UAMS coming to El Dorado

Dr. Cam Patterson, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) announced during a live question-and-answer session on Twitter Wednesday that UAMS will be partnering with the Medical Center of South Arkansas (MCSA) to make El Dorado the home of its ninth regional campus.

“We are adding our 9th regional program in El Dorado and are looking for other sites. This improves access to care for all Arkansans and also provides educational and research programs throughout the state. Everyone wins,” Patterson explained.

UAMS regional campuses provide access to medical services for rural residents and education for health care students and professionals. This combination of service and education improves the health for rural

Arkansans while also providing needed experience and training according to its website.

“We have a great relationship with the Med Center of El Dorado and want to train more physicians who will stay & practice in that vital community,” Patterson added.

He also noted his fondness for the community and the entertainment featured locally.

“Also gives me an opportunity to go see more concerts there,” he said.

This is not the first partnership between UAMS and MCSA. Their most recent partnership includes an upcoming drivethrough COVID-19 testing, which was originally scheduled for today. Because of forecast weather conditions associated with Hurricane Laura, the event has now been rescheduled for September 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Medical Center of South Arkansas. There will be no out-of-pocket cost for testing. Up to 200 community members will be tested, according to the UAMS website.