Please join us in welcoming these recent additions to the College of Medicine faculty.

Department of Anesthesiology

Ahmed Zaghw, M.D.

Ahmed Zaghw, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology. Dr. Zaghw received his medical degree at the University of California Davis School of Medicine. He completed his anesthesia residency at Hamad Medical Corporation, an affiliated teaching hospital with Weill Cornell Medicine in Doha, Qatar. He continued his training with a fellowship in transplant anesthesia at the University of Miami and most recently completed a pediatric cardiac anesthesiology fellowship at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Department of Family and Preventive Medicine

Amy Cross, M.D.

Amy Cross, M.D., has joined the faculty as an Associate Professor of Family and Preventive Medicine and pediatrician at the UAMS South Regional Campus in Magnolia. Dr. Cross received her medical degree from UAMS in 1996 and completed her residency in pediatrics at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

A native of Magnolia, Dr. Cross operated the Magnolia Pediatric Clinic since 1999. She also has been a member of the staff of Magnolia Regional medical Center, serving as Chief of Pediatrics from 2002-2017. Dr. Cross will see pediatric patients at the UAMS Health Family Medical Center in Magnolia while also serving on the faculty of UAMS’ Residency Program.

Read more in the UAMS Newsroom.

Department of Internal Medicine

Risheek Kaul, M.D.

Risheek Kaul, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiology. Dr Kaul received his medical degree at Weill Cornell Medicine- Qatar in Doha, Qatar. He completed his internal medicine residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Kaul continued his training with a fellowship in electrophysiology at NYU Langone Health in New York City, where he served for the past year as Chief Fellow.

Gilbert-Roy Kamoga, M.D.

Gilbert-Roy Kamoga, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Associate Professor and internist at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus. Dr. Kamoga received his medical degree from Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Mbarara, Uganda. He completed an internal medicine residency at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, and at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

With over 15 years of experience as a hospitalist and general internist, Dr. Kamoga has held key roles, including program director of the Internal Medicine Residency at White River Health in Batesville, Arkansas, from 2020 until his recruitment to UAMS. Dr. Kamoga is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP).

Read more in the UAMS Newsroom.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

William “Scott” Sosebee, M.D.

William “Scott” Sosebee, M.D., has joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as an Associate Professor in the Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Sosebee earned his medical degree and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at UAMS. He served in private practice in Russellville, Arkansas, for 22 years before his recruitment to UAMS. Dr. Sosebee is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Department of Ophthalmology

Mohsen Adelpour, M.D.

Mohsen Adelpour, M.D., has joined the Department of Ophthalmology as an Assistant Professor specializing in glaucoma. Dr. Adelpour earned his medical degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, the most prestigious medical institution in Iran, and completed his ophthalmology residency at Farabi Eye Hospital, the largest tertiary ophthalmology center in the country. He further specialized in glaucoma, completing a fellowship at the same institution.

Dr. Adelpour also conducted a clinical research fellowship at the Shiley Eye Institute at the University of California San Diego, where he focused on innovative treatments and advancements in glaucoma management. He brings extensive expertise in cataract and glaucoma surgery, including complex surgical procedures. His research has led to several publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Adelpour will continue his research in addition to his clinical practice in glaucoma and cataract surgery at UAMS.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Ryan Anthony, M.D.

Ryan Anthony, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as an Assistant Professor and trauma surgeon. Dr. Anthony received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, followed by a fellowship in orthopaedic trauma at the University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Read more in the Orthopaedic Surgery Newsroom.

Paul Inclan, M.D.

Paul Inclan, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as an Assistant Professor and sports medicine surgeon. Dr. Inclan received his medical degree from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. He continued his training with a fellowship in sports medicine at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Read more in the Orthopaedic Surgery Newsroom.

Sean Parham, M.D.

Sean Parham, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as an Assistant Professor specializing in foot and ankle surgery. Dr. Parham received his medical degree from UAMS. He also completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at UAMS, earning the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Resident Scholar Award and the UAMS Orthopaedics 2023 Resident Educator of the Year Award. He continued his training with a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Read more in the Orthopaedic Surgery Newsroom.

Department of Radiology

Shrinivas Radder, M.D.

Shrinivas Radder, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Radiology. Dr. Radder received his medical degree from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute in Bengaluru, India. He completed a radiology residency at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi, India, and continued his training with a fellowship in pediatric radiology at UAMS.   

Department of Urology

Marcello Bigarella, M.D.

Marcelo Bigarella, M.D., has joined the Department of Urology as an Assistant Professor and urologic oncologist. Dr. Bigarella received his medical degree from the University of Sao Paulo Medical School in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He completed a general surgery residency, followed by urology and kidney transplant residencies, at the University of Sao Paulo. He continued his training with a fellowship in robotic urologic surgery at the Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital in Sao Paulo. Most recently, he completed a fellowship in urologic oncology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Read more in the UAMS Newsroom.

Jun Song, M.D.

Jun Song, M.D., has joined the Department of Urology as an Assistant Professor and urogynecologist. Dr. Song received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Song continued his training with a fellowship in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Joe and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine.

Read more in Dr. Song’s UAMS Health Provider bio.

Please join us in welcoming these recent additions to the College of Medicine faculty.

Department of Anesthesiology

Emily Williamson, M.D.

Emily Williamson, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Williamson received her medical degree from UAMS. She completed her anesthesia residency and a fellowship in acute pain medicine and regional anesthesia at West Virginia University in Morgantown. She served as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City for the year prior to her recruitment to UAMS.

Department of Internal Medicine

Sherry Abader, MBBCh

Sherry Abader, MBBCh, has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Abader received her medical degree in Cairo, Egypt. She completed residency training in the Baptist Health-UAMS Internal Medicine program in North Little Rock in July 2024.

Sinthia Alam, M.D.

Sinthia Alam, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Alam received her medical degree, graduating with Honors in Research, at UAMS. She completed her internal medicine residency at UAMS in July 2024.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Lettie Odom, M.D.

Lettie Odom, M.D., has joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology.Dr. Odom earned her medical degree from UAMS in 2020 and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at UAMS this year. 

Department of Otolaryngology

Tyler Merrill, M.D.

