Robert H. Hopkins Jr., M.D., Honored for Promoting Immunizations
| LITTLE ROCK — Robert Hopkins, M.D., a professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), recently received the 2018 Outstanding Adult Immunization Champion award for exceptional dedication to protecting adults from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The award was given by ImmunizeAR, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving vaccination rates for Arkansans through education, advocacy and statewide partnerships.
“We are fortunate to have thought leaders like Dr. Hopkins in our state, and ImmunizeAR is thankful to have him as an active member of our adult immunization workgroup,” said Heather Mercer, executive director of ImmunizeAR.
Hopkins joined UAMS faculty in 1993 and has been a professor in the College of Medicine departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine since 2010. In 2012, he was named director of the Division of General Internal Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine. He is a member of several professional and medical associations and has served on the Executive Committee of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit.
“Immunizations to reduce our risk for Influenza, pneumococcal disease and other contagions are critical tools to protect the health of Americans. My goal is to help us patients and health care providers effectively use these tools for the better health of our communities,” said Hopkins, chairman of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Dr. Hopkins is known for his excellence and knowledge of immunizations,” read the nomination form submitted by the Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative/UAMS Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program. Hopkins was recognized for his assistance in creating a Facebook Live event on the importance of having adult immunizations.
“He inspires young practitioners and residents to never forget the importance of preventive health and immunizations,” those nominating him explained. “Dr. Hopkins goes above and beyond to reach and educate not only patients but residents on the importance of immunizations. He is tireless in his pursuit of raising awareness and rates of immunizations in Arkansas.”
“He was nominated by several people so it was pretty easy to choose who we were going to honor,” Mercer said.
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.
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