UAMS Bolsters Rural Arkansas with New Health Clinics, Research Push

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has launched an expansive rural health initiative, opening five new primary care clinics in underserved counties to combat stark access disparities. Building on its network of regional campuses, UAMS is targeting areas like Batesville and El Dorado, where residents often drive hours for basic care. The effort, first reported by THV11, integrates with the newly formed UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation, which deployed mobile health units and community programs across 14 rural counties.

The Institute for Community Health Innovation, established March 1, 2024, employs 170 staff with offices in Batesville, El Dorado, Fort Smith, Helena-West Helena, Jonesboro, Lake Village, Little Rock, Magnolia, Pine Bluff and Texarkana. Led by figures like Dr. Pearl McElfish, it deploys mobile units offering contraceptives, STI testing, prenatal screenings and vaccinations to prevent unintended pregnancies and connect patients to resources. "We must have innovative solutions that meet people where they live, work and play," McElfish said.

In March 2025, UAMS joined the NIH CARE for Health™ initiative as part of the HEART-NET hub with the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Mississippi, focusing on primary care research in the South. Recruiting from its North Central Regional Campus in Batesville and South Regional Campus in El Dorado, UAMS leverages its Rural Research Network for the iREACH study to tackle disparities. This aligns with the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, empowering rural hospitals through telemedicine, workforce training and shared services.

These moves address Arkansas' rural health crisis, where hospital closures loom large and primary care deserts persist. UAMS' community-driven model promises sustained impact, pairing clinic expansions with research to improve outcomes for the state's most vulnerable.