LITTLE ROCK - The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has received an anonymous donation of $250,000 to support the priorities of the Psychiatric Research Institute.
UAMS has eight regional campuses, one of which is in Texarkana - UAMS Southwest - that serves as the Area Health Education Center.
This gift supports the G. Richard Smith, M.D. Fund for Excellence in the PRI. Smith is chair of the Department of Psychiatry and oversaw the design and construction of the PRI, which opened in 2008.
Smith said the gift will benefit patients across the state.
"These funds will be used to advance PRI's mission of clinical care for people of the state of Arkansas, education of mental health professionals to serve the state's needs and research to develop new knowledge concerning mental illness and substance abuse," Smith said.
Smith said some of the money will be used to expand a statewide program for people suffering from emotional trauma and abuse.
"The funds will also be used for critical needs in our educational program such as advancing tele-health care training for our psychiatric residents, psychology interns and medical students," he said. "Some of the funds will be used to support new research projects to benefit Arkansans."
Mental health is the third-leading cause of disability in the world, behind heart disease and cancer, he said. "Many of these illnesses last a lifetime and lead to problems for the family beyond just problems for the patient."
Smith said he is extremely grateful that the donor entrusted his department to steward these funds, and UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson conveyed the same sentiments.
"I want to personally thank this donor for their commitment to improving access to quality mental health care," he said in the announcement. "Their investment in the Psychiatric Research Institute and its programs for mental health will make a huge difference for patients across our state. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the institute's virtual health programs have been a lifeline for countless Arkansans."