The College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) celebrated the achievements of faculty and staff at its annual Dean’s Honor Day ceremony on April 29, presenting awards for teaching, clinical care, research, administration, humanism and service. The college also recognized faculty members who are receiving promotion and/or tenure in 2025.

The ceremony culminated with the presentation of the Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award to Robert L. “Lee” Archer, M.D., a professor and leader in the field of neurology in Arkansas who has served on the faculty since 1986, including seven years as chair of the Department of Neurology in 2016-2023.

“Dr. Archer has made unparalleled contributions in his field, to our college, and to the state of Arkansas for four decades,” Steven Webber, MBChB, executive vice chancellor of UAMS and dean of the College of Medicine,” said to a nearly full auditorium of faculty, staff and guests. “As many of you also know, Lee is a beloved physician and highly respected specialist in multiple sclerosis and related disorders of the nervous system, as well as a wonderful educator.”

Rohit Dhall, M.D., MSPH, who succeeded Archer as department chair, nominated him for the award. At the ceremony, he lauded Archer as a personal mentor and leader who substantially grew the department, established a strong culture of service, and made many clinical contributions including establishing the state’s multiple sclerosis clinic in 1987.

Archer has held numerous impactful college-wide service posts, including his current role as a member of the medical student Admissions Committee. His many statewide leadership roles have included president of the Arkansas Neurological Society and the Arkansas Medical Society and chair of the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Association. Nationally, he has held key roles in the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Academy of Neurology and other professional organizations.

“Dr. Archer’s professional calling has been developing and providing the highest level of clinical excellence for people with neurological issues in the state of Arkansas,” Dhall said. “All over the state, when somebody needs help for a neurological issue – whether it is physician providers, including many he has trained, nurses or lay people – they call Dr. Archer, and he responds, often with deep compassion.”

After accepting the award, Archer paid tribute to his own mentor, Dennis Lucy Jr., M.D., who chaired Neurology from 1966 to 1994 and continued to serve at UAMS until retiring as a professor emeritus in 2015. Noting that Lucy was watching the ceremony livestream from home, Archer said he planned to give him his award, a commemorative art glass bowl, for his impact and for “setting the standard.” Archer also thanked his wife, Nancy, and colleagues.

“I always thought that practicing medicine – combining our knowledge, our science, with taking care of patients – would be extremely satisfying, and it has been,” Archer said. “But what has impressed me so much practicing here is the joy in working with a team of people.”

“Everyone here makes everyone else better,” Archer said. “I’m sure all of us remember the proverb, ‘Iron sharpens iron.’ And we do. We sharpen each other. We make each other better, and that’s such a joyful place.”

The College of Medicine established Dean’s Honor Day in 2011 to recognize the excellence of faculty and staff. At this year’s ceremony, awards were presented in 18 categories in addition to the Distinguished Faculty Service Award, with nominators describing each honoree’s impact on areas of the college’s mission.

In his welcome remarks, Webber congratulated the award winners as well as faculty members who are being promoted, and he thanked faculty and staff across the college for their contributions.

“Let’s remember that Dean’s Honor Day isn’t just about the awards and awardees,” Webber said. “None of us are successful in isolation. This is about each and every one of our team members. We all work in teams. So today is really an opportunity to recognize all the members of the College of Medicine, along with our UAMS colleagues across the different colleges, institutes and the clinical enterprise that all support the work of our college.”

Renee Bornemeier, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and associate dean for faculty affairs, served as master of ceremonies. Bornemeier presented video tributes to faculty members who have been approved for promotion and/or tenure this year. In keeping with a college tradition, the videos feature favorite family, casual or professional photos of the faculty members.

The College of Medicine is proud to recognize the 2025 honorees.

Click here to read all of the stories about the recipients below, or click on an award title in the list to go directly to the individual honoree’s profile.

