Gene Shelby, M.D., Receives Distinguished Alumnus Service Award from UAMS College of Medicine
| LITTLE ROCK — Gene Shelby, M.D., an emergency physician with National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas, received the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine’s 2026 Distinguished Alumnus Service Award.
“This award is truly a highlight of my professional career, and I am so appreciative of the people who made it come to fruition,” said Shelby. “I really want to thank everyone here tonight for being part of my journey.”
Throughout his 30-year career, Shelby has combined clinical excellence with a deep commitment to public service and health policy. He has cared for the most vulnerable patients in his community and championed the most pressing public health issues across Arkansas.
Shelby was presented the award by Ron D. Robertson, M.D., interim dean of the College of Medicine, during UAMS’ Alumni Dinner.
“The Distinguished Alumnus Service Award recognizes a graduate who has achieved distinction in their medical career and also made a lasting impact on our College and on the health of Arkansans,” said Robertson.
A Little Rock native, Shelby attended Princeton University before returning to Arkansas to earn his medical degree from UAMS in 1977. After graduating from the College of Medicine, he joined the Peace Corps as a medical officer and later returned home to complete his emergency medicine training at UAMS.
Shelby also served in the Arkansas House of Representatives, 25th district, from 2007 to 2011. As a state representative, he played a leading role in developing a coordinated statewide trauma system that continues to save lives every day. Today, UAMS is home to the state’s only adult Level 1 Trauma Center, something that would not have been possible without Shelby’s support.
Shelby has also been a tireless advocate for addressing opioid addiction. His work on the American Medical Association (AMA) Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse has helped advance safer prescribing practices and expanded access to treatment. He also runs his own clinic to help patients recover, along with a charity HIV clinic.
“Gene has been a visible and tireless advocate for UAMS and the College of Medicine, serving as a member of the Friends of the College of Medicine Advisory Board and an extraordinarily generous supporter of student scholarships,” said Robertson. “His contributions of time, leadership, and philanthropy reflect the very best of alumni service, and his example reminds us how one individual can strengthen not only an institution but an entire state.”
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 3,553 students and 1,015 medical residents and fellows. 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.###