UAMS Names Steven Webber, M.D., as Dean of the College of Medicine, Executive Vice Chancellor

By Yavonda Chase

LITTLE ROCK — Steven Webber, M.D., has been named executive vice chancellor and dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), effective March 1.

He is succeeding G. Richard Smith, M.D., who has served in an interim capacity since January, following the death of Susan Smyth, M.D., Ph.D.

“Dr. Webber is a remarkable physician, researcher and administrator who has accomplished wonderful things at Vanderbilt,” said Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS chancellor and CEO of UAMS Health. “I look forward to working with him as we accomplish great things at UAMS.

UAMS Names Steven Webber, M.D., as Dean of the College of Medicine, Executive Vice Chancellor

Steven Webber, M.D., is the new dean of the College of Medicine and executive vice chancellor, effective March 1.

UAMS Celebrates Life of Susan Smyth, M.D., Ph.D.

By Linda Satter

About 120 people and two dogs gathered Feb. 9 in the Fred Smith Auditorium to participate in a live-streamed celebration of the life of Susan Smyth, M.D., Ph.D., who was the executive vice chancellor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and dean of the UAMS College of Medicine.

Smyth, who joined UAMS in June 2021, died Dec. 31, 2022.

The dogs, English black Labradors Saleh and Carmine, were former therapy dogs at the University of Kentucky that Smyth adopted as pets. Wearing service dog vests and on leashes, they were escorted into the auditorium and onto the stage by Smyth’s husband, Andrew J. Morris, Ph.D., and the oldest of the couple’s two sons, Edward.

https://news.uams.edu/2023/02/14/uams-celebrates-life-of-susan-smyth-m-d-ph-d/

Andrew Morris, Ph.D., addresses the crowd, flanked by his late wife's portrait and son Edward, as well as the family dogs Saleh and Carmine. Behind them are flags representing some of the academic houses in the College of Medicine. Image by Bryan Clifton

UAMS Mourns Loss of Susan Smyth, M.D., Ph.D.

Susan Smyth, M.D., Ph.D., died Dec. 31, 2022, after a battle with cancer. Image by Evan Lewis

By Yavonda Chase

Susan Smyth, M.D., discusses cardiology cases with clinical team members. (From left) Divya Nayar, M.D., neurology resident; Abdallah Malkawi, M.D., cardiovascular medicine fellow; and Tushar Tarun, M.D., assistant professor, cardiovascular medicine.Bryan Clifton

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is sad to announce that Susan Smyth, M.D., Ph.D. executive vice chancellor and dean of the College of Medicine, died on Dec. 31, 2022, after a battle with cancer.

“Susan was a remarkable leader, colleague, and friend who will be deeply missed by many across our state, especially those of us fortunate enough to work with her,” wrote Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, in an announcement to UAMS employees and students. “Her death is a great loss for UAMS, our state, and all who knew her.”

She is survived by her husband, Andrew Morris, Ph.D., professor in the UAMS Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and their sons, Edward and William.

https://news.uams.edu/2023/01/03/uams-mourns-loss-of-susan-smyth-m-d-ph-d/

UAMS College of Medicine Honors Stacie M. Jones, M.D., as Distinguished Faculty Scholar

Susan Smyth, M.D., Ph.D., UAMS executive vice chancellor and dean of the College of Medicine; 2022 Distinguished Faculty Scholar Stacie M. Jones, M.D.; and Kevin Raney, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and chair of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series Committee.

By Tamara Robinson

The College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) honored Stacie M. Jones, M.D., as the 2022 Distinguished Faculty Scholar for her groundbreaking research into food allergies, her leading role in the development of the first FDA-approved oral immunotherapy drug for life-threatening peanut allergy in children, and her dedication to mentorship.

Susan Smyth, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice chancellor of UAMS and dean of the College of Medicine, presents the college’s 2022 Distinguished Faculty Scholar award to Stacie M. Jones, M.D.

Jones, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics, delivered the annual Faculty Scholar Lecture Dec. 8 in an auditorium filled with research team members, other faculty from the Department of Pediatrics and Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, and colleagues from throughout the college and Arkansas Children’s. Jones has served in the division since 1994 and was division director in 2003-2019.

“I want to recognize you for all of the things you have done in your field and for UAMS and Arkansas Children’s, and for mentoring so many people here in the audience and across the college,” said Susan Smyth, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice chancellor of UAMS and dean of the college. “You truly have had a distinguished career, and we are so pleased that you are part of our college and cannot wait to see where you and your team are going next in your work.”

https://news.uams.edu/2022/12/16/uams-college-of-medicine-honors-stacie-m-jones-m-d-as-distinguished-faculty-scholar/

UAMS Invests Susan S. Smyth, M.D., Ph.D., in Arkansas Medical Society Distinguished Dean’s Chair

By Andrew Vogler

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine invested Susan S. Smyth, M.D., Ph.D., UAMS executive vice chancellor and College of Medicine dean, in the Arkansas Medical Society Distinguished Dean’s Chair during a Nov. 9 ceremony.

“Serving as the Dean of the College of Medicine is an incredible honor, and today I am privileged to be invested in the Arkansas Medical Society Distinguished Dean’s Chair,” said Smyth. “I am particularly appreciative of the confidence that the chancellor and provost placed in me and the opportunity to further the vision of UAMS to make Arkansas a healthier state in partnership with eminent organizations such as the Arkansas Medical Society.”

Smyth is a nationally known cardiologist and translational scientist who brings extensive experience in educational, clinical and research program leadership. Since joining UAMS in June 2021, Smyth has launched and expanded numerous initiatives to improve health in Arkansas while also increasing the College of Medicine’s national standings in primary care and other aspects of education, research and clinical care. She has made the pursuit of health equity, diversity and inclusion a top priority for the college.

Attached photo: Susan S. Smyth flanked by Stephanie Gardner, Cam Patterson and members of the Arkansas Medical Society. Image by Evan Lewis

UAMS College of Medicine Names Lindsey Sward, M.D., as Assistant Dean for Clinical Education

By Linda Haymes

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine appointed Lindsey Sward, M.D., associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, to serve in the newly created position of assistant dean for clinical education.

In her new role, Sward will work to continue and improve the college’s work of producing highly skilled, compassionate physicians for the state.

“With the recent expansion of the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus, the addition of a three-year accelerated M.D. track working to produce more primary care physicians, and our growth across Arkansas, this position will help ensure that we provide consistent and excellent clinical instruction for all of our medical students,” said Executive Vice Chancellor and Dean Susan Smyth, M.D., Ph.D. “Dr. Sward brings exceptional teaching skills and a strong commitment to our educational mission to her new post.”

https://news.uams.edu/2022/08/01/uams-college-of-medicine-names-lindsey-sward-m-d-as-assistant-dean-for-clinical-education/

Lindsey Sward, M.D.