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

Department of Anesthesiology

Russell Roberson, M.D.

Russell Roberson, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Associate Professor of Cardiac Anesthesiology. Dr. Roberson received his medical degree at Harvard Medical School in Boston in 2007. He completed his anesthesiology residency and critical care fellowship at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. He is board certified in anesthesiology, critical care medicine, neurocritical care and adult cardiac anesthesiology. He is also certified in advanced perioperative transesophageal echocardiography.

Dr. Roberson served as an Assistant Professor of anesthesiology at University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospitals in 2012-2013 and at University of Texas (UT) Southwestern in 2013-2014. He has practiced in Arkansas since 2015, working at Southern Regional Anesthesiology Consultants, St. Vincent Medical Group, and most recently at Baptist Health Medical Center.

---

Department of Internal Medicine

Pratheepa Ravikumar, M.D., MPH

Pratheepa Ravikumar, M.D., MPH, has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine. Dr. Ravikumar earned both her medical degree and Master of Public Health at UAMS, where she went on to complete her residency in medicine-pediatrics.

Dr. Ravikumar’s professional interests include providing comprehensive care across the lifespan, public health and medical education.

Shadiqul Hoque, M.D.

Shadiqul Hoque, M.D., has rejoined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. Dr. Hoque received his medical degree from Dhaka Medical College, University of Dhaka, in Bangladesh. He completed his residency in internal Medicine at Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University.

Dr. Hoque first joined UAMS as an Assistant Professor and hospitalist in 2015. In 2021, he continued his training with a fellowship in hematology and oncology at UAMS, where he developed a focus on gastrointestinal cancers, sarcoma, and both benign and malignant hematology.

Tanya Ongbin, M.D.

Tanya Ongbin, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Ongbin received her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine in Manila, Philippines. She completed her internal medicine residency at Manila Doctors Hospital and a fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital. She completed a fellowship in infectious disease at UAMS this year.

Dr. Ongbin’s clinical background includes experience as an emergency room hospitalist and participation in several U.S. based clinical observerships.

---

Department of Neurology

José Miguel Morales, M.D., M.Sc.

José Morales, M.D., M.Sc., has joined the Department of Neurology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Morales is a vascular neurologist, neuro-interventional surgeon and researcher. He specializes in minimally invasive, image-guided techniques to diagnose and treat disorders and diseases of the head, brain, neck and spine.

Dr. Morales received his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in 2016. He completed his residency in neurology at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, also in Chicago. He continued his training with fellowships in vascular neurology, biodesign and interventional neurology at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center.

In addition to clinical care, Dr. Morales is active in clinical and translational research, including work to pioneer transvascular access to the brain that eliminates the need for invasive brain surgery. His research has been published in leading journals including Nature, Stroke, Interventional Neuroradiology and the Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery.

---

Department of Pediatrics

David Selewski, M.D., M.S.

David Selewski, M.D., M.S., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as Professor and Chief of the Section of Pediatric Nephrology. Dr. Selewski received his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago in 2005. He completed his pediatric residency and his pediatric nephrology fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He went on to earn a master’s in clinical research design and statistical analysis from the University of Michigan in 2013. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology (FASN).

Dr. Selewski’s clinical and research interests center on pediatric and neonatal critical care nephrology, including pediatric and neonatal acute kidney injury, fluid overload, and continuous renal replacement therapy. This work includes participation in multicenter research collaboratives including the Neonatal Kidney Collaborative (NKC), for which he is currently President-Elect. He also serves on the steering committees for the Worldwide Exploration of Renal Replacement Outcomes Collaboration in Kidney Diseases (We-Rock) and Neonatal and Pediatric Heart and Renal Outcomes Network (NEPHRON) study groups.

Dr. Selewski is a council representative for the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology to the International Pediatric Nephrology Association, where he also serves as Co-Chair for the Education Committee. He is an Associate Editor for the journal Pediatric Nephrology. He recently was Co-Chair of the 36th Acute Disease Quality Initiative.

---

Department of Radiology

Amy Schroder Bezold, D.O.

Amy Bezold, D.O., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Interventional Radiology. Dr. Bezold received her medical degree from A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri, in 2013. She completed a family medicine residency at UAMS in 2016 and practiced family medicine in Arkansas and Texas for four years.

Dr. Bezold continued her training at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 2020-2024, completing a residency in diagnostic radiology. She expanded her expertise with a fellowship in interventional radiology at the Dotter Institute at Oregon Health Science University in Portland in 2024-2025.

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

Department of Biostatistics

Deukwoo Kwon, Ph.D.

Deukwoo Kwon, Ph.D., has joined the Department of Biostatistics as a Professor. Dr. Kwon received his doctoral degree in statistics from Texas A&M University in 2005. Before his recruitment to UAMS, he served at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami, the Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and UTHealth Houston for over 14 years.

Dr. Kwon has extensive experience conducting statistical analysis in various areas, including the application of statistical methods to clinical trials and epidemiologic studies related to cancer, novel approaches to the statistical design and analysis of phase I and phase II clinical trials, survival analysis, longitudinal data analysis, Bayesian inference, and high-dimensional data analysis.

As Director of the Biostatistics Shared Resource in the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Dr. Kwon leads statistical support for the institute’s investigators. He participates in the Protocol Review & Monitoring Committee as a statistical reviewer. He also serves as Associate Director of the Statistical and Data Analysis Center for the AIDS Malignancy Consortium, which is an NCI-supported international clinical trials group, a role he has held since 2023.

Department of Emergency Medicine

Gitansh Bhargava, D.O.

Gitansh Bhargava, D.O., has joined the Department of Emergency Medicine as an Assistant Professor. Originally from Connecticut, Dr. Bhargava received his medical degree from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York in 2020. He completed his residency in emergency medicine at Inspira Health Network in Vineland, New Jersey.

With an interest in teaching and practicing in academic medicine, Dr. Bhargava went on to complete a fellowship in advanced emergency medicine ultrasonography at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. His professional interests include emergency ultrasound and physician wellness.

Cynthia Simmons, M.D.

