Wright Joins UAMS as Director of Volunteer Services

By todd

 


LITTLE ROCK – Gloria Wright has been named director of volunteer services for UAMS Medical Center, which includes the hospital and other clinical areas at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Prior to joining UAMS, Wright served for 22 years as deputy commissioner for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS).


 


At UAMS, Wright will be responsible for the volunteer program, which includes the UAMS Medical Center Auxiliary, UAMS volunteer staff and community programs. Volunteers in the UAMS Medical Center Auxiliary operate the UAMS Gift Shop and help staff information desks to assist patients and visitors. Volunteers also save UAMS money by taking on tasks such as computer research and work in medical cost assistance programs. In addition, the volunteers organize several fund-raising events each year to buy equipment for the hospital and fund other projects aimed at improving patient care.


 


Wright has a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Arkansas State University and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. As ARS deputy commissioner, Wright was recognized at the state and national level for the development of exemplary programs for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.


 


UAMS is the state’s only comprehensive academic health center, with five colleges, a graduate school, a medical center, five centers of excellence and a statewide network of regional centers. UAMS has more than 2,200 students and 660 residents and is the state’s largest public employer with almost 9,000 employees. UAMS and its affiliates have an economic impact in Arkansas of $4.1 billion a year.


 


UAMS centers of excellence are the Arkansas Cancer Research Center, Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy and Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute.