Crystal Marcussen Receives Bridge Award for Expanding Prenatal Care Access in Rural Arkansas

Crystal Marcussen Receives Bridge Award for Expanding Prenatal Care Access in Rural Arkansas

Crystal Marcussen, APRN, has been named a recipient of the Heartland Whole Health Institute Bridge Award, recognizing her leadership in expanding access to high-quality prenatal care for women in underserved communities across East Arkansas.

As an obstetrics and gynecology nurse practitioner in the UAMS Health Women and Infants Service Line, Crystal stepped into a pioneering role leading the Mobile Health Unit serving Helena and surrounding communities. Through this work, she brings the same standard of prenatal care offered at UAMS in Little Rock directly to patients who once faced four-hour round trips, missed work, and unaffordable childcare just to receive care.

In just over twelve months, Crystal has cared for numerous high-risk pregnancies, helping women receive earlier, more consistent prenatal services—improving outcomes for both mothers and babies. Through strong collaboration with Dr. Nirvana Manning and the UAMS high-risk pregnancy team, she ensured seamless connections to specialty care when needed—bridging the gap between rural communities and advanced medical support.

Under her leadership, the Mobile Health Unit has become more than a clinical setting. It now serves as a trusted hub for wraparound support, helping patients access transportation, prenatal vitamins, nutritious food, and community resources essential to healthy pregnancies.

Demand for services has grown so significantly that Crystal has doubled the number of days dedicated to serving East Arkansas. Women return not only for the care they receive, but for the dignity, trust, and compassion she consistently brings to every visit.

“Crystal represents the very best of what health care should be,” said Krista Langston, Executive Director at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. “Her courage, expertise, and commitment have transformed access to prenatal care for women who had been without it—changing lives for mothers and infants in underserved communities.”

Crystal’s work exemplifies the spirit of the Bridge Award: meeting people where they are, removing barriers to care, and building lasting pathways to better health for Arkansas communities.

Help us recognize those transforming health in Arkansas.

Nominate a Bridge Award recipient by sharing how someone you know is breaking down barriers and improving access to care. Click here to access the nomination form.