Cynthia Simmons, M.D., has joined the Department of Emergency Medicine as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Simmons brings over 25 years of experience in emergency care and leadership to UAMS. Originally from Texas, she has served as the Medical Director and in other leadership and attending physician roles for large EMS systems in Arlington and Dallas along with other emergency departments across eastern Texas. Dr. Simmons also has extensive experience in disaster response preparedness and overseeing special event EMS operations for major gatherings including the Superbowl and World Series.

Dr. Simmons received her medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas in 1994. She completed her residency in emergency medicine at the University of Florida Health Sciences Center-Jacksonville.

Department of Geriatrics

Deanna Cochran, M.D.

Deanna Cochran, M.D., has joined the Department of Geriatrics as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Cochran received her medical degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. She moved to Arkansas in 2021 to begin a residency in internal medicine at White River Health in Batesville. After completing her residency in 2024, she continued her training with a fellowship in geriatrics at UAMS.

Dr. Cochran practices in the Thomas and Lyon Longevity Clinic in the UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging.

Department of Neurology

Shitiz Sriwastava, M.D., M.S.

Shitiz Sriwastava, M.D., M.S., has joined the Department of Neurology as an Associate Professor. A neuroimmunologist with expertise in multiple sclerosis (MS) research and treatment, Dr. Sriwastava comes to UAMS from The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, and before that, West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Dr. Sriwastava received his medical degree from Manipal College of Medical Science in Pokhara, Nepal. He completed his neurology residency and a fellowship in neuroimmunology at Wayne State University in Detroit. Later, he earned a master’s degree in clinical and translational science from West Virginia University.

Dr. Sriwastava has special interest in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system. His clinical and research focus includes multiple sclerosis, myelitis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD), myasthenia gravis, immune-mediated and inflammatory neuropathies, myositis and autoimmune encephalitis, among other areas.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation

W. Cody Grammer, M.D.

W. Cody Grammer, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation as an Assistant Professor practicing in Northwest Arkansas. Dr. Grammer received his medical degree and completed his internship and residency in orthopaedic surgery at UAMS. He practiced general orthopaedics for 11 years, first in Batesville and then in Rogers, before returning to UAMS for a fellowship in joint reconstruction.

Specializing in joint reconstruction of both the hip and knee, Dr. Grammer served patients in Northwest Arkansas for more than 16 years. He directed two successful joint replacement programs prior to joining UAMS. His special interests include direct anterior hip replacement, partial knee replacement, low- or no-opioid joint replacement, and same-day joint replacement procedures.

Dr. Grammer is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS) and a Fellow of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (FAAHKS). He currently serves as the elected Arkansas Representative to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Board of Councilors. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Dr. Grammer served as an officer, pilot and flight instructor in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Department of Pathology

Sidra Zaheer, M.D.

Sidra Zaheer, M.D., has joined the Department of Pathology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Zaheer received her medical degree from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan, and completed her residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at Westchester Medical Center in New York. She subsequently pursued fellowships in hematopathology at NYU Langone Health and in molecular genetic pathology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York.

Dr. Zaheer will serve in the hematopathology and molecular pathology services at UAMS. In addition to her clinical and academic focus in these areas, she is passionate about global health. Dr. Zaheer has contributed to educational initiatives aimed at expanding access to hematopathology and has collaborated with institutions in resource-limited settings to advance diagnostic capacity.

Department of Pediatrics

Caitlin Cunningham, M.D.

Caitlin Cunningham, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Section of General Pediatrics. Dr. Cunningham received her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. She completed her pediatrics residency at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Cunningham practiced at the Complex Care Clinic at Dallas Children’s and at the Little Rock Children’s Clinic prior to joining UAMS. Her professional interests include serving underrepresented communities and providing compassionate, equity-driven care for patients and their families.

Julie Holstead, M.D.

Julie Holstead, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Section of General Pediatrics. Dr. Holstead received her medical degree at the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport. She completed her pediatric residency at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Holstead worked in private practice prior to joining UAMS. Her focus as a general pediatrician is the comprehensive health of children from birth to young adulthood, including physical, emotional and social wellbeing.

Department of Radiation Oncology

Sondos AlKhatib, M.D.

Sondos AlKhatib, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiation Oncology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. AlKhatib received her medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University, in Amman, Jordan. She completed her clinical internship and radiation oncology residency at King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, serving as Chief Resident in her final year. She continued her training there with a fellowship in radiation oncology, focusing on lung, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers.

After relocating to the United States, Dr. AlKhatib completed an additional internship and residency in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, where she served as Chief Resident in 2023-2024. Dr. AlKhatib’s honors include receiving a competitive Global Health Scholar Grant from the American Society of Radiation Oncology, after being selected for an internship at the International Atomic Energy Agency.   

Department of Radiology

Dhanush Amin, M.D.

Dhanush Amin, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Neuroradiology. Dr. Amin earned his medical degree (MBBS) from Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences in India. He completed his residency (M.D.) in radiodiagnosis at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, India. Dr. Amin subsequently pursued a clinical fellowship un neuroradiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Nivedita Radder, M.D.

Nivedita Radder, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Neuroradiology. Dr. Radder received her medical degree from S.S Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre in Karnataka, India. She completed her residency in radiology at the University of Central Nicaragua. Dr. Radder continued her training with fellowships in neuroradiology and musculoskeletal imaging/Body MRI at UAMS.

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

Department of Family and Preventive Medicine

Ashley Shuffield, M.D.

Ashley Shuffield, M.D., has joined the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Shuffield received her medical degree from UAMS in 2019. She completed her family medicine residency at the UAMS Northeast Regional Campus in Jonesboro in 2022 and joined the Baptist Health Family Clinic-Conway West, where she practiced until her recruitment to UAMS. Dr. Shuffield will provide care and teach at the UAMS Neighborhood Clinic in Maumelle. 

---

Department of Internal Medicine

Anshuk Kakria, M.D., MSHS

Anshuk Kakria, M.D., MSHS, has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Kakria received his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica in 2019 and a Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) in Clinical Translational Research at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., in 2024. He began his internal medicine residency training at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center–Temple in Texas and later completed a transitional year of residency training at HCA Healthcare in Plantation, Florida, followed by residency training at Trios Health in Kennewick, Washington.

Dr. Kakria is committed to evidence-based care and advancing patient outcomes through both clinical excellence and research in his new role at UAMS.

Raja Kumar Pola, M.D.

