CHI St. Vincent Named Training Site for More in Common Alliance
Partnership between Morehouse School of Medicine and CommonSpirit Health selects hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, for training focused on addressing health inequities and underserved patients.
By Hailey Grillo, The Sentinel-Record
CommonSpirit Health recently announced that the More in Common Alliance, a partnership with Morehouse School of Medicine, has established CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs as a training site that aims to bridge the gap in health care.
An event celebrating the new partnership was held March 25 at Garvan Woodland Gardens, with doctors and administrative members from both parties present.
According to a news release from CHI, the More in Common Alliance "will expand CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs' residency program, address a shortage of diverse clinicians and lead to more equitable health care in Arkansas."
"We know that, statistically and anecdotally, patients have better outcomes when treated by a clinician who comes from a similar background," Morehouse School of Medicine President and CEO Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice said.
Morehouse School of Medicine, founded in 1975, is a historically Black medical school that continues to be one of America's leading educators of primary care physicians.
The partnership is phase one of a 10-year, $100 million initiative that will develop a more diverse workforce.
Dr. Veronica Mallett, chief administrative officer of the More in Common Alliance, noted the alliance was created with a purpose: "We are not healthy until we are all healthy."
Mallett said she is optimistic about the hope the partnership will bring to the community. "We have an opportunity here in Southwest Arkansas to change peoples' lives, an opportunity to have a relationship that brings trust," she said.
Mallett believes the shift in culture will encourage residents to stay at St. Vincent, as well as develop the program to become one of the most desirable training opportunities in the state.
Current residents Dr. Harvey Potts and Dr. Christopher Black had the opportunity during the event to share their experiences thus far with CHI.
Potts said the program gives him a "sense of purpose" and called on the future success for the partnership. "When the call to action comes, step up to the plate and knock it out of the park," he said.
Black said CHI St. Vincent began their internal residency program in 2021 with just six residents, with only one being a female. The incoming residency class has now doubled in size with seven of the residents being female.
Dr. Chinedu Ivonye, Morehouse School of Medicine professor and associate chief of general medicine, was described as being the strongest advocate for the residents.
"Can anybody here clap with one hand? No? That is why we always need a partner," Ivonye said.
The More in Common Alliance will strive to fill the health care void, especially in rural communities, as the program continues to grow.