Page 47 - 2025 Van Buren Chamber Community Profile

EDUCATION

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

The Arkansas Colleges of Health
Education (ACHE) will mark a significant
milestone in April with its ten-year
anniversary. From its start on land
covered in pine trees, ACHE has
transformed into a prominent, not-for-
profit, healthcare institution dedicated
to positively impacting lives.
Established with funding derived
from the proceeds of the sale of
Sparks Hospital in 2009, ACHE aimed
to address the pressing physician
shortage in the Fort Smith area and has
since created more than $900 million
in economic impact. The flagship
program, the Arkansas College of
Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM),
welcomed its first class of 150 medical
students on July 31, 2017, in a nationally
acclaimed 102,000-square-foot facility. Aerial view of the picturesque Arkansas Colleges of Health Education campus in nearby
To date, three graduating classes have Chaffee Crossing. Photo courtesy Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
embarked on their residencies, and
the program currently has about 600
student doctors. COME HOME
Throughout its growth trajectory,
ACHE has expanded both in terms of TO
programs and personnel. Beginning
with the hiring of Kyle D. Parker, JD, MERCY CREST
as President and CEO in 2014, ACHE
now boasts a team of more than 250 NEW MEMORY
full-time employees. In 2019, the
Master of Science in Biomedicine (MSB)
was introduced as a feeder program, CARE UNIT
responding to growing industry
demand. The need for student housing NOW TAKING
led to the construction of an 84-unit
complex known as The Residents. This APPLICATIONS
soon expanded to include a total of 303 WE WELCOME YOU TO COME
units, comprised of the original facility, HOME TO MERCY CREST
as well as Residents at Heritage, and • Faith-based Environment
Heritage Creek Townhouses. Faith-Based Environment
In January 2020, ACHE added a Compassionate Person • Compassionate
second nationally recognized facility— Person-centered Care
the College of Health Sciences (CoHS). Centered Care
The 66,000-square-foot facility houses Medicaid Certified-Assisted • Medicaid Certified
the ACHE School of Physical Therapy Living Level II
(ACHE DPT) and the ACHE School of Assisted Living Level II
Occupational Therapy (ACHE OTD). Make an appointment today!
Make your appointment today!
There are currently 103 PT students and (479) 478-3000
(479) 478-3000 1300 Strozier Ln., Barling MercyCrest.com
32 OT students in the programs, and www.mercycrest.com
1300 Strozier Lane • Barling, AR 72923
vanburenchamber.org Van Buren Chamber 2025 Community Profile 47