Staff Excellence Awards

Staff Excellence – Education
Celia McCaslin
Program Manager
Department of Neuroscience

Staff Excellence – Research
Lauren Havens, B.A.
Research Associate III
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Staff Excellence – Clinical
Martha Thannisch, RNP, BSN
Patient Navigator
Thoracic Oncology Program

Staff Excellence – Administration
Jessica Bulmanski, M.S.
Assistant Chair/Department Administrator
Department of Neuroscience

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Educator Awards

GME Educator – Program Coordinator
Renee Baldwin
Program Coordinator
Pathology Residency Program

GME Educator – Program Director
Joana Mack, M.D.
Program Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Faculty Awards in Education, Research and Humanism

Master Teacher Award
Charles Matthew Quick, M.D.
Professor, Department of Pathology
Vice Chair of Anatomic Pathology, Director of Gynecologic Pathology
Director, Surgical Pathology Fellowship

Educational Innovation
Beatrice Boateng, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Associate Dean for Analytics and Strategy
Karina Clemmons, Ed.D.
Professor, Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics
Assistant Dean for Medical Education
Lindsey Sward, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Assistant Dean for Clinical Education

Educational Research
Joshua Daily, M.D., M.Ed.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Director, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship
Co-Director, Personal and Professional Financial Essentials for Physicians Course

Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine
Presented with support from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation
Jonathan Laryea, M.D., M.Sc.
Professor and Vice Chair for Quality, Department of Surgery
Chief, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Medical Director of Inpatient Services and Medical Staff Affairs, Cancer Service Line
Nollie and Norma Mumey Endowed Chair in Surgery

Excellence in Research
Aline Andres, Ph.D., R.D.
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Interim Chief, Section of Developmental Nutrition
Associate Director, Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center

Clinical Excellence Awards

Outstanding Advanced Practice Provider
Shaneika Lewis-Williams, APRN
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Section of Community Pediatrics

Excellence in Quality and Safety
Deepa Raghavan, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Director, CAVHS Medical Intensive Care Unit

Excellence in Service & Professionalism
Kapil Arya, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Section of Pediatric Neurology
Child Neurology Residency Program Director

Best Consulting Physician
James Meek, D.O.
Associate Professor, Department of Radiology
Section Chief, Interventional Radiology
Medical Director, Interventional Radiology

Collaborations & Teamwork
Vascular Anomalies Team
Joana Mack, M.D., Medical Director
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Gresham Richter, M.D., Surgical Director
Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
and Colleagues

Rising Star Clinical Faculty
Stephen Dalby, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Section of Pediatric Cardiology

Physician of the Year
Viktoras Palys, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Surgical Director, Level 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Quality and Safety Officer, Neuroscience Service Line

Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award

Robert L. “Lee” Archer, M.D.
Professor, Department of Neurology
Major and Ruth Nodini Chair in Neurology for MS and Related Disorders

Watch the video tribute to associate professors.

Watch the video tribute to professors, distinguished professors and emeritus faculty.

Download a list of the 2025 promotion and tenure honorees.

Watch the video recording of the ceremony.

Photos by Bryan Clifton

The UAMS College of Medicine is pleased to introduce the recipients of the 2025 Dean’s Honor Day awards. The faculty and staff members highlighted on this page were recognized at an April 29 ceremony for their outstanding work and service in clinical care, research, administration and humanism.

The ceremony culminated with the presentation of the Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award to Robert L. “Lee” Archer, M.D., a professor and leader in the field of neurology in Arkansas who has served on the faculty since 1986, including seven years as chair of the Department of Neurology in 2016-2023.

Read more about Archer and the ceremony overall in the 2025 Dean’s Honor Day main feature story.

Watch the video recording of the ceremony.

Watch the video tribute to associate professors.

Watch the video tribute to professors, distinguished professors and emeritus faculty.

Download a list of the 2025 promotion and tenure honorees.

Congratulations to the following 2025 award winners!

Staff Excellence Awards

Staff Excellence – Education
Celia McCaslin
Program Manager
Department of Neuroscience

Celia McCaslin provides outstanding service to the College of Medicine’s education mission as program director for the Anatomical Gift Program and through other activities in the Department of Neuroscience that are essential for medical education.

The Anatomical Gift Program is the authorized mechanism in Arkansas for obtaining donated bodies for the study of human anatomy by medical students, other UAMS learners, faculty and health professionals. A key course for first-year medical students is the Human Structure module, which is directed by David Davies, Ph.D., professor of Neuroscience, who nominated McCaslin.

“Celia works with prospective donors and their families before death to help them understand how the Anatomical Gift Program helps our students – future physicians – learn the intricacies of human anatomy,” Davies said. “Celia handles all of these interactions with exceptional respect, sensitivity and clarity of communication.”

In his nomination letter, Davies said McCaslin provides robust support for other aspects of gross anatomy education and related scholarly work by students and faculty. He said she has also gladly shouldered additional tasks whenever needed. 

