View Larger Image
From left, C. Lowry Barnes, M.D., Nick Lang, M.D., Helen Lang, and Kent C. Westbrook, M.D., were present for the dedication ceremony honoring Jonnie Westbrook. Image by Bryan Clifton

UAMS Receives $1 Million to Create Endowed Funds in Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute

April 16, 2026 | LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) received $500,000 from Helen and Nick Lang, M.D., and $500,000 from Kent C. Westbrook, M.D., to the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, both in honor of Westbrook’s late wife, Jonnie Kay Westbrook.

The Langs gift establishes the Jonnie Westbrook Endowed Fund for Excellence in support of the Cancer Institute Auxiliary, and Westbrook’s gift establishes the Jonnie K. Westbrook Endowed Fund for Excellence in support of the highest priorities of the Cancer Institute, including the Auxiliary.

A dedication ceremony of the Jonnie Westbrook Conference Center on the 10^th floor of the Cancer Institute was held April 10 to honor her legacy of extraordinary service and steadfast dedication to the Cancer Institute.

“I am continually in awe of the community of philanthropy and advocacy that brings so many people together at UAMS — the friendship between the Westbrooks and Langs is a testament to the deep bonds here,” said C. Lowry Barnes, M.D., UAMS chancellor and professor and chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. “Jonnie Westbrook had enormous belief in the work of UAMS, and the pair were able to accomplish amazing things at this institution, especially in the Cancer Institute.”

Jonnie Westbrook was married to Kent Westbrook for 64 years. She was an active advocate and volunteer at UAMS and a founding member of the Cancer Institute Auxiliary. Kent Westbrook, who continues to serve as a distinguished professor of surgery, co-founded the Arkansas Cancer Research Center, later renamed the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

“My career at UAMS has been a highly rewarding experience, one made deeply special by being able to do it alongside my wife Jonnie,” said Westbrook. “Through this journey, we were lucky to have many people’s support for what we accomplished — Nick and Helen Lang were especially strong advocates for our goals, offering guidance and unflinching friendship. I am touched and honored by their support in helping me celebrate Jonnie in such a meaningful way.”

Nick Lang is the former chief medical officer for the UAMS Medical Center, and Helen Lang was a longtime nurse in the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. Nick Lang and Kent Westbrook worked side-by-side at UAMS for many years.

“In making what UAMS is today, Kent and Jonnie Westbrook have both contributed to it becoming a premier health care institution — Kent through his many clinical and leadership roles, and Jonnie through her work to ensure that patients in the Cancer Institute were treated with dignity and compassion,” said Nick Lang.

“We are very grateful that Jonnie was blessed into our lives, and we are honored to know that her mission through the Cancer Institute Auxiliary will be supported for many years to come,” added Helen Lang.

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 3,553 students and 1,015 medical residents and fellows. It is the state’s largest public employer with about 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.

###