Statement from the Senior Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs
“As Senior Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs, I am proud to reaffirm our commitment to advancing high-quality, patient‑centered care across our region. Our mission is rooted in strengthening clinical excellence, expanding access to care, and fostering meaningful partnerships that improve the health and well‑being of the communities we serve.
In collaboration with our clinical and community partners, we continue to build innovative models of care that support learners, empower clinicians, and address the unique needs of Northwest Arkansas. Our efforts focus on expanding clinical training opportunities, enhancing care coordination, and leveraging data‑driven insights to improve outcomes and reduce access barriers to care.
We are entering an exciting period of growth — one defined by strategic investments in clinical infrastructure, workforce development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Together, we are shaping a future where every patient receives compassionate, evidence‑based care, and every learner gains the skills necessary to lead in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
Thank you for your continued support of our mission. I look forward to the transformative work ahead as we continue to elevate clinical excellence and advance the health of our communities.”
Clinical Partnerships
In addition to required clinical clerkships, medical students have early clinical experiences within the first and second years of the ARCHES curriculum.
To offer students an exceptional clinical training experience, AWSOM has developed partnerships with national and regional clinical sites, including:
Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas (primary education partner)
Washington Regional Medical Center
Fayetteville Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Arkansas Children’s Northwest
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Highlands Oncology
Springwoods Behavioral Health
Arisa Health
Community Clinic
Vantage Point Behavioral Health Hospital
Clinical Research
AWSOM is committed to research that improves health and benefits communities. The School’s research environment is grounded in integrity, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that all scholarly activity meets the highest ethical and regulatory standards while promoting innovation and discovery.
AWSOM supports investigators by:
Mobilizing institutional resources that enable high-quality research
Creating collaborations across departments, institutions, and industries
Translating research findings in meaningful health impacts
Ensuring research priorities are responsive to community needs
Promoting trust and enhancing participant protections
Together, these efforts reflect AWSOM's responsibility to advancing research that is ethically sound, scientifically excellent, and aligned with its mission to improve health in the Heartland region and beyond.
Bringing World-Class Health Care to the Heartland
The Alice L. Walton Foundation, Heartland Whole Health Institute, and Mercy have committed to a 30-year, $700 million affiliation agreement to expand access to health care, reduce costs, and improve health outcomes in the Heartland. As part of this agreement, Mercy serves as AWSOM’s primary educational partner. This investment includes a collaboration with Cleveland Clinic to enhance cardiovascular care in the Heartland.