Raja Pola, M.D., has rejoined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Pola earned his medical degree at Andhra Medical College in Vishakhapatnam, India. He completed his internal medicine residency at Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, where he also served as Chief Resident.

Dr. Pola served as an Assistant Professor, Academic Hospitalist and Chief Hospitalist at UAMS from 2011-2016. He went on to practice hospital medicine at CHI St. Vincent Hospital and Cornerstone Long-Term Acute Care Facility in Little Rock. Dr. Pola is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP).

---

Department of Pathology

David Raggay, M.D.

David Raggay, M.D., has joined the Department of Pathology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Raggay received his medical degree from the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica. He completed his residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Raggay continued his training with fellowships in hematopathology at Hartford Hospital and in transfusion medicine and blood banking at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut.

Dr. Raggay will serve as Medical Director of the Blood Bank at Arkansas Children’s Hospital along with his role with the transfusion medicine and hematopathology services, with close collaboration with the apheresis and cell therapy services. In addition to his clinical and academic focus in these areas, Dr. Raggay is passionate about medical education and the advancement of diagnostic and therapeutic care in underserved populations.

---

Department of Surgery

Chad E. Cragle, M.D., Ph.D.

Chad Cragle, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Cragle received both his Ph.D. and his medical degree from UAMS, graduating in 2018. He completed his general surgery residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle and continued his training with a surgical oncology and hepatopancreatobiliary fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Dr. Cragle manages a wide range of cancers and has a particular interest in cancers of the upper GI tract including the stomach, duodenum, pancreas, biliary system and liver.

Gregory Tyler Rives, M.D.

Tyler Rives, M.D., has joined the Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Rives received his medical degree from UAMS in 2019. He completed his general surgery residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and continued his training with a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Dr. Rives specializes in helping patients address the disease of obesity through a comprehensive and individualized approach. His surgical expertise includes sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, single anastomosis duodenal ileal bypass and a full range of foregut procedures including hiatal hernia repair.

---

Department of Urology

Bradley Houston, M.D., MPH

Bradley Houston, M.D., MPH, has joined the Department of Urology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Houston received his Master of Public Health and medical degree at UAMS, graduating from the College of Medicine in 2017. He completed a general surgery internship and residency in urology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

Dr. Houston brings a wide range of experience to UAMS with special expertise in kidney stone surgery, enlarged prostate (BPH), prostate cancer and robotic surgery. He practiced at Arkansas Urology in Conway prior to his recruitment to UAMS. Dr. Houston will provide care at the UAMS Urology Clinic in the Premier Medical Plaza building in Little Rock.

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

Department of Anesthesiology

Rajasekhar Byreddy, M.D.

Rajasekhar Byreddy, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Byreddy completed medical school at St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore University, in India. He continued his training in the United Kingdom, completing the Fellowship of the College of Anaesthestists in Ireland. Dr. Byreddy gained extensive experience as a consultant and senior consultant in anesthesiology and pain management in hospital systems in Qatar, India and the United Kingdom.

Christopher Murphy, M.D.

Christopher Murphy, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Murphy received his medical degree from UAMS in 2016. He completed his residency in anesthesiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson and continued his training with a critical care medicine fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis.

Dr. Murphy was an Assistant Professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at Washington University from 2021 until his recruitment to UAMS. He will serve as an intensivist in the UAMS Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit.

Megan Rashid, M.D.

Megan Rashid, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Associate Professor and Medical Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Dr. Rashid received her medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She completed her anesthesiology residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital/Jackson Health Systems in Miami and continued her training with an anesthesiology and critical care fellowship at Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Prior to her recruitment to UAMS, Dr. Rashid served as an Associate Professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System in Richmond, where she also served as the ICU Medical Director for several years.

Andrew Weaver, M.D.

Andrew Weaver, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Weaver received his medical degree from UAMS in 2017. He completed his residency in anesthesiology and fellowship in cardiothoracic cardiology at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington.

Dr. Weaver served as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Director of Thoracic Anesthesia at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 2022-2024. After relocating to Arkansas in early 2024, he began practicing at Arkansas Anesthesia Associates, where he has served as Director of Cardiovascular Anesthesia providing care at Arkansas Heart Hospital. At UAMS, Dr. Weaver will provide anesthesia services in the main operating room.

---

Department of Family and Preventive Medicine

German Corrales, M.D.

German Corrales, M.D., has joined the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Corrales received his medical degree from Universidad Nacional de Cordoba in Cordoba, Argentina, in 2017. He completed his family medicine residency at UAMS, Little Rock, this year. Dr. Corrales practices in the UAMS Neighborhood Clinics.

Nalini Narayana Reddy, M.D.

Nalini Reddy, M.D., has joined the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine as an Assistant Professor at the UAMS Southwest Regional Campus in Texarkana. Dr. Reddy received her medical degree from Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangalore, India, in 1997. She most recently completed her family medicine residency at UAMS Southwest.

---

Department of Internal Medicine

Salma Ahi, M.D.

Salma Ahi, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Instructor in the Division of Endocrinology. Dr. Ahi received her medical degree from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and continued her training with a fellowship in endocrinology at Shahid Beheshti University. Dr. Ahi’s clinical and research interests include diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis and vitamin D metabolism.

April Erdag, M.D.

April Erdag, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine. Dr. Erdag received her medical degree from Hacettepe University School of Medicine in Ankara, Turkey. She completed a residency in pediatrics at Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul. Dr. Erdag served as an Assistant professor and Associate Program Director in the Department of Pediatrics at Yeditepe University Faculty of Medicine before relocating to the United States.

Most recently, Dr. Erdag completed a residency in internal medicine in the Baptist Health-UAMS Internal Medicine Residency Program in Little Rock. Her professional interests include medical education, inpatient and outpatient clinical care and academic scholarship.

Michael Nguyen, D.O., M.S.

Michael Nguyen, D.O., M.S., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Nguyen received his medical degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. He earned his Master of Science in Medical Physiology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Dr. Nguyen completed his internal medicine residency training in the HCA Medical City Healthcare UNT-TCU Graduate Medical Education Program. His professional interests include medical education, mentorship and community engagement.

---

Department of Pediatrics

Alicia Allen, Ph.D.

Alicia Allen, Ph.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Associate Professor in the Section of Allergy and Immunology and Director of the National Center for Opioid Research and Clinical Efficacy (NCOR) in the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI).

