U.S. News & World Report has ranked our affiliate facility, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, in four specialties – the most ever – in its new 2017-18 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings published online today. Our Department of Pediatrics partners with Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute. The department’s services include pediatric training, clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic disorders, and cutting-edge research on techniques to enhance a child’s home and medical environment.

The Arkansas Children’s specialties highlighted include:

• Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery, ranked No. 37
• Neonatology, ranked No. 38
• Pediatric Pulmonology, ranked No. 47
• Pediatric Urology, ranked No. 48

Learn more on the Children’s Hospital site.

Potential patents for medical inventions as small as a molecule prompted big discussions among UAMS researchers who gathered for a showcase hosted June 6 by the College of Medicine to highlight medical research.

“Every poster you see here today has a patent application on file with the Patent and Trademark Office,” said Nancy Gray, Ph.D., director of BioVentures, UAMS’ technology licensing office and business incubator.

Eight projects were featured at the Showcase of Medical Discoveries: Inventors— the 18th in a series to foster communication and collaboration among UAMS investigators and clinicians. About 70 researchers, physicians, staff and students attended the event, held at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

Each group of researchers had applied for a patent within the last two years, Gray said. Receiving a patent is often a lengthy process that takes several years to complete, she said.

“We are very interested in making sure that research ultimately makes its way to the patient, and it’s not going to make it to the patient if it doesn’t have a commercial path,” Gray said.

“Most faculty in academic health centers think about writing papers and disseminating their research findings through publications, but they don’t always think about protecting their intellectual property,” said Lawrence Cornett, Ph.D., UAMS vice chancellor for research. “The patent is just the beginning, so that you can go forward with the research and no one will steal your idea.”

Many projects focused on small molecule therapies to fight cancer and infection.

A small-molecule drug is a substance that is able to enter cells easily because it has a low molecular weight. Once inside the cells, it can affect other molecules, such as proteins, and may cause cancer cells to die. This is different from drugs that have a large molecular weight, such as monoclonal antibodies, which are not able to get inside cells very easily. Many targeted therapies are small-molecule drugs or small-molecule inhibitors.

Mark Smeltzer, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, presented his team’s research on using antibiotic-loaded gold nanocages to target staphylococcal infections. Gold nanoparticles are emerging as promising agents for cancer therapy. Smeltzer’s team is using that approach to target infections.

Gold nanocages carry antibiotics to a specific location for treatment, only releasing the antibiotics after the nanocage is targeted with a laser. This releases energy that damages the pathogen, making it easier for the antibiotic to do its work. It’s a one-two punch that aims to combat growing antibiotic resistance, Smeltzer said.

“If you can use it to therapeutic advantage in the context of cancer, why can’t you use it for therapeutic advantage in the context of an infection?” Smeltzer said. “At the end of the day, what you’re trying to do is eradicate some sort of cell that has pathological consequences and do it in a manner that does not harm the human host.”

The Showcase of Medical Discoveries is organized by Cornett and supported by Pope Moseley, M.D., UAMS executive vice chancellor and dean of the College of Medicine. It originated from discussions about the faculty’s desire for more opportunities to display their scientific work in a social setting.

Posters at the showcase described the researchers’ work. They were:

Looking for drugs in all the wrong places: Are antibiotic-loaded gold nanocages the solution for treating Staphylococcus aureus biofilm infections?

Researchers: Daniel Meeker, Karen Beenken, Weston Blake Mills, Dmitry Nedosekin, Mark Smeltzer

Design and Synthesis of Bcl-xL Degraders as Potent Senolytic Agents

Researchers: Xuan Zhang, Yingying Wang, Daohong Zhou, and Guangrong Zheng

Assessing the Interest of UAMS Investigators in fastPACE Biomedical Commercialization Course

