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Nancy "Jo" Smith
UAMS Mourns Death of Nancy “Jo” Smith
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) mourns the death of Nancy “Jo” Smith, 73, on Aug. 28. For 45 years, Smith dedicated her life to helping and caring for patients at UAMS, most recently as director of Special Services.
Smith’s funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1101 North Mississippi St. in Little Rock. The service will be livestreamed at tumclr.org/stream-our-services.
During her 45 years at UAMS, Smith left an indelible mark on UAMS, and she meant so much to so many members of Team UAMS.
Here are a few memories that have been shared in emails, news articles and on social media since her passing.
“I first met Jo many years ago when I was a medical student and she was the charge nurse on the Orthopaedic floor. I then worked with her as a resident in the Department of Othopaedics where she was chief nurse for the late chair, Dr. Carl Nelson. Even then, Jo was a force. Her dedication and her love for others was unmatched. I will always be grateful to Jo for the help she provided to me and my family when my late mother was ill.”
— Interim Chancellor C. Lowry Barnes, M.D.
“I nicknamed her ‘Saint Jo,’ and it fit. The woman didn’t have a time clock. You could call her and ask for help, and she never said no. She didn’t care if you had $50 million or were a complete stranger, she would help people. She was on call 24/7 and just was the dearest, sweetest person.”
— Leslie Taylor, vice chancellor of Communications and Marketing
“She was an ambassador for UAMS. She led with kindness and advocated that all patients should receive excellent care. She will be missed.”
— Nirvana Manning, M.D., chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
“Jo was an amazing woman and fierce friend.”
— Christina Clark, vice chancellor for Institutional Support Services and chief operating officer
“When I think of colleagues who have impacted my life, Jo immediately comes to mind. She was a friend who was always ready with a kind word or a helping hand. It’s hard to believe that she won’t pop by my office anymore to chat. I will miss her dearly.”
— Andrea Peel, associate vice chancellor of Communications and Marketing
“It’s rare in life to find someone who sees you — truly sees you — before you fully see yourself. Jo did that for me. She believed in me more than anyone ever had. She recruited me, lifted me, challenged me, and stood by me through it all.
She wasn’t just my boss. She was my mentor, my protector, my inspiration — and someone I loved with all my heart.
Her leadership was fierce, compassionate, and visionary. But it was her capacity for love, loyalty, and unshakable belief in those she cared for that changed lives — including mine.
Because of her, I found strength I didn’t know I had. Because of her, I learned what it means to lead with both heart and fire.
I will carry her lessons — and her love — with me always.
Thank you, Jo, for seeing me. For loving me. For being one of the greatest gifts in my life.”
— Leslie Oden, Special Services liaison