UAMS gets $2 million for programs

Officials with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences have announced more than $2 million in public and private funds primarily for a physical-therapy program that will start on the school’s Northwest Arkansas campus.

The program is to enroll its first students in 2015, Dr. Dan Rahn, UAMS chancellor, told a group of legislators along with UAMS officials and supporters during a news conference in Fayetteville.

“Health is important to each of us, and it is important to our families and our community,” Rahn said. “The UAMS Northwest campus has been fortunate to have this support.”

The school has received nearly $1.3 million in anonymous donations for the physical-therapy program,said Tim Hudson, UAMS director of development. About $500,000 in state surplus revenue will be shared between the Northwest campus’s physical-therapy and internal-medicine programs.

Another $400,000 has been donated privately to the internal-medicine program, Hudson said. He said the donations were given by the Blue and You Foundation and The Care Foundation.

Lewis Epley, a member of the UAMS Northwest Advisory Board, approached officials in 2012 about opening a physical-therapy program after learning from a former student that the state lacked physical-therapy training options. He said during Thursday’s event that the physical-therapy program is personal to him.

“I am going to take you back 60 years,” Epley said. “I was 17 years old, and I came down with polio. It was a very traumatic experience for me. Physical therapy in Springdale in 1953 was all but nonexistent.”

Epley had to travel to Jacksonville to get physical therapy. Polio paralyzed his left arm, he said. He lost hope when he learned that he would be staying in the state-run treatment facility for a long time. A physical therapist there helped him realize the need for the program.

“Fortunately, I got the use back in my left arm because that physical therapist cared about me and took the time to give me an attitude adjustment,” Epley said jokingly.

Epley said a high school friend who contracted polio never regained use of his arm because he was unable to receive physical therapy.

“I couldn’t be more pleased that this program has been developed,” Epley said.

The physical-therapy program will enroll 24 students annually. Graduates of the three-year program will receive doctorates in physical science. Nearly 10,000 square feet of space on the Northwest Arkansas campus is being renovated for teaching and administrative areas for the program.

Program faculty members will treat patients in a physical-therapy clinic that’s set to open later this year on the Northwest Arkansas campus. Students can receive hands on training at the clinic.

Between $2 million and $2.5 million is needed to start the program, Hudson said. He said that includes renovations and constructing the new clinic along with purchasing equipment and hiring staffing. He said the program should be self-sufficient by 2018.

State Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, D-Fayetteville, said the program will be a great addition to the region.

“This is the first program completely housed on this campus,” Lindsey said Thursday. “It is the start of future growth. As our population grows and ages, we have more need for health professionals in this state and region.”

There were 296 physical-therapy vacancies statewide in 2011, according to a report from the Center for Rural Health. The center conducts academic and clinical research focused on rural communities in the state through UAMS.

The report projects 834 vacancies in physical therapy statewide by 2016.

Rahn said it is important that there is training in the state for physical therapists.

“Health professionals tend to choose to live and work where they complete their education,” Rahn said. “Physical therapy as a discipline is a significant need in the state.”

Chris Smith, regional associate dean for UAMS, said funding for the internal-medicine program will help provide more programs for students, such as hands-on training. The program currently enrolls 18 students a year.

Arkansas, Pages 9 on 04/05/2014

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