Health care notebook

Organizations join in heart research

Arkansas-based CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute will collaborate with Penn Medicine on a program to expand heart surgery research, officials announced in a news release.

The grant-funded program pairs a better-developed cardiothoracic surgery program -- such as the Philadelphia-based program -- with an institution in an underserved area that has less clinical research experience.

The organizations will work together on studies looking at new products, surgical interventions and cardiovascular medicine practices.

The goal is to accelerate research on heart disease, which causes about one in four deaths in the U.S., according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Arkansas also has the nation's third-highest mortality rate from heart disease, and officials said the seven-year partnership with provide advanced heart treatments for the state.

"We're honored by this opportunity to collaborate ... so geography no longer limits access to the latest best practices in the field," said CHI St. Vincent CEO Chad Aduddell in a statement.

Patients in central Arkansas "will experience advanced care and unique access to clinical trials on the forefront of the healthcare industry for the treatment of heart disease and related illnesses."

A CHI St. Vincent research team will visit Penn Medicine for training associated with the program.

Paper plane event to benefit group

The Little Rock Paper Airplane Festival on Saturday will benefit the Lymphomaniac Society, which pays for recuperative trips for cancer patients and caregivers.

The event will feature contests for airplanes' flight distances and hang times, with prizes awarded in four age categories.

John Collins, a world record holder for paper airplanes, also will appear.

The festivities start at 10 a.m. at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service's Sturgis Hall.

Early registration is $20 and is available at lrpaperairplane.com.

Rural health care input time opens

The federal Health Resources & Services Administration is gathering public comment on health care in rural areas.

The agency is looking for responses on what core health services are needed, which delivery methods (such as in-person care or telemedicine) might work best, how the quality of care should be measured, and other specific inquiries about aspects of rural health care.

Researchers say rural regions -- like many areas of Arkansas -- have numerous health care challenges.

Those include a limited number of providers, higher prevalences of some chronic conditions among patients and financial constraints.

Anyone can respond to a federal request for public comment.

Responses are due by Oct. 9 via email to [email protected] with the subject line "Rural Access to Health Care Services RFI."

Caregivers focus of free LR event

Alzheimer's Arkansas will offer a free "lunch and learn" event Thursday for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

The event will include a workshop with an educational speaker.

The talk begins at noon in Faith United Methodist Church, at 9820 W. Markham St., in Little Rock.

Registration is available by emailing [email protected] or calling (501) 224-0021.

Day set aside for health screenings

The Arkansas Minority Health Commission will host a community health screening day Wednesday.

Free blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and HIV screenings are available.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the commission's Little Rock office at 1501 S. Main St.

SundayMonday on 09/02/2019

Upcoming Events