FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Veterans Home in Fayetteville has made a remarkable turnaround and is now a valuable benefit that should be sustained, said Gov. Mike Beebe.

State-run veterans homes in Fayetteville and Little Rock suffered resident care and budget issues so serious, the home in Little Rock had to be closed. Beebe wondered aloud in May, 2012 if the state should remain in the nursing home business. He appointed Cissy Rucker as the state Department of Veteran Affairs director to straighten out the problems.

Beebe was in Fayetteville on Wednesday to preside over the announcement of a new agreement between the veterans home and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest Arkansas campus.

The veterans home and the medical school will cooperate more closely to allow the school's nursing, pharmacy and physical therapy students to get practical experience at the veterans home. The governor cited the Fayetteville home's rising number of residents and excellent reports from inspectors.