PEA RIDGE — Pea Ridge Family Physician, Rhonda Higgins, DO, recently illustrated her commitment to improving health care in the community and state by joining the Arkansas Medical Society. Dr. Higgins practices at Northwest Family Medicine in Pea Ridge.
“As a society member, Dr. Higgins is part of a statewide network of over 4,000 Arkansas physicians, residents and medical students, dedicated to protecting the interests of their patients and improving the health of Arkansans,” said society president, Stephen Magie, MD. “Some of the society’s most recent efforts include passing legislation to establish a statewide Trauma System and the Clean Indoor Air Act, which protects workers and citizens in Arkansas from secondhand smoke in the workplace and in public places; and supporting the development of a prescription drug monitoring program to combat the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs.”
The society has also recently worked to pass laws that protect motorists by initiating a graduated drivers’ license and placing restrictions on cell phone use. In addition, they have worked on legislation that allows students to carry asthma inhalers to school, provides vision screening in schools, provides funding for tobacco prevention and cessation, provides funding for cancer research, requires health care facilities to provide emergency care to sexual assault victims, and provides research funding and insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening.
The Arkansas Medical Society is a voluntary professional association, established in 1875, representing more than 4,000 physicians and medical students as well as the patients and communities they serve.
Community, Pages 12 on 06/29/2011