A behavioral epidemiologist, Dr. Allen trained at the University of Minnesota and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She was recruited to UAMS and Arkansas Children’s from the University of Arizona, where she was an Associate Professor and founding Director of the Recovery through Engaging and Empowering Women (RENEW) research team.

Dr. Allen’s highly regarded research focuses on identifying female-specific factors, such as ovarian hormones, that contribute to the development and continuation of addiction. She recently received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s New Innovator (DP2) Award to examine how infant caregiving and hormones contribute to recovery from opioid use disorder in the early postpartum period.

As the inaugural Director of NCOR, Dr. Allen will lead research initiatives to improve evidence-based prevention and treatments for infants, children and families in Arkansas and beyond who are impacted by opioid use disorder.

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

Department of Anesthesiology

Jeremy Rainey, D.O.

Jeremy Rainey, D.O., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Associate Professor and intensivist in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. Dr. Rainey received his medical degree from the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 2014. He completed his anesthesiology residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson and continued his training with a critical care medicine fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Critical Care Medicine in Ohio. Dr. Rainey served as an Associate Professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center prior to his recruitment to UAMS.

---

Department of Family Medicine

Jean Amargos, M.D.

Jean Amargos, M.D., has joined the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine as an Assistant Professor at the UAMS West Regional Campus. Dr. Amargos received his medical degree from Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico in 2022. He completed his family medicine residency at UAMS West in Fort Smith this year. As a resident, he chaired the program’s didactics and recruitment committees.

Richard Chastain, M.D.

Richard Chastain, M.D., has joined the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine as an Associate Professor at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus. Dr. Chastain received his medical degree from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (Sint Maarten, Netherlands) in 2012. He completed his family medicine residency at UAMS Northwest in Fayetteville in 2016. Dr. Chastain served most recently as the sole provider in the Transition of Care Clinic at CHI St. Vincent in Hot Springs, where he also held a faculty appointment with the CHI St. Vincent Internal Medicine Residency Program.

Jake Erwin, M.D.

Jake Erwin, M.D., has joined the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Baptist Health-UAMS Residency Program. Dr. Erwin received his medical degree from UAMS in 2022. He completed his family medicine residency in the Baptist Health-UAMS program in North Little Rock this year.

C’Asia James, M.D.

C’Asia James, M.D., has joined the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine as an Instructor and Fellow at the UAMS Family Medical Center El Dorado. Dr. James received her medical degree from UAMS in 2021. She completed her family medicine residency at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus in Fayetteville this year. Dr. James is serving as the inaugural Family Medicine Obstetrics Surgical Fellow in the UAMS South Regional Campus-El Dorado program.

Sawyer Sparks, D.O.

Sawyer Sparks, D.O., has joined the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine as an Assistant Professor at the UAMS Northeast Campus. Dr. Sparks received his medical degree from the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith in 2022. He completed his family medicine residency at UAMS Northeast in Jonesboro, serving as Chief Resident during his final year. During his residency, Dr. Sparks earned the Best Resident Award from the Arkansas Medical Society and the Outstanding Resident/Fellow Award from the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine.

---

Department of Geriatrics

Alexis House, D.O.

Alexis House, D.O., has joined the Department of Geriatrics as an Assistant Professor. Dr. House received her medical degree from the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith in 2021. She completed her residency in family medicine at the UAMS Southwest Regional Campus in Texarkana and continued her training with a fellowship in geriatrics at UAMS.

During her residency training, Dr. House received the 2024 Best Resident Award from the Arkansas Medical Society. Dr. House will see patients in the Thomas and Lyon Longevity Clinic in the UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging.

---

Department of Internal Medicine

Shoon Lei Oo, M.D.

Shoon Lei Oo, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. Dr. Oo received her medical degree from the University of Medicine 2 in Yangon, Myanmar in 2018. She completed her internal medicine residency at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she served as Chief Resident during her final year.

Dr. Oo’s clinical interests include evidence-based medicine, patient-centered care and medical education. She brings to her role a strong foundation in internal medicine, clinical research and multidisciplinary collaboration. 

Adrianne Franche Basa, M.D.

Adrianne Franche Basa, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Nephrology. Dr. Basa received her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in the Philippines in 2016. She completed her internal medicine residency at Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York City. Dr. Basa continued her training with fellowships in nephrology and transplant nephrology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine.

Dr. Basa’s clinical interests include kidney transplantation, chronic kidney disease and dialysis, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary care and medical education.

---

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Lisa Bazzett-Matabele, M.D.

Lisa Bazzett-Matabele, M.D., has joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as an Associate Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology. Dr. Bazzett-Matabele earned her medical degree and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Wayne State University in Detroit. She continued her training with a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the University of Louisville.

Dr. Bazzett-Matabele served most recently as head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Botswana, where she spearheaded development of the country’s first residency program in obstetrics and gynecology. She also has held faculty positions at the University of Rwanda School of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine and Louisiana State University.

An internationally recognized gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Bazzett-Matabele’s professional service includes membership on the Advisory Board of the World Health Organization’s Expert Group for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer Initiative. She also serves on the Editorial Board of eCancer Medical Science and as a journal reviewer for the European Journal of Gynecologic Oncology, eCancer, and the Journal of Surgical Education.

Dr. Bazzett-Matabele’s clinical interests include improving access to care for underserved populations and advocacy for cancer prevention through education and early detection, with a special focus on cervical cancer.

Taylor Ghahremani, M.D.

Taylor Ghahremani, M.D., has joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine. Dr. Ghahremani earned her medical degree from UAMS in 2018, graduating with honors in research. She continued at UAMS, completing a residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Her honors during this time included receiving the Senior Resident Award from the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine.

Dr. Ghahremani completed a fellowship in maternal fetal medicine at UAMS in 2025. Her clinical interests include prenatal genetic diagnosis, congenital anomalies, fetal growth restriction, and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets) syndrome.

---

Department of Ophthalmology

Olivia Moharer, M.D., MSB

Olivia Moharer, M.D., MSB, has joined the Department of Ophthalmology as an Assistant Professor and comprehensive ophthalmologist. Dr. Moharer practices in the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, where she specializes in cataract surgery and comprehensive management of eye diseases.