Tyler Merrill, M.D., has joined the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery as an Assistant Professor and Director of the Division of Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery. Dr. Merrill received his medical degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus in 2018. He completed his internship and residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at UAMS. Dr. Merrill continued his training with a fellowship in neurorhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.  Throughout residency and fellowship, Dr. Merrill cultivated research interests in patient safety and odontogenic sinusitis. His clinical practice will focus on patients with sinus disease as well as sinonasal and skull base tumors. 

Anvesh Kompelli, M.D.

Anvesh Kompelli, M.D., has joined the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Kompelli received medical degree at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. He completed a clinical research fellowship at the Medical School of South Carolina and then came to UAMS for his residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Dr. Kompelli will practice comprehensive otolaryngology at the Baptist/UAMS Clinic in Little Rock and the UAMS Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in Conway.

Adrian Williamson III, M.D.

Adrian Williamson, III, M.D., has joined the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery as an Associate Professor. Dr. Williamson received his medical degree and completed residency training in general surgery and otolaryngology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Dr. Williamson served in private practice in Little Rock for 28 years before joining UAMS. A laryngologist, he specializes in treating patients with voice, airway and swallowing disorders. He will practice at the Baptist Health/UAMS Clinic in Little Rock. 

Adrian Williamson IV, M.D.

Adrian Williamson IV, M.D., has joined the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Williamson received his medical degree at UAMS. He completed his otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. He continued his training with a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Williamson practices comprehensive pediatric otolaryngology at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. His primary clinical and academic interests include pediatric sleep apnea, airway disorders, voice disorders, thyroid disorders, neck masses, sinusitis, hearing loss and chronic ear conditions. He is active in teaching residents, fellows and medical students.

Department of Pediatrics

Dieu Doan, M.D.

Dieu Doan, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Instructor in the Allergy and Immunology Section. Dr. Doan earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport in 2019. She completed her pediatric residency at UAMS and continued her training with a fellowship in allergy and immunology at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

An aspiring physician-scientist, Dr. Doan is completing an optional research-focused third year of fellowship focusing on the role of nutrition in food allergy. Under the mentorship of Professor Stacie Jones, M.D., she is evaluating the impact of allergen-elimination diets on growth, diet quality and nutritional status in young children with multiple food allergies. Her project involves collaboration with the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center and co-mentor Professor Aline Andres, Ph.D.

Thanh Thanh Dai, M.D.

Thanh Thanh Dai, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Child Abuse Pediatrics Section. Dr. Dai received her medical degree at UAMS. She completed her pediatric residency at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital and went on to complete a child abuse pediatrics fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

A member of the Team for Children at Risk at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Dr. Dai’s main focus outside of clinical service will be continuing education on recognizing and responding to child maltreatment for medical and non-medical members of a multidisciplinary team. Her professional interests include providing trauma-informed medical assessments for at-risk children, educating medical providers about child sexual behaviors, counseling children and caregivers about the effects of child sexual abuse materials, and mitigating bias for drug-endangered children.

Krystle McCarson, M.D.

Krystle McCarson, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Section. Dr. McCarson received her medical degree from the University of New Mexico. She completed her pediatric residency and pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She is interested in improving pediatric prehospital care through her involvement in emergency medical services for children. Her work includes implementation of a pathway for evaluation of soft tissue injuries in the emergency department.

Carissa Rodriquez, M.D.

Carissa Rodriquez, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Section. Dr. Rodriquez received her medical degree at Texas A&M University College of Medicine. She completed her residency at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Her interests include acute care medicine and investigating areas for improvement in recognizing acutely decompensating patients in the hospital, as well as resident education. Dr. Rodriquez is also a member of the Child Health Equity Council in the Department of Pediatrics.

Brittany Witt, M.D.

Brittany Witt, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Neonatology Section. She earned her medical degree from Texas A&M Health Science Center. Dr. Witt completed her internship and residency training in pediatrics at UAMS, receiving the honors of Gordon E. Shutze Resident of the Year and Leader of Tomorrow upon graduation. She has special interests in advancing resident training and well-being and improving care for medically complex infants and children.

Department of Surgery

Jamie A. Cannon, M.D.

Jamie Cannon, M.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as a Professor in the Division of Colorectal Surgery. Dr. Cannon received her medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. She completed a general surgery residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a fellowship in colorectal surgery at Georgia Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates in Atlanta.

Dr. Cannon comes to UAMS from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she was a Professor of Surgery and Program Director for the colorectal fellowship. She previously served as Director of the Colorectal Cancer Service Line and Division Director of Gastrointestinal Surgery. Dr. Cannon’s primary clinical interests are colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and diverticular disease. She is a renowned robotic surgeon and teaches robotic colorectal surgery to surgeons throughout the United States and around the world. Dr. Cannon is a Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

Gina N. Sacks, M.D.

Gina Sacks, M.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery. Dr. Sacks received her medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Michigan, where she also conducted research in ways to mitigate radiation damage on bone healing. Dr. Sacks continued her training with a fellowship in pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. While there, she focused on management of complex cleft and craniofacial disorders including the full spectrum of cleft care, craniosynostosis and complex jaw surgery.

Dr. Sacks treats both bony and soft tissue issues and has a special interest in cleft care, including primary cleft lip and palate repair, alveolar bone grafting, nasal reconstruction, and jaw (orthognathic surgery).

John Montgomery, M.D.

John Montgomery, M.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Transplant Surgery. Dr. Montgomery received his medical degree from the University of South Carolina. He completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Michigan and an abdominal transplant surgery fellowship at New York University-Langone Hospital. While in residency, Dr. Montgomery earned a Masters in Health and Healthcare Research from the Rackham Graduate School at the University of Michigan. He will continue his research endeavors at UAMS, focusing on population health, obesity and implementation science.

Tsukasa Nakamura, M.D., Ph.D.

Tsukasa Nakamura, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Transplant Surgery. Dr. Nakamura received his medical degree and doctorate, as well as completing his general surgery residency, at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Kyoto, Japan. Dr. Nakamura contributed substantially to the living donor liver and kidney transplant program while serving as an Assistant Professor and then as a Lecturer at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.

Dr. Nakamura continued his training with a fellowship in abdominal transplant surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. He will continue his transplant surgery research at UAMS, focusing on transplant immunology and tolerance induction, including xenotransplantation.

Ulugbek Negmadjanov, M.D.

