Statewide UAMS Program to Expand Access to Cancer Services

UAMS estimates its losses are nearly $1 million per day.

The UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute has launched a statewide program that aims to expand access to cancer services regardless of a parson’s provider.

The program consists of nine nurses and community health experts who will help patients access prevention, screening, treatment and support services including:

• Appointment scheduling for screenings, tests, follow-up visits and other physician recommended care
• Health education
• Patient and caregiver navigation to social support services
• Clinical trial access

The patient navigators, as they’re called, and their locations are:

• Misty Bridger, Jonesboro
• Santrice Kearney, Pine Bluff
• Carline Massey, Texarkana
• Robin Thrower, Magnolia
• Luzanna Tubb, Fayetteville
• Ryan Williams, Little Rock
• Elizabeth Rodriguez, Batesville

UAMS said the program is key piece of the Cancer Institute’s progress toward achieving designation as a National Cancer Institute. The program is informed by a 15-member community advisory board consisting of cancer survivors, caregivers, doctors, nurses and community leaders.

“All Arkansans deserve access to state-of-the-art cancer screening regardless of economic or geographic differences,” Dr. Michael Birrer, Cancer Institute director and UAMS vice chancellor, said in a news release. In addition, every Arkansan should have access to the best possible treatment including the new and novel cellular therapy and potentially lifesaving clinical trials,” he said.