Researchers: Nancy Gray, Nancy Rusch, Curtis Lowery

Development and Commercialization of Tocol-containing Pharmaceuticals

Researchers: Ujwani Nukala, Shraddha Thakkar, Awantika Singh, Nukhet Aykin-Burns, Rajeshkumar Manian, John House, Guangrong Zheng, Sanchita Ghosh, Mahmoud Kiaei, Marjan Boerma, Martin Hauer-Jensen, Philip J. Breen and Cesar M. Compadre

Novel Potent Anti-leukemia Stem Cell Compounds

Researchers: Paola E. Ordóñez, Krishan K. Sharma, Laura M. Bystrom, Ujwani Nukala, Rajeskumar Manian, Maria A. Alas, William F. Reynolds, Raul G. Enriquez, Darcy C. Burns, Omar Malagón, Darin E. Jones, Michael Balick, Shraddha Thakkar, Philip J. Breen, Monica L. Guzman and Cesar M. Compadre

Valchlor gel (Mechlorethamine): an approved FDA drug in the USA, and marketed in Europe as Ledaga for the treatment of Mycosis fungoides and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MF-CTCL)

Researchers: Zaineb A.F. Albayati, Vipin P. Nair, Sundar Neelakantan, David R. Worthen, Marhaba Hojahmat and Peter A. Crooks

Combretastatin A-4 and Apysinopsin Analogs as Lead Anti-cancer Agents

Researchers: Narsimha R. Penthala, Grace Coggins, Maddukuri Leena; Jessica H. Hartman, Dae Song Jang; Alexei G. Basnakian, Suja Arattuthodiyil, Kevin M. Raney, Nikhil R. Madadi, Thirupathi R. Yerramreddy, Rajashekar Konjeti, Michael L. Freeman, Robert L. Eoff and Peter A. Crooks

Aryl Esters of Melampomagnolide B as Anticancer Agents

Researchers: Shobanbabu Bommagani, Jessica Ponder, Craig T. Jordan, Michael J. Borrelli, Meenakshisundram Balasubramaniam, Robert Reis, and Peter A. Crooks

Sesquiterpene Lactone Derivatives as Potential Lead Molecules for Treatment of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Researchers: Venumadhav Janganati, Jessica Ponder, Craig T. Jordan and Peter A. Crooks

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UAMS is the state’s only comprehensive academic health center, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a northwest Arkansas regional campus; a statewide network of regional centers; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, the Myeloma Institute, the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, the Psychiatric Research Institute, the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and the Translational Research Institute. It is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,021 students, 789 medical residents and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including about 1,000 physicians and other professionals who provide care to patients at UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and UAMS regional centers throughout the state. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

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The fellowship provides advanced training for neurosurgeons, radiation therapists, medical and pediatric oncologists and neurologists to prepare them for academic careers in neuro-oncology. The experience is tailored individually to the needs of the fellow. Both Romo and Aboud will spend three years expanding both their research and clinical experience through courses, research projects, mentoring and clinical rotations.

“It is extremely prestigious for us to have not just one of the two, but both,” said Robert L. “Lee” Archer, M.D., professor and interim chairman of the Department of Neurology. “Their selection says a lot about the level of residents we are producing. Dr. Romo and Dr. Aboud have done outstanding work during their time here, and I would also like to credit their adviser, Dr. Shirley Ong, and our residency director, Dr. Kinshuk Sahaya, for contributing to their success.”

Ong, M.D., said that both have unique skillsets to offer their patients and expand the future of neuro-oncology.

“There are very few good neuro-oncology fellowship training programs in the U.S., and they are extremely competitive,” Ong said. “Neuro-oncology is a small field and requires hard work and a strong fortitude, and I had zero hesitation in recommending Drs. Aboud and Romo to the Johns Hopkins/NIH fellowship program. I know they will represent UAMS well.”

Romo is from Aguascalientes, Mexico, and earned his medical degree at Tec de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. Sahaya, M.D., described him as a dynamic and multifaceted resident whose teaching ability is appreciated by students and faculty alike. For example, Romo helped Sahaya redesign part of the neurology residency curriculum. Ong described him as a leader who sets goals and accomplishes them.

