Dean’s Distinguished Alumni
The Dean’s Distinguished Alumni Award is the one of the most prestigious awards the College of Medicine can bestow upon its alumni. Established in 1973, the award has been presented to 37 alumni who have demonstrated a record of distinguished service and outstanding contribution to the health of all people through patient care, research, clinical research, and health administration. The award recipients have demonstrated high principles of the medical profession locally and/or nationally.
2012
Sterling B. Williams, M.D., Ph.D., Class of 1973, in recognition of his exemplary achievements as a physician, educator and researcher; his dedication and groundbreaking leadership in academic medicine and the training and continuing medical education of the nation’s obstetricians and gynecologists, and for serving as a stellar role model and mentor for medical students and physicians in all stages of their careers.
2011
Susan E. Bates, M.D., Class of 1978, in grateful recognition of her exemplary achievements as a physician, researcher and scientific mentor; her integral role in improving the lives of cancer patients through her leadership and groundbreaking investigations at the National Cancer Institute; her dedication to the vital concept of “bench to bedside” translational research; her devotion to the art and science of medicine; and her commitment to the UAMS College of Medicine.
2010
No award given
2009
D. Brent Polk, M.D., Class of 1984, in recognition of his exemplary achievements as a physician, administrator, scientist, and community servant; his contributions to basic and clinical gastroenteric research; his years of service to pediatric gastroenterology; his energy, intelligence and devotion to the art and science of medicine; and his commitment to the College.
2008
Elder Granger, M.D., Class of 1980, in recognition of his superb leadership, professionalis and outstanding accomplishment as a physician, his exemplary service to our country, and his dedication to enhancing the health and lives of service men and women and their families.
2007
J. Lee Dockery, M.D., Class of 1957, in recognition of his superb leadership and exemplary accomplishments as a scientist and clinician, and his dedication to the advancement of excellence in medical education.
2006
Rex A. Amonette, M.D., Class of 1966, in recognition of his uncommon wisdom, integrity, and commitment to the field of dermatology, and his reputation as the consummate physician, healer, and mentor to young physicians.
2005
Tom Wortham, M.D., Class of 1952, in recognition of his compassions and care for his patients, astute clinical abilities, vital and valuable leadership to his community and alma mater, and his unquestionable character.
2004
George L. Ackerman, M.D., Class of 1954, in recognition of his exceptional clinical abilities and compassionate approach to his patients and insightful dedication to medical education and to his students and residents, and the vital and valuable leadership of his alumni class and steadfast support of alumni programs.
2003
Larry J. Embree, M.D., Class of 1957, in recognition of his special competence in Neuropathology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Visual Electrophysiology, and Psychophysiology, and the outstanding job of passing the art and science of Neurology on to generations of medical students and neurology residents in a kindly and benevolent fashion.
2002
Patrick H. Henry, M.D., Class of 1958, in recognition of his brilliant intellect and dedication as a hematologist and oncologist, investigator and gifted teacher and his professionalism, scientific approach, attention to detail all wrapped in an envelope of compassion and human understanding.
2001
Robert J. Adams, M.D., Class of 1981 in recognition of his scholarly contributions to scientific knowledge and the significance of his accomplishments in predicting and preventing strokes in our most vulnerable children.
2000
B. Lawrence Riggs, M.D., Class of 1955, whose work at the Mayo Clinic has been instrumental in focusing physicians, the lay public, and policy makers on the magnitude of the problem of osteoporosis and in jump-starting the current upturn in research related to it.
2000
Thomas Adrian Formby, M.D., Class of 1950, a trusted family physician who has served his patients and community in an extraordinary fashion: balancing his family life with his medical practice, his spiritual life with his obligations to the larger community.
1999
James J. Pappas, M.D., Class of 1956, an Otolaryngologist recognized for his exemplary dedication to his patients, family, and community and for his commitment to the support of medical education.
