UAMS Regional Campuses’ Mellie Bridewell Chosen as National Rural Health Fellow

By Ben Boulden

Mellie Bridewell

Mellie Bridewell

Bridewell is contracted to the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership as its CEO through UAMS Regional Campuses. Bridewell has obtained over $10 million dollars in grant funds for the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership to implement health care provider training opportunities, health care workforce initiatives, chronic disease programs, behavioral and mental health services and access to care throughout the Arkansas Delta.  The parternship’s network is comprised of rural hospitals located in Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Columbia, Dallas, Desha, Drew and Jefferson Counties.

After the completion of a competitive review process, 15 Rural Health Fellows across the nation were selected to participate in this year-long, intensive program aimed at developing leaders who can articulate a clear and compelling vision for rural America.

UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; hospital; northwest Arkansas regional campus; statewide network of regional centers; and six 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 and Translational Research Institute. 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 throughout the state, 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.