View Larger Image Society of the Double Helix
UAMS Chancellor C. Lowry Barnes, M.D., addresses donors at the Society of the Double Helix reception. Image by Bryan Clifton

UAMS Sets Fundraising Record with $44 Million Raised in Fiscal Year 2026

By Andrew Vogler

| LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) surpassed its highest fundraising year, raising more than $44 million through gifts and philanthropic grants in the 2026 fiscal year, breaking the previous record of $41.57 million set in 2020. It is only the third time in UAMS’s history — since UAMS started keeping annual totals — that fundraising has exceeded $40 million.

In total, 1,548 donations were received in the fiscal year for a total of $44,097,654.35.

Windgate Foundation press conference

Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., UAMS provost and chief strategy officer, (left) Chancellor C. Lowry Barnes, M.D., (right) welcome scholarship recipients at the Windgate Foundation $7 million gift announcement.Evan Lewis

“When I became the interim chancellor a year ago, one of my major goals was to energize the Division of Institutional Advancement’s fundraising efforts, challenging them to strive towards new heights of success and to make our many philanthropic supporters realize the potential of this institution,” said UAMS Chancellor C. Lowry Barnes, M.D. “I am happy to report that through our many efforts, through gifts large and small, we have bested the previous fundraising high mark by more than $2.5 million.”

“This is a phenomenal achievement by our fundraising team who have overcome many challenges to secure critical funds that support UAMS’s programs throughout the state,” added Barnes.

Gala for Life

$2.8 million was raised during the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute’s Gala for Life.Bryan Clifton

The Division of Institutional Advancement integrates donor and alumni relations with fundraising to secure resources and support for the UAMS Foundation Fund for the benefit of the UAMS mission. Institutional Advancement secures philanthropic gifts and grants from individuals, corporations, and community partners that provide critical resources to advance the work in UAMS’s threefold mission areas — education, patient care, and research.

Philanthropic gifts are helping to transform health care in our state for the benefit of all 3.2 million Arkansans. Notable initiative support from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, includes:

  • $7 million endowment from the Windgate Foundation to support student scholarships in the five UAMS colleges.
  • $5 million gift from Anne and Merritt Dyke to support clinical services at the Anne Dyke Breast Center in the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
  • $2.8 million raised during the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute’s Gala for Life, which included a $1.4 million dollar-for-dollar matching gift from the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation with proceeds launching the Nancy “Jo” Smith Endowment for Community Engagement and Patient Navigation.
  • $720,702 gift from the trust of the late Frank Threlkeld, M.D., to support initiatives in the UAMS College of Medicine.
  • A record-setting $1.3 million from the eighth annual Day of Giving hosted on Oct. 7, 2025.
  • Two $500,000 gifts from Helen and Nick Lang, M.D., and Kent C. Westbrook, M.D., to the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, both in honor of Westbrook’s late wife, Jonnie Kay Westbrook.

“Chancellor Barnes challenged our team to expand and refocus our fundraising efforts, and, with his support, I am pleased that we were able to respond and set a new benchmark,” said John Erck, vice chancellor for the Division of Institutional Advancement. “I am inspired by the dedication and achievements of our fundraising team, but I am even more so in awe of and grateful for our many philanthropic supporters, who affirmed their commitment to UAMS and the state of Arkansas.”

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.

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