Ulugbek Negmadjanov, M.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery. Dr. Negmadjanov received his medical degree from Samarkand State Medical Institute, Samarkand, Uzbekistan. He completed his general surgery residency at Yale School of Medicine Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Dr. Negmadjanov continued his training in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, completing a vascular and endovascular fellowship. Prior to residency, Dr. Negmadjanov devoted several years to basic science and translational research, focusing on cardiovascular medicine. During this time, he authored multiple manuscripts and presented his work at local and regional conferences. Throughout his surgical training, he continued to publish and present his research, furthering his impact in vascular surgery.

Dr. Negmadjanov specializes in the management of arterial aneurysms, carotid artery disease and lower extremity arterial disease. He is experienced in creating vascular access for hemodialysis and managing less common conditions such as renal artery disease and mesenteric arterial disease. Additionally, Dr. Negmadjanov has a special interest in vascular exposures during spinal surgery, and he performs decompressive procedures for thoracic outlet syndrome. He is committed to surgical education and providing patient-centered care, combining clinical expertise with a collaborative approach to complex vascular conditions.

Please join us in welcoming these recent additions to the College of Medicine faculty.

Department of Anesthesiology

Kristel Magsino, M.D.

Kristel Magsino, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Associate Professor. She will serve at both UAMS and Arkansas Children’s. Dr. Magsino received her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California. She completed her residency in anesthesiology at Loma Linda and continued her training with a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Magsino served as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology at Loma Linda University prior to her recruitment to UAMS.

Jessie Merrill, M.D.

Jessie Merrill, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Merrill received her medical degree at the Ohio State University in Columbus. She completed her residency in anesthesiology at UAMS and continued her training with a fellowship in obstetric anesthesiology at Ohio State. Dr. Merrill served as an obstetric anesthesiologist in Cleveland for the past year before joining UAMS.

Department of Emergency Medicine

Calixto Romero, M.D.

Calixto Romero, M.D., has joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and specialist in the Medical Intensive Care Unit. Dr. Romero received his medical degree at the American University of the Caribbean in St. Maarten. He completed his emergency medicine residency at the University of South Florida/HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident during his final year. Dr. Romero continued his training in New England, completing a fellowship in critical care medicine with Dartmouth Health in Lebanon, New Hampshire. While at Dartmouth, he spent a considerable amount of time with the flight program, DHART, serving as a Clinical Instructor and focusing on advanced procedures in flight as well as deployment of ultrasound in the field. During his fellowship training, he also served as an emergency medicine attending physician at a rural critical access emergency department in Claremont, New Hampshire.

Department of Internal Medicine

Russell Roark, M.D.

Russell Roark, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Instructor in the Division of Gastroenterology. Dr. Roark received his medical degree in 2017 from the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine in Galveston, where he also completed a residency in internal medicine. Dr. Roark came to UAMS in 2021 to continue his training as a fellow in the Division of Gastroenterology and is currently completing his last year as the Advanced Endoscopy Fellow.

Alan P. Baltz, M.D.

Alan Baltz, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Baltz received his medical degree from UAMS in 2018 and remained at UAMS for his internal medicine residency. He spent the following year as a research fellow at MedStar Health in Columbia, Maryland. Dr. Baltz continued his training with a fellowship in hematology/oncology at UAMS, where he served as Chief Fellow his final year. Dr. Baltz has received many honors and awards during his training and has been active in scholarly work. He has served as a reviewer for the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Khristian M. Sunga, M.D.

Khristian Sunga, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Sunga received his medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield in 2016. He completed his internal medicine residency at Indiana University. Dr. Sunga worked as a hospitalist at Indiana University Methodist Hospital for two years and went on to serve for two years as an attending physician at Mercy St. Louis.

Einnod Williams, M.D., MPH

Einnod Williams, M.D., MPH, has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Williams received his medical degree and Master of Public Health from UAMS in 2021. He completed his internal medicine residency at UAMS in June 2024. While in medical school, he was active and served as a leader in the Student National Medical Association (SNMA).

Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics

Eva Regel, D.Be.

Eva Regel, D.Be., has joined the Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics as an Assistant Professor. After serving in social work, Dr. Regel received her doctorate in bioethics at Loyola University in Chicago and went to serve as a clinical ethicist at Mass General in Boston. She holds multiple master’s degrees, including one in bioethics from Harvard University, one in social work from Boston College, and one in economics from the University of Houston. Dr. Regel will focus much of her time on clinical ethics at both UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She has special interests in the ethics of burn care and psychiatry.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Kristina Jones, M.D.

Kristina Jones, M.D., has joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Jones earned her medical degree from the University of Mississippi in 2014. She also completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the university, where she served as Residency Education Chief. Dr. Jones has held previous academic appointments at the University of California, Davis and Texas A&M University, where she was an Assistant Professor with the Baylor Scott and White Women’s Health Group in Dallas. While there, she was honored with the Baylor Resident Teaching Award, the Chief Resident Teaching Award and the Medical Student Teaching Award.

Viktoriya Tulchinskaya, M.D.

Viktoriya Tulchinskaya, M.D., has joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.Dr. Tulchinskaya received her medical degree at the University of Kansas. She completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at the University of Louisville Hospital. She continued her training with a fellowship in pediatric and adolescent gynecology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Her clinical interests include the breadth of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, including management of heavy menstrual bleeding and bleeding disorders, as well as surgical management of Müllerian anomalies and adnexal masses.

Department of Pediatrics

Hannah G. Barkley, M.D., M.S.

Hannah Barkley, M.D., M.S., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Instructor and Pediatric Chief Resident. Dr. Barkley received her medical degree at Louisiana State University Health Shreveport School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at UAMS and Children’s Hospital in June 2024. Dr. Barkley is interested in medical education, advocacy and wellness within medical training programs.

Devin W. Cook, D.O.

Devin Cook, D.O., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Instructor and Pediatric Chief Resident. Dr. Cook received his medical degree from the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith. He completed his pediatric residency at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Cook plans to pursue a career in developmental-behavioral pediatrics with a focus on autism diagnosis and research.

Collette M. Tilly, M.D.

Collette Tilly, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Instructor and Pediatric Chief Resident. Dr. Tilly earned her medical degree at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. She completed her internal medicine-pediatrics residency at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She is currently pursuing a fellowship in allergy-immunology. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Tilly is interested in medical education, curriculum development and quality improvement initiatives.

Hamza Hassan Khan, M.D.