Staff Excellence – Research
Lauren Havens, B.A.
Research Associate III
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Lauren Havens, B.A., provides crucial expertise and laboratory leadership for College of Medicine researchers working at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS), Arkansas Children’s Hospital and UAMS campus.

Havens is an expert in the identification and quantification of small molecules using mass spectrometry. She manages a laboratory at CAVHS that was established by Andrew Morris, Ph.D., to measure environmental chemicals in support of large population health studies exploring the effects of the chemicals on people’s health. Havens also works with investigators on measurements of these chemicals for studies supported by the National Institutes of Health.

“Lauren has made huge contributions and has had a big impact on research at UAMS and also at our partner institutions,” Morris, a professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the College of Medicine and Research Career Scientist with CAVHS, said when presenting the award. He added that Havens is a meticulous researcher, excellent laboratory manager and works well with academic collaborators.

Morris co-nominated Havens with Aline Andres, Ph.D., R.D., a professor in the Department of Pediatrics and associate director of the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center. In their nomination letter, Morris and Andres said Havens has made extensive contributions to research publications and ongoing and new research project awards and applications.

Staff Excellence – Clinical
Martha Thannisch, RNP, BSN
Patient Navigator
Thoracic Oncology Program

Martha Thannisch, RNP, BSN, has helped to ensure the best possible personalized care for cancer patients at UAMS for 42 years, including in her current position as a patient navigator in the multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program.

“Martha serves as the patient navigator for our team, but she is so much more than a patient navigator,” said Matthew Steliga, M.D., professor and chief of Thoracic Surgery. “She navigates for all of us, including me and all our other clinicians. It’s an incredible job and it’s a tough job.”

Patients in the program often receive difficult, life-changing news, Steliga explained. “The biopsy shows cancer. Your scan has a concerning mass. Your cancer might be back. Martha puts them on the right track, the right direction, with kindness, compassion and incredible knowledge.”

Steliga said Thannisch, who will retire this year, has served as the “dedicated hub” of a complex and comprehensive multidisciplinary team. “Our entire thoracic oncology program is incredibly dedicated to Martha for her lifelong services she has given to our institution, the physicians, nurses, APRNs, and all the patients and families we serve.”

Staff Excellence – Administration
Jessica Bulmanski, M.S.
Assistant Chair/Department Administrator
Department of Neuroscience

Jessica Bulmanski, M.S., brings administrative expertise and a strong work ethic to her role as assistant chair and department administrator for the Department of Neuroscience.

“The transition of a new chair can be challenging, but I am pleased that we have made significant progress in revitalizing the Department of Neuroscience,” said Bulmanski’s nominator, Paul Drew, Ph.D., who began serving as chair last July. “This progress would not have been possible without the administrative leadership of Jessica.”

Drew lauded Bulmanski for her work to hire and train additional staff and to enhance the “face of the department” through website improvements and other communications. He said her commitment to excellence was clear in previous roles including administrative leadership of the College of Medicine Office of Research. Likewise, she has taken on additional current responsibilities as interim business manager for the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology.

“Jessica has an incredible work ethic,” Drew said. “She has done a remarkable job, and ultimately, she is someone who will continue to serve as an excellent administrative leader in the college for years to come.”

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Educator Awards

GME Educator – Program Coordinator
Renee Baldwin
Program Coordinator
Pathology Residency Program

Renee Baldwin has brought over 25 years of excellence and tireless dedication to graduate medical education across residency and fellowship programs in Pathology, Internal Medicine and Family Medicine. In 2022, she returned to the Department of Pathology, where she first served in 1999-2012.

Molly Gathright, M.D., executive associate dean for graduate medical education, shared accolades from Baldwin’s nominators including current and former program directors and residents, who described her as “the backbone of the program.”

“Renee is known for her unwavering commitment, expert knowledge and genuine care of our pathology residents,” Gathright said. “A former program director shared, ‘Renee Baldwin is by far the best coordinator I have ever had the pleasure of working with. She is a needle in the haystack.’”

Gathright said Baldwin’s impact extends beyond “flawless organization” of the program. “She has created a nurturing and supportive environment where residents feel truly cared for. Whether it is supporting vital resources, mentoring residents or simply leaving heartfelt notes and a batch of cookies for our residents, Renee’s compassion and excellence shines with every interaction.”

GME Educator – Program Director
Joana Mack, M.D.
Program Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Joana Mack, M.D., has provided remarkable mentorship, education and advocacy as program director for the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship since 2019.

