The University of Central Arkansas and Conway Regional Health System are working together to advance healthcare in the region by establishing a healthcare education center.
The UCA Board of Trustees passed a resolution Friday to use property at Western Avenue and College for the construction of The Center for Collaborative Healthcare Education. The building will be shared by the university and Conway Regional Health System to address healthcare education needs of the hospital staff, academic programs at UCA and the citizens of Conway and the region. Conway Regional Board of Directors supports the proposed project and will fund a detailed schematic of the building.
The center will house state-of-the-art healthcare simulation labs, classrooms, offices, and an auditorium for use by students, staff, and the community. UCA and Conway Regional Health System officials plan to raise the money through donations to cover the construction costs.
“Education is at the very core of this community and the fact that we can develop a joint project like this; a first of its kind that we know of; is a testimony to the progressive nature that exists here in Conway, in our education community and in our health care community as well,” said Jim Lambert, president and CEO of Conway Regional Health System. “The Center for Collaborative Healthcare Education is a great example of how Conway Regional and UCA are leading the way with unique partnerships in an effort to improve the health of those we serve.”
The proposed site would be within a short walking distance to the main UCA campus and will be accessible to Conway Regional staff and to community members participating in healthcare education and health promotion programs offered in the center.
“I think it is a wonderful partnership,” said UCA President Allen Meadors. “This will bring tremendous benefits to the Faulkner County and to UCA’s health professional students. UCA and Conway Regional have a longstanding relationship. This will serve as a model to other universities in how they can work with their area healthcare systems.”
For Conway Regional, this new facility will provide a home to its Education Department which works to maintain and sharpen the skills of its clinicians.
“The advanced simulation technology we use here with our own doctors and nurses will now be available in the new facility for the nursing students at UCA to provide the latest in training,” Lambert said. “Our staff will benefit by being closer to the latest theories and research being studied in the nursing field. It is a great combination of text book practice and real world experience which we believe will result in improved care for patients. “
Barbara Williams, chair of the Department of Nursing and member of the Conway Regional Health System Board of Directors, said over the years a division has developed between nursing education and practice to the detriment of both areas.
“To address the future health care environment significant changes must be made in terms of how both parties work together,” Williams said. “The proposed building to be shared by UCA and Conway Regional Health System is a bold strategic move that will serve as a role model as a sustained effective collaboration between education and practice. One way this will be accomplished is that we will not each have a separate part of the building, but will work side-by-side sharing the same spaces and resources to the extent possible.”
In other business, the UCA Board of Trustees approved:
- A 3 percent increase in room and board rate from $2,515 to $2,590 per semester for a double-occupancy rate and the 15-meal plan. The additional revenue from the increase would assistance in the maintenance and upgrades of housing facilities. Estimated revenue generated from the proposed rate is $305,000 per year. The new rates remain competitive compared to other state institutions.
- A 3.8 percent increase in food services rates to cover an increase in food supplies and operating cost. Students will also see an expansion in their dining options with an Einstein’s Brother’s Bagels and another chain that will provide a late night option for students.
- Several contacts to provide needed maintenance on the campus — more than $1 million in capital reserves fund for sidewalks, roof replacement and a heating and air conditioning system; $1.4 million from Bond and Housing Repair and Replacement funds for fire sprinklers, restroom renovations, and fan coil units in Arkansas Hall; $1.5 million in private gifts and Foundation borrowing for Pepsi Center additional weight training facility and bathroom facilities; and $1 million from capital reserves for artificial turf for the football and softball fields.
The board also approved an amphitheater to be built in the Student Center courtyard. The project is a part of “Think Big! Project,” a Student Government Association initiative that allows students, faculty and staff to submit proposals that would benefit the UCA community. SGA has allocated $50,000 towards the amphitheater and Housing has contributed $25,000. UCA Board of Trustee Rush Harding donated $112,500 in private funds to the project. The board allocated an additional $112,500 from its Board of Trustees fund.