Romo said his time at UAMS exposed him to a wide variety of patients, especially because of UAMS’ partnerships with Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. He is looking forward to expanding his experiences even further.

“This fellowship, unlike any other in the country, provides the fellows with access to two different institutions that are leaders in the field,” Romo said. “Faculty members at Johns Hopkins and NIH are recognized worldwide for their contributions in the area of neuro-oncology. NIH also offers opportunities for collaboration between basic and clinical scientists, and particularly among scientists across other disciplines. This collaboration creates a nurturing environment for the development of ideas that can improve outcomes for patients with cancer of the nervous system.”

Aboud is from Swaida, Syria. He attended medical school at the University of Damascus in Syria and graduate school at UAMS. Sahaya described him as an outstanding resident and researcher and a skilled physician. He is a great team leader who is loved by colleagues, faculty, students and patients alike. His research is already garnering him top honors. Ong said Aboud is extremely compassionate and goes above-and-beyond with his patients.

Aboud said that early in his neurology residency, he took part in a neuro-oncology rotation that exposed him to how big the impact of basic and clinical research can be on patients’ treatment options and quality of life. He values the fact that both the UAMS residency and the NIH/Johns Hopkins fellowship give him both research and clinical exposure.

“The field of neuro-oncology is about giving patients options for a better quality of life, longer survival, and, hopefully, a cure,” Aboud said. “In preparation for my career as a neuro-oncologist, this training is essential to gain a broad knowledge of the science of brain tumor development and the scientific strategies used in the development of the next generation of treatment. As a clinician scientist, my goal is to achieve a more immediate and positive impact on my patients’ lives.”

The UAMS Neurology Residency is a four-year program open to students who already have a medical degree and are looking for advanced training in neurology. Residents can then move on to become practicing neurologists or pursue additional specialized training through fellowships, like Romo and Aboud.

“Both are very different in their interests and approach, and they exemplify the diversity of our learning approach, both culturally and academically,” Sahaya said. “It’s our goal to provide a supportive environment for our residents where they can both learn the essentials and develop their own interests while we assist them in that process. We support our residents in all career choices, from general to specialized neurology. These two are just another example of the careers we hope to nurture with our residency.”

For more information, visit neurology.uams.edu.

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UAMS is the state’s only comprehensive academic health center, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a northwest Arkansas regional campus; a statewide network of regional centers; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, the Myeloma Institute, the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, the Psychiatric Research Institute, the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and the Translational Research Institute. It is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,021 students, 789 medical residents and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including about 1,000 physicians and other professionals who provide care to patients at UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and UAMS regional centers throughout the state. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

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June 15, 2017 | Justin Treas is a busy man. The 29-year-old has a Ph.D. in environmental toxicology and has worked in cancer research. He’s married with three children and just earned his medical degree from the UAMS College of Medicine. On March 28, 2017, Treas had a stroke that his doctors believe would have killed him if those around him hadn’t acted quickly and efficiently.

“I remember being with other students. The professors were teaching us about geriatrics,” Treas said. “I remember going outside because I wasn’t feeling well. Some friends came to check on me and quickly called Dr. Mendiratta. She took me to the clinic. They checked my glucose and other vitals. I was doing very poorly so they took me to the emergency department.”

Benedict Tan, M.D., listened as Treas recounted the events of that day.

“The fact that you can recall that much is very impressive,” Tan told his patient. “Once you see your CT scans, you’ll be impressed, too. Your clot was massive.”

Tan is the director of neurocritical care at UAMS, treating the most serious brain and spine cases in emergency and intensive care. He is the only neurointensivist in Arkansas.

“The stroke pager was activated, and we were called to the emergency room,” Tan said. “As soon as the CT scan was complete you could see the clot. That’s very unusual because it was probably the biggest clot I have seen without using further imaging techniques. We knew right away that he needed treatment immediately.”

