LITTLE ROCK — M*A*S*H (Medical Applications of Science for Health) camps will be held in 32 communities throughout Arkansas this summer. A location change for UAMS South to Magnolia will allow the regional center to host camps at four facilities this year. These include Camden, El Dorado, Magnolia and Warren.

The two-week M*A*S*H camps are designed to expose rising high-school juniors and seniors to health care-related vocations. Most of the camps are conducted at rural medical centers in hopes of attracting local students. 

“This M*A*S*H program provides wonderful opportunities for hundreds of Arkansas students interested in medical careers,” said Jennifer Victory, rural health specialist for Arkansas Farm Bureau. “ It allows them to receive hands-on experience and gain knowledge that cannot be learned in the classroom. Many of these students are from rural areas, and M*A*S*H gives them a chance to see the careers available in health care, while encouraging them to eventually return to practice in those rural areas.”

The complete list of camp locations, with directors, is listed below:

June 2-13• Helena, UAMS East, Janet Ligon
• Jonesboro, UAMS Northeast, Yalanda Young Merrell
• Pine Bluff, UAMS Southcentral, LaSonya Shelby

June 9-20
• Arkadelphia, Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia, Terri Ferrell
• Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College, Angie Dixon
• Dumas, Delta Memorial Hospital, Laura Potter
• Heber Springs, Baptist Health Medical Center-HS, Tamara Wright
• Hot Springs, Mercy Hospital, Mandi Bohlen
• Lake Village, Chicot Memorial Hospital, Laura Potter
• Newport, Harris Hospital, Margaret Goodman
• Paragould, Ark. Methodist Medical Center, Shannon Gomer
• Salem, Fulton County Hospital, John Sontag
• Searcy, White County Medical Center, Carolyn Nunnally

June 16-27 
• Camden, Quachita Medical Center, Dennis Cooper
• Clinton, Ozark Health Medical Center, Becky Bradley
• Crossett, Ashley County Medical Center, Shirley White
• Ft. Smith, Mercy Medical Center, Allexcia Rankin
• Harrison, North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, Koby Lee
• Mena, Mena Regional Health System, Pam Posy
• Mountain View, Stone County Medical Center, Heather McClanahan
• Russellville, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Carrie Pelfrey
• Texarkana, UAMS Southwest, Bradi Kelley

June 23-28 (one week only) 
• Warren, Bradley County Medical Center, Dennis Cooper

June 30-July 11
• Forrest City, Forrest City Medical Center, Holly Loewer
• Ft. Smith, Sparks Health System, Allexcia Rankin

July 7-18
• Batesville, White River Medical Center, Sai Kode
• Fayetteville, UAMS Northwest, Eleanor Hughes

July 14-25    
• El Dorado, Southark Community College, Dennis Cooper (one week only)
• Van Buren, Summit Medical Center, Allexcia Rankin

July 21-Aug. 1
• Magnolia, UAMS South, Dennis Cooper
• West Memphis, Crittenden Memorial Hospital, Ramona Taylor

July 28-Aug. 8
• Bentonville, Mercy Hospital, Michele Villines

County Farm Bureau organizations and the Arkansas Medical Mentor Partnership sponsor students so they may attend the camps at no cost. The partnership includes the University 
of Arkansas for Medical Science’s regional centers, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Baptist Health and the Arkansas Health Department’s Office of Oral Health.

More information on the M*A*S*H program can be obtained by contacting Eva McKinney with UAMS, (501) 686-5079, or Jennifer Victory of Arkansas Farm Bureau, (501) 228-1269.  

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of more than 190,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.