2 centers join state rural health care group

Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, or ARHP, announced the addition of two new members to the organization, whose agencies serve parts of southeast Arkansas.

Mainline Health Systems Inc. and Mid-Delta Health Systems Inc. are both federally qualified health centers, according to a news release.

“Mainline Health Systems Inc. is honored to be asked to join this group of dedicated health care leaders and organizations focused on creating and implementing sustainable community solutions for those living in south Arkansas,” Allan Nichols, chief executive officer, said in the release.

Mainline was founded in 1978 in Portland and now includes Cleveland, Lincoln,

Desha, Chicot, Ashley, Drew and Bradley counties with eight primary care clinics and 10 school-based health centers serving 25,000 patients and employing more than 200 employees.

Mainline offers medical, dental, behavioral health, psychiatry, drug-treatment and support services. Mainline has received numerous Health Resources and Services Administration Quality Awards, according to the release.

Mid-Delta was incorporated in 1987 at Clarendon, according to the release.

“Mid-Delta Health Systems Inc. is excited to join the ARHP, and I believe this partnership will expand the ability to leverage needed resources to address health care needs in rural Arkansas,” said Monica Lindley, chief executive officer.

Mid-Delta now serves Monroe, Lee, Phillips, Prairie and Arkansas counties. Mid-Delta has two primary care clinics at DeWitt and Clarendon. The agency offers medical, dental, behavioral health, psychiatry, drug-treatment and supportive services, seeing more than 3,000 patients over the past year. Mid-Delta recently received the Health Center Quality Leader Gold Award from HRSA.

ARHP is a public nonprofit comprised of 14 rural hospital members in south Arkansas.

“Together it continues to expand, nurture and provide programs throughout the partnership’s individual communities and the Arkansas Delta region,” according to the release.

Over the past 10 years, ARHP has grown from five to 14-member hospitals, obtained more than $12 million in grant funding, and implemented and sustained 52 grant-funded programs across the 22-county rural service area.

Details: www.arruralhealth.org.