The College of Science and Engineering at Southern Arkansas University recently hosted a reception to celebrate the successful completion of a transformative public health initiative funded by the Arkansas Department of Health through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Launched in 2022, the project provided hands-on training to over 100 SAU student interns while advancing public health efforts across Southwest Arkansas through outreach, education, and survey research.
The $1.5 million initiative brought vital funding to the region and focused on expanding the healthcare workforce in Southwest Arkansas. The initiative’s success was made possible through strong partnerships with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), the University of Arkansas (UA), Magnolia Regional Medical Center (MRMC), and numerous regional healthcare providers. SAU students and faculty contributed to three key efforts: Community Health Survey Research, Healthcare Workforce Development, and Inspiring and Recruiting Future Healthcare Professionals.
In collaboration with Dr. Ben Amick (UAMS) and Dr. Michael Niño (UA), SAU students played a role in the Arkansas Health Survey. This statewide initiative has collected approximately 10,000 responses to date. This large-scale survey will provide essential data on the social determinants of health in Arkansas and guide strategies to promote health equity and economic opportunity in rural communities.
“The Arkansas Health Survey will fundamentally reshape how we understand and address health disparities across our state—empowering policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to work together for equitable, lasting solutions,” said Dr. Niño. Survey results will be reported to the Arkansas Department of Health and made publicly available following data analysis.
SAU students were trained in data collection and analysis, gathering approximately 2,500 surveys focused on health needs in 17 counties across Southwest Arkansas. The grant also funded a new biostatistics lab in SAU’s Science Building, outfitted with 20 state-of-the-art workstations for teaching biological and public health data analysis.
As part of the initiative, SAU pre-health students completed internships at twenty-five regional clinical sites. Dr. Daniel McDermott, Associate Professor of Biology at SAU and co-author on the grant, coordinated the internships and developed the accompanying training curriculum.
“This grant allowed us to provide students with real-world clinical experience across the healthcare practices of our region,” said Dr. McDermott. “It accelerated their training in a wide range of pre-health fields—including medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, exercise science, and psychology. The participation and collaboration of our clinical partners were key to the success of this initiative. It was truly a community effort.”
SAU pre-health biology major and clinical intern Karli Humphries praised the program, stating, “My clinical internship at HealthQuest Therapy gave me meaningful hands-on experience working directly with patients. It allowed me to be more confident in my abilities and confirmed that becoming an occupational therapist is the right path for me!”
The initiative also helped launch a new nursing residency program at MRMC to address the region’s critical nursing shortage. Through internships and residencies, SAU pre-health and nursing students gained invaluable clinical experience while strengthening the local healthcare workforce.
Dr. Karen Landry, chair of the department of nursing, who oversaw nursing clinical placements during the latter part of the project, added: “We are deeply grateful for this investment in Southern Arkansas. It has strengthened the University’s role as a driver of health equity and workforce development for the communities we serve.”
The program further expanded its impact by introducing hundreds of high school students to healthcare careers through targeted outreach, including a Summer Health Professions Education Camp in 2023 and 2024 and a series of healthcare-focused activity days hosted by the College of Science and Engineering.
Dr. Antoinette Odendaal, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biology and co-author of the grant organized the summer camp programming. “If this initiative leaves a lasting impact, it will be through the students it inspired to pursue healthcare careers,” said Dr. Odendaal.
Dr. Abdel Bachri, dean of the College of Science and Engineering and project leader, reflected: “Thanks to the support of the Arkansas Department of Health, this initiative has not only given our students powerful, real-world experiences in public health and clinical care, but it has also made a meaningful impact on the lives of people across our region.”
Dr. Abe Tucker, chair of the Department of Biology and co-PI of the grant, also emphasized the practical impact of the 3-year initiative. “This grant directly addressed healthcare needs in a region that is often underfunded and understudied. It was an investment in both the future of our students and the well-being of Southwest Arkansas.”
The reception recognized the achievements of the student interns and honored all those who participated. Attendees included the faculty leadership team, SAU student interns, healthcare partners, university leadership, and community stakeholders who helped make the project successful.
About SAU:
SAU, located in Magnolia, Arkansas, provides students with a complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit the needs of career and professional trends of today. As part of this commitment, SAU proudly offers the Next Step Guarantee program, ensuring that students receive the necessary resources, career guidance, and support to transition successfully from college to their chosen careers or graduate studies. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.