Hamza Hassan Khan, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Section. Dr. Khan received his medical degree at Shifa College of Medicine, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan. He worked as a research assistant at the Transplant Center for Children, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, in Washington, D.C., before completing his pediatric residency and serving as a Chief Pediatric Resident at Ascension St. John Children’s Hospital in Detroit. He continued his training with a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston. Dr. Khan’s clinical focus is advanced and transnasal endoscopy. Active in clinical research, he secured an intramural grant during his fellowship to study intestinal ultrasound findings compared to endoscopy at diagnosis in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Department of Psychiatry

Kyle Camp, M.D.

Kyle Camp, M.D., has joined the Department of Psychiatry as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Camp graduated from the UAMS College of Medicine in 2019 and completed his residency in psychiatry at UAMS in 2022. He continued his training with a post-graduate fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at UAMS. Dr. Camp provides telehealth psychiatry services to children and adolescents at the UAMS Child Study Center and STRIVE programs and sees adult patients at the Psychiatric Research Institute-Northwest in Fayetteville. He also sees patients in the University of Arkansas’ student mental health service.

Erin Jefferson, M.D.

Erin Jefferson, M.D., has joined the Department of Psychiatry as an Instructor and the inaugural UAMS Women’s Mental Health Fellow. Dr. Jefferson graduated from the UAMS College of Medicine in 2020 and completed her residency in psychiatry at UAMS this spring. Dr. Jefferson cares for patients in the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute’s Women’s Mental Health Clinic and on the Women’s Inpatient Unit.

Laura K. Rohm, Psy.D.

Laura Rohm, Psy.D., has joined the Department of Psychiatry as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Rohm received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Loyola University in New Orleans in 2015. She received a Master’s in Health Science from Louisiana State University Health Science Center in New Orleans in 2017. She continued her education at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Xavier University in New Orleans, where she received master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology. She most recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship in trauma psychology at UAMS.

Dr. Rohm will see patients in the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute’s Walker Family Clinic for evidence-based treatment of trauma. She will also work across the hospital to provide screening, assessment and brief interventions for trauma surgery and orthopaedic trauma patients. She plans to continue participating in research activities with the UAMS Health and Legal System (HEALS) Lab as well as UAMS Project HEAL.

Department of Radiology

Andrew Buchan, M.D.

Andrew Buchan, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Interventional Radiology. Dr. Buchan received his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 2018. He completed an integrated residency in diagnostic and interventional radiology at UAMS. Dr. Buchan served as Chief Resident in Diagnostic Radiology in 2022-2023. In 2022, he received the Chris Hackler Award for Excellence Medical Ethics, an honor awarded to one resident at UAMS each year.

Please join us in welcoming these recent additions to the College of Medicine faculty.

Department of Anesthesiology

Cash Arcement, M.D.

Cash Arcement, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Arcement received his medical degree from UAMS in 2020. He completed his anesthesiology residency training at UAMS this year.

Ashley Elser, M.D.

Ashley Elser, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Elser graduated from UAMS in 2020. She remained at UAMS for her anesthesiology residency training, which she completed this year. 

Pedro Solorzano Arathoon, M.D.

Pedro Solorzano Arathoon, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology. Dr. Solorzano received his medical degree from Universidad Francisco Marroquin Facultad de Medicina in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He completed his anesthesiology residency at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. He continued his training with a fellowship in pediatric anesthesia at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Department of Emergency Medicine

Paige Dailey, M.D.

Paige Dailey, M.D., has joined the Department of Emergency Medicine as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Dailey received her medical degree at UAMS in 2021. She also completed her residency in emergency medicine at UAMS, serving as Chief Resident in 2023-2024.

Joshua Ellis, M.D., MPH

Joshua Ellis, M.D., MPH, has joined the Department of Emergency Medicine as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Ellis received his medical degree at Howard University and completed his emergency medicine residency at the Mayo Clinic. He continued his training with a fellowship in medical education at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) while completing his Master’s in Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Ellis remained on the faculty at BIDMC, serving as Assistant Clerkship Director and Director of Diversity Recruitment. He also served as Faculty Chair of the LGBTQ+ Dean’s Advisory Committee at Harvard Medical School.

Kendra Maple, M.D., MPH

Kendra Maple, M.D., MPH, has joined the Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Ultrasound, as an Assistant Professor and Ultrasound Fellow. Dr. Maple received her medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas in 2021. She simultaneously earned her Master of Public Health in applied epidemiology in pediatrics and global health in 2019 from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. Dr. Maple completed her emergency medicine residency at the University of Florida in Gainesville this year.

John Martindale, M.D.

John Martindale, M.D., has joined the Department of Emergency Medicine as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Martindale received his medical degree from UAMS in 2020. He completed his residency in emergency medicine at Brown University, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Martindale has received multiple accolades in the past year including the 2024 Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Residents and Medical Students (RAMS) Excellence in Education Award; the Daniel L. Savitt Resident Teaching Award; Brown Ultrasound Physician of the Year Award; Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award; and the Warren Alpert Positive Champion of the Learning Environment Award.

Department of Internal Medicine

Mohammad Mousa Farhan Alomari, M.D.

Mohammad Mousa Farhan Alomari, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology. Dr. Alomari received his medical degree from Cairo University Faculty of Medicine in Egypt in 2011. He completed an internal medicine residency at King Abdullah University Hospital-Irbid in Jordan. He went on to complete a residency at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital in Ohio, where he served as Chief Resident in his third year.

Dr. Alomari continued his leadership and training by serving a fourth year as Chief Resident at East Tennessee State University for Veteran Affairs. To further specialize, he completed a gastroenterology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Florida in 2023 and an advanced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Ohio in 2024.

Thomas Augustine, M.D.

Thomas Augustine, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology. Dr. Augustine received his medical degree in 2012 at Dr. Somervell Memorial CSI Medical College, University of Kerala, in India. He completed a residency in internal medicine and subsequently served as a Senior Resident in Internal Medicine at Government Medical College, Kottayam in Kerala. Dr. Augustine continued his training at UAMS with a residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in gastroenterology, which he completed in June.

Alex Clausen, M.D., M.S.

Alex Clausen, M.D., M.S., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Instructor and Chief Resident in the Division of General Internal Medicine. Dr. Clausen earned a Master of Science in Biology-Medical Sciences from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. He received his medical degree from the Louisiana State University Health Science Center School of Medicine in Shreveport. Dr. Clausen completed his internal medicine residency at UAMS in June.

Mason Harper, M.D.