1998
Robert W. Arrington, M.D., Class of 1968, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatology, who taught us to whisper, keep the noise down, and dim the lights in the nursery to minimize trauma to babies – he is high tech, with high touch.
1997
Coy D. Fitch, M.D., Class of 1958, a brilliant clinician, teacher, researcher, author, and expert in the treatment of malaria, and was the Drefs Professor and Chairman of Internal Medicine, St. Louis University School of Medicine.
1996
Dola D. Thompson, M.D., Class of 1949, retired Professor and Chairman of Anesthesiology, recognized for her genuine scholarship and academic leadership and her lasting legacy of excellence.
1995
Charles E. “Pete” Kemp, M.D., Class of 1956, pediatrician, University of Arkansas trustee, and community stalwart.
1995
E. Leon Barnes, M.D., Class of 1966, whose contribution to the otolaryngology pathology literature is benchmark and whose two-volume textbook is the classic.
1994
Roger L. Bone, M.D., Class of 1967, (deceased), host of Internal Medicine Update, Dean and Vice President of Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center, President of Medical College of Ohio, renowned for new concepts in the management of sepsis and adult respiratory distress syndrome.
1994
Raymond C. Goodman, M.D., Class of 1951, unselfishly dedicated to his patients, family and community and pioneer in the treatment of chronic pain decades before pain management became fashionable.
1993
J. Scott Abercrombie, Jr. M.D., Class of 1951, patient-centered President and CEO of Boston University Medical Center Hospital.
1992
Joseph A. Norton, M.D., Class of 1942, a prominent radiologist, Doctor Norton has also received the College of Medicine Distinguished Service Award.
1991
William Turner Harris, M.D., Class of 1961, called “the authority in the Western Hemisphere” for clinical use of certain nuclear medicine modalities.
1990
Thomas Edward Townsend, M.D., Class of 1950, beloved dean of Arkansas pediatricians and loving honorary grandfather to all of his patients.
1989
John A. Pierce, M.D., Class of 1948, Selma and Herman Seldin Professor of Pulmonary Diseases at Washington University and one of our most loyal alumni.
1988
M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D., Class of 1960, Pediatrician, researcher, teacher, Director of Arkansas’s State Health Department, and at the time of the award the U.S. Surgeon General designee.
1987
A. J. Thompson, M.D., Class of 1968, who brought state-of-the-art cardiology to Central Arkansas and enduring bonds of trust to his patients.
1986
James W. Headstream, M.D., Class of 1939, Urology’s premier teacher and practitioner, Life’s premier gentleman, who also has been honored as recipient of the College of Medicine Distinguished Service Award.
1985
Warren L. Carpenter, Col. MC, USAF, ’65, most decorated Air Force physician, senior medical member on the Air Force astronaut selection board, hospital commander and command surgeon of 55 Air Gorce medical facilities worldwide, responsible for the early designs of the space suit and the F16 cockpit.
1984
Kelsy J. Caplinger, M.D., Class of 1963, extraordinary human being, founder of MedCamps, and Bill Clinton’s allergist.
1983
Thomas Allen Bruce, M.D., Class of 1955, distinguished physician and distinguished Dean, later Program Director for Health for the Kellogg Foundation
1979
Jack P. Whisnant, M.D., Class of 1951, the Mayo Clinic’s renowned neurologist, educator, and researcher
1978
Byron Gil Brogdon, M.D., Class of 1952, winner of Radiology’s highest honor, the Gold Medal of the American College of Radiology
1976
Samuel Lee Kountz, M.D., Class of 1958 (deceased), whose work in immunosuppression has benefited transplant patients everywhere.
1974
William J. Darby, M.D., Class of 1937, pioneer in the study of nutrition and health, known internationally as the “Father of Nutrition,” who also received a UAMS honorary degree in 1984.
1973
Harry M. Meyer, M.D., Class of 1953, National Institute of Health researcher and co-developer of the rubella vaccine.