Mehmet Akdol, M.D., an interventional neuroradiologist and assistant professor in the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Radiology, removed the clot after Treas received tPA. The tissue plasminogen activator is a clot-busting agent used to quickly improve blood flow to the brain. Tan says since the onset of the stroke was clear and verified by multiple witnesses, he felt confident to give him the clot-busting drug. Clot-busting medication is the first line of medication for stroke patients but must be used in the first three hours after onset of symptoms. Treas received tPA 19 minutes after he entered the emergency department.

“We used a microcatheter to grab the clot and pull it down like a cork screw, resuming blood flow to the brain,” Akdol said. “We have several cases that received this kind of treatment. What is unique in this case is the timing and aggressive treatment with no delay, which brought an excellent neurological result.”

“The staff, physicians and nurses were amazing,” said Debra Johnson, R.N., stroke nurse coordinator and outreach nurse for the AR SAVES program. “He was ranked a 26 on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stroke Scale. Twenty-four hours later, he was at a two.”

The NIH stroke scale increases with severity. The lower the score the less severe it is; anything above 20 is extremely severe.. Three nurses and a resident physician were recognized for their distinct aptitude in treating Treas by receiving an “I Saved a Brain” pin: Stacy Bennett, R.N; Emily Boyd, R.N.; Erin Sanders, R.N., and Heather McLemore, M.D.

It is uncommon for a person as young as Treas to have a stroke except in the case of traumatic injury. The size of the clot prompted Tan to examine Treas for signs of trauma around his neck.

“We later found out that the stroke was caused from a carotid artery dissection,” Tan said.

Carotid artery dissection is a tear in one of the two main arteries in the neck. It’s almost exclusively caused by trauma. Over time, the tear can get bigger and a clot will form around it, cutting blood flow to the brain. Tan says the trauma doesn’t have to come from an assault or something very severe. He says there have been examples of carotid artery tears caused from being hit too quickly, falling, whiplash, dancing violently or riding a roller coaster. Treas’ physicians believe a roller coaster may have caused his tear. He’d visited an amusement park two weeks prior.

“Rides like that can cause a tear because of the abrupt changes in gravity,” Tan said. “That creates a reversal in blood flow and in some degree can cause stress on the vessel itself. If the vessels obtain stress, they can tear and over time cause a clot.”

Akdol says Treas’ ability to make a complete recovery is because of swift reaction from those around him. “There was no waste of time. We have implemented a system here at UAMS that allows us to deal with these cases very quickly. This is why we want people to know the symptoms and remember the acronym FAST.”

F – Face Drooping.

A – Arm Weakness.

S – Slurred Speech.

T – Time to call 911.

Since the stroke, Treas has been recovering and says he’s been improving daily. He and his wife have a baby, Lillie Belle, born April 20. He graduated from UAMS on May 20 and he soon starts his internal medicine residency with hopes to eventually be an oncologist or cardiologist.

By Katrina Dupins | June 15th, 2017 |

The team’s findings titled “Spaser as a Biological Probe” were published in the June 8 issue of Nature Communications, a prestigious online scientific journal published by Nature Publishing Group.

Zharov is director of the Arkansas Nanomedicine Center at UAMS and a professor in the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.

“The use of lasers has revolutionized disease diagnosis and treatment. However, the large size of lasers has prevented their use in many medical applications at the cellular level,” said Zharov, who in 2003 pioneered the use of laser-induced vapor nanobubbles around overheated plasmonic nanoparticle clusters to kill single tumor cells without harming neighboring normal cells.

“This is all wrong,” Zhang said, presenting his marked-up copy with an outline and arrows showing Forrest how to more effectively make his case.

“He knew exactly what he was doing,” Forrest said.

Ponnappan, who joined UAMS 25 years ago, and Zhang, who joined UAMS 20 years ago, said their approaches to mentoring are grounded in their own experiences as junior faculty.

Zhang, as an early career researcher, recalled his own need for the kind of detailed review he gave Forrest’s application. He loved getting thorough critiques from his mentors and colleagues because it gave him a better chance of being funded. Today, Zhang can bring to bear his expertise in the field and experience as an NIH reviewer to help mentees.

