The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Family Medical Center in Fort Smith was recently named a 2024 Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champion by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
UAMS’ Fort Smith Family Medical Center was one of just 32 health organizations nationwide to receive the prestigious recognition and one of just two in the state of Arkansas. The CDC’s Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge recognizes clinicians, practices and health centers that achieve blood pressure control for at least 80% of their patients with hypertension.
“This recognition means a lot to us. It shows that we are contributing to the health improvement of all of Arkansas,” said Tabasum Imran, M.D., who serves as the medical director for the UAMS Fort Smith Family Medical Center. “More than five years ago, we started a comprehensive initiative to improve hypertension control for area patients aged 18 to 85. The plan, which we update annually, focuses on patient education and multidisciplinary team care.”
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke, which cause disability for millions of adults in the United States. Most adults diagnosed with hypertension fail to manage it effectively.
The Fort Smith Medical Center plan includes a variety of elements, including accurate initial blood pressure measurement, rechecks for those with blood pressure over 140/90, instruction on the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and nurse visits for two-week rechecks. The plan also includes collaboration with pharmacists and other care providers as well as quarterly provider follow-ups.
“This approach ensures effective management of blood pressure and improves patient care,” Imran said. “Our high-performing team has been a huge part of our success. By the end of 2023, 81% of our patient population had well-controlled blood pressure. As we approach the end of 2024, we aim to maintain our success, with our current control rate at 85%.”
Since 2012, the Million Hearts program has recognized 199 champions in 44 states who have cared for approximately 16 million adults. The program is a national initiative, co-led by the CDC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The UAMS Family Medical Center in Fort Smith provides primary care medical services to patients of all ages. The clinic offers treatment for both acute medical conditions as well as ongoing treatment for chronic conditions. The clinic’s highly trained physicians provide a variety of medical services, including cancer screenings, maternity care, pediatrics and immunizations.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation.
UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,485 students, 915 medical residents and fellows, and seven dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 11,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health.
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