A summa cum laude graduate of Texas A&M University, Dr. Moharer went on to earn a Master of Science in Business from Texas A&M’s Mays Business School before completing her medical education at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine.

Dr. Moharer completed her internship and ophthalmology residency at the University of Missouri in Columbia, where she received training in medical and surgical eye care.

---

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Alexa Robbins, M.D.

Alexa Robbins, M.D., has joined the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery as an Assistant Professor. She will practice at the UAMS-Baptist Health ENT clinic on the Baptist Health campus in Little Rock.

Dr. Robbins received her medical degree from UAMS in 2019. She completed her residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. She continued her training at Emory with a fellowship in endocrine head and neck surgery. During her training, Dr. Robbins received honors for teaching, research and professionalism.

---

Department of Pathology

Dan Phan, M.D., Ph.D.

Dan Phan, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Department of Pathology as an Associate Professor in the Surgical Pathology service. A board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist with 15 years of experience, Dr. Phan will provide expertise in GI and genitourinary pathology.

Dr. Phan earned his doctorate in neurobiology and developmental sciences at UAMS and worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Endocrinology before completing his medical degree at UAMS with Honors in Clinical Research in 2004. He trained as a research associate at Lahey Medical Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts in 2004-2005 and returned to UAMS for his residency in anatomic and clinical pathology. He went on to serve as Chief Resident for Anatomic and Clinical Pathology in 2008-2009, twice earning the Striving for Excellence Award.

Dr. Phan continued his training as a fellow in surgical/gastrointestinal pathology and Chief Administrative Fellow in the Department of Pathology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He has practiced pathology in several states, most recently with Covenant Pathology Services in Gilbert, Arizona, since 2017. He is a member of the American College of American Pathologists and holds several honors including the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award.

Julie Youngs, M.D.

Julie Youngs, M.D., has joined the Department of Pathology as an Assistant Professor in the Dermatopathology service. Dr. Youngs received her medical degree from UAMS in 2017. She completed her residency in pathology and fellowship in dermatopathology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Dr. Youngs served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha before her recruitment to UAMS.

---

Department of Pediatrics

Bryce Vance, D.O.

Bryce Vance, D.O., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Associate Professor in the Section of Adolescent Medicine. He will practice in Northwest Arkansas, bringing his expertise to address the significant health needs of adolescents and young adults.

Dr. Vance earned his medical degree from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, Colorado, in 2015. He completed his pediatric residency at Dayton Children’s Hospital in 2018 and continued his training with a fellowship in adolescent medicine at the San Antonio Military Medical Consortium, Fort Sam Houston.

For the past four years, Dr. Vance served at the United States Air Force Academy as the Medical Director and Sexual Assault Medical Manager, providing care for more than 4,000 cadets.

Dr. Vance’s clinical interests include eating disorders, mental health, medical care for assault and abuse, contraception, substance abuse, and the wide range of challenges that can arise during the teen years. He is also committed to advancing medical education and looks forward to working closely with UAMS medical students.

Tim Nissen, D.O.

Tim Nissen, D.O., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Instructor in the Section of Pediatric Cardiology. Dr. Nissen received his medical degree from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa in 2019. He came to UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital for his residency in pediatrics and continued his training with a fellowship in pediatric cardiology.

Dr. Nissen is completing advanced training in cardiovascular imaging, focusing on cardiac CT and MRI. His research interests include novel measures of semilunar valve growth and their application for patients undergoing partial heart transplantation.

Matthew Smith, M.D.

Matthew Smith, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Section of Pediatric Cardiology. He will serve as a pediatric cardiac intensivist. Dr. Smith earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. He stayed at MCG for his pediatric residency and served as a Chief Resident.

Dr. Smith continued his training at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, completing a fellowship in pediatric critical care, followed by a second fellowship in pediatric cardiac critical care. Dr. Smith’s scholarly and academic interests include the study of ICU and ventilation liberation as well as medical education.

Rakesh Lavu, M.D.

Rakesh Lavu, MBBS, has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Section of Neonatology. Dr. Lavu earned his medical degree at Gandhi Medical College in Secunderabad, India, in 2018. He completed a pediatric residency at the University of South Alabama in Mobile in 2022 and continued his training with a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Lavu’s clinical and research interests focus on improving outcomes for high-risk newborns, particularly those with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and neonatal brain injury. He is also committed to advancing quality improvement initiatives in the neonatal intensive care unit and integrating evidence-based research into daily practice. His ongoing work explores renal outcomes and neurodevelopment in critically ill neonates, with the goal of improving both survival and long-term quality of life.

Alvaro Proaño, M.D.

Alvaro Proaño, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Section of Neonatology. Dr. Proaño graduated from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru. He completed pediatric residency training at Tulane University in 2022 and continued his training with a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Dr. Proaño’s clinical interests focus on point-of-care ultrasound. His research interests include global health and infectious diseases. His work has been presented at local conferences, the Eastern Society for Pediatric Research (ESPR) and the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS). His neonatal cytomegalovirus work was selected as Best Poster at the ESPR 2024 meeting. His research has also been presented in multiple scientific journals, including a first-author manuscript chosen as Editor’s Choice in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal.

Anusha Mopuri, M.D.

Anusha Mopuri, M.D., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Section of Pediatric Pulmonology. Dr. Mopuri received her medical degree from Gandhi Medical College in Secunderabad, India, in 2018. She completed her pediatric residency at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit in 2022, and a fellowship in pediatric pulmonology at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland in 2025.

Dr. Mopuri’s primary clinical interest is in aerodigestive disorders, along with the care of children with cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, asthma and technology dependence. Her research has explored airway injury and repair in chronic lung disease, with recent work evaluating mesenchymal stem cell therapy to prevent CPAP-induced airway hyperreactivity. She is dedicated to providing multidisciplinary, evidence-based care to improve quality of life and long-term outcomes for children with complex airway and respiratory conditions.

---

Department of Radiology

Abhilasha, M.D.

Abhilasha, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Radiology. Dr. Abhilasha received her medical degree and completed her M.D. in radiology at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi, India. Dr. Abhilasha continued her training at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital with fellowships in neuroradiology in 2023-2024 and pediatric radiology in 2024-2025.

