Patient Stories

Butch King and Paula Draeger

Dad Cancer-free After ‘Extremely Rare’ Stem Cell Match with Daughter

Butch King counts his blessings every day. First, there’s his growing family, with wife Debbie, their four children, 12 grandkids and soon-to-be seven great-grandkids.

Then, there’s his role as a deacon in the Catholic Church and a passel of friends in the faith. Not mention his lifetime of civil service in the Air Force and U.S. Postal Service.

But this Thanksgiving, as King sits down to dinner with his family, one blessing will undoubtedly rise to the top: the blessing of being cancer-free.

Calhoun and Dr. Lotia

Sherwood Man Back on Track after Botox for Painful Neck Condition

Two years ago, James Calhoun was out of work, his neck twisting painfully to one side because of a neurological condition called dystonia. Today, he’s working in health care, finishing up an associate’s degree and applying to nursing school — his life back on track. Calhoun, 35, of Sherwood has been living with uncontrollable muscle…


"I was determined to find the best place I could go for treatment," said drag racer and specialty mechanic Brian Macy, 49, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, pictured here with wife Heather.

Drag Racer, Specialty Mechanic Praises Treatment at Myeloma Center

Drag racer and specialty mechanic Brian Macy, 49,was diagnosed with myeloma in June 2016. Just a little more than a year later, he was back on track, literally. Macy, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, owns Horsepower Connection, an automotive customization shop that specializes in electronic fuel injection programming and conversions of older domestic cars and…

Bhawna Jha, M.D.

Bhawna Jha, M.D., Joins UAMS as Interventional Pain Management Specialist

LITTLE ROCK — Interventional pain management specialist Bhawna Jha, M.D., has joined the Department of Neurology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and sees patients in the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute. She also is an assistant professor in UAMS College of Medicine Department of Neurology.   Before coming to…

Carolina Schinke, M.D., of the Myeloma Center and Kelly Cox with the International Myeloma Foundation took part in the recent regional workshop for patients in Little Rock.

International Myeloma Foundation Partners with UAMS for Regional Workshop

UAMS Myeloma Center patients, caregivers and staff from across Arkansas and surrounding states spent a recent Saturday learning more about myeloma, a rare blood disease, and how to live successfully with it. “Knowledge truly is power,” said Kelly Cox, of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), in welcoming the crowd of nearly 60 attendees to the…

Simon Mears, M.D., Ph.D.

UAMS’ Simon Mears Inducted into Prestigious Hip Society

Simon Mears, M.D., Ph.D., an orthopaedic surgeon and professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine, has been inducted into The Hip Society, a national organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge relating to the hip joint. “I am grateful for this tremendous honor…

Margolis & Goree

In Severe Pain for 8 Years, Retired Teacher Finds Relief at UAMS

Complex regional pain syndrome is rare, affecting only one in 300,000 people. Yet it is the most painful chronic disease known to humankind, according to the McGill pain index. And some patients live with this disease for years and even decades before ever receiving a diagnosis. Johnathan Goree, M.D., director of the chronic pain division…

Paul Edwards, M.D., with total hip replacement patient Joan Baldridge.

UAMS’ Paul Edwards Chosen as Traveling Fellow

Paul Edwards, M.D., an assistant professor in the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, has been selected as one of only four surgeons globally to participate in the Insall Traveling Fellowship, which, for the third year in a row, visited UAMS this month. “This is a great opportunity to both teach and learn,”…

Charley Pride at UAMS

Country Music Legend, Cancer Survivor Charley Pride Entertains at UAMS

A small group of UAMS employees got an unexpected treat Oct. 10 when Grammy Award-winning musician Charley Pride stopped by for an impromptu visit and performance. Best known for his 1970’s hits including “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” and “Is Anybody Going to San Antone,” Pride was diagnosed with verrucous carcinoma of the vocal cord…

Leslie Harrell, D.O.

Leslie Harrell, D.O., Joins UAMS as Radiation Oncologist

LITTLE ROCK — Radiation oncologist Leslie Harrell, D.O., has joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and sees patients at the UAMS Radiation Oncology Center. She also serves as a professor in UAMS College of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology. Harrell, who previously served as a radiation oncologist in Oklahoma City, specializes in…

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