University News

UAMS and Jefferson Regional Announce Affiliation to Expand Access to Southeast Arkansas

Aug. 3, 2026 | LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Jefferson Hospital Association (Jefferson Regional) in Pine Bluff are pleased to announce they have successfully finalized a membership substitution agreement. Under this new affiliation, the University of Arkansas’ Board of Trustees officially becomes the corporate member of Jefferson Regional’s parent corporation, Jefferson Hospital Association, Inc.

News Staff

UAMS is purchasing the Proton Center of Arkansas.

UAMS to Purchase Proton Center of Arkansas

July 30, 2026 | LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) announced today that it is purchasing the Proton Center of Arkansas, allowing UAMS to immediately resume offering proton therapy to all Arkansans.

Yavonda Chase

Graduate School’s Summer Program Offers Undergraduates Research Opportunities

Aug. 4, 2026 | The latest edition of the Graduate School’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) gave 15 students a chance to explore various areas of biomedical science at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

The Six Bridges Adolescent Substance Use Program is a training initiative designed to ensure that providers across the state have the specialized skills needed to care for young people and their families.

UAMS to Provide Training to Assist Providers Who Work with Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders

Aug. 4, 2026 | LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ (UAMS) Psychiatric Research Institute recently launched a new statewide initiative to expand Arkansas’ capacity to provide evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment for adolescents.

Aleda Chen, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Named AACP Distinguished Teaching Scholar

Aug. 3, 2026 | The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) recently honored Aleda Chen, Pharm.D., Ph.D., as one of three nationally recognized Distinguished Teaching Scholars.

Sarah Fountain, MPH, Helps Arkansans Benefit from Research

July 31, 2026 | Sarah Fountain, MPH, is grateful for each opportunity to connect Arkansans to invaluable resources. A research program manager for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Translational Research Institute (TRI) Community Engagement team, Fountain embraces the task of being a link to people getting the services they need. “In TRI, we’re community voices in...

Chancellor Visits UAMS East Regional Campus in Helena-West Helena

July 31, 2026 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) chancellor Lowry C. Barnes, M.D., recently met with UAMS East Regional Campus employees and discussed the newly signed co-management agreement between UAMS and Helena Hospital.

Primary Health Care written on chalkboard with stethescope

UAMS Medical Students Awarded Primary Care Scholarships

July 30, 2026 | Twenty students enrolled in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine each received a $10,000 UAMS Primary Care Workforce Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year, announced Tom South, assistant dean for UAMS medical student admissions.

UAMS Names Wendy N. Nembhard, Ph.D., MPH, as Dean of the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health

July 29, 2026 | LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) named Wendy N. Nembhard, Ph.D., MPH, as the next dean of the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, effective Sept. 1.

C'Asia James holds diploma with Donya Watson, M.D.

UAMS South Regional Campus in El Dorado Celebrates Two Milestones

July 28, 2026 | The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) South Regional Campus in El Dorado has delivered two firsts this summer: graduating Arkansas’ only surgical obstetrics fellow while ushering in its first class of family medicine rural track residents. Both milestones will strengthen healthcare access for south Arkansas.

Nephrologist Vikas Vujjini, M.D., Joins UAMS

July 28, 2026 | Nephrologist Vikas Vujjini, M.D., has joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) as an assistant professor in the UAMS College of Medicine’s Division of Nephrology in the Department of Internal Medicine.

Family Medicine Physician Charles Jones, M.D., Joins UAMS Health Family Medical Center in Helena-West Helena

July 27, 2026 | Charles Jones, M.D., has joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Family Medical Center in Helena-West Helena, where he will offer primary care for all ages.