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

Department of Dermatology

Justin M. McLawhorn, M.D.

Justin McLawhorn, M.D., has joined the Department of Dermatology as an Assistant Professor and Director of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology. Dr. McLawhorn received his medical degree from UAMS in 2017. He completed his residency in dermatology and internship in internal medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. McLawhorn continued his training with a fellowship in micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Serving in the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Dr. McLawhorn specializes in the treatment of skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. He is skilled in treating many cancers with Mohs micrographic surgery, the most precise and advanced treatment for skin cancer, yielding success rates of up to 99%. Before joining UAMS, Dr. McLawhorn was in private practice in Little Rock.

Department of Internal Medicine

Bhupendar Tayal, M.D., Ph.D.

Bhupendar Tayal, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiology. Dr. Tayal received his medical degree from Gauhati University in Guwahati, India, in 2007. He earned his doctorate in clinical medicine and cardiology at Aalborg University in Denmark, where we went on to complete a fellowship in general cardiology and internal medicine. Dr. Tayal continued his training with a fellowship in advanced multimodality cardiovascular imaging at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Prior to his recruitment to UAMS, Dr. Tayal had served since 2022 as an Assistant Professor of internal medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and as a staff cardiologist at University Hospitals, Harrington Heart and Vascular Center, at Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio.

Dr. Tayal’s clinical and research interests focus on advancing cardiovascular care with a particular emphasis on multimodal imaging techniques to improve patient outcomes.

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

Department of Geriatrics

Julie Windholz, M.D.

Julie Windholz, M.D., has joined the Department of Geriatrics as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Windholz received her medical degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and continued her training at UAMS with a fellowship in Geriatrics. Dr. Windholz sees patients at the Thomas and Lyon Longevity Clinic in the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging.

Department of Radiology

Ayman Mohamed, M.D., M.Sc.

Ayman Mohamed, M.D., M.Sc., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Neurointerventional Radiology.Dr. Mohamed graduated and received both his master’s and medical degrees in radiodiagnosis from Cairo University Faculty of Medicine in Cairo, Egypt. He completed his interventional neuroradiology fellowship at Rothschild Foundation Hospital in Paris and received a diploma in diagnostic and neurointerventional radiology from Paris Descartes University. Dr. Mohamed most recently served as an Assistant Professor at Cairo University.

Jasmeet Singh, M.D.

Jasmeet Singh, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Radiology.Dr. Singh received his medical degree from Madras Medical College in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He completed his residency in diagnostic radiology at Kovai Medical Center and Hospital in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Dr. Singh continued his training with fellowships in pediatric radiology and pediatric body imaging at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Singh practices at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

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

Department of Dermatology

Patrick Phelan, M.D., MPHS

Patrick Phelan, M.D., MPHS, has joined the Department of Dermatology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Phelan received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, where he also earned a Master of Population Health Sciences in clinical epidemiology. He completed his residency in dermatology at UAMS, serving as Academic Chief Resident in his final year. During this time, he developed curricula for both surgical dermatology and inpatient consultative dermatology.

Dr. Phelan’s clinical interests include medical and surgical adult dermatology and patient education. His academic interests include medical education, statistics and research methodology, and medical ethics.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Simon Mears, M.D., Ph.D.

Simon Mears, M.D., Ph.D., has rejoined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as a Professor. A hip and knee specialist, he previously served at UAMS from 2015 to 2024. Dr. Mears earned his medical degree and doctorate in neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He continued his training with a fellowship in orthopaedic traumatology at the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland and an additional fellowship in hip and knee replacement at the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Mears practiced at Johns Hopkins for ten years and served as Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center before his initial recruitment to UAMS. After serving at UAMS for nine years, he relocated to the University of Florida, where served as Division Chief of Adult Arthroplasty and Joint Reconstruction in 2024. Read more about Dr. Mears here.

Department of Radiation Oncology

J. Scott Cordova, M.D.

J. Scott Cordova, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Department of Radiation Oncology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Cordova earned his medical degree and doctorate at Emory University in Atlanta, where his doctoral research focused on advanced imaging techniques, including quantitative molecular imaging, to optimize treatment delivery and assess therapeutic responses. He completed his residency in radiation oncology at Washington University in St. Louis/Barnes-Jewish Hospital, with extensive training in brachytherapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), online adaptive radiotherapy, and proton beam therapy.