“Based on my own experience, for basic science faculty you have to have an NIH grant to be successful,” he said. “Without a grant, you can’t get promoted.”

Leading up to his grant submission, Forrest would pop into the offices of Ponnappan and Zhang to ask questions. “I bothered them constantly.”

Their advice was incorporated into his application, which achieved a rare perfect grant score and a five-year NCI grant totaling $1.83 million. The grant is helping further work on his discovery of a protein with a significant role in controlling herpes infections. Forrest’s early data gathering and a surprise discovery that were cornerstones of his grant application were supported by a UAMS Translational Research Institute pilot award and a COBRE grant.

The NIH application reviewers said they anticipate that his research “may reveal novel therapeutic targets,” and concluded, “In sum, there is considerable enthusiasm for the talented new investigator (Forrest) and the proposed work ….”

Forrest and his team have published three papers so far, and have three more in the works. He’s also filed a patent application through BioVentures.

Mentoring traditionally has been an informal practice, although some departments, such as Microbiology and Immunology in the UAMS College of Medicine, have a prescribed process. Department Chair Richard P. Morrison, Ph.D., started an official mentoring program eight years ago.  He describes it as “simple, straightforward and non-overbearing.”

Each junior faculty member has a three-person mentoring committee. The committees meet with the mentees once a semester to discuss progress and goals, followed by a written report.

Over the program’s eight years, the department’s five most senior junior faculty have produced five R01’s, three R21’s and three K22 awards – and all have received promotion and tenure, Morrison said.

Ponnappan and Zhang also helped Forrest become an associate professor, marking the official end of a six-year mentor-mentee relationship.

“Once they got me through the tenure process, it was kind of over,” Forrest said. “I’m on my own now, although I haven’t completely been away from them.”

Ponnappan said Forrest was a like a sponge and a pleasure to mentor. “He lives science,” she said. “His success is his own success. We just pointed him in right direction, that’s all.”

Forrest is now breaking new ground as a mentor himself, sitting on mentoring committees where he can learn from senior faculty.

He already has a key piece of advice for junior faculty, telling them, “Make sure you use your mentors.”

Three new degrees and a certificate in biomedical informatics to help professionals assess and manage large sets of medical and public health information will soon be offered at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

He was presented the chair medallion by UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D., and UAMS Executive Vice Chancellor and College of Medicine Dean Pope L. Moseley, M.D.

An endowed chair is among the highest academic honors a university can bestow on a faculty member. A distinguished chair is established with gifts of at least $1.5 million, which are invested and the interest proceeds used to support the educational, research and clinical activities of the chair holder. Those named to a chair are among the most highly regarded scientists, physicians and professors in their fields.

The chair is named in honor of Carl L. Nelson, M.D., a world-renowned expert in joint replacement who served as chairman of the UAMS Department of Orthopaedic Surgery from 1974 until his death in 2005. He oversaw the education of 122 orthopaedic surgeons, many of whom stayed in Arkansas to practice, including Barnes.

Barnes is one of Arkansas’ and the region’s foremost joint replacement experts. He holds four patents for orthopaedic surgery devices and has designed numerous hip and knee implants. He lectures nationally and internationally on total joint replacement surgery and has been active in hip and knee research. Barnes established the HipKnee Arkansas Foundation to further study patients with arthritis.

“Dr. Barnes’ journey to this leadership position at his alma mater, in his hometown is unique, a bit circuitous and one that we’re delighted about,” said G. Richard Smith, M.D., former dean of the College of Medicine who helped recruit Barnes to UAMS and the department chair position. “During those 18 months, I formed a deep friendship with Lowry and a true respect for who he is, a person of character and integrity.”

Tom S. Butler, retired vice chancellor for Administration and Governmental Affairs at UAMS and a former patient of Barnes, said in the care he received from Barnes he was most impressed with Barnes and his staff’s concern for the patient beyond the procedure.