Mason Harper, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Instructor and Chief Resident in the Division of General Internal Medicine. Dr. Harper received his medical degree at UAMS in 2021. He completed his internal medicine residency training at UAMS in June.

Madison Morris, M.D.

Madison Morris, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Instructor and Chief Resident in the Division of General Internal Medicine. Dr. Morris received her medical degree at UAMS in 2021. She completed her internal medicine residency training at UAMS in June.

Manozna Karri, MBBS

Manozna Karri, MBBS, has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Karri received her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Guntur Medical College in India. She completed her residency training at UNC Health Southeastern in Lumberton, North Carolina. Dr. Karri previously served at VenkataRaman Hospitals in Andhra Pradesh, India, and Al-Ittihad Medical Center in Abu Dhabi.

Wadha Bin Homam, MBBCh

Wadha Bin Homam, MBBCh, has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Bin Homam received his medical degree in 2007 from Kasr Alaini Medical School, Cairo University in Egypt, and completed an internship there in 2008. He completed his internal medicine residency training at King Hussein Medical Hospital in Amman, Jordan. Dr. Bin Homam continued his training at UAMS, completing his fellowship in nephrology this year.

Morgan Tripod, M.D.

Morgan Tripod, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Tripod graduated from the UAMS College of Medicine with Honors in Research in 2020. She remained at UAMS for her internal medicine residency and went on to serve as Chief Resident in 2023-2024.

Ryan James, M.D.

Ryan James, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Instructor and Advanced Interventional Pulmonology fellow in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care. Dr. James received his medical degree from UAMS and remained at UAMS for his internal medicine residency. He continued his training in the Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at UAMS in 2021-2024. In addition to his advanced fellowship training, Dr. James serves as a physician for the Central Arkansas Veterans Health System and as an active member of the UAMS Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee.

Department of Pathology

Roni Cox, M.D.

Roni Cox, M.D., has rejoined the Department of Pathology as an Associate Professor in the Anatomical Pathology Division. Dr. Cox received her medical degree at UAMS in 2006. She completed her pathology residency at UAMS and continued her training with a fellowship in genitourinary pathology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Following her training, Dr. Cox returned to UAMS as an Assistant Professor of Pathology. She was heavily involved in resident training and was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor.

In 2017, Dr. Cox relocated to the Cleveland Clinic, where she served as a staff pathologist. She returned to Little Rock in 2023 and was a pathologist at PathNet Laboratories until her recruitment to UAMS. Dr. Cox will specialize in genitourinary (GU) and ENT pathology. She will serve additionally as Course Co-Director for Reproduction and Endocrinology in the College of Medicine.

Department of Radiology

Venkatram Krishnan, M.D.

Venkatram Krishnan, M.D. has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Neuroradiology.Dr. Krishnan received his medical degree from Madras Medical College in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He completed radiology residency training at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi, India. Dr. Krishnan continued his training with fellowships in neuroradiology and pediatric radiology at UAMS. 

Sania Razzaq, M.D.

Sania Razzaq, M.D. has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division Pediatric Radiology. Dr. Razzaq received her medical degree from Punjab Medical College in Pakistan. She completed a diagnostic and interventional radiology residency at Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar. Dr. Razzaq continued her training with pediatric radiology and neuroradiology fellowships at UAMS. 

Department of Surgery

Lexie Vaughn, M.D.

Lexie Vaughn, M.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of General and Minimally Invasive Surgery. Dr. Vaughn received her medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine in Savannah, Georgia.  She completed her general surgery residency and a surgical research fellowship at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Please join us in welcoming these recent additions to the College of Medicine faculty.

Department of Anesthesiology

Robert (Trey) Burch III, M.D.

Robert (Trey) Burch III, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Interventional Pain. Dr. Burch received his medical degree at UAMS. He completed his transitional year internship at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, and his anesthesiology residency in the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium at Brooke Army Medical Center.

Dr. Burch continued his training with a fellowship in regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine (RAAPM) at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he most recently worked as an attending anesthesiologist and Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology for the Uniformed Services University. Dr. Burch’s leadership posts while at Walter Reed included Chief of Regional Anesthesia, Anesthesia Quality Assurance Officer, Assistant Program Director of the RAAPM Fellowship, and Co-Investigator for the Defense & Veterans Center for Integrative Pain Management.

Christopher Maranto, M.D.

Christopher Maranto, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Maranto received his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. He completed his anesthesiology residency at UAMS and continued his training with a fellowship in interventional pain management at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

Dr. Maranto served as an attending physician at UAB and, most recently, as a pain management physician at Conway Regional Medical Center.

Department of Pathology

Saradhi Mallampati, Ph.D.

Saradhi Mallampati, Ph.D., has joined the Department of Pathology as an Assistant Professor and Section Medical Director for Molecular Genetic Pathology at Arkansas Children’s. After receiving a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Master’s in Veterinary Public Health, Dr. Mallampati earned his Ph.D. in molecular medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. He completed post-doctoral fellowship training in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he went on to serve as an Instructor in the Molecular Testing Development.

Dr. Mallampati was promoted to an Assistant Professor at MD Anderson, serving in the Genomics Test Development Laboratory within the Molecular Diagnostics Lab. In 2021, Dr. Mallampati joined St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, where he served as Technical Director for the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory and was instrumental in validating several state-of-the-art testing assays. Dr. Mallampati is certified as a High-Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD) by the American Board of Bioanalysis. He has authored more than 20 publications including works in scientific journals including Blood and the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.

Department of Radiology

Sadia Sajid, MBBS

Sadia Sajid, MBBS,has joined the Department of Radiology as an Instructor in the Division of Emergency Radiology providing overnight coverage. Dr. Sajid received her medical degree from Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan. She completed her residency in radiology and fellowship in emergency radiology at Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar.

Please join us in welcoming these recent additions to the College of Medicine faculty.

Department of Internal Medicine

Joseph DeLuca, M.D.

Joseph DeLuca, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, practicing in El Dorado. Dr. DeLuca earned his medical degree from Saint George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, in 2003. He completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Louisville Health Sciences. Dr. DeLuca has served as a hospitalist at South Arkansas Regional Hospital in El Dorado since 2014 and as its Assistant Medical Director for Inpatient Rehabilitation since 2022. He has held numerous other clinical leadership positions in El Dorado and Camden, Arkansas, since 2006.

Anuradha Kunthur, M.D.