An Arkansas native, Dr. Cordova is committed to bringing advanced treatment technologies to his home state and enhancing Arkansans’ access to cutting-edge cancer care. He is a member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the American Brachytherapy Society. Dr. Cordova’s research interests include developing and validating new clinical technologies, integrating advanced imaging into treatment planning and response assessment, and exploring how machine learning and artificial intelligence can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cancer care.

Department of Surgery

Mark O. Hardin, M.D.

Mark Hardin, M.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery. Dr. Hardin received his medical degree from UAMS in 2007. He completed general surgery residency training and a research fellowship at San Antonio Military Medical Center and went on to serve in the U.S. Army as a general surgeon while stationed in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Syria.

Dr. Hardin continued his training with a fellowship in thoracic surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville in 2018-2021. He comes to UAMS from the Arkansas Heart Hospital, where he had served as a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon since 2021.

Michaela (Mikki) Kollisch, M.D.

Michaela (Mikki) Kollisch, M.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Associate Professor in the Division of Pediatric Surgery. Dr. Kollisch completed medical school and general surgery training at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. She continued her training with a pediatric surgery fellowship at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. After completing her fellowship, Dr. Kollisch returned to SUNY Upstate and served for four years as an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Surgery and Director of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Laboratory.

With funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Defense (DOD), Dr. Kollisch’s research has focused on sepsis, inflammation and lung injury. She will continue her grants and research in the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute while serving as a pediatric surgeon at Arkansas Children’s. She will also work with UAMS medical students, residents and fellows, and is interested in supporting trauma simulation training through her lab.

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

Department of Anesthesiology

Maitri Shah, M.D.

Maitri Shah, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor.  Dr. Shah completed medical school and her residency in anesthesiology at UAMS.  She continued her training with critical care and obstetric anesthesiology fellowships at Washington University in St. Louis.  Dr. Shah practiced as a general anesthesiologist in St. Louis and as a general and obstetric anesthesiologist in Houston prior to her return to UAMS.  She will provide anesthesia services in the cardiovascular ICU and main operating rooms at UAMS Medical Center.

Department of Internal Medicine

Chinmay Bera, MBBS

Chinmay Bera, MBBS, has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor and transplant hepatologist in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He earned his medical degree from Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College at Calcutta University in Kolkata, India. Dr. Bera completed his residency in internal medicine at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, followed by a fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Christian Medical College in India.

From 2016 to 2019, Dr. Bera held several clinical positions in Kolkata. He then advanced his training with a transplant hepatology fellowship in the Multiorgan Transplant Program at Toronto General Hospital, which is affiliated with the University of Toronto. Following this, he spent over two years as a clinical and research fellow in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, where he focused on acute kidney injury in cirrhosis and steatotic liver disease. During this time, he actively participated in collaborative research projects across North America as well as multiple clinical trials.

Sanjay Muttineni, M.D.

Sanjay Muttineni, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Muttineni received his medical degree at NTR University of Health Sciences Gandi Medical College Hyderabad in Telangana, India. He completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Regional Campus in Huntsville. Dr. Muttineni went on to practice as a hospitalist at Huntsville Hospital.

Sasya Dronavalli, MBBS

Sasya Dronavalli, MBBS, has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Dronavalli received her medical degree from Osmania Medical College in Andhra Pradesh, India, in 2009, and completed a yearlong internship at Osmani General Hospital. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and subsequently practiced as a hospitalist for six years.

Department of Pediatrics

Lindsey Haack, M.D.

Lindsey Haack, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Cardiology Section. Dr. Haack, an electrophysiologist, received her medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia. She completed her pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado. Dr. Haack continued her training with a fellowship in pediatric cardiology at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and a fellowship in pediatric electrophysiology at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Haack’s clinical focus is the management of arrhythmias, cardiac ablations and implantation and management of cardiac implantable devices. She has been actively involved in clinical research focusing on ECG findings and their correlation with echocardiography in children and outcomes after implantation of a novel pacemaker developed for small infants.

John B. Block, M.D.

John Block, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Emergency Medicine section. Dr. Block received his medical degree at UAMS and remained at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s for his pediatrics residency. As a medical student, Dr. Block was voted as the White Coat Award recipient by his peers. While in residency, he received the Resident Teacher of the Year award in two of his three years.

