Every expectant mother deserves access to excellent maternal, prenatal and postpartum care.

In Southwest Arkansas, this access has long been a challenge, particularly for families in rural communities.  Thanks to the ARMOMS program, led by CHI St. Vincent Health System, these moms are now able to receive the high quality care they need.

Hospital and philanthropy staff from across CommonSpirit Health® collaborated to secure a $4 million federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to fund 11 ARMOMS clinics to provide essential prenatal and postpartum services to underserved areas. As the program completes its second year, the positive effects on maternal health in the region are increasingly evident.

The need for moms-to-be: overcoming barriers to health care
‍Arkansas ranks among the highest in the nation for infant and maternal mortality, with one in three women in rural areas receiving no first-trimester obstetric care. The barriers to accessing quality health care in these regions are significant — ranging from geographical isolation to socioeconomic challenges. For many expectant mothers, the distance to the nearest clinic can span several hours and is often compounded by financial and transportation difficulties.

The ARMOMS program, anchored by CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, was created to address these challenges head-on. By establishing 11 clinics across nearly a dozen counties in Southwest Arkansas, the program ensures that women in these remote areas have access to vital prenatal, antenatal and postpartum care. The need for such services is urgent, and the capabilities made available through the ARMOMS program are essential to improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

“Residents in many of these counties currently have limited or no access to prenatal and maternity care resources. On top of that, communities struggle with food insecurity, poverty and limited access to technology among other challenges,” says Douglas Ross, MD, CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs President. “We want to interrupt those cycles and make sure these babies and their mothers have the best start possible. CHI St. Vincent has the longstanding relationships with Southwest Arkansas’ rural providers and now, thanks to this grant, the resources necessary to take that work to the next level.”

Philanthropic grants and gifts power long-term health care solutions
‍HRSA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services focused on improving health care access and quality, particularly for underserved, vulnerable or geographically isolated populations. The ARMOMS program, supported by the HRSA federal grant, has become essential in reducing high-risk pregnancies. With $1 million allocated annually by the grant over four years, the program is designed to reduce high-risk pregnancies, increase access to obstetric care and promote wellness across a 6,900-square-mile area.

In two years, the program has already exceeded expectations, serving 134 patients, conducting 541 visits, and overseeing 58 deliveries. These numbers represent lives improved and futures secured, as the ARMOMS program continues to bridge gaps in health care while laying the groundwork for long-term improvements in maternal health across rural Arkansas.

As ARMOMS moves into its third year, the program’s success is a powerful reminder of the difference that focused, well-funded initiatives can make. The HRSA Federal Grant has been essential in providing the resources needed to serve these vulnerable populations. But this grant is not the only source of philanthropic support making a difference for expectant mothers in the area.

The Anthony Childbirth Center — a lifeline for rural mothers
‍While the ARMOMS clinics provide essential care in the communities, the journey often culminates at the Anthony Childbirth Center at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs. This state-of-the-art facility is supported by an entire community of donors who contributed to CHI St. Vincent Foundation, including the Katherine C. Anthony Trust.

Rooted in the success of Anthony Timberlands, Inc., one of the largest privately-owned forest products companies in the American South, the Katherine C. Anthony Trust has become a cornerstone of philanthropic efforts in Arkansas. Founded by the Anthony family, whose timber business has flourished under the leadership of John Ed Anthony, the Trust channels its resources into community-focused initiatives, with a particular emphasis on health care.

The lead donation to the Anthony Childbirth Center is part of a broader commitment by the Anthony family to improve the lives of residents in their home state, supporting various causes including health care, education and the arts.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the generous support that helped make the new Anthony Childbirth Center a reality,” says Ross. “Every mother and child born here receives the highest level of care and with our move to a true Labor-Delivery-Recovery-Postpartum model, now they gain added care, instruction and resources to help them continue to thrive long after they leave the hospital.”

The center offers a 100% Labor-Delivery-Recovery-Postpartum model that ensures mothers and babies receive the highest standard of care.

“This model provides us the opportunity for hands-on education with parents while their newborn is right beside them in the room. Our nurses train parents in couplet care, safe sleep practices and everything else they need to know to care for their newborn,” says Marsha Oliver, nurse manager for Women’s Services at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs. “It also provides a greater opportunity for a mother and newborn to bond in those precious early hours of life with skin-to-skin contact. Couplet care allows our nurses to educate parents on safe sleep practices and learning to read their baby’s cues, whether they’re hungry, sleepy or just need to be cuddled.”

The connection between ARMOMS and the Anthony Childbirth Center is a testament to the power of coordinated care. High-risk pregnancies identified through the ARMOMS clinics are referred to the Anthony Childbirth Center, where mothers can access advanced care and support throughout their delivery. This synergy not only improves outcomes for mothers and babies but also strengthens the health care network across Southwest Arkansas.