UAMS does it again
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we’ll say congratulations again to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
It’s a behemoth institution in this state for one reason: It’s world class.
It’s about to be more world class. (World classier?) It has achieved its goal of raising $30 million in private donations to support its effort to become a National Cancer Institute.
In 2019, the state Legislature passed a bill to create a trust fund to hold private and public dollars raised for the effort of achieving the National Cancer Institute designation for UAMS, according to our news story. In addition, the state of Arkansas has contributed $170 million in tax dollars, which may seem like a lot of money, and is, but when it comes in the face of an expected $240 million state budget surplus, it shows that Arkansas can walk and chew gum at the same time.
While the funds were raised through 8,700 charitable gifts, one family in particular deserves a large amount of the credit for reaching the goal.
The family of Chris Fowler, who was treated for throat cancer at the institute, provided the final $5 million of the $30 million target. The sum of $5 million is a lot for any family to give away, but it should be noted that Chris Fowler and Kim Fowler had already given $1 million in 2021, which brings their total giving to $6 million.
“The staff and the people at UAMS are just incredible,” Chris Fowler said. “While I was here I met people from all over the country . . . and they were told the same thing. ‘If you want to get the best care, you come to UAMS and the Cancer Institute.’”
Dr. Michael Birrer, vice chancellor, said the institute is focusing on increasing clinical trials and developing community outreach, which are key factors in NCI consideration. He said it’s on schedule to increase its clinical trials from 150 to 250 by 2025.
Also, since 2022, the institute has implemented a statewide patient navigation system to help cancer patients access needed prevention, screening, treatment and support services and the “navigators” and community advisers work in rural areas of the state to bring care to areas that may not otherwise have access to this kind of care that ultimately saves lives.
Complicated and delicate are two words that could easily describe most medical procedures—and there’s no one we trust more than UAMS to navigate any medical procedure.
One more time, congratulations to UAMS for making Arkansas a place we’re proud to call home.