ACHE has big plans for microscopy

School to be largest in nation

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education has big plans for microscopy and the $460,000 raised at the On Call Gala on March 9 will help the school fulfill those plans. “The ACHE Microscopy & Cellular Imaging Center will be a premiere facility at the forefront of our cutting-edge research,” organizers say.

Kyle Parker, president and CEO, told gala guests the center will enable researchers to perform in-depth examination into both normal and diseased cells including at the level of single molecules and help in advancing new discoveries in the areas of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neuroscience.

The center “will be the key to attracting world class scientists to the Research Institute Health and Wellness Center at ACHE. The Center will house laser light-driven microscopes that allow our scientists to see molecules inside of living cells working in action. We will be able to house humanized cells within our new second floor animal vivarium and determine how diseases transform normal cells into cancer cells.”

The school was founded

10 years ago to educate future health professionals through its programs: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM), Master of Science in Biomedicine (MSB), Master of Public Health (MPH), School of Physical Therapy (ACHE PT) and the School of Occupational Therapy (ACHE OT). “We are currently under construction of the largest osteopathic research center in the nation.”

Parker shared the school’s plans include starting a hyperbaric/ hypobaric MRI, which will be only

the second in the nation. “We’re going to be testing neurological effects on the brain (to see) what happens when pilots fly in excel of Mach 2, making 90 degree turns. What happens to their brains as the fluid drops out of there?”

Choctaw Casino & Resort - Pocola was the presenting sponsor of the black-tie benefit held at the ACHE Research Institute and Wellness Center. Other sponsors included: ArcBest; Arvest; City of Fort Smith; Mercy; Parker Chiropractic; Christian Parker Music; Cole Goodman, M.D.; Lavon Morton; Les Smith; BHC Insurance; Elite Roofing; Risley Architects; Landmark CPAs; Beshears Construction; Business Insurance Consultants; First National Bank; and Blakeman’s Fine Jewelry.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwaonline.com.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Arkansas Colleges of Health Education President and CEO Kyle Parker and wife Renee (from right), former Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Allan Marshall, ACHE executive director of advancement, visit at the On Call Gala on March 9 at the ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center in Fort Smith.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Sheryl Buckner (from left) Ronnie Tom, Melissa Smith, Mark Paugh, Britta Erickson and Ryan Studdard and Tammy Mathis help represent Choctaw Casino & Resort — Pocola in support of Arkansas Colleges of Health Education On Call Gala on March 9 in Fort Smith.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Landy and Bennie Westphal help support Arkansas Colleges of Health Education at the On Call Gala on March 9 at the ACHE Research Institute in Fort Smith.

Cole Goodman and Patti Kimbrough visit at the On Call Gala on March 9 in Fort Smith. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Former Gov. Asa and Susan Hutchinson (from left); Pam and Mike Carroll, ACHE board of trustees chair; and Lavon Morton, trustees treasurer, gather at the On Call Gala benefit on March 9 at the ACHE Research Institute in Fort Smith.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Dhruv Parmar (from left), Klare Emad Aziz, ACHE student doctors; and Allie Wiencek, ACHE Research Institute technical assistant, help welcome guests to the On Call Gala on March 9 in Fort Smith.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Carol Gordon (from left) Fort Smith Mayor George McGill and Ashley and Sen. Bart Hester attend the On Call Gala.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Tiffany and Zack Gramlich (from left) and Shadow Robinson and Jennifer Petrovich attend the On Call Gala.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Marie Holland (from left), Melanie Keith, Jessica Underwood, Dawn Turner and Hannah Schultz enjoy the On Call Gala on March 9 in Fort Smith.