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UAMS chief of thoracic surgery Matthew Steliga, M.D., next to Ted Hood Jr.'s print "Renewal" on the eighth floor of the UAMS Medical Center. Image by Nathan Tidwell

Lung Cancer Survivor Utilizes His Talents to Motivate Others

June 26, 2026 | Nearly 10 years after lung cancer surgery, Ted Hood Jr.’s photography skills help inspire those undergoing similar treatment at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

His print, a frame of bright yellow jonquils titled “Renewal,” currently hangs on the eighth floor of the UAMS Medical Center where lung cancer surgery patients recover.

“The picture indicates a sign of things growing and coming back to life,” said the 73-year-old.

Hood’s cancer journey began in late July 2017, when tests revealed cancer in his left lung.

“I quit smoking cigars after that,” he said.

Hood was referred to UAMS, where in late August 2017 he had the upper left lung and a small adjoining part of the lower left lobe removed by Matthew Steliga, M.D., UAMS chief of thoracic surgery and the Kent Westbrook, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Surgical Oncology.

“Mr. Hood’s cancer was limited to a spot on his lung,” said Steliga. “The best treatment was to remove it. If we can find lung cancer in its early stages, cure rates are excellent. Our surgery approaches are getting less and less invasive as technology improves.”

“I was discharged from the hospital the day after Labor Day. Dr. Steliga advised that I was cancer-free,” said Hood, who showed his appreciation by presenting Steliga with a print of “Renewal.”

Konstantinos Arnaoutakis, M.D., a hematologist and oncologist in the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, manages Hood’s cancer care.

“At the time Mr. Hood’s cancer was at Stage 2, so it was discovered early,” Arnaoutakis said. “He had some chemotherapy before coming to us, and we performed two treatments.”

Follow-up visits showed the surgery to be a success.

“I saw Dr. Arnaoutakis and Dr. Steliga regularly for about a year,” Hood said. “I would have CT scans of my chest and blood work. We eventually saw a marked improvement overall, particularly in my kidney function.”

He now comes to UAMS once a year for checkups with Steliga.

“I have a lot of confidence in the people in at UAMS. The surgery saved my life,” he said.

Earlier this year, Hood had an idea.

“I had some mat board left over from a job I had finished, and I used it for a few 7-by-14-inch framed prints of “Renewal” and offered them to Dr. Steliga. A limited edition of the print is being offered to 200 patients. Each print is matted, framed, signed, and numbered.”

Hood has delivered 40 prints so far.

“My goal is to finish 100 by the end of the year,” he added.

Steliga said the response from patients has been positive.

“We thought the print would be good thing to have on the floor where many patients who are recovering from surgery get up and walk around. They’ve been very appreciative — it reminds them that they have a fresh start.”