“Dr. Mack’s trainees speak of her unwavering support and guidance and credit her for profoundly shaping their careers and passions,” Molly Gathright, M.D., executive associate dean for graduate medical education, said when presenting the award. “One fellow shared this: ‘Her ability to recognize and nurture individual interests has given me a renewed sense of excitement and purpose in my career.’ That’s all any of us can ask for in a mentor.”

Gathright said Mack always goes above and beyond for her trainees, often connecting them with national leaders to create opportunities that accelerate their growth and excellence. Mack’s commitment to learners extends to residents and medical students, in addition to the fellows in her program. She has developed a dedicated lecture series for medical students and residents rotating through the hematology/oncology service. Her efforts also have led to an institution-wide initiative that encourages collaborative research and conference presentations at regional and national levels.

“Dr. Mack truly embodies the spirit of mentorship, innovation and dedication that defines outstanding medical education,” Gathright said.

Faculty Awards in Education, Research and Humanism

Master Teacher Award
Charles Matthew Quick, M.D.
Professor, Department of Pathology
Vice Chair of Anatomic Pathology, Director of Gynecologic Pathology
Director, Surgical Pathology Fellowship

Charles Matthew Quick, M.D., has made significant and innovative contributions to medical education at UAMS since joining the faculty in 2011.

“Dr. Quick’s enthusiasm for teaching is infectious,” said nominator Jennifer Laudadio, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Pathology. “In the words of his students, he is amazing, charismatic and funny, and one of the best professors in the College of Medicine.”

“He is a wonderful mentor and dedicated educator to students, trainees and his peers,” Laudadio said, noting that Quick’s efforts have garnered numerous teaching honors, including four Golden Apple awards from medical students, the COM Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

Quick has been integral in many educational initiatives for medical students, including the recent development of an advanced surgical pathology clerkship for senior medical students planning careers in the field. He has served on key educational committees including the college’s curriculum committee and a committee focused on team-based learning.  

“Dr. Quick’s passion for teaching extends to the residents and fellows in pathology,” Laudadio said. “He typically carries the maximum number of mentees that we allow a single faculty member to have, and he is a role model for what an academic pathologist should be.” Quick is also an active educator at the national level, she said.

Educational Innovation
Beatrice Boateng, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Associate Dean for Analytics and Strategy
Karina Clemmons, Ed.D.
Professor, Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics
Assistant Dean for Medical Education
Lindsey Sward, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Assistant Dean for Clinical Education

This year’s Educational Innovation Award goes to a team of educators who collaborated to develop and launch the College of Medicine Student Progress Dashboard. The team includes Beatrice Boateng, Ph.D., Karina Clemmons, Ed.D., and Lindsey Sward, M.D.

“The dashboard collates data to provide a comprehensive view of progress over the student life cycle,” said nominator Sharanda Williams, M.A., Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. “This innovative tool allows educational leaders to see entrance exam scores and other early assessments of preparedness for the rigors of medical school, risk and Step exam scores, information on our graduates and residency placement, and much more.”

“The dashboard provides a holistic visualization of how our students are doing, which is important both for informing interventions when needed and for academic programming,” Williams said. “Significantly, it enhances our ability to provide early interventions, which is directly tied to student retention.”

The Student Progress Dashboard has proven to be valuable for the Dean’s Office, the UAMS Educational and Student Success Center, faculty course directors and the college’s academic house advisors.

Educational Research
Joshua Daily, M.D., M.Ed.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Director, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship
Co-Director, Personal and Professional Financial Essentials for Physicians Course

Josh Daily, M.D., M.Ed., exemplifies the very best of academic medicine with a deep commitment to building bridges between clinical excellence, education and scholarly discovery.

“Armed with both an M.D. and a master’s in medical education, Dr. Daily has led transformative initiatives,” said nominator Murad Almasri, M.D., an assistant professor and colleague of Daily in the Section of Pediatric Cardiology. He noted Daily’s work to create education and research-focused curricula for fellows as director of the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, and his leadership of the Personal and Professional Financial Essentials for Physicians course for medical students.

“Dr. Daily’s mentorship has guided countless fellows and residents to research success, with his mentees winning awards and publishing impactful work,” Almasri said. “His own scholarship, spanning topics from congenital heart disease to physician financial wellness, is cited and well respected.”

