ACHE Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Research Spaces at RIHWC

Ribbon cutting and dedication for the ACHE Biomedical Resource Center & the Center for Rehabilitation Research.

FORT SMITH, AR – Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) is celebrating the opening of the new Biomedical Resource Center and the Center for Rehabilitation Research. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Monday, November 18 at the ACHE Research Institute Health and Wellness Center (RIHWC).

The RIHWC serves as a dedicated hub for advanced health science research and innovation. Alongside the Biomedical Resource Center and the Center for Rehabilitation Research, the RIHWC also hosts community health and wellness programs at its Health & Wellness Center. The Health & Wellness Center teaches healthy lifestyle choices that are supported by the RIHWC Center for Clinical Research and the Biomedical Resource Center. 

Biomedical Resource Center:   The Biomedical Resource Center is a state-of-the-art facility designed to support essential research across five specialized centers. These include Oncology, Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Obesity, Genetics and Personalized Medicine, and Neuroscience, Aviation & Aerospace Medicine.

The Biomedical Resource Center enables researchers to conduct critical studies on animal models and patient tissue samples Working closely with Mercy Hospital to merge basic research outcomes with clinical research that will provide novel and innovative therapies for numerous diseases. This clinical and basic research collaboration is essential for advancing new treatments and improving health outcomes across multiple health issues plaguing our communities every day.   

“The new Biomedical Resource Center laboratory is an invaluable asset for advancing our rapidly growing research initiatives,” said Jeffrey Osborn, PhD, Vice President of Research at ACHE. “This facility allows our scientists to conduct essential preclinical studies in an ideal controlled environment, accelerating the discovery of innovative therapies that can transform patient care.” 

Center for Rehabilitation Research:  The Center for Rehabilitation Research is the third-largest designated research space for Physical and Occupational Therapy in the nation. This 5,000-square-foot center features two open gym spaces and four observation and therapy rooms equipped with advanced video and sound recording technology.

“This facility is a game-changer for our students and faculty,” said Jennifer Moore, PhD, Dean of ACHE School of Occupational Therapy. “Having dedicated spaces for neurorehabilitation, mental health, and other research areas allows our faculty to pioneer impactful studies and our students to engage in real-time, hands-on learning.”  

The open gym spaces also support Exercise Intervention research by ACHE Physical Therapy faculty, providing students with the opportunity to collaborate on community programs for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, spinal cord injuries, and new mothers in the Gross Motor Development program. Dana Kahl, DPT, Dean of ACHE School of Physical Therapy, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Our new facilities allow students to directly impact lives in our community while learning from expert faculty. These experiences are invaluable for their professional development and commitment to patient care.” 

The Biomedical Resource Center and Center for Rehabilitation Research will provide ACHE students with unmatched research and clinical experiences, helping them become skilled and compassionate healthcare providers. These facilities will strengthen the healthcare landscape in our community and set a new standard for patient-centered research and education in Arkansas and beyond.