Issam Makhoul, M.D., Named Inaugural Hutchins Distinguished Chair for Hematology and Oncology at UAMS
| LITTLE ROCK – Issam Makhoul, M.D., has been named the inaugural recipient of the Laura F. Hutchins, M.D. Distinguished Chair for Hematology and Oncology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). He is director of the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
Hutchins holds the Virginia Clinton Kelley Endowed Chair for Clinical Breast Cancer Research. She is a professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology, where she served as division director from 1998 until September 2013.
“I cannot think of anyone better suited to hold the distinguished chair honoring Dr. Hutchins than her long-time colleague Dr. Makhoul,” said UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D. “These two exceptional physicians have worked closely for years and have touched the lives of countless patients through their compassionate care and dedication to cancer research.”
Funding for the distinguished chair was made possible by a donation of $1 million from an anonymous donor, proceeds from the Cancer Institute’s 2012 Gala for Life fundraiser and private donations. An endowed distinguished chair is established with gifts of at least $1.5 million. The chair holder uses the interest proceeds for research, teaching or service activities.
“It’s a fitting tribute for Dr. Makhoul to be named the first recipient of the Hutchins distinguished chair,” said Cancer Institute Director Peter Emanuel, M.D. “Both of these outstanding physicians represent the utmost in integrity and dedication to the fight against cancer. I am honored to work with them and am grateful for the generous donations that made this distinguished chair possible.”
Makhoul is a noted clinical researcher with expertise in breast cancer and gastrointestinal cancers. His research focuses on the role on antiangiogenic therapy and targeting cancer initiating cells in breast cancer, as well as quality of life and survivorship.
He joined the UAMS faculty in 2002, is an associate professor in the UAMS College of Medicine and was named director of the college’s Division of Hematology/Oncology in 2013. He also has served as director of the division’s Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program since 2008.
Makhoul has been recognized with many clinical and teaching awards, including multiple years on Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctors” and Arkansas Times’ “Arkansas’ Best Doctors” lists and on the UAMS Circle of Excellence Dean’s List Outpatient All Stars.
A graduate of the UAMS College of Medicine, Hutchins served both her internship and residency at UAMS, followed by a fellowship in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. Since that time she has remained on the UAMS faculty as a medical oncologist, serving as director of the Division of Hematology/Oncology for 15 years.
Hutchins also has served as director of clinical research at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute since 1998 and is the recipient of numerous clinical, teaching and research honors and awards.
Her extensive research background focuses primarily on breast cancer and melanoma, and she has been nationally recognized for her work in developing information technology solutions to support physicians, scientists and patients involved in clinical trials research.
She has been honored multiple times with Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctors” award and has received UAMS awards for Outstanding Woman Faculty, Distinguished Faculty and Humanism in Medicine..
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,275 students, 890 medical residents and fellows, and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 12,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.###