“Dr. Daily doesn’t just teach research; he inspires it,” Almasri said. “His legacy is not just in what he has published, but in the culture of inquiry he has cultivated. Today we recognize a physician who reminds us that the best educators don’t just fill minds – they light them on fire.”

Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine
Presented with support from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation
Jonathan Laryea, M.D., M.Sc.
Professor and Vice Chair for Quality, Department of Surgery
Chief, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Medical Director of Inpatient Services and Medical Staff Affairs, Cancer Service Line
Nollie and Norma Mumey Endowed Chair in Surgery

Jonathan Laryea, M.D., M.Sc., is a gifted colorectal surgeon whose life work is a testament to compassion, justice and a deep personal calling to serve those most in need.

Laryea, who joined UAMS in 2008, is professor and vice chair for quality in the Department of Surgery and chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery. He has advanced the field not only through superb surgical care, pioneering research and innovative clinical trials, but also by sharing his expertise in underserved communities around the globe, wrote his nominator, Ronald Robertson, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Surgery.

Surgery colleague Katie Kimbrough, M.D., elaborated as she presented the award to Laryea on behalf of the department and Robertson, who was unable to attend the ceremony. “His efforts have transformed surgical care across western Africa, founding the first colorectal fellowship in Ghana, training surgeons in Liberia, and leading missions in Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia, where he not only performed life-saving surgeries, but mentored the next generation of caregivers, as he does here at UAMS,” Kimbrough said.

“Dr. Laryea’s legacy is measured not only in clinical advances across the world and here at UAMS, but in lives changed, health care systems strengthened, and hope restored,” Kimbrough said.

Excellence in Research
Aline Andres, Ph.D., R.D.
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Interim Chief, Section of Developmental Nutrition
Associate Director, Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center

Aline Andres, Ph.D., R.D., is a leading expert in nutrition who has contributed substantially to understanding the impact of nutrition during critical periods of maternal and infant development.

A professor of Pediatrics, Andres has served as associate director of the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center (ACNC) since 2021 and as interim chief for the Section of Developmental Nutrition since 2024. Nominators including Pediatrics Chair William Steinbach, M.D., Elisabet Børsheim, Ph.D., interim director of ACNC, and Taren Massey-Swindle, Ph.D., noted Andres’ strong record of funding from the USDA and National Institutes of Health (NIH), and more than 110 research publications.

“Dr. Andres is recognized for her groundbreaking studies on maternal and infant nutrition and health using multidisciplinary approaches,” Børsheim said when presenting the award. “She was also selected as one of only 20 nationally recognized nutrition experts to serve on the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA. This demonstrates the highest level of expertise in human nutrition.”

Andres and her team also recently received $3 million from the NIH to study how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – so-called “forever chemicals” – impact child development. Nominators also cited her strong commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and initiatives to support other researchers.

Clinical Excellence Awards

Outstanding Advanced Practice Provider
Shaneika Lewis-Williams, APRN
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Section of Community Pediatrics

Shaneika Lewis-Williams, APRN, provides pediatric primary care in the Arkansas Children’s school-based health clinics with compassion and a fervor that inspires everyone around her.

“Shaneika has transformed the lives of countless children and their families through her excellence,” said nominator Chenia Eubanks, M.D., MPH, Chief of the Section of Community Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics.

As one example, Eubanks told about the tenacity and significant time Lewis-Williams put into obtaining dental services for a young boy with severe tooth decay. “This story exemplifies the extraordinary lengths she will go to for her patients,” she said. “Shaneika leaves an indelible mark on every patient, every family and every colleague she encounters.”

To illustrate what drives Lewis-Williams in her work, Eubanks shared the APRN’s own comments after receiving a recent award for her work in the school-based health clinics. “This work is not easy, but we get up every day and we do it with love and care,” Eubanks relayed. “This is truly what we do from the heart, because it takes long hours, dedication and fighting for what our patients and families need.”

Excellence in Quality and Safety
Deepa Raghavan, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Director, CAVHS Medical Intensive Care Unit

Deepa Raghavan, M.D., has made strides to enhance the quality and safety of care for veterans at the Central Arkansas Veterans Health care System. Raghavan, an associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, serves as director of the CAVHS Medical Intensive Care Unit.

“Dr. Raghavan is a quality champion for our veterans,” one of her nominators, Manish Joshi, M.D., a professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, said when presenting the award. “Her efforts over the last decade have made a significant impact in our veterans’ health care.”

