The Fort Smith Region
Medical & Education
Medical
Having access to quality healthcare is important for all citizens. The Fort Smith region is home to a wealth of medical centers, independent clinics, specialists, and other entities, which help provide top-of-the-line care to area residents. The region is supported by several hospitals including its two largest centers, Mercy and Baptist Health. Both of the award-winning systems have outlying clinics and treatment centers in surrounding communities and strive to provide the most advanced levels of patient care. Other cities have hospitals within their limits including Van Buren, which is home to a Baptist Health, Booneville’s Mercy Hospital, NHS Sequoyah in Sallisaw, and Poteau’s Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center.
The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education also partners with community healthcare providers and local companies to help in training future workers. Such involvement helps foster relationships between medical students and area practices and patients, resulting in more physicians seeking employment in the River Valley and residents having greater access to high-quality care.
The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education also partners with community healthcare providers and local companies to help in training future workers. Such involvement helps foster relationships between medical students and area practices and patients, resulting in more physicians seeking employment in the River Valley and residents having greater access to high-quality care.
Links
Education
The continued success of any region hinges upon having high-quality educational institutions. From Pre-K to doctorate programs, the greater Fort Smith area is home to thriving schools dedicated to teaching the next generation of leaders and workers. Top-notch private, parochial, and public options are available, giving families choices when it comes to their children’s future.
Public Schools
Several of the area’s school districts are recognized as leaders in the state for STEM education, college and career readiness, student activities, and fine arts offerings. Several also boast higher than average test scores and graduation rates compared to other schools throughout the state. In addition to rigorous curriculums and diverse course options, many districts are also home to award-winning arts and athletic programs. Such extra-curricular offerings help provide students a well-rounded educational experience and opportunities for college scholarships.
One of the greatest strengths for area public schools is their partnership with area higher education institutions. At many high schools, students can take concurrent credit courses and receive hours toward a degree. Advanced placement classes also enable students the opportunity to earn credit hours.
Learn more about these districts and other progressive public schools in our region by clicking the links.
Virtual Learning and Charter Schools
Students in search of more flexible learning environments can benefit from a number of online education options. Van Buren’s River Valley Virtual Academy was the first fully-online learning charter conversion school approved for grades K-12. Premier High School, an online charter institute, plans to open a Fort Smith in 2022. Several other districts also provide virtual learning or hybrid model options for students.
The Future School of Fort Smith provides another high-quality option for grades 9-12. The tuition free, charter institution employs a student-centered model designed to engage students from all backgrounds.
Higher Education
Higher ed options also abound. The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, Arkansas Tech University – Ozark, University of the Ozarks, and Carl Albert State College are among the major two and four-year institutions located within the region. These schools work cooperatively with local business and civic leaders to offer programs which produce skilled workers suited to meet the needs of local companies and organizations nationwide. Graduate level opportunities are also available to students pursuing their master’s degree.
Strong relationships among the education and business communities also foster innovation and new degree plans to meet emerging demands. Higher ed organizations also work with area high schools to provide opportunities for younger students which help put them on the path to associate or bachelor’s degrees, or technical certifications.
Arkansas College of Health Education
The establishment of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education at Chaffee Crossing is evidence that the educational scene in the Fort Smith Region is flourishing. ACHE is a private, not-for-profit institution located on 573 acres in Fort Smith’s Chaffee Crossing district. It is the first and only private institution in Arkansas that is dedicated solely to healthcare and wellness.
