JBU Gets $34M to Train Arkansas’ Future Doctors | Fayetteville Arkansas News

John Brown University just landed a $34.5 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation to launch new master’s programs in high-demand medical fields—physician assistant studies, family nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner—to tackle Arkansas’ critical shortage of primary care, mental health, and maternal health providers. This will be the first PA program in Northwest Arkansas, building on JBU’s strong nursing foundation. The funding is split into two phases: $9.5 million to expand facilities and cover startup costs, and a second $25 million endowment for faculty and scholarships, contingent on accreditation. Partnerships with Mercy Hospital and Washington Regional Medical Center are already underway, with online NP programs launching in 2028 and the PA program in 2030—all aimed at training compassionate clinicians who’ll stay in Arkansas to serve local communities. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/6a7a343de7b8be4e