Crystal Marcussen

By Ben Boulden

Over the past year, Crystal Marcussen, APRN, has redefined what it means to lead with courage, compassion, and vision. When asked to launch the first Mobile Health Unit in East Arkansas, she said yes without hesitation—stepping into uncharted territory to bring high-quality prenatal care directly to some of the state’s most underserved women. Before her work, many women in Helena faced a four-hour round trip to Little Rock for care, often delaying or forgoing vital prenatal visits. Crystal changed that reality. She now delivers the same standard of UAMS care in their own community, ensuring early, consistent, and life-saving prenatal services. Her impact extends beyond clinical care. She has managed complex, high-risk pregnancies, built seamless referral pathways with Dr. Nirvana Manning and the UAMS maternal-fetal medicine team, and doubled service days to meet overwhelming demand. Crystal has transformed the Mobile Health Unit into a hub of support—helping patients access transportation, nutrition, and social resources while treating each woman with dignity and respect. Crystal’s leadership has rippled through UAMS as well, inspiring colleagues to embrace innovation and equity in health care delivery.

UAMS will recognize Marcussen in several ways as this month’s MVP. Look for her photo on the Employee Appreciation Wall outside the Chancellor’s Suite in the Central Building. A Faces of UAMS video will feature her, and UAMS will honor her and other awardees at the year-end MVP luncheon.

Do you know someone who should be the next MVP? If you have someone you’d like to nominate, please visit go.uams.edu/mvp/ and fill out the form.

Please congratulate Crystal for being the MVP of the Month!