Anuradha Kunthur, M.D., has rejoined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. Dr. Kunthur received her medical degree from Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences in Tirupathi, India, in 1997. She completed her internal medicine residency at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital Montefiore North Division in New York City in 2004. After completing a hematology/medical oncology fellowship at UAMS in 2011, she began serving as a staff physician at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and Adjunct Assistant Professor at UAMS. She worked most recently at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock.  

Department of Pediatrics

Obeid Shafi, M.D.

Obeid Shafi, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Section of Clinical Informatics. Dr. Shafi received his medical degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh, India, and completed his pediatric training at Delhi University. He went on to complete a pediatric residency at New York Flushing Medical Center and Hospital in Queens, New York, and served as Chief Resident.

Dr. Shafi became interested in improving pediatric care by leveraging health information technology tools. His education and experiences led him to pursue a fellowship in clinical informatics at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he now uses data and technology to improve health care delivery and quality for clinicians and patients. His work includes enhancing clinical decision support systems, optimizing electronic health record systems and exploring the potential of artificial intelligence in medicine. He is also committed to medical education, quality improvement and safety initiatives.

Please join us in welcoming these recent additions to the College of Medicine faculty.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Gannon B. Randolph, M.D.

Gannon Randolph, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as an Assistant Professor and spine surgeon at UAMS Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Northwest Arkansas. Dr. Randolph received his medical degree from Oregon Health Science University School of Medicine. He completed his orthopaedic residency at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center in Salt Lake City and continued his training with a fellowship in comprehensive spinal surgery at the University of California Los Angeles.

Dr. Randolph has practiced medicine in Northwest Arkansas for 15 years, previously working at Ozark Orthopaedics and serving as the Director of the Mercy Hospital spine program. He is an emeritus president of the Arkansas Orthopaedic Society. His special interests are complex cervical surgery, nerve pain, oncology, surgery to treat spinal degeneration and arthritis, minimally invasive spinal surgery, and peripheral neurological surgery. He will see patients at the UAMS Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Clinic in Lowell. Read more in the UAMS Newsroom.

Department of Radiology

Naghmehossadat Eshghi, M.D., Ph.D.

Naghmehossadat Eshghi, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division Emergency Radiology providing overnight coverage. Dr. Eshghi received her medical degree from Heinrich-Heine University in Duesseldorf, Germany. She also holds a doctorate (Ph.D.) from the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Rheinisch-Westfaelische-Technische Hochschule (RWTH) University of Aachen in Germany.

Dr. Eshghi completed her radiology residency at Maria-Hilf Clinic in Mönchengladbach/Germany (teaching hospital at RWTH-University of Aachen). She continued her training with fellowships in nuclear medicine, PET/CT, neuroradiology and body MRI at the University of Arizona, Tucson. She is board certified in radiology and nuclear medicine. 

Please join us in welcoming these recent additions to the College of Medicine faculty.

Department of Anesthesiology

Annsley Garner, M.D.

Annsley Garner, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Garner received her medical degree from UAMS in 2019. She completed her residency in anesthesiology at UAMS in 2023.

Eric Weirich, M.D.

Eric Weirich, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Associate Professor. Dr. Weirich received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis. He completed an internship and residency at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Jacksonville, Florida, and a cardiovascular and thoracic anesthesiology fellowship at the University of Texas-Houston College of Medicine.

Dr. Weirich joined Medical Anesthesia Group in Memphis as a cardiovascular anesthesiologist in 2014. He has served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and as Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.

Department of Internal Medicine

Michael Luna, M.D.

Michael Luna, M.D.,has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as a Professor in the Division of Cardiology. Dr. Luna received his medical degree from the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas in 2005. He completed his residency in internal medicine at UT Southwestern in 2008. Continuing his training, Dr. Luna completed three fellowships, including cardiovascular diseases and interventional cardiology with a focus on congenital heart disease at UT Southwestern, and pediatric interventional cardiology at Childrens Medical Center in Texas. Dr. Luna has served in a variety of positions at UT Southwestern Medical Center since 2012, and most recently as an Associate Professor at both UT Southwestern and Parkland Health & Hospital System.

Kapil Yadav, M.D.

Kapil Yadav, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Associate Professor in the Division of Cardiology. Dr. Yadav received his medical degree from Sawai Man Singh Medical College in India. He completed his internal medicine residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Yadav continued his training with two fellowships, cardiovascular disease at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 2017, and interventional and structural cardiology at University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson in 2018. Among many distinctions, Dr. Yadav is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) and a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RSVI). Dr. Yadav served as an attending cardiologist at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock before joining UAMS.

Meer Akbar Ali, M.D.

Meer Akbar Ali, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Associate Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology. Dr. Ali earned his medical degree from Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences in India in 2004. He completed his internal medicine residency in 2010 at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Ali continued his training with fellowships in gastroenterology and hepatology and in advanced endoscopy with a special interest in bariatric endoscopy at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland. Dr. Ali most recently served as an attending gastroenterologist at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff.

Sam Dalvi, M.D.

Sam Dalvi, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as a Professor and Division Director for the Division of Rheumatology. Dr. Dalvi earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham (UAB) in 2005. He completed his internal medicine residency training at UAB in 2008. Dr. Dalvi continued his training with a rheumatology fellowship at New York University, Hospital for Joint Diseases in 2012. He went on to serve as an Assistant Professor at Duke University Medical Center. He served as an Associate Professor at University of Alabama Birmingham from 2018 until his recruitment to UAMS.

Department of Ophthalmology

Chaow Charoenkijkajorn, M.D.

Chaow Charoenkijkajorn, M.D., has joined the Department of Ophthalmology as an Assistant Professor. Originally from Thailand, Dr. Charoenkijkajorn earned his medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University in 2014. He completed an ophthalmology residency at Mahidol University in Bangkok. Dr. Charoenkijkajorn continued his training with a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology at Blanton’s Eye Institute, Houston Medical Hospital, followed by training in ophthalmic pathology in the Department of Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Dr. Charoenkijkajorn brings expertise in conditions including giant cell arteritis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, blepharospasm, and optic neuritis to the UAMS Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute. He has an extensive publication record, with over 30 articles indexed in ophthalmology journals. He is a sought-after speaker at international ophthalmology conferences and actively contributes to organizations such as the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) and American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

Department of Pathology

Rakesh Sethapati, M.D.

