ARcare Commits Scholarship for Pre-Medical Students
JONESBORO – The Arkansas Family Health Foundation, better known to its patients as ARcare, has made a gift of $25,000 to Arkansas State University. The funds will endow a scholarship for pre-medical students at A-State.
Dr. Steven Collier, CEO, announced the commitment from funds raised through ARcare's annual “Grill & Chill” fundraising event. Raising the funds took only two years, much quicker than the five years originally anticipated.
"For more than 30 years, ARcare has instilled commitment, compassion and trust throughout Arkansas with 44 family practice clinics," Collier said. "Beginning in 1986, we have been committed to serve ‘the least, the last and the lost.' "
ARcare’s commitment to serving the population in Arkansas' rural areas aligns well with A-State’s commitment to improving health outcomes in the Delta.
"Arkansas State is excited to partner with the Arkansas Family Health Foundation/ARcare, a longstanding provider of medical care in Northeast Arkansas," said Dr. Lynn Boyd, dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics, as she expressed appreciation for the new scholarship. "It is wonderful to see that their interest extends to training future physicians. We have a large number of pre-medical students in our college and we know how hard they have to work in order to be competitive for acceptance into medical school."
The scholarship will allow a student to focus on studies and professional development.
"The demands on these pre-med students is so great with rigorous coursework, community service, shadowing and leadership activities," Boyd added. "It really takes all of their time, and working a job during the school year is usually out of the question."
Through its various clinics, ARcare provides a very important service to Arkansas residents.
"ARcare has brought superior healthcare to patients, regardless of their ability to pay," added Chris Gibson, senior vice president of operations.
Though not a free clinic, ARcare is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and is able to offer discounted rates so all Arkansans may receive the care they need.
With board-certified providers, community health centers and the very latest in medical technology, ARcare strives to provide the best healthcare to patients of all ages.
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