Kristina Jones, M.D.

Kristina Jones, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Diagnostic Radiology. Dr. Jones received her medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Shreveport School of Medicine in 2019. She completed her residency in diagnostic radiology at UAMS, serving as Senior Chief Resident in her final year. Dr. Jones continued her training with a fellowship in abdominal imaging at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2024-2025.

Jeffrey Lynch, M.D.

Jeffrey Lynch M.D. has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Interventional Radiology. Dr. Lynch received his medical degree from UAMS with Honors in Research in 2019. He completed his integrated interventional and diagnostic radiology residency at UAMS this year. Dr. Lynch has served as first author or coauthor on several peer-reviewed publications and has delivered oral and poster presentations on radiology research topics at local, regional and national events.

Arbind Kumar Raut, M.D.

Arbind Kumar Raut, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Diagnostic Radiology. Dr. Raut received his medical degree from Manipal College of Medical Sciences in Pokhara, Nepal. He completed his M.D. in radiodiagnosis and interventional radiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and continued his training there with a fellowship in GI radiology.

Dr. Raut worked as a body imaging radiologist at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in New Delhi for five years. He went on to complete an additional fellowship in body imaging and intervention at University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio this past year.

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

Department of Anesthesiology

Bradley Goshen, M.D.

Bradley Goshen, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Goshen received his medical degree from UAMS in 2021. He completed his anesthesiology residency at UAMS this year.

Terrill Turner Jr., M.D.

Terrill Turner Jr., M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Turner received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada in 2021. He completed his anesthesiology residency at UAMS this year.

Bryce Woods, M.D.

Bryce Woods, M.D., has joined the Department of Anesthesiology as an Assistant Professor.  Dr. Woods received his medical degree from UAMS in 2021. He completed his anesthesiology residency at UAMS, where he served as Chief Resident in 2024-2025.

Department of Internal Medicine

Shyam Narayana, M.D., MPH

Shyam Narayana, M.D., MPH, has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Associate Professor in the Division of Endocrinology. Dr. Narayana received his medical degree (MBBS) from Mysore Medical College, University of Mysore, in India in 2001. He went on to earn a Master of Public Health in epidemiology and biostatistics from the School of Rural Public Health at Texas A&M University Health Science Center in 2005. Dr. Narayana completed his residency in internal medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he also served as Chief Resident. He remained at SUNY Downstate to complete a fellowship in endocrinology.

Dr. Narayana is actively involved in clinical care, quality improvement and medical education. His clinical interests include cystic fibrosis-related endocrinopathies and metabolic bone diseases. He brings a strong foundation in both clinical practice and public health research to his academic role.

Sravani Gundarlapalli, M.D.

Sravani Gundarlapalli, M.D., has rejoined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. Dr. Gundarlapalli received her medical degree from the Kurnool Medical College in India in 2010. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at St. Joseph’s Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan.

Dr. Gundarlapalli first joined UAMS as an Assistant Professor in 2020. In 2022, she served as the lead hospitalist in the UAMS Hematology Oncology Division’s Myeloma Section. She subsequently continued her training with a three-year fellowship in hematology at UAMS, where she held the position of Chief Fellow.

Juarez Braga, M.D., Ph.D.

Juarez Braga, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Braga received his medical degree and completed residencies in internal medicine and clinical cardiology at the Federal University of Santa Catarina and Dante Pazzanese Institute in Brazil. He holds a doctorate in clinical epidemiology and health services research from the University of Toronto, where he also completed a long-term research fellowship in advanced heart failure and heart transplantation.

Dr. Braga continued his training at UAMS with a fellowship in nephrology and hypertension in 2020-2022, followed by an additional residency in internal medicine, which he completed in June 2025. As a physician-scientist with broad training, Dr. Braga integrates clinical expertise with a strong research background to advance evidence-based care and health outcomes.

Rebekah Thompson, M.D.

Rebekah Thompson, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Disease. Dr. Thompson received her medical degree at UAMS in 2020. She completed her internal medicine residency training, followed by an infectious diseases fellowship, at UAMS. Dr. Thompson’s clinical interests include infectious disease diagnostics, antimicrobial stewardship and the care of immunocompromised patients.

Katie Moreaux, M.D., M.S.

Katie Moreaux, M.D., M.S., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Palliative Medicine. Dr. Moreaux received her medical degree from LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine. She also holds a Master of Science in Pharmacology from Tulane University School of Medicine. Dr. Moreaux completed a combined internal medicine-pediatrics residency at UAMS, where she served as Medicine-Pediatrics Chief Resident in 2023-2024. She recently completed a fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at UAMS.

Dr. Moreaux is active in quality improvement and medical education initiatives. She has led efforts in opioid education for residents, focusing on safe prescribing practices and pain management strategies. She participated in a multi-year quality improvement in patient safety program aimed at improving clinical outcomes and reducing preventable harm.

Angel Mitma, M.D.

Angel Mitma, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Mitma earned his medical degree and completed his internal medicine residency at the National University of San Marcos in Lima, Peru. He continued his training with a fellowship at the Yale University School of Medicine in Connecticut, followed by advanced fellowship training in lung diseases and lung transplantationat theHospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Mitma brings a strong background in pulmonary care and transplant medicine, with a focus on advancing clinical outcomes in patients with complex lung conditions.

Manoja Gullapalli, MBBS

Manoja Gullapalli, MBBS, has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as anAssistant Professorin theDivision of Rheumatology. Dr. Gullapalli earned her medical degree at theKamineni Institute of Medical Sciencesin India. She completed herresidency in internal medicine-pediatrics at UAMS and continued her training with afellowship in rheumatology, which she completed at UAMS in June 2025.

Dr. Gullapalli’s clinical and academic interests include the diagnosis and management of complex autoimmune diseases, with a commitment to advancing patient care through evidence-based medicine and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Jacqueline Kepler, M.D.

Jacqueline Kepler, M.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Instructor and Chief Resident in the Division of General Internal Medicine. Dr. Kepler received her medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2022. She completed her internal medicine residency at UAMS in June.

Aarthi Rao, MBChB

Aarthi Rao, MBChB, has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Instructor and Chief Resident in the Division of General Internal Medicine. Dr. Rao earned her medical degree from Keele University School of Medicine in the United Kingdom in 2018. She completed a year of foundation training at South Tees Foundation Trust, also in the UK. Most recently she completed her internal medicine residency at UAMS in June.

