RAPA Physicians and Staff Support Community Causes
Since its inception 85 years ago, RAPA physicians and staff supported the physical, mental and spiritual development of Central Arkansas through monetary and volunteer commitments to non-profit organizations. Long time RAPA physicians recall that the practice has supported causes like St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center, the United Way and the 20th Century Club for many decades. At SVI, RAPA initiated a program that many physicians support to provide scholarships and other monetary support to SVI Radiology Technology schools and has supported the SVI Tennis Tournament for many years.
RAPA has donated office space in Freeway Medical Center to the Centers for Youth and Families valued at almost a half-million dollars. Dr. John Bell, a retired RAPA Radiologist who practiced in Searcy, was instrumental in the initiation of the BreastCare program in Arkansas and RAPA Radiologist Dr. Jim McDonald has an ongoing pro bono project to develop nuclear medicine training programs for the Arkansas Department of Health which provides essential education to other physicians and healthcare workers on safety issues.
Individually RAPA’s Radiologists and staff members support many charitable organizations in Central Arkansas, giving their time as board members and volunteers and making personal monetary donations. RAPA physicians and their families were among a group who began the Arkansas Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the state and RAPA remains one of the top contributors to this cause.
The physicians and staff of Radiology Associates, P.A., believe that support of community causes is an important responsibility, as well as an opportunity to give back to the Central Arkansas communities we serve. Below are a few of the activities in which RAPA participates today:
RAPA Roundball Rally Benefits Camp Aldersgate & JDRF
The Little Rock School District and Radiology Associates partnered to hold a high school girls’ basketball tournament, the second annual RAPA Roundball Rally, November 10-12 at Hall High School. The Morrilton Lady Devil Dogs won the tournament in an overtime final, led by outstanding sophomore Shekinna Stricklen.
Other participating teams included Benton, Cabot, LR Hall, North Little Rock, LR Parkview, Pulaski Academy and Sheridan. The athletes played two 16-minute halves with a 30-second shot clock to add interest to the tournament, rules which resemble college play.
“We were excited to have RAPA as the presenting sponsor of the event,” said Johnny Johnson, LRSD Athletic Director. “Working with the RAPA event team, the Little Rock School District was able to put on a first-class girls tournament that is set to become an annual classic for Central Arkansas.” Additional sponsors were North Point Nissan and North Little Rock Nissan; Friday Eldredge Clark; CSI.; Meadors and Adams, Inc.; Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson; Rebsamen Medical Center; and Delta Group.
All sponsorships and proceeds from RAPA Roundball Rally benefit the local chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Camp Aldersgate. More than $16,000 was raised to help these charities. “This tournament helps raise funds and awareness for juvenile diabetes and Camp Aldersgate activities for seniors and children with medical needs. This girls’ tournament also promotes wellness as it affirms team building and athletic accomplishment,” said RAPA Radiologist Jonathan Fravel at a pre-tournament press conference.
RAPA Supports Susan G. Komen Foundation
As a major sponsor of the Runway for a Cause, a walk sponsor and a team of employee walkers for the Race for the Cure, RAPA and the St. Vincent Breast Center again supported the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This year was the first year RAPA participated in the Runway event September 23 which featured breast cancer survivors modeling fall fashions. Those attending the fashion show also receive materials about the Pink Party events that RAPA is holding to encourage women to “make it a party” for their next mammogram.
The RAPA team designed their own creations at a “Sign Up” Party October 4 in the 8th Floor Conference Room of the Doctors Building. These colorful and distinctive signs were noticed by many of the thousands of walkers at the Race for the Cure October 22 in downtown Little Rock. Some of the signs honored women whose breast cancer has been detected through mammography at RAPA. Other signs shouted, “RAPA for the Cure” and “RAPA Walkers Honor Our Patients and Friends.”