UAMS Family Medicine Department Hosts First Statewide Research Symposium and CARE Awards
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Family and Preventive Medicine recently brought together family medicine faculty, residents and students from across Arkansas for its inaugural research symposium and first-ever Chair’s Awards for Recognition of Excellence (CARE) Awards.
“For the first time, we’re bringing all 11 family medicine residency programs across the state together to celebrate our research and scholarship work,” said Shashank Kraleti, M.D., chair of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and holder of the Algernon Sidney Garnett Endowed Chair in Family Medicine. “It’s a great way to share efforts and knowledge but also to bring the family medicine group together to develop a sense of camaraderie.”
Warren Newton, M.D., president of the American Board of Family Medicine, speaks to UAMS residents at the recent Family Medicine Research Symposium.
The event featured poster presentations from residents, students and faculty from around Arkansas highlighting projects designed to improve clinical care, processes, education, administration and leadership within family medicine. The symposium also included a plenary address by Warren Newton, M.D., president of the American Board of Family Medicine, who spoke about the future of the specialty.
“We structured it like an international conference with abstract submissions, judges and even an event app,” Kraleti said. “The goal was to give them that experience and exposure so they’re ready to submit to meetings and conferences across the country.”
During the event, the department launched its CARE Awards to recognize excellence in clinical care, education, research, service and teamwork across 22 categories. Award winners included:
- Clinical Innovation: Stephen Foster, M.D.
- Collaborations and Teamwork: Jonathan M. Reid, M.A.
- Community/Institutional Service: Robin A. Howell, B.A.
- Educational Innovation: Amber Norris, M.D.
- Educational Research: Marcia Byers, Ph.D., RN
- Excellence in Research: Nikki A. Edge, Ph.D.
- GME Program Coordinator: Jennilee Foster
- GME Program Director: Lauren Gibson-Oliver, M.D., MBA
- Master Teacher: Scott M. Dickson, M.D.
- Mentorship/Sponsorship: Ronald Brimberry, M.D.
- Outstanding Adjunct Faculty: Sarah Franklin, M.D.
- Outstanding Medical Student: Rachel French, B.S., B.A.
- Outstanding Resident/Fellow: Sawyer J. Sparks, D.O.
- Quality and Safety: Shelly F. Brown
- Rising Star Faculty: Paige B. Beck, M.D., Ph.D.
- Service and Professionalism: Wayne W. Bryant Jr., M.D.
- UME Educator: Rajalakshmi Cheerla, M.D.
- Staff Excellence – Administration: Lauren A. Wagner, B.A.
- Staff Excellence – Clinical: Tara Johnson
- Staff Excellence – Education: Michelle Trulsrud
- Staff Excellence – Research: Cody A. Burnett, MPH
- Chair’s Distinguished Faculty Service: Daniel A. Knight, M.D.
Poster competition winners included:
- Faculty: Shashank Kraleti, M.D. — Scholarly Activity Showcase: A Pathway for Residents to Develop Skills in Scholarship
- Resident: Viridiana Saenz, M.D. — Sports Medicine in Residency Training: A Guide by Residents for Residents
- Staff: Rubie Eubanks — Improvements in Recovery Capital within Justice-Involved Population with Substance Use Disorder: Use of Peer Recovery Support
Kraleti said the event not only celebrated scholarly achievements but also gave everyone in family medicine from around the state a chance to connect and network.
“Hopefully everyone had a chance to learn about all the good work that is happening all across Arkansas,” he said. “For example, somebody in Jonesboro could learn about the blood pressure improvement work happening in Texarkana that they could then implement at their site. It’s about bringing family medicine together to support our common mission of taking care of patients while we train future medical professionals as well.”