Robert Spraggins, M.D.

Robert Spraggins, M.D., has joined the Department ofInternal Medicine as an Instructor and Chief Resident in the Division of General Internal Medicine. Dr. Spraggins received his medical degree from the Louisiana State University Health Science Center School of Medicine in Shreveport in 2022. He completed his internal medicine residency at UAMS in June.

Department of Neurology

Bhagyashri Bhende, M.D.

Bhagyashri Bhende, M.D., has joined the Department of Neurology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Neurocritical Care. Dr. Bhende earned her medical degree (MBBS) from Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College in Pune, India, in 2013. She completed her internship in internal medicine and residency in neurology at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia in 2023. She went on to complete a fellowship in neurocritical care at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore in 2024.

At UAMS, Dr. Bhende provides specialized, evidence-based care for critically ill neurological patients, including those with stroke, seizures, traumatic brain injury, and other life-threatening neurological conditions. Her research interests include cerebral autoregulation and hemodynamic management in neurocritical care.

Jorge L. Rodriguez Lee, M.D.

Jorge L. Rodriguez Lee, M.D., has joined the Department of Neurology as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Neurocritical Care. Dr. Rodriguez Lee received his medical degree from the National University of Piura, Peru, in 2013. He completed his neurology residency in 2023 at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where he served as a Chief Resident during his final year. Dr. Rodriguez Lee continued his training with a fellowship in neurocritical care and emergency neurology at Yale New Haven Hospital/Yale School of Medicine in 2025.

Dr. Rodriguez Lee’s clinical interests and expertise include intracerebral hemorrhage, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, transcranial doppler (TCD), status epilepticus and other areas of neurological care.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation

Kyle Arthur, M.D.

Kyle Arthur, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation as an Assistant Professor and sports medicine physician. Dr. Arthur received his medical degree at UAMS in 2012. He completed his family medicine residency at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus, where he continued his training with a primary care sports medicine fellowship. He is board-certified in family medicine and sports medicine.

Dr. Arthur served most recently as Director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Department at Prisma Health Orthopedics Sports Medicine in Columbia, South Carolina, as well as Head Team Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, providing medical coverage for a wide range of sports programs. He also provided care for student athletes at several colleges and high schools. Prior to his tenure in South Carolina, he served as a team physician for Drury University and Evangel University Athletics in Missouri.

His practice at UAMS Health Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Fayetteville focuses on non-operative sports medicine and orthopedic injuries, sports-related concussions, and the use of regenerative medicine and ultrasound-guided injection treatments to deliver the highest level of care for patients.

Josh Estes, M.D.

Josh Estes, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation as an Assistant Professor and physiatrist. Dr. Estes completed both medical school and his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at UAMS.

Dr. Estes specializes in improving functional abilities lost due to neurological conditions, chronic and debilitating illnesses, and traumatic injuries such as spinal cord injuries, stroke, amputation and brain injuries.

He has obtained certifications in INSTEP (International Standards for the Examination of Spinal Cord Injury), SKINSTEP (Skin and Spinal Cord Injury Education and Practice), and UROSTEP (Urology and Spinal Cord Injury Education and Practice) from the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA). His expertise spans musculoskeletal medicine, rehabilitation, orthopedic and neurologic conditions, nerve conditions and nerve testing (EMG), traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), and neurodegenerative conditions.

Dr. Estes is a member of the American Spinal Injury Association, Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the Association of Academic Physiatrists.

Mark Feger, M.D., Ph.D.

Mark Feger, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation as an Assistant Professor and spine surgeon. Dr. Feger’s graduate studies began at the University of Virginia Curry School of Education in Charlottesville, where he earned both a Master of Education in Kinesiology-Athletic Training and a Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology-Sports Medicine. Notably, his doctoral research on ankle injury rehabilitation was recognized with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s Perrin Doctoral Dissertation Award.

Dr. Feger received his medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating as class valedictorian and earning numerous accolades. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Washington University in St. Louis and continued his training with a fellowship in spine surgery at Emory University in Atlanta. An avid researcher, Dr. Feger’s work has led to more than 35 peer-reviewed publications, 30 presentations and several book chapters.

Dr. Feger specializes in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of a wide spectrum of spinal conditions and injuries, leveraging the latest technologies and advancements, including minimally invasive surgery, endoscopic spinal surgery, and robotic guidance.

Jake Martin, M.D.

Jake Martin, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation as an Assistant Professor and sports medicine physician. Dr. Martin received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada. He completed his family medicine residency at UAMS in Northwest Arkansas, where he served as Chief Resident. He recently completed his sports medicine fellowship at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus.

Dr. Martin practices at UAMS Health Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Northwest Arkansas, providing nonsurgical treatment for a wide variety of orthopaedic and sports medicine conditions and injuries including sprains, strains, concussions, fractures and arthritis. He sees patients at the UAMS Health Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Clinics on Van Asche in Fayetteville and on Monroe Avenue in Lowell.

Dr. Martin is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and the American College of Physicians.

Hamilton Newhart, M.D.

Hamilton Newhart, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation as an Assistant Professor and sports medicine physician. Dr. Newhart received his medical degree from UAMS, graduating with honors in research. He completed his internship and residency in the Baptist Health-UAMS Family Medicine Program in North Little Rock, earning the award for Most Outstanding Resident in 2024. That year, he also received a Best Resident Award from the Arkansas Medical Society.

Following residency, Dr. Newhart completed a primary care sports medicine fellowship at Henry Ford Health in Detroit. As part of his training, he worked with many of Detroit’s professional sports teams including the Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons and its G league affiliate Motor City Cruise, as well as the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. He also served as the head team physician for Dearborn High School and provided sports medicine coverage for Oakland University, Wayne State University, and Lawrence Technical University.

Dr. Newhart provides comprehensive care for sports-related and other musculoskeletal injuries to help restore movement, improve function, optimize performance, and reduce the risk of re-injury. He treats athletes and patients of all skill levels.

Cord Sheehy, M.D.

Cord Sheehy, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation as an Assistant Professor and pediatric sports medicine physician. Dr. Sheehy earned his medical degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. He completed his pediatric residency at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) and continued his training with a primary care sports medicine fellowship at the Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute in Atlanta.

