Undergraduate Program

AHEC -Fort Smith

AHEC-Fort Smith was established in 1975 with the development of a Family Practice Residency Program. AHEC-Fort Smith has maintained that initial commitment to provide a quality, fully accredited residency program in Family Practice. A number of our graduates practice in Arkansas, especially northwest and west central Arkansas.

AHEC-Fort Smith serves a 14 -county area that extends south to Mena, north to Alma, east to Conway and west to include several contiguous counties in eastern Oklahoma. Hospitals affiliated with AHEC-Fort Smith are Sparks Regional Medical Center and St. Edward Mercy Medical Center.

AHEC-Fort Smith offers training in primary care to sophomore medical students through preceptorships with area hospitals and physicians. Multiple selective and elective rotations are available to senior medical students in family practice, internal medicine, surgery, radiology, emergency medicine, etc. In 1991, this four-week Family Medicine Clerkship for junior UAMS students was added. Nursing, pharmacy and social work students rotate through in clinical programs under the direction of AHEC faculty. A very busy and extremely stimulating Family Practice Residency Program is the focal point for our clinical and educational programs.

Continuing medical education programs are available to physicians, allied health care professionals, and the public. The AHEC-Fort Smith library, located in Sparks Regional Medical Center, is supported by AHEC and the Sebastian County Medical Society. The library offers an extensive collection of textbooks, periodicals, journals, and reference materials. The library has bibliographic access to the variety of databases; including all those from the National Library of Medicine. This includes on-line access to MEDLINE. The library is staffed by a full- time medical librarian full-time assistant.

AHEC and the Family Practice Residency Program moved in January, 1992, to a 21,000 square-foot clinic and office building located at 612 South 12th Street near Sparks Regional Medical Center.

Fort Smith, population 80,000, and its sister city, Van Buren, population 19,000, are located in west central Arkansas in the Arkansas River Valley between the Ozark and Quachita Mountains. Fort Smith is the epicenter for a large industrial and commercial trade area, which includes major medical establishment. Cultural activities include the Fort Smith Symphony, Little Theatre, Fort Smith Chorale, The Arts Center, numerous churches, etc. Recreational activities are abundant by virtue and our location in the Arkansas River Valley with the nearby mountains, rivers, and lakes. Local facilities include several parks, golf courses, and fitness centers, including the Marvin Altman Fitness Center at Sparks Regional Medical Center, where residents and students are provided free membership while participating in AHEC programs.