News

$2.7 Million NIH Grant to Improve Mental Health in Community Health Centers

Submitted by chughes on September 3, 2010 - 1:45pm

LITTLE ROCK – A five-year grant worth $2,785,472 to improve mental health care in community health centers throughout Arkansas has been awarded to John Fortney, Ph.D., and Geoffrey Curran, Ph.D., of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Sip Mouden of the Community Health Centers of Arkansas Inc. (CHCA) .

Foundation for the Mid South "Do-Gooders" Program Recognizes Outstanding Work Throughout Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi

Submitted by chughes on August 25, 2010 - 2:18pm

On August 17th, the Foundation for the Mid South launched an innovative program to highlight good deeds in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The program, Foundation for the Mid South Do-Gooders, was established to give Mid-Southerners the voice to decide how to fund and what to fund in up to $300,000 of grants within their communities and states.

Arkansas to Participate in National Prescription Drug "Take-Back" Campaign

Submitted by chughes on August 25, 2010 - 2:01pm

On Saturday, September 25, Arkansas will participate in a nationwide prescription drug “take-back” event. This is a perfect opportunity to get rid of all your unwanted pills or other medications—both prescription and those you bought over-the-counter.

Over 120 collection sites are currently planned, with more being added every day. Federal, state, or local law enforcement officers will be on hand at each site to ensure that all pills are collected and destroyed in a safe, legal and environmentally friendly manner.

Health centers to get $250 million in grants to build clinics, boost services

Submitted by chughes on August 23, 2010 - 4:46pm

A recent article in the Washington Post highlighted the announcement of $250 million in federal grants for the Nation's Community Health Centers to build clinics and bolster services at existing clinics for low-income patients such as public housing residents, the homeless, seasonal farmworkers and others who struggle to pay for care.

Enrollment in 340B Program to Provide Affordable Medications Begins for Newly Eligible Safety-Net Health Care Providers

Submitted by chughes on August 23, 2010 - 4:33pm

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that expanded enrollment in the 340B Drug Pricing Program begins today.  Administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the expansion of the 340B program will make discounted medications available to new enrollees including children’s hospitals, free standing cancer centers, critical access hospitals, rural referral centers, and sole community hospitals.  These facilities can save an average of 20 percent to 50 percent of the cost for covered outpatient medications.

Healthy Connections, Inc. Hires New CEO

Submitted by chughes on August 23, 2010 - 4:22pm

Tony Calandro, New Healthy Connections, Inc. CEOTony Calandro, is returning to Arkansas to serve as CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc., according to Al Gathright, chairman of the board of the community health center which has offices in Polk and Montgomery counties. Calandro grew up in Hot Springs and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas.

Calandro will come to HCI, Inc. from Valparaiso, IN where he currently serves as CEO of First Horizon Healthcare, Fort Worth, Texas a privately owned healthcare corporation providing healthcare services including ambulatory surgery centers, long-term acute care, rehabilitation centers and physician practice management in seven states.

The board of HCI, Inc. chose Calandro at the conclusion of a nationwide search which generated 103 applicants for the job of CEO. Applications were received from both inside and outside the United States as well as locally, according to the board chairman.

In addition to his undergraduate degree from University of Arkansas, Calandro holds a Master of Business Administration from Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN and  Juris Doctor from the same university. He has also completed training through the Executive Leadership program of the American Medical Association.

Community Health Centers are Leading the Primary Care Revolution

Submitted by chughes on August 23, 2010 - 3:59pm

Community Health Centers are leading the charge to meet Recovery Act goals and stimulating the economies of the nation's most hard-pressed communities, according to information released by NACHC and the Center for American Progress.

An economic impact briefing sponsored by the Center for American Progress, and featuring data reported by Capital Link, is available online by clicking here. 

HRSA Issues New Access Point Funding Guidance

Submitted by chughes on August 11, 2010 - 9:26am

The New Access Point Guidance - HRSA-11-017 - is now posted on the HRSA website. The guidance has added priorities and revised scoring criteria. The due dates are November 17, 2010 (grants.gov) and December 15, 2010 (EHB).

Click Here for more information.

Find a Local National Health Center Week Event

Submitted by chughes on August 4, 2010 - 11:16pm

National Health Center Week (August 8-14, 2010) provides a variety of opportunities to visit a local Community Health Center and learn more about the Health Center movement in Arkansas. See the following list of events happening around the state this year and find one near you.

Monday, August 9

CHCA National Health Center Week Press Conference
Rotunda, Arkansas State Capitol
11:00 am
Phone: 501-374-8225

Tuesday, August 10

Meaningful Use Released

Submitted by chughes on August 2, 2010 - 10:16pm

The Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology (ONC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) were released on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. You may also view the Meaningful Use full text here.

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