During his fellowship, Dr. Sheehy served as a team physician for athletic programs at Georgia State University (Division I), Georgia Gwinnett College (NAIA), and Life University (NAIA). He also provided coverage for various high schools and sporting events throughout the Atlanta metro area, including the Special Olympics and Harlem Globetrotters.

As a pediatric sports medicine physician at ACH, Dr. Sheehy provides non-operative care for a wide range of orthopaedic and sports-related injuries, helping young athletes overcome injuries and return to the sports and activities they love.

Jacob Smith, M.D., MPH

Jacob Smith, M.D., has joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation as an Assistant Professor and sports medicine physician. Dr. Smith earned his medical degree and Master of Public Health at UAMS. He completed his family medicine residency at the John Peter Smith Hospital Network in Fort Worth, Texas, and continued his training with a fellowship in primary care sports medicine at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus in Fayetteville.

Dr. Smith practices at UAMS Health Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Northwest Arkansas, providing comprehensive sports medicine care for athletes at all levels, from collegiate competitors and high school players to those participating in local sporting events and other activities. He sees patients at the UAMS Health Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Clinics on Van Asche in Fayetteville and on Monroe Avenue in Lowell.

Dr. Smith is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.  In 2022, he was appointed to the World Baseball and Softball Confederation Medical Advisory Committee. He was also appointed to the Nicaraguan Olympic Sports Medicine Congress Planning Committee in 2020.

Department of Pathology

Roman Brudnik, M.D.

Roman Brudnik, M.D., has joined the Department of Pathology as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Brudnik received his medical degree from the Medical University of the Americas in Charlestown, Nevis, in the West Indies, graduating with honors for distinguished performance. He completed his residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Brudnik continued his training with a fellowship in cytopathology at UAMS.

Dr. Brudnik specializes in fine-needle aspiration procedures, both with and without ultrasound guidance, and rapid on-site evaluations with a sign-out focus on cytopathology and surgical pathology (bone and soft tissue, and head and neck). He also provides cytopathology services for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Department of Pediatrics

Matthew S. Kelly, M.D., MPH

Matthew Kelly, M.D., MPH, has joined the Department of Pediatrics as Professor and Chief of the Section of Infectious Diseases. Dr. Kelly received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and his Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed his pediatrics training in the Boston Combined Residency Program in Pediatrics.

Dr. Kelly was a David N. Pincus Pediatric Global Health Fellow through the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, during which he worked as a pediatric hospitalist in Botswana and started an international research program focused on childhood respiratory infections. He completed pediatric infectious diseases training at Duke University, where his fellowship research focused on investigating the impact of the respiratory microbiome on the risk and severity of childhood respiratory infections.

Dr. Kelly went on to serve for eight years on the Duke faculty, holding leadership roles including Co-Director of the Duke Microbiome Center, Program Director of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship, and Director of Research in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. He also played key roles in physician-scientist training as Associate Director of the Duke Pediatric Research Scholars Program and Associate Program Director for Physician-Scientist Development in the Duke University Office of Pediatric Education.

He received the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Young Investigator Award in 2022 and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Research Subcommittee for this society.

Dr. Kelly will hold the Horace C. Cabe Distinguished Chair in Infectious Diseases. He will continue his research through the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute. 

Enrique Gomez, M.D., M.Sc.

Enrique Gomez, M.D., M.Sc., has joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Section of Developmental Nutrition and clinical scientist.

Dr Gomez is native of Venezuela and received his medical degree at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru. He completed his pediatric residency at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey. He continued his training with a fellowship in neonatal perinatal medicine at the University of Kentucky. During his fellowship, Dr Gomez earned a Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Science.

In 2020, Dr Gomez joined the neonatology team at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he served as Chair for the Department of Pediatrics. He continues to collaborate with other researchers on topics related to neonatology as well as being an active participant in community health efforts in Jonesboro and surrounding areas.

At UAMS, Dr. Gomez also will join the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation and collaborate on research efforts and community education, focusing on maternal and infant health and education.

Department of Psychiatry

David Catlin, M.D.

David Catlin, M.D., has joined the Department of Psychiatry as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Catlin graduated from UAMS in 2020. He stayed at UAMS for his residency in psychiatry and served as Chief Fellow in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division in 2024-2025.

Dr. Catlin cares for patients in the Child Study Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He also serves in the STRIVE program, the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute’s school-based mental health outreach program.

Erin Jefferson, M.D.

Erin Jefferson, M.D., has joined the Department of Psychiatry as an Assistant Professor. She is the first physician in the Women’s Mental Health Program at the UAMS Health Psychiatry Clinic in Fayetteville.

Dr. Jefferson received her medical degree from UAMS in 2020 and completed her psychiatry residency at UAMS in 2024. She continued her training in 2024-2025 as the inaugural women’s mental health fellow in the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute in Little Rock.

Dr. Jefferson is the first fellowship-trained physician in Northwest Arkansas to focus solely on the psychiatric needs of women in their reproductive years. The Women’s Mental Health Program serves women throughout their reproductive journey — from preconception through the first postpartum year — providing comprehensive assessment and treatment for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD and other psychiatric conditions that can emerge during this critical period.

Wesley White, M.D.

Wesley White, M.D., has joined the Department of Psychiatry as an Instructor and holder of the Women’s Mental Health Fellowship. Dr. White graduated from UAMS in 2021. He remained at UAMS for his residency in psychiatry and served as a Co-Chief Resident in the Department of Psychiatry.

Dr. White will see patients in the Psychiatric Research Institute’s Women’s Mental Health Program.

Department of Radiology

Kori Mansfield-Harris, M.D.

Kori Mansfield-Harris, M.D., has joined the Department of Radiology in the Division of Pediatric Radiology. Dr. Mansfield-Harris received her medical degree from UAMS in 2019. She remained at UAMS for her residency in diagnostic radiology, followed by a fellowship in pediatric radiology. Dr. Mansfield-Harris practices at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Rylen Stratford, D.O.

Rylen Stratford, D.O., has joined the Department of Radiology in the Division of Nuclear Medicine. Dr. Stratford received his medical degree from Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2021. He completed his nuclear medicine residency program at Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in Bronx, New York.

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.