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Ronald Robertson, M.D., is the new dean of the College of Medicine and UAMS' new executive vice chancellor.
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UAMS Names Surgeon Ronald D. Robertson, M.D., Dean of the College of Medicine, Executive Vice Chancellor
| LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) named Ronald D. Robertson, M.D., as dean of the College of Medicine and executive vice chancellor, effective immediately.
Chancellor C. Lowry Barnes, M.D., selected Robertson as interim dean of the college in May, tapping the renowned surgeon and then-chair of the Department of Surgery for the position following the retirement of Steven Webber, M.D.
“Since stepping into the role as interim dean on May 1, Ron has demonstrated the thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to excellence that have defined his career at UAMS,” Barnes said. “His impact has been immediate, earning the confidence and respect of faculty, staff, and leadership across our institution. I am thrilled that he has agreed to serve in this role permanently.”
Robertson earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville before completing medical school, his surgical residency, and his fellowship in trauma, critical care, and burn surgery at UAMS. In 1996, he joined the College of Medicine faculty as an assistant professor of surgery. In 2001, he was named an associate professor of surgery, and in 2008, he became a full professor. In 2019, he was named chair of the Department of Surgery.
“I’m honored to serve as executive vice chancellor of UAMS and dean of the College of Medicine,” said Robertson. “As a proud Arkansan, I know how important UAMS is to our state, and I am committed to doing all I can to strengthen the College of Medicine while helping advance our mission of improving the health, healthcare, and well-being of everyone in our state.”
Robertson has dedicated his career to improving trauma care in Arkansas. From 1995 to 2005, he served as the director of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Burn Unit. Robertson also played a pivotal role in the development of the Arkansas Trauma System, and as an Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course director since 1996, he has taught more than 300 ATLS courses, helping train more than 4,500 healthcare providers nationwide. His scholarly work has advanced both basic science and clinical research focused on improving outcomes for trauma patients.
Throughout his career, Robertson has held numerous leadership roles in surgery, clinical care, and trauma, including service on 71 UAMS hospital committees and nine national committees. In 2022, he was named the inaugural holder of The Gilbert S. “Gil” Campbell, M.D., Ph.D., Endowed Chair in Surgical Leadership and Innovation.
A retired major in the U.S. Army National Guard, Robertson is married to Carla Lynn Robertson, BSN, RN, a clinical documentation specialist at UAMS. The couple has three children.
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 seven 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, 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 1,030 medical residents and fellows, and two dental residents. 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.###