Passionate about advocacy and education, Dr. Block has received grant funding to provide safe drinking water for unhoused individuals in Pulaski County. Additionally, he has focused on creating a new curriculum for the pediatrics clerkship, improving both the experience and shelf pass rates of students. 

Prateek Wali, M.D.

Prateek Wali, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as a Professor in the Gastroenterology Section and Vice Chair for Clinical Strategy. Dr. Wali earned his medical degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University in New York in 2004. He completed his pediatric residency at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, followed by a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at Nemours A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware.

In 2010, Dr. Wali joined the faculty at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, where his clinical work and research focused on pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). He served as Division Director of Gastroenterology from 2017-2024. Dr. Wali is active in the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the ImproveCareNow Collaborative for pediatric IBD.

As Vice Chair for Clinical Strategy, Dr. Wali will work within the department and at Arkansas Children’s to optimize clinical operations and improve access to health care for children in the community. 

Parker Davidson

Parker Davidson, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the General Pediatrics Section. Dr. Davidson received his medical degree at UAMS. Having spent time at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) as a child and again in college as an undergraduate researcher at the University of Arkansas, Dr. Davidson knew he wanted to return to Arkansas Children’s to aid in caring for the children of Arkansas. After medical school, he completed his internship and pediatric residency at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s, and he made plans to join the faculty as a general pediatrician.

Michael Bishop, M.D., M.S.

Michael Bishop, M.D., M.S., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Associate Professor in the Hematology/Oncology Section. Dr. Bishop received his medical degree at UAMS. He completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, followed by a fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. During his fellowship, he obtained a master’s in clinical and translational sciences.

In 2012, Dr. Bishop joined the Solid Tumor Division at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, with a clinical and research focus on the treatment of bone and soft tissue sarcomas. He is an active member of the Children’s Oncology Group Bone Tumor Committee and serves as Study Chair for AOST2032, the current upfront study for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Dr. Bishop will serve as Solid Tumor Program Director for Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) and Associate Director of Clinical and Translational Research for the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute. In addition, he will seek to develop dedicated programs for adolescents and young adults with cancer across ACH and the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

Smitha Hosahalli Vasanna, M.D.

Smitha Vasanna, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Hematology/Oncology Section. Dr. Vasanna, a specialist in blood and marrow and cellular therapies, earned her medical degree at JSS Medical College in Mysore, India. She completed her pediatric residency at the Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Vasanna continued her training with a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at Rainbow Babies and Children’s/University Hospital in Cleveland, followed by advanced fellowship training in pediatric blood and marrow transplantation at the University of Minnesota. Her clinical focus includes bone marrow transplants and cellular therapies including gene therapies, particularly for non-malignant disorders.

Katherine Tang, M.D., M.S.

Katherine Tang, M.D., M.S.,has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Section. Dr. Tang received her medical degree at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She completed her pediatric residency at Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York-Presbyterian in New York City. She continued her training with a pediatric hospital medicine fellowship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, where she also completed a master’s in clinical research methods.

Dr. Tang will serve as Associate Program Director for the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship. Her clinical and research interests include inpatient management of children with medical complexity.

Department of Surgery

Sandra M. Garcia Osogobio, M.D., M.S.

Sandra M. Garcia Osogobio, M.D., M.S., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Instructor in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Dr. Garcia Osogobio received her medical degree at Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla in Mexico. She completed her general surgery residency at Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran in Mexico City. She continued her training with a fellowship in laparoscopic general surgery and advanced colon and rectal surgery at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, affiliated to McMaster University in Ontario. She also completed a master’s in medical sciences at the National University of Mexico.

Dr. Garcia Osogobio has more than 10 years of experience in surgery focused on minimal invasive colorectal surgery. She has written two books on general surgery and colorectal surgery and has authored more than 25 publications and several book chapters. Dr. Garcia Osogobio’s clinical interests are in minimally invasive surgery including advanced laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer and other colorectal diseases.

Gili Halfteck, M.D., Ph.D.

Gili G. Halfteck, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology. She will divide her clinical efforts between breast surgery and endocrine surgery. After completing surgery training in Israel, Dr. Halfteck spent three years specializing in breast surgery and surgical oncology, as well as endocrine surgery. She completed a breast surgery fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and recently completed an endocrine surgery fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Halfteck graduated with excellence from the Hadassah School of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. During her medical training, she also earned a doctorate in immunology, focusing on immune-mediated recognition and eradication of tumors.

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.

`

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.