Rebecca Latch, M.D., has been appointed associate dean for student affairs in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine, effective Feb. 1. Latch is an associate professor and vice chair of education in the college’s Department of Pediatrics and has served on the faculty for 20 years.
“Dr. Latch brings a long track record of outstanding work and leadership in medical education to her new role,” G. Richard Smith, M.D., interim dean and executive vice chancellor, said in an announcement to the college. “She has served as a trusted and highly respected advisor to medical students and residents and has earned many honors for her teaching.”
Latch received her medical degree from UAMS in 2000. She completed her residency and served as chief resident in the Department of Pediatrics before joining the faculty in 2004, initially in the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Latch shifted her focus to Pediatric Hospital Medicine and led the program as section chief in 2018-2022. She has been extensively involved in medical student education throughout her career, serving as pediatric clerkship director (2009-2019) and director of pediatric medical student education (2009-2020). She was appointed vice chair of education for the Department of Pediatrics in 2020.
At the college level, Latch has contributed her expertise to the curriculum committee since 2007. For the past two years, she has served as co-chair of a task force planning a major curriculum innovation for the College of Medicine. Latch has served on the college’s admissions committee since 2021. Her academic and professional interests include promoting compassionate, family-centered care, health equity and evidence-based practice.
Among many honors relating to her teaching, Latch received the Golden Apple Award from junior medical students in 2012, along with numerous Gold Sash and Red Sash awards from graduating seniors. In 2022, she was selected to deliver the keynote faculty address to incoming freshmen at the White Coat Ceremony. In the Department of Pediatrics, she received the Educator of the Year Award in 2012 and 2017 and the Mentor of the Year Award in 2022.
Latch succeeds Sara Tariq, M.D., who is relocating to Virginia for family reasons.