ABOUT US
It began as a dream.
Dr. Keneshia Bryant-Moore was considering how to sustain her faith-based approach to addressing depression and other health disparities. She had a dream and wrote a letter of intent to the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute about developing a network of faith leaders across Arkansas.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences had longed recognized the important role of religion in improving the health and well-being of people and communities. For over a decade, UAMS researchers have successfully engaged the faith community to improve health outcomes through the development, testing, and implementation of health projects and interventions. Despite this lengthy history of innovative interventions, only a few faith leaders have the ability to engage in research. As a community nurse researcher, Dr. Bryant-Moore understood the importance of having an infrastructure that supports and empowers communities of faith to health and wholeness, as well as participate as equal partners in health research.
In 2016 the Arkansas Faith-Academic Initiatives for Transforming Health (FAITH) Network was launched. The secret to our success, “We just listen to the community and make them the center of everything. The work that we do is driven by what we are hearing from them and what they’re saying their needs are.” – Dr. Keneshia Bryant-Moore
Faith Academic Initiatives for Transforming Health Network
The FAITH Network envisions people and congregations equipped to respond to improving the health and wellness needs in their own communities.
We envision a healthier state for all Arkansans.
Healthy People
We support people-first initiatives in the journey to wellness in mind, body, and spirit.
Healthy Congregations
We empower congregations in partnerships that promote transformative health.
Healthy Communities
We demonstrate the power of unity for impactful community-led change.
The FAITH Network is a collaboration between the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and faith organizations in Arkansas to provide an infrastructure that supports faith-based research.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute and Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise including its hospital, regional clinics and clinics it operates or staffs in cooperation with other providers. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. U.S. News & World Report named UAMS Medical Center the state’s Best Hospital; ranked its ear, nose and throat program among the top 50 nationwide; and named six areas as high performing — COPD, colon cancer surgery, heart failure, hip replacement, knee replacement and lung cancer surgery. UAMS has 2,876 students, 898 medical residents and four dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.