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Sarah Rhoads, dean of the UAMS College of Nursing, and other participants perform a stretch during the yoga session.
Image by Chris Carmody
College of Nursing’s ‘Yoga With the Dean’ Session Promotes Wellness, Connection
| As people rolled out their yoga mats on a classroom floor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), the dean of the UAMS College of Nursing prepared to serve as a student instead of a teacher.
“Yoga is completely new to me,” said Sarah Rhoads, Ph.D., DNP, who nevertheless found herself in the front row for a wellness activity organized by the College of Nursing.
The college invited students and employees from across the campus to step away from their desks on May 6 for “Yoga With the Dean,” a 45-minute session of guided movement and collective breathing. Ava Coleman, assistant director for student enrollment in the College of Nursing, said the event was designed to foster a sense of community and alleviate stress at the end of a rigorous academic year.
Coleman said the session also gave participants an opportunity to socialize with Rhoads, who has served as dean since September 2025.
“I think it’s important for employees and students to know that our leadership at UAMS is accessible and responsive to their needs,” Coleman said.
When speaking to students and employees in the College of Nursing, Rhoads often emphasizes the importance of self-care. She said the yoga session was part of the college’s efforts to put that idea into action.
“We all have hectic lives as faculty, administrators, staff members, or students, and we don’t always take as much time for ourselves as we should,” she said.
Pam deGravelles, Ph.D., RN, who retired last year from her roles as clinical associate professor in the College of Nursing and director of the college’s Innovative Practice and Simulation Center, served as the session’s instructor. While soft music played in the background, she guided participants through a series of breathing exercises and stretches that challenged their fitness but calmed their minds.
Bridget McCarty, DNP, APRN, assistant professor in the College of Nursing, said she was glad to share the experience with the other attendees.
“An activity like this can build your sense of connection with colleagues not only in the College of Nursing but also in other colleges and clinical areas,” she said.
A day after the session, Rhoads noted that she was feeling the effects of her foray into yoga.
“I’m very sore, but it’s something I might want to try more often,” she said. “I can see how beneficial it is for physical and mental wellness.”