Around the District
It's great to be home, and I am taking full advantage of the district work period. Read more below about some of my recent stops around our great community!
Ardis Ann Middle School
I visited with 5th and 6th graders who have been elected to student government positions at Ardis Ann Middle School.
Our kids are the future of the Third District! I visited with 5th and 6th graders who have been elected to student government positions at Ardis Ann Middle School. I began our discussion by asking them if they had made their bed that morning. The point being to start their morning the right way and accomplish a simple task that sets the tone for the day. They brought up how it must be hard to decide how to vote on issues knowing that you can’t make everyone happy. One student shared that she decided to run for student government because she wanted to help her homeroom and make a difference in her school. There was much talk on the principles foundational to leadership and community. Values like honor, service, courage, and duty. I made sure to give these students challenge coins that outline those very standards. These inquisitive minds also asked about the Chinese spy balloon, work of Congress, and what it takes to be a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. They might be young, but I was extremely impressed by their grasp on leadership and service to others. Go Blazers!
Highlands Oncology
I visited Highlands Oncology to learn more about the center and hear from oncologists about their work.
Hearing the word "cancer" is a life-altering moment. Supporting patients and their families from screening and diagnosis to treatment is the mission of Highlands Oncology. Their work of providing personalized, compassionate, and specialized care is critical to the health infrastructure of the Third District. The facility was designed to make it easier for patients to get all their needs met in one area. For example, multiple doctors can see a patient in the same exam room instead of having to go to another office or clinic. Preventative screenings and recruiting top-tier medical professionals are priorities for the facility, and they are also known for offering first-in-human clinical trials for novel treatments. Their ability to access these treatments is a direct result of the reputation they’ve built over many years of treating patients. A KNWA segment on my visit here.
Washington Regional Medical Center
I visited with Larry Shackelford, President and CEO of Washington Regional Medical Center, to discuss medical partnerships and the growing needs of the region.
Strong medical care is fundamental to the health and well-being of Arkansans. Hospitals are a core piece of that mission. I visited with Larry Shackelford, President and CEO of Washington Regional Medical Center, to discuss medical partnerships and the growing needs of the region. Recruiting more providers, enhancing our healthcare workforce, and constructing more clinical space are all critical priorities as our population continues to boom. As one of the top hospitals in the state, I know they are dedicated to expanding their ability to provide quality care for Arkansans, as well as new job opportunities in our community.
NWA Children’s Shelter
I met with NWA Children's Shelter staff and leadership to get updates on their critical services.
The NWA Children's Shelter is a safe haven for some of the most vulnerable among us. They are making a difference in the lives of children faced with unimaginable situations, bringing hope, care, and healing to those in need. Their team's care and commitment can't be overstated. I appreciated talking with their employees about their services, work to address human trafficking victims, and mission of building new futures for residents by providing programs dedicated to supporting important life and social skills.
Medical Arts Pharmacy
I toured Medical Arts Pharmacy to get a direct look at their operations and hear more about all they do to ensure the health of Arkansans.
Medical Arts Pharmacy is an example of a local pharmacy that delivers vital medication and medical supplies to our communities. I stopped by to see Pharmacist Julie Stewart, Owner Phil Rozell, and their team to learn more about training, programs, and vaccine clinics. I appreciate all they do to ensure the health of Arkansans.
Namida Lab
Namida Lab is developing life saving tests and taking biotech research to another level!
February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and I was privileged to see the ground-breaking work Namida Lab is doing in the fight against this deadly disease. They are a biotech company in Fayetteville that specializes in developing high complexity screening and diagnostic tools. I learned about their state-of-the-art product, Auria. It is a tear-based test that looks for abnormalities associated with breast cancers. The assessment is a kit sent to an individual at home. After a tear sample is gathered, it's reviewed by Namida’s lab and physicians to determine if a mammogram is needed. The technology makes it easier for women to get screened and fight breast cancer. The entrepreneurial spirit of Arkansas has always been a core component of our success—and Namida Labs is certainly an example of that. Their work is certainly leading the process of developing safe and effective screenings that will help save lives.
Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks
I visited with new Medical Center Director for the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks Dr. George Velez.
I visited the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks (VHSO) to meet with their new Medical Center Director George Velez. Our veterans deserve the highest standard of care. We discussed staffing levels, retaining employees, and quality of care. Prior to our conversation, Director Velez had held an employee meeting to discuss challenges, opportunities, and objectives moving forward. That was welcome news as the VHSO has been without leadership for too long. It’s one of the reasons I introduced the VACANT Act to ensure other facilities aren’t without a permanent medical director for long. I’m glad to see Director Velez getting straight to work, and I will continue doing everything in my power to help veterans get the very best care.
Mulberry Schools
I had a great time meeting with some Mulberry Yellowjackets this week!
I had a great time meeting with some Mulberry Yellowjackets! 8th-grade students greeted me with questions on Congress. They'd done their research and asked about my voting streak! I proudly reported that I still haven't missed a vote and hope it inspires their attendance records! We headed to the auditorium to meet with more Mulberry scholars. Marvin Primary students had created a special memento of the visit. It's a welcome addition to my office. From grades K-8, I talked to the group about the importance of their education and taking learning seriously.
A few questions students asked:
- What skills are important to being a representative?
- Can you talk about receiving the Dick Trammel Good Neighbor Award?
- What is your decision-making process when taking a vote?
These gifted young girls and boys have bright futures ahead of them!
Congressional App Challenge
Congrats to our 2022 Congressional App Challenge winners! From left to right: Brannon Davidson, Isaac Sayarath, Jacob Steinsiek, and Adan Diaz.
A huge congratulations to Brannon Davidson, Adan Diaz, Isaac Sayarath, and Jacob Steinsiek—a team of 9th graders from Coleman Freshman Academy in Van Buren—for winning the 2022 Congressional App Challenge. They developed "The Legend of Mathematics," an app that turns solving math equations into an interactive and fun video game! Their coding talent and creativity demonstrate the high level of skill being fostered in Arkansas. When I read about the crossover of math and video game components of their program, I immediately thought of my grandkids. Cultivating a challenging and fun learning environment is what their app and this competition is all about. I could not be more proud of all who participated. Learn more about their winning app and the competition here.
Chester
Lacey Hendrix is the owner of the Beard & Lady Inn in Chester, and I appreciated the tour she gave of her small business.
After living in North Carolina for about a decade, Lacey Hendrix moved back to Arkansas—where she grew up—to open up a small business. She bought a two-story inn, which was originally built in 1887 in Chester and transformed it into and bed and breakfast named the Beard & Lady Inn. I was very impressed by her business venture and the fact that she breathed new life into a historical building in our community. It supports the local economy, bringing visitors and jobs to Chester. We also reminisced over the fact that we had both spent time living in Egypt. I was in Sinai for my deployment, and Lacey and her husband previously lived in the area for a year!
Kaden’s Class
Fun time visiting my grandson and his classmates!
Nothing like surprising your grandson and his class with some donuts! I had an awesome time visiting Kaden and his fellow 4th graders. We talked about the importance of their education, making good decisions, and putting forward a spirit of charity. They also asked some great questions.
These included:
- Is your job stressful?
- Have you met the President?
- Do you talk to the President?
- Have you ever met Governor Sanders?
- What part of the Army were you in?
After the Q&A, Kaden did pull a fast one on me by taking my last challenge coin and then challenging me. I had some push-ups to do! It's a joy to watch these kids learn and grow.
Wishing you a great weekend ahead, and I hope to see you around Arkansas next week! Be sure to check out my website, Twitter, and Instagram pages in the meantime. |