Mission

To Strengthen Rural Hospitals

The Rural Hospital Program was established in 1991 as an outreach program of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). The purpose of the program is to strengthen rural hospitals in Arkansas by sharing the resources of UAMS and University Hospital. In collaboration with other components of the University System, UAMS contributes resources and facilitates efforts to meet a broad range of needs facing small Arkansas hospitals. The Program staff coordinates services and works closely with each affiliate.

The economic life of a community is closely tied to the viability of its hospital. The small community hospital in Arkansas contributes an average of $24,543,353 annually to the community in which it is located.

Businesses considering new locations are interested in the local availability of quality health care. Often one of the largest employers within an area, a hospital that closes has a serious financial impact on a community. When primary health care is unavailable locally, health care is sought in urban areas, resulting in the loss of dollars to the rural community. Other residents seek care only after they become very ill and the drain on resources is significant.