Rural Arkansas health workers expand
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has trained 75 new community health workers since late 2025 to improve access in remote areas.
By Stella Brooks ·
Community health workers serve as a link between patients, clinics, and social services in rural Arkansas. A growing group of these employees is helping residents overcome barriers to care. They operate within the neighborhoods where they live and work. This model addresses specific gaps in service delivery.
The Institute for Community Health Innovation at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences leads this training effort. Since late 2025, the university has trained approximately 75 workers. In 2026, 38 people completed core training and 22 finished perinatal training. The Arkansas Community Health Worker Association reported that more than 500 people worked statewide in this role in 2025.
Sara Chavez is a level 2 worker in Springdale. She has spent the last five years with the Healthy Start program. This national initiative supports maternal and family health. Chavez works through a partnership between Community Clinic and the Institute. Her duties include teaching breastfeeding classes and conducting home visits. She also assists families with Medicaid applications.
Chavez previously worked for a nonprofit focused on parental education. She earned a level 2 designation after completing her training. Data from Indeed.com indicates that level 2 workers in Arkansas earn between $37,000 and $50,000 annually. Chavez began focusing on pregnancy and postpartum support in January 2026.
Isela Hernandez works at the UAMS Family Medical Clinic in Fort Smith. She has served as a paid worker for three years. Hernandez holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with an English minor. She previously volunteered with the Arkansas Literacy Council. Her certification process took one week of training and a one-year apprenticeship because of her college degree.
Hernandez holds a level 3 certification. This level offers the highest pay range, from $53,000 to $71,000 per year, according to Indeed.com. She noted that funding relies on annual grants. Hernandez said that 75% of her clinic’s clients are low-income households. Her work involves helping families with language barriers access food pantries and benefits.
Tracy Glover works in Hamburg and Crossett in southeast Arkansas. She spent three decades as a nurse before moving into this role. Glover handles perinatal cases through the Healthy Start program. She works out of the Hamburg health department. Her salary is funded by grants from the Institute and the university.
Glover recently helped a homeless couple who learned they were expecting a child. She connected them to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The husband found employment within days. Within nine days, the family secured housing with utilities and a vehicle. The client is now attending all prenatal appointments. Patients in this region often travel more than an hour to El Dorado or Monticello for obstetric care. Some travel to Monroe, Louisiana. Glover said established patients can sometimes see a physician’s assistant locally to reduce travel time.
