UAMS First in Arkansas to Join NIH StrokeNet, Will Make New Treatments Available
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recently became the first medical institution in the state to join the National Institutes of Health StrokeNet, which will make new potential treatments available for patients with stroke and those at risk for stroke.
NIH StrokeNet is made up of 25 regional centers across the United States and involves more than 200 hospitals in conducting small and large clinical trials and research studies to advance stroke treatment, stroke prevention, and recovery and rehabilitation following a stroke.
“Underserved patients in Arkansas and the region will have improved access to research opportunities that might benefit them because UAMS is now a part of the StrokeNet,” said Krishna Nalleballe, M.D., UAMS stroke neurologist.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Arkansas ranks seventh among states in deaths by stroke after many years in first place. Stroke also was the fifth leading cause of death in Arkansas in 2017, claiming more than 1,600 lives that year.
StrokeNet also serves as an educational platform for stroke physicians and clinical trial coordinators, which is important for ensuring Arkansas health care professionals are up to date on best practices and other changes in stroke care. Through its educational efforts, the network provides a trainee program and webinars focused on stroke, research methods and professional development.
“Despite progress in Arkansas in treating stroke, it is vitally important that UAMS lead the state in research, clinical care and the education of health care professionals committed to stroke care,” said UAMS stroke neurologist Sanjeeva Reddy Onteddu, M.D. “StrokeNet will play a key role in helping us to continue the advances we already have made in those areas.”
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute and Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. It is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 2,727 students, 870 medical residents and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.