“Whether it’s for our sickest patients in the ICU, or our outpatients, Dr. Raghavan has made an effort to improve every step in the quality of care we provide,” Joshi said.

In their letters of nomination, Joshi and John Arthur, M.D., professor and director of the Division of Nephrology, cited numerous impactful projects Raghavan has led to improve quality and safety. Recent examples include initiatives to reduce hospital acute care mortality, improve COPD guideline-based care in primary care, prevent sepsis and improve performance measures in this area, reduce falls in acute care units, and more.

Excellence in Service and Professionalism
Kapil Arya, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Section of Pediatric Neurology
Child Neurology Residency Program Director

Kapil Arya, M.D., has led transformative advancements in the diagnosis and care of Arkansas children with a rare and devastating neurological disease.

“Dr. Arya has served the children of Arkansas by establishing the state’s only multidisciplinary spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) care center,” said nominator W. Dave Walters, M.D., MPH, assistant professor of pediatrics and a colleague of Arya in the Division of Pediatric Neurology.

If not detected and treated within a few weeks of birth, SMA can be debilitating and often fatal. “It maims and kills otherwise normal babies and children, slowly stealing them away from their future and their families,” Walters explained when presenting the award. Starting in 2016, new medications became available to “slay the dragon and bring children back to normal life and normal life expectancy.”

Arya was instrumental in advocacy efforts, in partnership with organizations, legislators and others, that led to the Arkansas General Assembly’s passage of a 2019 law requiring newborn screening for SMA. However, a complex system was still needed for the screening to become routine across the state. Arya led the development of this system and continues to serve as the state’s leader and advocate for the care of children with SMA.

Best Consulting Physician
James Meek, D.O.
Associate Professor, Department of Radiology
Section Chief, Interventional Radiology
Medical Director, Interventional Radiology

James Meek, D.O., brings far more than his expertise in interventional radiology to his leadership of IR consulting and services at UAMS.

“Dr. Meek is an incredibly skilled IR technician, but it is more than just technical skill,” co-nominator Matthew Steliga, M.D., chief of thoracic surgery, said when presenting the award. “He has an incredible attitude for serving patients, for serving the institution and serving other doctors.”

“UAMS is the proud home of a Level 1 trauma center, an incredible, successful and growing transplant program, and the state’s most comprehensive cancer center, among many, many other valuable programs,” Steliga said. “None of these programs could be where they are without the dedication and expertise of Dr. Meek. And it’s not just him. He sets that example for his entire division, and his entire division follows his lead for patient care and institutional service.”

In their nomination letter, Steliga and fellow nominators Mary Katherine Kimbrough, M.D., professor in the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Division, and Lyle Burdine, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor and chief of the Transplant Surgery Division, cited Meek’s exceptional work as a consulting physician, meticulous attention to detail, communication skills and professionalism.

Collaborations & Teamwork
Vascular Anomalies Team
Joana Mack, M.D., Medical Director
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Gresham Richter, M.D., Surgical Director
Professor and Chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology
and Colleagues

The multidisciplinary Vascular Anomalies Center of Excellence exemplifies teamwork in its care for children with complex vascular anomalies.

Based at Arkansas Children’s, the center brings together specialists from many disciplines including hematology/oncology, otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, interventional radiology, orthopedics, psychology, gynecology, along with many professional support staff members. Hematologist/oncologist Joana Mack, M.D., is medical director, and pediatric otolaryngologist Gresham Richer, M.D., is surgical director.

“The team breaks down traditional silos between specialties, working in unison to define and resolve complex medical challenges,” Mack wrote in the nomination letter for her colleagues. “They have established a highly effective model of care, where regular multidisciplinary discussions, shared decision-making and streamlined coordination result in exceptional patient outcomes.”

“Children with vascular anomalies have very complicated problems that affect their whole lives,” David Becton, M.D., professor and chief of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, explained when presenting the award. “The (various anomalies) are all very different. Some are treated with medicines; some are treated with surgeries; some with scleroderma, all kinds of things. Many will need a lot of other support, such as social workers, psychologists, etc.”

“Within a very short period of time, the center has become an outstanding program that provides great service, care, leadership, excellence and compassion for children who are afflicted with these very significant disorders,” Becton said. “It is an amazing program that has really become a national leader.”  

