Jonesboro — Arkansas State University will play a key role in a national initiative to tackle pressing rural healthcare issues as part of a newly formed collaboration led by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). Dr. Amanda Carpenter, assistant dean for research, associate professor, and program director of public health at A-State’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, has been selected to represent the university in this effort.
The initiative, called the Rural Health Research Innovation Cluster (RIC), will focus on four critical areas: workforce development, access to care, women’s health, and preparedness and resilience. It is part of ORAU’s efforts to bring its University Consortium—a network of more than 170 educational institutions nationwide, including A-State—together to address significant challenges in rural health.
“This is a critical time to invest in rural health issues and develop data-driven, evidence-based approaches,” Dr. Carpenter said. “Rural communities make up nearly one-fifth of the country’s population, yet major gaps still drive rural health disparities in healthcare access, maternal and child health, mental health, chronic diseases, and workforce shortages.” She added that as the only research institution located in the Arkansas Delta region, A-State is committed to continuing its impactful work through its Institute for Rural Initiatives.
To launch the RIC, ORAU will host a workshop on Thursday, Aug. 6, bringing together representatives from 35 member institutions. The event will set the stage for conversations, partnerships, and priorities as the group seeks solutions to rural health crises. According to Casey Thomas, strategic partnerships and engagement manager in ORAU’s Research and University Partnerships Office, the RIC is designed to translate research into practical, actionable strategies that can benefit communities across the nation.
“The rural health RIC is a way to harness the power of our consortium,” Thomas said. “We are bringing interested members together to share expertise, build partnerships, and engage in collaborative research efforts to develop solutions that can be applied both locally and nationally.”
In addition to academic institutions, the RIC aims to expand collaboration with subject matter experts, healthcare providers, government agencies, and community organizations to create broad, sustainable impacts. More information on the initiative can be found on ORAU’s blog.
ORAU, which also manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy, is widely recognized for its innovative approaches to federal, state, and local challenges. Arkansas State University’s involvement highlights its commitment to advancing rural healthcare research and addressing systemic disparities in the Arkansas Delta and beyond.