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Robert “Lee” Archer, M.D., was the recipient of the 2025 Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award from the UAMS College of Medicine.
Image by Bryan Clifton
UAMS College of Medicine Celebrates Faculty and Staff at 2025 Dean’s Honor Day
| The College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recently celebrated the achievements of faculty and staff at its annual Dean’s Honor Day ceremony, presenting awards for teaching, clinical care, research, administration, humanism and service. The college also recognized faculty members who are receiving promotion and/or tenure in 2025.
The ceremony culminated with the presentation of the Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award to Robert L. “Lee” Archer, M.D., a professor and leader in the field of neurology in Arkansas who has served on the faculty since 1986, including seven years as chair of the Department of Neurology in 2016-2023.
“Dr. Archer has made unparalleled contributions in his field, to our college, and to the state of Arkansas for four decades,” Steven Webber, MBChB, executive vice chancellor of UAMS and dean of the College of Medicine,” said to a nearly full auditorium of faculty, staff and guests. “As many of you also know, Lee is a beloved physician and highly respected specialist in multiple sclerosis and related disorders of the nervous system, as well as a wonderful educator.”
Rohit Dhall, M.D., MSPH, who succeeded Archer as department chair, nominated him for the award. At the ceremony, he lauded Archer as a personal mentor and leader who substantially grew the department, established a strong culture of service, and made many clinical contributions including establishing the state’s multiple sclerosis clinic in 1987.
Archer has held numerous impactful college-wide service posts, including his current role as a member of the medical student Admissions Committee. His many statewide leadership roles have included president of the Arkansas Neurological Society and the Arkansas Medical Society and chair of the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Association. Nationally, he has held key roles in the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Academy of Neurology and other professional organizations.
“Dr. Archer’s professional calling has been developing and providing the highest level of clinical excellence for people with neurological issues in the state of Arkansas,” Dhall said. “All over the state, when somebody needs help for a neurological issue — whether it is physician providers, including many he has trained, nurses or lay people — they call Dr. Archer, and he responds, often with deep compassion.”
After accepting the award, Archer paid tribute to his own mentor, Dennis Lucy Jr., M.D., who chaired Neurology from 1966 to 1994 and continued to serve at UAMS until retiring as a professor emeritus in 2015. Noting that Lucy was watching the ceremony livestream from home, Archer said he planned to give him his award, a commemorative art glass bowl, for his impact and for “setting the standard.” Archer also thanked his wife, Nancy, and colleagues.
“I always thought that practicing medicine — combining our knowledge, our science, with taking care of patients — would be extremely satisfying, and it has been,” Archer said. “But what has impressed me so much practicing here is the joy in working with a team of people.”
“Everyone here makes everyone else better,” Archer said. “I’m sure all of us remember the proverb, ‘Iron sharpens iron.’ And we do. We sharpen each other. We make each other better, and that’s such a joyful place.”