Rakesh Sethapati, M.D., has joined the Department of Pathology as an Assistant Professor in the Transfusion Medicine Division. Dr. Sethapati received his medical degree from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University in Mangalore, India. He completed his residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at Kansas City University. Dr. Sethapati continued his training with a fellowship in transfusion medicine and blood banking at Stanford Health Care in Stanford, California. He completed a fellowship in hematopathology at City of Hope National Cancer Center in Duarte, California.

Department of Pediatrics

Ana Del Valle Penella, M.D.

Ana Del Valle Penella, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Infectious Diseases Section. Dr. Del Valle Penella received her medical degree from Universidad de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. She completed her pediatric residency at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami and continued her training with a fellowship in pediatric infectious disease at Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. During her fellowship, her research focused on the use of dried blood spots for the diagnosis of congenital CMV.

Adriana Sarmiento Clemente, M.D.

Adriana Sarmiento Clemente, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Infectious Diseases Section. Dr. Sarmiento received her medical degree at Escuela de Medicina J.M. Vargas from Universidad Central de Venezuela in Caracas. She completed her pediatric residency at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami and her pediatric infectious diseases fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. As a member of the Antimicrobial Stewardship team, her main area of focus outside of clinical service will be inpatient stewardship and quality improvement projects relating to diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship.

Please join us in welcoming these recent additions to the College of Medicine faculty.

Department of Anesthesiology

James “Reggi” Burch, M.D.

James “Reggi” Burch, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Associate Professor. Dr. Burch received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He completed a surgery internship at the Medical College of Ohio and an internal medicine internship at Methodist Hospital in Memphis. Dr. Burch completed his residency training in anesthesiology at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.

Dr. Burch joined Medical Center Anesthesia in Memphis as an anesthesiologist partner and then joined Medical Anesthesia Group, also in Memphis, as an anesthesiologist partner. He served as a voluntary faculty member at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Dr. Burch brings more than 30 years of experience in private practice to UAMS.

Department of Surgery

John Streitman, M.D.

John Streitman, M.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Associate Professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery. Dr. Streitman received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio. He completed a general surgery residency at Scott and White Memorial Hospital at the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Temple, Texas. Dr. Streitman completed a thoracic and cardiovascular surgery residency at the University of Florida Health in Gainesville, Florida.

Dr. Streitman came to UAMS from Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital in Memphis. He was recruited to Le Bonheur in 2022 to stabilize and grow a cardiac surgery program as its Medical Director. Previously, he was Chief Medical Director of Cardiac Surgery at Northside Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, part of HCA Healthcare, for which he also directed its West Florida Division of Cardiovascular Surgery and its Structural Heart Program.

Earlier appointments included Co-Director of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida, Chief Medical Director of Cardiac Surgery for Baptist Health System in San Antonio, Texas, and working as a cardiovascular surgeon in Dothan, Alabama, and Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Please join us in welcoming these recent additions to the College of Medicine faculty.

Department of Anesthesiology

Ines Berger, M.D., Ph.D., MBA

Ines Berger, M.D., Ph.D, MBA, has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as a Professor and Division Chief for Critical Care Anesthesiology. Dr. Berger received her Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy at Friedrich Alexander University in Erlangen, Germany, where she also completed a fellowship in experimental surgery. Dr. Berger completed a surgery internship, residency in anesthesiology and fellowship in critical care at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. She completed clinical anesthesia training in Heidelberg, Germany, to obtain German board eligibility. She continued her training with a fellowship in pain medicine at Mayo and earned a Master’s in Business Administration at Viterbo University in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. She is board-certified in anesthesiology, critical care and pain.

Dr. Berger has held several leadership positions including Vice Chair for Critical Care at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, and most recently as Medical Director of Mobile ICU and Tele-ICU East Intensivist at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Orlando, Florida. She is an active member of the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps and has served three tours in Kuwait. Dr. Berger has also served in Fort Gordon, Georgia, Anchorage, Alaska, New York, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Robert Andrew Crone, M.D.

Robert “Andy” Crone, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Associate Professor. Dr. Crone received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee, Memphis. He completed an internship and general surgery residency at Methodist Hospitals in Memphis and continued his training with a fellowship in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Mid-South Cardiothoracic Surgical Consultants in Memphis.

Dr. Crone went on to complete a residency in anesthesiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He joined Medical Anesthesia Group, PA, in Memphis as an anesthesiologist partner in 1992 and worked there for 31 years. He served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences from 2003 until his recruitment to UAMS.

Kenneth C. Kasper Jr., M.D.

Ken Kasper Jr., M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Associate Professor. Dr. Kasper received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He completed his anesthesiology residency at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Dr. Kasper worked as a staff anesthesiologist for Anesthesia Specialists of Tennessee in Memphis before joining the Medical Anesthesia Group in Memphis as an anesthesiologist partner in 1999. Among several leadership positions, Dr. Kasper was Medical Director for Perioperative Services for Methodist University Hospital in Memphis in 2016-2021 and Associate Chief of Staff for Methodist University Hospital in 2018-2020.

Department of Internal Medicine

Vivek Yadala, M.D.

Vivek Yadala, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. Dr. Yadala received his medical degree from BLDE University, Sri B. M. Patil Medical College, in Bijapur, India, in 2012. He completed an internal medicine residency at Marshall University School of Medicine in Huntington, West Virginia, in 2020. Dr. Yadala continued his training there with a hematology/oncology fellowship, which he completed in 2023.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Kasa Cooper, M.D.

Kasa Cooper, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Cooper earned her medical degree at UAMS and continued her training with a fellowship in orthopaedic trauma at the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Cooper provides comprehensive orthopaedic care as part of the multispecialty trauma services team at UAMS, Arkansas’ only adult Level 1 Trauma Center. She provides specialized surgical techniques including closed intramedullary fixation, combinations of internal and external fixation, and complex fracture treatment of the pelvis and extremities. Dr. Cooper sees patients in The Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital’s Trauma Specialty Clinic and performs procedures at UAMS Medical Center and The Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital.

Ryan Hill, M.D.

J. Ryan Hill, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Hill earned his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, where he was awarded USC’s university-wide Order of Areté honor, received a Distinction in Research, and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Washington University in St. Louis. While there, he was elected to participate in the American Orthopaedic Association’s Resident Leadership Forum and Emerging Leaders Program and served as the Administrative Chief Resident during his final year. He continued his training at Washington University with a fellowship in the Division of Shoulder and Elbow Reconstruction, one of the preeminent centers for shoulder and elbow disorders worldwide.

