Thomas L. Stephenson Joins UAMS as Development Leader for Myeloma Institute

Dec. 20, 2016 | Dec. 20, 2016 | Thomas L. Stephenson has been named a senior director of development at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where he is heading up philanthropic activities with the Myeloma Institute.

Stephenson has an extensive history in fundraising, principal and planned giving, public policy and legislative affairs. He has held positions with The Community Foundation of Inland Southern California, PCI Global of San Diego, the University of California Irvine, the SETI Institute and The Irvine Company. Stephenson has raised philanthropic funds in varied fields, including neurosciences and ecological preservation, and at all levels of education from primary to university.

A graduate of California State University, Fullerton, Stephenson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in physical education administration. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Western State University School of Law in Fullerton, California. He also earned the designation of Certified Specialist in Planned Giving from California State University, Long Beach.

“I am very pleased to join the dynamic team at UAMS,” said Stephenson. “I look forward to working with our Myeloma Institute volunteers and scientific leaders in raising philanthropic support that will enable the institute to continue its growth as a world leader in myeloma research and compassionate patient care.”

Gareth Morgan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UAMS Myeloma Institute, is leading major research initiatives aimed at developing curative treatments for patients with myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells in the blood, and related diseases. He is excited to have Stephenson on board.

“Tom brings tremendous depth of experience and expertise to our program,” Morgan said. “He will be instrumental in helping move our research to the next level for the benefit of patients worldwide.”

“I am pleased to welcome Tom to the team and look forward to the fine work he will do on behalf of the Myeloma Institute and UAMS,” said Lance Burchett, vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement.

The UAMS Myeloma Institute is the most comprehensive center in the world for research and clinical care related to multiple myeloma and related diseases, such as Castleman Disease and Waldenstrom Macroglobulemia. The institute’s team of scientists and clinicians has pioneered many advances that have become standards of care, leading to improved survival rates. The institute is known for continually translating advances in the laboratory into breakthrough clinical treatments.

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 3,485 students, 915 medical residents and fellows, and seven dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 11,000 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.

###