’s strategy in lots of conditions is to pay attention first earlier than commenting, however when she speaks, the individuals round her pay attention intently.”
Alongside along with her work as a retail pharmacist, Newsome has helped carry the torch for pharmacy throughout the state. She maintains her function on the state pharmacy board in addition to the chief committee of the Nationwide Affiliation of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). She beforehand represented District 6, encompassing six states: Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, earlier than serving as nationwide treasurer.
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Earlier this yr, the NABP named Newsome president-elect. It will robotically advance her to successive roles as president, then chair. Lester Hosto, P.D., was the final Arkansan to serve in these roles.
“We’re there for steering for all 50 states,” Newsome stated. “You start to see the identical issues — what’s taking place in Arkansas could also be taking place in Washington, Oregon and Maine.”
Newsome is ready to take what she learns on the nationwide stage and produce it again to Arkansas, which filters all the way down to the individuals she serves every single day. She additionally will get concerned domestically, and helps with the Union County Neighborhood Basis and the Boys & Ladies Membership of El Dorado.
“I’ve been capable of develop a lot past what I anticipated of myself,” Newsome stated. “I made the selection to return again house to work in order that there could be different individuals who’d see that you are able to do one thing completely different along with your life.”
All of it stems from a love for small-town Arkansas and the individuals who have helped alongside the best way. She additionally credit her husband of 40 years, Carlton Newsome, M.D., and her household as being supportive all through her profession.
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“I encourage kids you can go away to varsity and you may come again house, and nonetheless have an exquisite life and an exquisite household,” Newsome stated. “My church, my household, the little city of Smackover — everyone has helped me, and I don’t know if that might’ve occurred anyplace else prefer it did for me right here.”
The Arkansas Arts Council’s 2025 Small Works on Paper touring exhibition debuts Monday and remains on display through Feb. 16 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Windgate Center of Art + Design, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock.
A reception, 5-7 p.m. Jan. 30, will feature presentations by the 35 Arkansas artists whose 40 pieces, no larger than 18-by-24 inches, are part of the exhibition. Refreshments will be served.
Admission to the reception and the gallery is free. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, 2-5 p.m. Sunday.
The visual art exhibition is in its 38th year, spotlighting Arkansas artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry, an online gallery maintained by the Arkansas Arts Council. Most works will be available for sale with all proceeds benefiting the artists. The exhibition will tour nine venues statewide.
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This year’s juror, New Jersey-based artist Mario A. Robinson, reviewed more than 200 entries and chose the work of three artists — Jennifer Barnett and Derek Slagle, both of Little Rock, and Richard Stephens of Hot Springs — for purchase awards that will become part of the Small Works on Paper permanent collection. The artists receive cash awards that are equivalent to the value of their artwork.
“Weird Weather,” acrylic painting by Susan Chambers of Little Rock; “Good Days,” acrylic on newspaper by Alexia Lams of Pine Bluff; “Offerings,” watercolor and thread on paper by Rhaelene Lowther of Magnolia; “Hillside Hives,” pastel and graphite on brown paper by David Mudrinich of Russellville; and “The Old Neighborhood,” pastel by Dennis McCann of Maumelle, are part of the Arkansas Arts Council’s 2025 Small Works on Paper touring exhibition, debuting Monday and on display through Feb. 16 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Windgate Center of Art + Design. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette)
The exhibition will be on display:
◼️ March 3-26 at the River Valley Arts Center, 1001 E. St., Russellville (rivervalleyartscenter.org)
◼️ April 3-30 at the Walton Arts Center’s Community Creative Center, 505 W. Spring St., Fayetteville (communitycreativecenter.org)
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◼️ May 5-28 at the Ouachita Center, University of Arkansas Rich Mountain, 1100 College Drive, Mena (uarichmountain.edu/index.html)
◼️ June 6-28 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., Pine Bluff (artx3.org/home)
◼️ July 11-Aug. 22 at the Delta Cultural Center, 141 Cherry St., Helena (arkansasheritage.com/delta-cultural-center)
◼️ Sept. 4-29 at Southern Arkansas University’s Brinson Art Gallery, 100 E. University St., Magnolia (saumag.edu)
◼️ Oct. 6-28 at the Glassblock Gallery, Taylor Library, University of Arkansas at Monticello, 346 University Ave., Monticello (uamont.edu)
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◼️ Nov. 4-22 at Harding University’s Stevens Art Center, 915 E. Market Ave., Searcy (harding.edu).
