I recently had the opportunity to share some updates with health care providers and scientists in our state. It is always an honor to recognize their dedication and desire to more proactively serve patients and the overall health of Arkansans.

During an in-state work period in late March and early April, I was pleased to be back home and attend events like the NWA Health Summit as well as tour North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, whose physicians and staff work around the clock to serve Harrison and other communities, and visit the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) in Jefferson.

The gathering in Northwest Arkansas was spearheaded by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), which continues to be a driving force behind collaborative efforts to foster partnerships, spur innovation and create a multiplier effect to improve health outcomes. 

Bringing medical professionals together to explore pressing challenges and share successful approaches is a key way to elevate care throughout The Natural State. 

One example is a focus on emphasizing nutritional education for doctors in training so they can better translate that to patients. This is a priority the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also emphasizing. In fact, it recently recognized forward-thinking Food as Medicine models that help combat chronic disease and support better health.

That is already happening in Arkansas, and I look forward to seeing it reach clinics statewide so more of our family, friends and neighbors are empowered with this vital knowledge.

Strengthening maternal and infant health care has also benefited from concerted efforts to bring providers and even policymakers together. We have organized roundtables to push important conversations to the forefront in addition to securing direct funding for local projects including the creation of the Arkansas Center for Women’s and Infant Health with its Maternal and Infant Supply Kit and Proactive Postpartum Call Center programs.

Just recently, I also led passage of the reauthorization of the PREEMIE Act to support Natural State moms, babies and families by extending critical federal research, education and intervention activities aimed at reducing preterm birth and infant mortality.

I am also fortunate to have a direct role in the process of writing budgets for critical health and research initiatives as a member of both the full Appropriations Committee as well as the subcommittee that funds HHS. Recently, I had the opportunity to question Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on some key issues impacting health in Arkansas as we seek to craft next fiscal year’s spending levels.

This gave me the chance to highlight the NCTR facility and my meeting with its leaders and scientists to exchange updates about the unique regulatory science mission they undertake. I was pleased to receive Secretary Kennedy’s commitment to engage my office on any changes that might impact its distinct and essential capabilities.

We also briefly discussed the status of maternal and infant health in Arkansas and nationwide. I urged him and the department to continue supporting state-led maternal mortality review committees to ensure care is informed by local data, which is crucial to address issues like maternity care deserts and preterm birth.

As an eyecare provider for many years, I understand firsthand the need to ensure Arkansans in every community have access to high-quality care and benefit from sound scientific research. I am eager to continue pursuing federal policy solutions as well as supporting local health care leaders’ efforts to improve outcomes and protect our health.