AMS NEWS
Arkansas Medical Society Awarded $ 1.5 Million Grant from ADH to Bolster Support for Physicians , Clinics in Fight Against COVID-19
In an effort to increase the state ’ s vaccine distribution efforts , the Arkansas Medical Society has been awarded a $ 1.5 million grant from the Arkansas Department of Health ( ADH ) to implement a three-year project to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates across the state and increase vaccine confidence . AMS will launch a series of initiatives to provide resources and programs for physicians in an effort to help their patients and their communities in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic while also working with the public to encourage vaccination .
Utilizing funding from the grant , AMS will develop and facilitate education and training tools to ensure that clinics understand the guidelines and requirements for the COVID-19 vaccine program . Following guidelines put in place by state and federal officials , this program will focus on proper identification of patients , counseling , receiving and storage of vaccines , scheduling and screening of patients , postvaccine screenings , tracking , and data reporting to the ADH . Clinics who are interested in joining this program will also have the opportunity to receive mini-grants from AMS to help eliminate equipment gaps of the necessary supplies to keep patients and staff safe .
Working with professional services provided by MHP / Team SI , AMS will launch a cohesive marketing campaign surrounding promotion and patient engagement that will include hosting community events and creating printed and video material , as well as creating and distributing social , digital , and television advertising and other paid media encouraging Arkansans to get vaccinated . Additionally AMS will launch enhanced communication to educate and prepare physicians to be successful participants in its vaccine programs and will assist clinic staff with education by providing printed materials to disseminate to patients .
“ Our organization is dedicated to supporting Arkansas physicians and clinics in a variety of ways and , during the early days of the pandemic , we were eager to be an integral part of PPE distribution efforts across the state ,” said David Wroten , executive vice president of AMS . “ Now , we will continue to apply our expertise and service to assist with the ADH ’ s mission to not only improve vaccination rates but also increase vaccine confidence across the state .”
AMS President Danny Wilkerson , MD , said , “ I ’ m proud that AMS continues to step up to assist with improving vaccination rates in Arkansas , which aligns with our mission to serve the physicians of Arkansas so they can better serve their patients .”
To learn more about the organization ’ s efforts to increase vaccination rates across the state and bolster vaccine confidence , visit ARKMED . org / covid19 .
102 • The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society www . ArkMed . org