Christopher T. Westfall, M.D., FACS, Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, Director of the Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute, and Director of the Surgical Services Service Line, has been named Interim Dean of the College of Medicine.
Dr. Westfall will lead the college during a national search for a successor to Pope L. Moseley, M.D., who announced his decision to step down on Feb. 23.
Dr. Westfall received his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and his Doctor of Medicine from the Ohio State University College of Medicine. He completed a residency in general surgery at Keesler Medical Center, was certified by the American Board of Surgery and awarded fellowship in the American College of Surgeons (FACS). Dr. Westfall went on to complete a residency in ophthalmology at Wilford Hall Medical Center. He continued his training with a two-year fellowship in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School in Boston. He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Westfall served as Department Chair and Residency Program Director for the Department of Ophthalmology at Wilford Hall U.S. Air Force Medical Center. He retired at the rank of Colonel, as Chief Consultant in Ophthalmology to the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General.
Dr. Westfall joined the faculty in 1997 and served in numerous leadership positions prior to his appointment as Chair in 2009. These included Vice Chairman and Medical Practice Leader; Chief of the Oculoplastics Surgical Services at UAMS Medical Center, John L. McClellan Veterans Hospital and Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH); Chief of Service at ACH; and Chairman and Medical Director of the Ophthalmic Medical Technology Program in the UAMS College of Health Professions. He served as UAMS Chief of Medical Staff from 2014-2016. He was invested in 2008 as the inaugural holder of the Pat Walker Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology.