The Schmieding Foundation, Inc., announced it has gifted $500,000 to Springdale’s Pathway Academy – which will be renamed to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Schmieding Foundation Pathways Academy of Springdale, which recognizes the nonprofit’s support for UAMS.
A statewide initiative managed by the UAMS Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, The Pathways Academy is a program that works to prepare low-income students (k-12) for educational and career opportunities in disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics and healthcare.
“We are excited to partner with UAMS to help provide students in Springdale the necessary resources to prepare them for careers in STEM-H,” Lance Taylor, Schmieding Foundation Inc. president, said. “Through this program, we will not only increase education opportunities in the state, but we will also help grow the workforce to transform Arkansas into a regional healthcare leader.”
With the goal to diversify the healthcare workforce in Arkansas, the program has a strategic objective outlined in Vision 2029– UAMS’ plan to deliver dramatic and lasting health as well as healthcare improvements in the state. The plan also hopes to make Arkansas the healthiest state in the region through education, clinical care and research.
“To address the gaps in health care in Arkansas, we must diversify our medical workforce and that begins with engaging K-12 students of all backgrounds in STEM-H programming,” Brian Gittens, Ed.D., MPA, UAMS vice chancellor for DDEI, said. “The UAMS Pathways Academy program is key to achieving the goals of Vision 2029, and we are grateful for the Schmieding Foundation for its support of the program.”
There are also Pathway Academies in Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Hot Springs and Jonesboro. With more than just STEM-H programming, the UAMS Schmieding Foundation Pathway Academy incorporates a curriculum with concepts related to nutrition, mental health, community service and other life skills. Students will participate in experiential site visits with trips to the academy, learning first hand about STEM-H careers available to them.
The Schmieding Foundation, in addition to the academy, is committed to healthcare and education of children in Northwest Arkansas, including the UAMS Schmieding Kids First and UAMS Schmieding Developmental Center. Created by brothers Hubert “Bert” and Lawrence Schmieding, the nonprofit also constructs and provides programmatic and operational resources for the Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education in Springdale, which is the first of its kind in Arkansas. Now, it is a nationally-recognized program for healthy aging. The Schmieding Foundation also gifted the building to the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees for the benefit of UAMS in 2019.
“UAMS is humbled by the continued support of the Schmieding Foundation and are inspired by its leadership in health care and education in Northwest Arkansas,” Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS chancellor and CEO of UAMS Health, said. “The UAMS Schmieding Foundation Pathways Academy is further evidence of Lawrence Schmieding’s lasting legacy of generosity for young and old alike.”
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