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G. Richard Smith
G. Richard Smith, M.D., Named Chairman of UAMS Department of Psychiatry
| LITTLE ROCK — G. Richard Smith, M.D., has been named chairman of the Department of Psychiatry in the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and director of UAMS’ Psychiatric Research Institute.
Smith served as chairman of the Department of Psychiatry from 2001 to 2013, during which he oversaw the design and construction of the Psychiatric Research Institute, which opened in 2008. He was named dean of the UAMS College of Medicine and executive vice chancellor in 2013, a position he held for two years before stepping down to become a professor of psychiatry, medicine and public health.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to once again work with the faculty and staff of the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute and the Department of Psychiatry,” said Smith. “There are many exciting challenges and opportunities in our field today and it is a privilege to join with these outstanding professionals to bring the best treatment to our patients and their families, train the next generation of clinicians and scientists, develop new knowledge in our field, and to be of service to our state.”
A native of Jonesboro, Smith received his bachelor’s degree in chemical biology from Rhodes College in Memphis. He graduated from the UAMS College of Medicine in 1977. He completed his residency in psychiatry at UAMS and continued his training with a fellowship in psychiatry and internal medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York, before joining the UAMS faculty in 1981.
“Dr. Smith has dedicated his career to UAMS and ensuring the very best psychiatric care for Arkansans,” said Christopher T. Westfall, M.D., executive vice chancellor of UAMS and dean of the College of Medicine. “His visionary work to integrate research, education and clinical care in the Psychiatric Research Institute has had a profound impact on the patients we care for today as well as those who will receive even better care by the psychiatrists and scientists we train for the future. Dr. Smith is an exceptional leader and ensures continued strong momentum for our psychiatric programs.”
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 3,485 students, 915 medical residents and fellows, and seven dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 11,000 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.###