One Voice, One Cause: Arkansas Healthcare Leaders Meet to Advance Colorectal Cancer Screening Efforts.

March 9, 2026 | On March 5, healthcare leaders from across Arkansas gathered for a daylong summit entitled MARCHing Together: Arkansas Stakeholder Summit to Advance Colorectal Cancer Screening. Colorectal cancer screening reduces preventable illness and death through early detection. The summit’s goal was to establish priorities and actionable commitments to increase screening rates.

“When it comes to detecting colorectal cancer, there is a buffet of screening options available,” said Trena Mitchell, executive director of the Arkansas Cancer Coalition. “We’re all here to align around why this work matters and how each of us fits into the vision for improving colorectal cancer screening.”

Pictured left to right: CHCA Chief Operating Officer Mia Stark; 1st Choice Healthcare CEO Brigitte McDonald; CHCA Chief Quality and Informatics Officer Dr. Marico Howe; and East Arkansas Family Health Center CEO, Dr. Susan Ward-Jones

Marico Howe, Ph.D., chief quality and informatics officer for Community Health Centers of Arkansas, presented information from the Uniform Data System (UDS) showing insights on the progress of screening efforts across federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Arkansas.

First Choice Healthcare, East Arkansas Family Health Center, Inc., and Mainline Health Systems, Inc. ranked highest among Arkansas health centers for colorectal cancer screenings.

“By examining the operational strategies of First Choice, East Arkansas and Mainline, several themes emerge,” Howe said. “High performers rely on structured workflows that normalize preventive care, ensuring screening actions occur reliably during patient visits. They also invest in dedicated staff or navigation teams who take ownership of screening coordination, from reminders to follow-up. Additionally, their outreach strategies span multiple channels and extend into communities, reinforcing awareness and addressing barriers.”

Key drivers of high screening rates included personalized outreach, patient transportation, and workflow integration. Susan Ward-Jones, M.D., CEO of East Arkansas Family Health Center, said empowerment and patient education are central to her FQHC’s success.

“It is an organizational focus,” Ward-Jones said. “Everybody plays a role and knows their role. It is very personal to me to make sure we get those rates up. Far too many people are dying, including members of my own family. Whatever we can do to encourage screening or reduce barriers, we’re constantly looking for ways to improve.”

Howe said next steps for statewide improvement include scaling these practices across all community health centers, continuing to share successful models, exploring grant opportunities, and expanding transportation services. By building on proven strategies, Arkansas healthcare organizations can improve colorectal cancer screening rates and save lives.