For more information, call (501) 324-9767, email at cheri.leffew@arkansas.gov or visit ArkansasArts.org.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Due to the ongoing winter storm sweeping through the Natural State, DoorDash has activated its Severe Weather Protocol and temporarily suspended operations in Little Rock and various parts of the Natural State.
According to a release Friday night, the precautionary measure comes as the winter storms deliver hazardous conditions across the city, including heavy snowfall and strong winds.
Cities with suspended operations include Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Pine Bluff, Jacksonville, Cabot, Searcy, Malvern, Lonoke, Heber Springs, Star City, Clinton, Rison and Sheridan.
“With heavy snowfall and low visibility, the snowstorm is a serious threat to our community, and we’ve taken decisive action by activating our Severe Weather Protocol,” DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley said. “We deeply appreciate the patience and understanding of Dashers, merchants and consumers, and will resume operations as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
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Officials said they will continue to monitor conditions on the ground and will communicate additional changes to their operations as needed.
Gainesville, Fla. – The Florida Gators men’s basketball team’s next destination is Fayetteville, Ark., as they’ll take on the Arkansas Razorbacks (11-4, 0-2) on Saturday for their third SEC matchup of the season.
Florida is currently sitting at 14-1 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. They opened their SEC slate with a nail-biting loss to the Kentucky Wildcats, losing 106-100 in Lexington.
However, the Gators were able to avenge this loss with one of the most dominant wins in men’s basketball history on Tuesday over No. 1 Tennessee. They trounced the Volunteers 73-43 in the O’Dome, marking the Gators’ first regular-season win over an AP No. 1-ranked team in program history and the biggest win over a No. 1-ranked team in the NCAA since 1968.
But enough about what Florida has done this season, let’s shift the focus to their opponents, the Razorbacks, and see who they are.
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Arkansas’ season started out nice with a win over Lipscomb. However, it wouldn’t be the same for them in their second game of the season against then-ranked No. 8 Baylor, as they found themselves on the losing end of a tightly contested battle.
Then, following a good stretch for the team in red, they were tasked with the current No. 13 in the AP Poll, Illinois, and things wouldn’t go so well for new Razorbacks head coach John Calipari. His team was outclassed in this game 90-77, which ended their winning streak at four.
Arkansas did make amends with their fans a few games later, though. While participating in the Jimmy V Classic, they matched up with then-ranked No. 14 Michigan, who they narrowed past 89-87.
This win over the Wolverines helped maintain a three-game win streak that would eventually turn into a six-game streak. However, since SEC play started for the Razorbacks, they are 0-2 with losses to Tennessee and Ole Miss, who are currently ranked in the Top 25 AP Poll.
These pair of losses put Arkansas at just a 1-4 record against teams on their schedule to have been ranked or that are currently ranked.
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While it was a complete roster overhaul for Calipari and the Razorbacks this offseason that was fueled by the transfer portal, their biggest grab has been from the high school ranks.
They added highly ranked players like Johnell Davis, Adou Thiero and Jonas Aidoo all from the portal, but it’s former five-star guard Boogie Fland who’s been arguably the best player for the Razorbacks this season.
Fland is averaging 15.5 points, 5.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game through 15 games this season. He is also connecting on 35.7 percent of his threes, which shows he’s more than just an inside scorer. Additionally, his 5.9 assists rank 24th among his competitors.
But in these first two SEC games, Fland is just 10-for-35 from the field and 3-for-17 from deep.
If the Gators can’t keep him in check like he’s been over these last two, then it might be a long afternoon for the visitors on Saturday.
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Despite bringing in tons of talent that should’ve resulted in a great offense, Arkansas has been anything but that.
They currently rank inside the bottom five teams in the SEC in scoring offense, averaging 79.4 points per game. They do have two players scoring at least 15.0 points per game, but that’s pretty much it. Outside of Thiero (16.9) and Fland, they only have one other player in double figures (DJ Wagner, 10.5).
Moreover, if this becomes a free-throw-dominated affair, the Gators shouldn’t be too worried about the Razorbacks’ performance at the line. They are shooting 71.1 percent from the charity stripe, which is good for 12th in the league.
And, lastly, they have little to no presence on the glass. They are the worst team in the SEC in offensive rebounding, and they are 13th out of 16 teams in overall rebounding. These are two areas where the Gators dominate, and if things play out like they have been this season, then the visitors should outmuscle their counterparts.
This game will be televised on Saturday at 4 pm on ESPN.
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