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Translational Research Institute

UAMS Community Partners Honored at Celebration Dinner

The UAMS Translational Research Institute’s Seventh Annual Community Partner Celebration recently honored 35 community partners for their crucial work in improving the health of all Arkansans and their exceptional partnerships with UAMS.

Posters with descriptions about each of the honorees were displayed on the stage.
Posters with descriptions about each of the honorees were displayed on the stage.

Held Nov. 8 at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in downtown Little Rock, this year’s celebration included a recognition ceremony and dinner, live music, display boards commending the vital services of the nominated community partners, and locally sourced gift bags for the over 100 attendees. The event was organized by the institute’s Community Engagement Program.

Nicki Spencer, program manager for the Community Engagement Program, opened the celebration followed by Dawna Baker, the museum’s program assistant, who shared the historical significance of the celebration’s location.

UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, thanked the attendees for helping UAMS address serious health disparities in Arkansas. He cited program examples created by and for the community including the institute’s Community Scientist Academy.

Representatives of Child Care Aware were among those honored for their partnership with UAMS.
Representatives of Child Care Aware were among those honored for their partnership with UAMS.

“Your insights infuse and enrich the work we are able to do to improve health care outcomes here in Arkansas,” Patterson said. “These acknowledgements come from the heart. They come from the sense that we would not be able to fulfill our mission to the state without the work that you do.”

Charles Moore, right, with his daughter Kimberly, is a longtime UAMS partner through his Planting a Seed Foundation in Camden.
Charles Moore, right, with his daughter Kimberly, is a longtime UAMS partner through his Planting a Seed Foundation in Camden.

The community partners recognized at this year’s celebration were:

  • Allstate Insurance – Southern Region
  • Apple Seeds Inc.
  • Arkansas Bank of America
  • Arkansas Birthing Project
  • Arkansas Community Health Worker’s Association
  • Arkansas Department of Health – Family Health Branch
  • Arkansas Department of Education – Special Education
  • Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care
  • Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
  • Arkansas STEM Coalition
  • Arkansas Transgender Equality Coalition
  • Boys, Girls, Adults Community Development Center

Judy Seriale Smith, state coordinator for Project SEARCH®, and Commissioner Alan McClain of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services were among those honored.
Judy Seriale Smith, state coordinator for Project SEARCH®, and Commissioner Alan McClain of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services were among those honored.
  • Child Care Aware Central and Southwest
  • Child Care Aware North Central
  • Child Care Aware Northeast and Southeast
  • Child Care Aware Northwest
  • Child Care Aware West Central
  • Lee County Cooperative Clinic
  • Little Rock School District EXCEL Program
  • Marshallese Educational Initiative
  • Museum of Discovery STEM Program
  • North Arkansas Partnership for Career Education
  • Northwest Arkansas Food Bank
  • Our House Inc.
  • Parkinson’s Foundation
  • Planting a Seed Foundation
  • The Confess Project
  • Tri County Rural Health Network
  • 12th Street Health & Wellness Center Community Advisory Board
  • Urban League of Arkansas

    • Individuals

    • Linda Young, Little Rock School District
    • Annice Steadman, Little Rock School District
    • Terry Zuerlein, M.D.
    • Kristi Palmer, M.D.
    • Sameer Wagle, M.D.