“That’s the kind of training you want your physician to have,” said Butler. “To see the patient in total.”

A special guest was lifelong friend Kevin L. Garvin, M.D., who is now chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Garvin met Barnes as a fourth-year resident at UAMS while Barnes completed his internship.

“Dr. Barnes has a passion to lead this department to new heights,” said Garvin. “The relationships he’s established will serve this department well as he continues to recruit the best and brightest faculty, staff and residents to grow the program.”

Barnes is president of the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association and a past president of the Arkansas Orthopaedic Society, the Southern Orthopaedic Association and the Society of Arthritic Joint Surgery. He has served as treasurer and is currently president-elect of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.

Barnes has published extensively and is on the editorial boards of peer-reviewed publications including the Journal of Arthroplasty and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. Barnes is known nationally for his expertise in health care quality and efficiency.

Barnes is a member of the prestigious Knee Society, an exclusive organization of the world’s experts in orthopaedic surgery. He is the only Arkansas member since Nelson’s death.

Nelson came to UAMS in 1974 to develop the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and organize the orthopaedic training program. He produced more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications on topics including orthopaedic education, musculoskeletal infection, psychomotor skills and bloodless surgery.

“I was very lucky to have been educated by Dr. Nelson,” said Barnes.

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UAMS is the state’s only comprehensive academic health center, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a northwest Arkansas regional campus; a statewide network of regional centers; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, the Myeloma Institute, the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, the Psychiatric Research Institute, the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and the Translational Research Institute. It is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,021 students, 789 medical residents and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including about 1,000 physicians and other professionals who provide care to patients at UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and UAMS regional centers throughout the state. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

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“Dr. Messias brings a deep understanding of our academic mission, considerable knowledge about UAMS, and a strong interest in advancing the careers of our faculty members,” said UAMS Executive Vice Chancellor and College of Medicine Dean Pope L. Moseley, M.D. “He has a genuine concern for the well-being of others, a passion for diversity and social justice, and a commitment to fairness and equal treatment for all. He is thoughtful and analytical while also focusing on qualitative aspects of psychiatric care and research, academic medicine and faculty and personal development.”

As associate dean, Messias will lead College of Medicine faculty processes related to recruitment, evaluation, promotion and tenure. He will advance the college’s efforts to support faculty development and foster professionalism. He will work closely with Shorey and the UAMS Faculty Center as the College of Medicine’s representative on the Intercollegiate Faculty Council.

“I am thankful for this opportunity to apply my training and experience in this new role, with the goal of improving support and opportunities for UAMS faculty as they advance through their careers in academic medicine,” Messias said. “I have big shoes to fill in Dr. Shorey and look forward to collaborating with her and the UAMS Faculty Center to provide support and tools so we can continue to improve the training and education of the health care workforce for Arkansas.

“In my most recent job, overseeing Medicaid providers around the state, I’ve had the chance to see firsthand the key role played by UAMS in creating that workforce. While the state has many needs, UAMS has the will and the mission to help improve the health of all Arkansans I feel fortunate to contribute to that mission every day.”

During his previous tenure at UAMS, Messias served as medical director of the Walker Family Clinic, director of the House Staff Mental Health Service and director of the Brain and Behavior course for medical students. He has received many teaching awards and other accolades.

After leaving UAMS, Messias served as vice president and medical director of Beacon Health Options Arkansas.

Messias received his medical degree from Federal University of Ceará in Brazil in 1996. He completed his residency in general psychiatry at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Program. Messias went on to earn a Master of Public Health, complete a residency in preventive medicine and obtain his Ph.D. in psychiatric epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Messias was an assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine during his final year of work toward his doctorate. He returned to Brazil for two years, practicing psychiatry while also serving as an assistant professor of medicine at the Federal University of Ceará School of Medicine. From 2007 to 2009, he was an associate professor in psychiatry and in biostatistics at the Medical College of Georgia. He also served as medical director of an acute adult psychiatric unit and associate director of psychiatry residency training until his recruitment to UAMS.