Dr. Hill sees patients at the UAMS Health Orthopaedic and Spine Clinic in North Little Rock and the UAMS Health Orthopaedic Clinic on Colonel Glenn Road in Little Rock. He performs surgical procedures in The Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital at UAMS as well as the UAMS Medical Center. He also spends part of his clinical time at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital.

Sophie Hollenberg, M.D.

Sophie Hollenberg, M.D. has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Hollenberg earned her medical degree and completed her orthopaedic surgery residency at UAMS. She continued her training with a fellowship in hand surgery at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Dr. Hollenberg specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hand and wrist disorders and injuries. She sees patients at the UAMS Health Orthopaedic and Spine Clinic in North Little Rock and the UAMS Health Orthopaedic Clinic on Autumn Road in Little Rock. She performs surgical procedures in The Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital at UAMS Health and UAMS Medical Center.

Department of Pediatrics

Sevdenur Keskin, M.D.

Sevdenur Keskin, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Allergy and Immunology Section. Dr. Keskin earned her medical degree at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in Ankara, Turkey. After graduating from medical school, she completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in genetics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where her work resulted in multiple publications. Dr. Keskin went on to complete her residency in pediatrics at the University of Toledo. She continued her training with a fellowship in allergy and immunology at Albany Medical College. Dr. Keskin’s clinical interests encompass a wide range of conditions including asthma, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, urticaria and angioedema.

Stephen Dalby, M.D.

Stephen Dalby, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Cardiology Section. Dr. Dalby earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He received his medical degree from UAMS, where he also completed his residency in pediatrics and fellowship in pediatric cardiology. Dr. Dalby completed advanced training in pediatric interventional cardiology at the University of California San Diego. Dr. Dalby has a special interest in minimally invasive cardiac procedures, particularly for premature infants and neonates, including PDA closure, PDA stenting and pulmonary vein interventions. His interests also include transcatheter valve implantation, ASD and VSD closure, and balloon and stent angioplasty.

Daniel J. Fiedorek, M.D.

Daniel Fiedorek, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Cardiology Section. Dr. Fiedorek earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy from the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas. He received his medical degree at UAMS, where he also completed his residency in pediatrics and fellowship in pediatric cardiology. Dr. Fiedorek is interested in research projects exploring the impact of congenital heart disease.

Benjamin Ittleman, M.D.

Benjamin Ittleman, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Cardiology Section. Dr. Ittleman received his undergraduate degree in biology from the Colorado College in Colorado Springs before earning his medical degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine. Dr. Ittleman completed his residency at UAMS and continued his training with a pediatric cardiology fellowship at Yale New Haven Hospital, followed by an advanced imaging fellowship at Seattle Children’s.

Maria Serrano, M.D.

Maria Serrano, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Community Medicine Section. Dr. Serrano received her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from John Brown University. She earned her medical degree at UAMS, where she also completed her pediatric residency. Dr. Serrano has been active in research and QI projects during her time at Arkansas Children’s and UAMS, including projects related to childhood obesity, diagnosis and management of Lichen Sclerosis in children, vitamin B12 deficiency and restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Ashleah Courtney, M.D., MSPH

Ashleah Courtney, M.D., MSPH, has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Infectious Diseases Section. Dr. Courtney completed her undergraduate degree in biology at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, and then went on to complete a graduate degree in tropical medicine at Tulane University in New Orleans. She returned to Arkansas for medical school and residency at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Courtney returned to Tulane to complete her pediatric infectious disease fellowship training at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. Dr. Courtney serves as a member of Arkansas Children’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, with a particular focus on outpatient antimicrobial stewardship.

Joseph L. Alge, M.D., Ph.D.

Joseph Alge, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Nephrology Section. Dr. Alge is a graduate of the Medical Scientist Training Program at the Medical University of South Carolina, where he earned his medical degree, Master of Science in Clinical Research, and Ph.D. degrees. He went on to complete his pediatric residency and pediatric nephrology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in the Pediatrician-Scientist Program. Dr. Alge has been actively engaged in several clinical and translational research projects focused on acute kidney injury, mechanisms of chronic kidney disease progression, and glomerular diseases.  

Trenesha Hill, Ph.D.

Trenesha Hill, Ph.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Section. Dr. Hill completed her undergraduate degree in cellular and molecular biology and psychology at Tulane University in New Orleans. She worked for the East Baton Rouge Parish Head Start Program before returning to Tulane to complete her graduate training. After receiving her doctoral degree in school psychology from Tulane, Dr. Hill completed a two-year combined clinical and research fellowship in the Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Track at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Department of Psychiatry

Andrea McMahon, M.D.

Andrea McMahon, M.D., has joined the Department of Psychiatry as an Assistant Professor. Dr. McMahon received her medical degree from UAMS in 2015. She completed her residency in psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she served as Chief Resident. Dr. McMahon cares for patients in the Psychiatric Research Institute-Northwest’s outpatient clinic as well as at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the UAMS Northwest Arkansas Student Wellness clinic.

Allison Smith, Ph.D.

Allison Smith, Ph.D., has joined the Department of Psychiatry as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Smith graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 2015 and received her doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 2022. She recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical psychology at UAMS with a focus on infant- and early-childhood mental health, assessing and treating childhood traumatic stress and psychological assessment. Dr. Smith sees patients in the Child Study Center at Arkansas Children’s.

Department of Radiology

Malik Dawoud, M.D.

Malik Dawoud, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Radiology. Dr. Dawoud received his medical degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan. He completed a residency in radiology in Amman, Jordan, followed by a fellowship in interventional radiology at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Dawoud later continued his training at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s with additional fellowships in pediatric radiology, pediatric interventional radiology, pediatric body imaging and pediatric neuroradiology.

Dr. Dawoud served as an interventional and diagnostic pediatric radiologist at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville from 2020-2023. He also provided PRN (as needed) assistance for the Division of Pediatric Radiology prior to his return to UAMS as a full-time faculty member.

Department of Surgery

Nicholas Tingquist, M.D.

Nicholas Tingquist, M.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Tingquist received his medical degree from UAMS in 2015. He completed his general surgery residency training at UAMS in 2020. Dr. Tingquist continued his training with a fellowship in thoracic and cardiothoracic surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, completing the program in 2023.