Speakers: Kim Shuler, LCSW, Caitlyn Johnson, LCSW, Dr. Jason Lofton, MD; and U of A and UALR MSW Class of 2024

Featuring the work of 6 students from the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, we discuss the latest student interventions, data trends, and hear from Dr. Jason Lofton on the integration of students into his primary care practice. After the brief presentation, the students share their insights on integration, their unique internship experiences, and much more.

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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Kim Shuler, LCSW

Kim Shuler, LCSW contributes more than 20 years of experience as a clinician and administrator working in a variety of integrated behavioral health settings. She currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of ABHIN and as Project Director on three Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects. Ms. Shuler has extensive experience in training behavioral health providers and care teams, building coalitions, conducting needs assessments, and developing strategic and business operation plans. She is a certified behavioral health consultant trained through the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Ms. Shuler has demonstrated success developing, implementing, and managing day-to-day operations of integrated behavioral health programs across multiple settings, including nearly a decade serving as Director of Behavioral Health in a large FQHC.

Caitlyn Johnson, LCSW

Caitlyn is a licensed certified social worker with 10 years of experience in integrated behavioral health, care coordination, and medical social work. A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with both a BSW and MSW, Caitlyn currently serves as a project manager on multiple grants for the Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network (ABHIN). Specializing in program development, brief intervention, harm/stigma reduction, and suicide prevention, Caitlyn is dedicated to enhancing inclusive mental health services in Arkansas, driven by both professional expertise and personal experience as a clinician and consumer of mental health care in the state.

Jason Lofton, M.D.

Dr. Jason Lofton has been practicing family medicine in De Queen, Arkansas for 16 years.  He is a local medical director with Aledade ACO and has been participating in the Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network for 2 years.  He has served as the county health officer for Sevier County for the past decade and helped lead Sevier County through the COVID crisis by having weekly meetings with various leaders in the county.  He is heavily involved in his local community having just finished serving 4 years on the city council.  He teaches anatomy at Legacy Academy, serves as the track coach, and is also an assistant girls’ basketball. He is involved with a local community development non-profit and has led the way in getting a multi-use trail system started at De Queen Lake.  Dr. Lofton also hosts a yearly free health fair in the county which typically serves 200-300 people.  When not working he enjoys spending time with his wife and 4 children, going to church, and cycling as much as he possibly can. Dr. Lofton has been involved with the Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network (ABHIN) for the past 2 years.  Starting in the fall of 2022, his clinic was chosen to take part in a new pilot program that places an MSW student in the clinic 3 days a week.  Dr. Lofton found this to be very helpful and hopes to be able to hire a full-time counselor in the near future.