Oct 23, 2024 - Health

NIH Director "blown away" by health care efforts in Arkansas

Worth Sparkman

Three people face a speaker who's back is to the camera. — National Institutes of Health Director Monica Bertagnolli (center) listens to Sharmila Makhija, founding dean and CEO of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (not facing camera) talk about plans for the school. She's flanked by Republicans U.S. Sen. John Boozman on the left and U.S. Rep. Steve Womack on the right. Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios

National Institutes of Health Director Monica Bertagnolli toured health care facilities in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas on Monday and Tuesday.

She ended with a meeting of leaders from the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine in Bentonville.

Why it matters: The school was founded and paid for by Walmart heir Alice Walton. Its aim is to transform health care by taking a "whole health" approach — focusing on physical, emotional and mental health, as well as emphasizing preventive care and healthy lifestyles.

State of play: Bertagnolli was hosted by U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R) and joined by U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R) on Tuesday.

The entourage toured the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith on Monday.
She was shown the Community Clinic, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Institute for Community Health Innovation and Highlands Oncology, all in Springdale, on Tuesday.

What she said: "I'll tell you, I'm blown away by the total picture — that's not too strong of language — I'm blown away by what has been created here," she said.

"It is really amazing."

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NIH Director "blown away" by health care efforts in Arkansas

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