Institutes
March 14, 2025
Myeloma Center Physician Driven by Desire to Help Patients
In his 11th year with the Myeloma Center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Sharmilan Thanendrarajan, M.D., Ph.D., knew he wanted to be a physician at a young age. “When I was in high school, I liked biology, chemistry and physics and decided to go in that direction,” said Thanendrarajan, an associate…
Funding Awards Amplify Myeloma Research
At the UAMS Myeloma Center, Fenghuang (Frank) Zhan, M.D., Ph.D., knows that research plays an immensely important role in the fight against multiple myeloma. Numerous federal grants allow the center’s director of research and his team to continue to advance and improve treatments, benefitting myeloma patients around the world. The latest is a $1.1 million…
Myeloma Center Focuses on Immunotherapy Drugs in Latest Clinical Trials
Multiple myeloma treatment is advancing with the advent of bispecific antibody drugs, which use the patient’s T cells to fight the disease. Myeloma Center physicians and researchers Carolina Schinke, M.D., and Samer Al Hadidi, M.D., M.S., are leading clinical trials exploring combinations of these novel therapies. Schinke’s trial is studying the effects of using teclistamab…
Nurse Inspired to Serve by Memory of Grandparent’s Health Struggles
Christina Ketchum, MSN, clinical services manager for myeloma stem cell transplants at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), cites a childhood memory as her inspiration to become a nurse. “My grandfather was at home on hospice care,” Ketchum said. “I was in fourth or fifth grade at the time and didn’t fully understand…
From The Clinical Director
It is my great pleasure to present the Winter 2024-25 issue of the Myeloma magazine. As we celebrate 35 years of myeloma care at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), we look forward to the future. The increased use of novel immunotherapies, which are highly effective and less toxic, are a significant advancement…
From The Director
Welcome to the latest issue of the Myeloma magazine as we celebrate 35 years of outstanding patient care and leading-edge research. The Myeloma Center is a vital component of the exceptional treatment provided at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Since my arrival in 2019, I…
Childhood Friends Ride to Support One of Their Own
Rob Guba, Burke Moran and Chris Seab grew up together in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When Seab was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in May 2024, Guba and Moran decided to do something. That something is a project called Wheeling for Healing, a cross-country e-bike ride to raise money not only in support of their friend but…
March 13, 2025
UAMS Joins NIH Effort to Increase Rural Health Research
LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has joined a network of institutions funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand research in rural primary care clinics. Through the NIH CARE for Health™ initiative, UAMS will help lead innovative research to address health disparities in Arkansas’ rural areas. UAMS,…
March 12, 2025
UAMS Doctor Receives VA Merit Award to Address Overprescribing of Thyroid Medication
UAMS’ Spyridoula Maraka, M.D., has been awarded a Veterans Affairs (VA) Merit Award of $830,000 over four years to address the widespread overprescribing of levothyroxine (LT4), one of the most prescribed drugs in the United States. LT4 is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid produces too few hormones. However, many patients are…
March 11, 2025
UAMS to Hold Suicide Prevention Public Forum on April 10
LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is taking action against one of the state’s most urgent public health challenges by hosting a forum dedicated to suicide prevention and awareness. The initiative aims to equip attendees with potentially life-saving knowledge and strategies.
Previous page Next page