Leslie W. Taylor
Vice Chancellor, Communications & Marketing
Leslie Welch Taylor oversees UAMS’ media and public relations, serves as official UAMS spokesperson, and is the primary contact for national media and for media requests made under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. She was formerly vice president of corporate communications at Alltel Communications, vice president of communications & marketing for the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (CARTI), and director of public relations for UAMS Medical Center. She spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for publications including the Arkansas Gazette, the Arkansas Times, and the Arkansas Democrat. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in mass communications from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Office: 501-686-8998
Wireless: 501-951-7260
Email: leslie@uams.edu
Andrea Peel
Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications & Marketing
Andrea Peel oversees several communications initiatives, including internal communications, enhanced client services and institutional data reporting. She also provides uniform communications support for key programs that include patient- and family-centered care, an integrated clinical information system and the UAMS-led statewide broadband expansion project Arkansas e-Link. She joined UAMS in 2002 as communications manager and was promoted to communications director in 2006 and to associate vice chancellor in 2013. Before coming to UAMS she spent six years as manager of corporate communications at Alltel Communications. She started her career as a television producer and graphic artist at B&F Advertising in Little Rock. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Office: 501-686-8996
Wireless: 501-351-7903
Email: andrea@uams.edu
Yavonda Chase
Director of News and Communications
Yavonda Chase directs UAMS external communications, overseeing news coverage, facilitating publicity about UAMS and working with the media. She assists with strategic planning and executive communication, is editor of the chancellor’s publication called the UAMS Journal, and works with the offices of institutional advancement and governmental relations. She joined UAMS in 2015 as a writer for the UAMS News Bureau, which produces news releases, magazines and other writing about UAMS services, medical innovations and research. In 2016, she was named internal communications manager, overseeing the twice-weekly UAMS Announcements and the electronic announcement boards as well as helping with other campus messaging. Before coming to UAMS, she worked at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for 15 years in a variety of editorial roles. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.
Office: 501-686-8994
Wireless: 501-416-0354
Email: yavonda@uams.edu
Kaitlin Barger
Media Relations Manager
Kaitlin Barger joined UAMS in 2021 as media relations manager. She works with media outlets to facilitate news interviews with UAMS faculty and staff. Before coming to UAMS, she spent eight years working in local news as a digital content producer. She also contributes recipes to AY Magazine in Little Rock. She has an affinity for animals and serves as an officer on the board of directors of the Friends of the Animal Village, the support group for the Little Rock Animal Village. Kaitlin earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Arkansas.
Office: 501-686-8149
Wireless: 501-920-6977
Email: KBarger@uams.edu