UAMS Jones Eye Institute Receives $2 Million Gift

By David Robinson

Martha Wood Bentley, a dedicated supporter of the Jones Eye Institute who died Sept. 18, 2007, left her estate to the institution where she served for more than a decade on its advisory board.

“She was a very loyal supporter and friend of the Jones Eye Institute,” said John Shock, director of the Jones Eye Institute. “Her support over the years has helped mold JEI into the state-of-the-art comprehensive eye treatment and research facility it is today.”

Bentley was a silent philanthropist who was known for a keen sense of humor, a quick wit and great strength of character. She was a graduate of Briarcliff College and Stanford University. She was past president of the Fort Smith Junior League, a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, a member of the Association of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and an honorary member of the Van Buren Literary Club. She was a lifelong member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fort Smith.

“She shared a wonderful relationship with Dr. Shock and the Jones Eye Institute that has ultimately benefited the quality of patient care, research and education that we deliver at UAMS,” said Debra H. Fiser, M.D., dean of the UAMS College of Medicine. “We are grateful for Mrs. Bentley’s contributions and strong support.”

The Martha Wood Bentley Chair in Ophthalmology was established in April 2009 with a generous donation from Martha Bentley to support research, education and patient care.

“A gift such as this speaks volumes about Dr. Shock and the quality of work that is done at the Jones Eye Institute,” said UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D. “For patients like Mrs. Bentley to go on to serve and loyally support an institution like she’s done in this case is a rare find. We’re extremely grateful and honored.”

UAMS is the state’s only comprehensive academic health center, with five colleges, a graduate school, a new 540,000-square-foot hospital, six centers of excellence and a statewide network of regional centers. UAMS has 2,775 students and 748 medical residents. Its centers of excellence include the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, the Psychiatric Research Institute and the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including nearly 1,150 physicians who provide medical care to patients at UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and UAMS’ Area Health Education Centers throughout the state. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com.