Rising Star Clinical Faculty
Stephen Dalby, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Section of Pediatric Cardiology

Stephen Dalby, M.D., is already known for making groundbreaking advancements in the catheterization lab just two years after becoming a faculty member.

Co-nominator Josh Daily, M.D., M.Ed., director of the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, said Dalby was a standout even as a medical student at UAMS. After completing his residency and pediatric cardiology fellowship at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s, Dalby continued his training with an advanced pediatric cardiology fellowship at the University of California San Diego.

“We were lucky enough to get him to come back to Arkansas to join our team about two years ago, and he has absolutely excelled in every area since then,” Daily said when presenting the award. “He has been identified as a leader since day one for multiple reasons. He is thoughtful, he makes great decisions, he is highly skilled in the cath lab, and he is excellent with his patients. He has quickly been recognized as our go-to person when we have a complex infant with congenital heart disease.”

In his nomination letter, Daily noted that Dalby already has an impressive body of scholarly work, including numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts in respected journals and presentations at national conferences. “His accomplishments as a junior faculty member are remarkable and position him to be a leader in the field, both locally and nationally.” Co-nominators Brian Eble, M.D., and Lawrence Greiten, M.D., M.Sc., shared similar observations in their letters of recommendation.

Physician of the Year
Viktoras Palys, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Surgical Director, Level 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Quality and Safety Officer, Neuroscience Service Line

Viktoras Palys, M.D., has dramatically expanded access to life-changing neurosurgical care for epilepsy patients in Arkansas.

Palys, the only CAST (Committee on Advanced Subspecialty Training) accredited epilepsy surgeon in the state, has served as surgical director for UAMS’ Level 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center since 2018.

“Dr. Palys is more than a skilled surgeon – he is a true pioneer in epilepsy care,” said nominator Sisira Yadala, M.D., associate professor of Neurology and director of the epilepsy center. “He has performed several first-in-state procedures, including the implantation of advanced brain stimulators for drug-resistant epilepsy. He has led over 120 robotic surgeries, firmly establishing UAMS as a center of excellence in minimally invasive epilepsy surgery. Most notably, as part of a groundbreaking clinical trial we led together, Dr. Palys became the first surgeon ever to transplant inhibitory neurons into a functional human hippocampus.”

Yadala said Palys’ impact extends beyond the operating room as an educator, researcher and advocate for epilepsy patients. “I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Palys almost six years and have seen, time and again, his exceptional dedication to patient care, his bold clinical leadership and unwavering drive to push the boundaries of innovation,” Yadala said.

Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award

Robert L. “Lee” Archer, M.D.
Professor, Department of Neurology
Major and Ruth Nodini Chair in Neurology for MS and Related Disorders

Read more about Dr. Archer in the 2025 Dean’s Honor Day main feature story.

All ceremony photos by Bryan Clifton

Sanjaya Viswamitra, MBBS, DABR, DABNM, professor and chief of Emergency Radiology in the  Department of Radiology in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, has been named chair of the department, effective April 1. Viswamitra has served as interim chair since last August.

“Dr. Viswamitra has done a great job leading our Radiology programs for the past eight months, following more than 23 years of previous service in the department,” Steven Webber, MBChB, executive vice chancellor and dean, said in an announcement to faculty. “He is widely recognized for his expertise in cardiac imaging and his longtime work in nuclear medicine. He also has been instrumental in building our clinical and educational endeavors in emergency radiology.”

Viswamitra received his medical degree at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research in India. He completed his fellowship in nuclear medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and continued his training with a residency in diagnostic radiology at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center and Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York, followed by a fellowship in body imaging at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Viswamitra joined the UAMS faculty as an assistant professor in the Nuclear Medicine and Body Imaging divisions in January 2001. He was promoted to associate professor in 2012 and to professor in 2020. Early leadership roles included division chief for Body MRI and MSK MRI in 2002-2007. He was named inaugural chief of the Division of Emergency Radiology in 2023.

Viswamitra is active nationally and internationally in professional organizations including the Radiological Society of North America and the American Roentgen Ray Society, which have recognized him for his excellence and extensive service as a reviewer for the journals Radiology and American Journal of Roentgenology, respectively. He served as secretary and subsequently as president of the Indian Association of Cardiac Imaging, and he continues to serve as executive chairman of the organization. Viswamitra also has served as an executive committee member of the Asian Society of Cardiac Imaging. He has authored more than 60 articles, book chapters and other publications.