Fort Smith, AR. – The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) announces a new partnership with Arvest Foundation through the establishment of the Adopt A Scholar 2026 ARCOM Recruitment Scholarship. Arvest representatives visited campus today, Monday, March 30, for a formal check presentation in support of this initiative.
The scholarship will be awarded to an incoming student enrolling at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) in Fall 2026. The scholarship is need-based and is intended for a student from the ACHE service area, which includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Eligibility includes students who were born in, attended school, or earned an undergraduate degree in one of these states.
The $25,000 per year scholarship will be applied to the recipient’s tuition each academic year, provided the student remains in good standing with ARCOM. If a recipient is no longer in good standing, the scholarship may be reassigned to another eligible student in a subsequent term.
“The Adopt A Scholar program creates meaningful connections between our students and the organizations that believe in their future,” said ACHE President and CEO Kyle D. Parker, JD. “We are grateful to Arvest Foundation for investing in the next generation of physicians and supporting our mission to improve access to quality healthcare across the region.”
“As a community-focused bank, Arvest is committed to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve, and supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders is a key part of that mission,” said Mike Jacimore, president of Arvest Bank – Fort Smith Region. “On behalf of the Arvest Foundation, we’re proud to present these grants to ACHE to help ease the financial burden for these talented individuals as they complete their training.”
The Adopt A Scholar program is designed to provide financial assistance and personal encouragement to future physicians. Through this initiative, community partners like Arvest play a direct role in supporting students as they pursue medical education and prepare to serve in areas where healthcare access is limited.
“We are excited to expand the impact of the Adopt A Scholar program through partnerships like this,” said Jarred Rego, Director of Advancement at ACHE. “This scholarship eases the financial burden of the student receiving it and strengthens our shared commitment to improving healthcare in the communities we serve.”
