The College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) celebrated the achievements of faculty and staff at its annual Dean’s Honor Day ceremony on April 29, presenting awards for teaching, clinical care, research, administration, humanism and service. The college also recognized faculty members who are receiving promotion and/or tenure in 2025.
The ceremony culminated with the presentation of the Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award to Robert L. “Lee” Archer, M.D., a professor and leader in the field of neurology in Arkansas who has served on the faculty since 1986, including seven years as chair of the Department of Neurology in 2016-2023.
“Dr. Archer has made unparalleled contributions in his field, to our college, and to the state of Arkansas for four decades,” Steven Webber, MBChB, executive vice chancellor of UAMS and dean of the College of Medicine,” said to a nearly full auditorium of faculty, staff and guests. “As many of you also know, Lee is a beloved physician and highly respected specialist in multiple sclerosis and related disorders of the nervous system, as well as a wonderful educator.”
Rohit Dhall, M.D., MSPH, who succeeded Archer as department chair, nominated him for the award. At the ceremony, he lauded Archer as a personal mentor and leader who substantially grew the department, established a strong culture of service, and made many clinical contributions including establishing the state’s multiple sclerosis clinic in 1987.
Archer has held numerous impactful college-wide service posts, including his current role as a member of the medical student Admissions Committee. His many statewide leadership roles have included president of the Arkansas Neurological Society and the Arkansas Medical Society and chair of the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Association. Nationally, he has held key roles in the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Academy of Neurology and other professional organizations.
“Dr. Archer’s professional calling has been developing and providing the highest level of clinical excellence for people with neurological issues in the state of Arkansas,” Dhall said. “All over the state, when somebody needs help for a neurological issue – whether it is physician providers, including many he has trained, nurses or lay people – they call Dr. Archer, and he responds, often with deep compassion.”
After accepting the award, Archer paid tribute to his own mentor, Dennis Lucy Jr., M.D., who chaired Neurology from 1966 to 1994 and continued to serve at UAMS until retiring as a professor emeritus in 2015. Noting that Lucy was watching the ceremony livestream from home, Archer said he planned to give him his award, a commemorative art glass bowl, for his impact and for “setting the standard.” Archer also thanked his wife, Nancy, and colleagues.
“I always thought that practicing medicine – combining our knowledge, our science, with taking care of patients – would be extremely satisfying, and it has been,” Archer said. “But what has impressed me so much practicing here is the joy in working with a team of people.”
“Everyone here makes everyone else better,” Archer said. “I’m sure all of us remember the proverb, ‘Iron sharpens iron.’ And we do. We sharpen each other. We make each other better, and that’s such a joyful place.”
The College of Medicine established Dean’s Honor Day in 2011 to recognize the excellence of faculty and staff. At this year’s ceremony, awards were presented in 18 categories in addition to the Distinguished Faculty Service Award, with nominators describing each honoree’s impact on areas of the college’s mission.
In his welcome remarks, Webber congratulated the award winners as well as faculty members who are being promoted, and he thanked faculty and staff across the college for their contributions.
“Let’s remember that Dean’s Honor Day isn’t just about the awards and awardees,” Webber said. “None of us are successful in isolation. This is about each and every one of our team members. We all work in teams. So today is really an opportunity to recognize all the members of the College of Medicine, along with our UAMS colleagues across the different colleges, institutes and the clinical enterprise that all support the work of our college.”
Renee Bornemeier, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and associate dean for faculty affairs, served as master of ceremonies. Bornemeier presented video tributes to faculty members who have been approved for promotion and/or tenure this year. In keeping with a college tradition, the videos feature favorite family, casual or professional photos of the faculty members.
The College of Medicine is proud to recognize the 2025 honorees.
Click here to read all of the stories about the recipients below, or click on an award title in the list to go directly to the individual honoree’s profile.
Staff Excellence Awards
Staff Excellence – Education
Celia McCaslin
Program Manager
Department of Neuroscience
Staff Excellence – Research
Lauren Havens, B.A.
Research Associate III
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Staff Excellence – Clinical
Martha Thannisch, RNP, BSN
Patient Navigator
Thoracic Oncology Program
Staff Excellence – Administration
Jessica Bulmanski, M.S.
Assistant Chair/Department Administrator
Department of Neuroscience
Graduate Medical Education (GME) Educator Awards
GME Educator – Program Coordinator
Renee Baldwin
Program Coordinator
Pathology Residency Program
GME Educator – Program Director
Joana Mack, M.D.
Program Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Faculty Awards in Education, Research and Humanism
Master Teacher Award
Charles Matthew Quick, M.D.
Professor, Department of Pathology
Vice Chair of Anatomic Pathology, Director of Gynecologic Pathology
Director, Surgical Pathology Fellowship
Educational Innovation
Beatrice Boateng, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Associate Dean for Analytics and Strategy
Karina Clemmons, Ed.D.
Professor, Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics
Assistant Dean for Medical Education
Lindsey Sward, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Assistant Dean for Clinical Education
Educational Research
Joshua Daily, M.D., M.Ed.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Director, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship
Co-Director, Personal and Professional Financial Essentials for Physicians Course
Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine
Presented with support from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation
Jonathan Laryea, M.D., M.Sc.
Professor and Vice Chair for Quality, Department of Surgery
Chief, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Medical Director of Inpatient Services and Medical Staff Affairs, Cancer Service Line
Nollie and Norma Mumey Endowed Chair in Surgery
Excellence in Research
Aline Andres, Ph.D., R.D.
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Interim Chief, Section of Developmental Nutrition
Associate Director, Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center
Clinical Excellence Awards
Outstanding Advanced Practice Provider
Shaneika Lewis-Williams, APRN
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Section of Community Pediatrics
Excellence in Quality and Safety
Deepa Raghavan, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Director, CAVHS Medical Intensive Care Unit
Excellence in Service & Professionalism
Kapil Arya, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Section of Pediatric Neurology
Child Neurology Residency Program Director
Best Consulting Physician
James Meek, D.O.
Associate Professor, Department of Radiology
Section Chief, Interventional Radiology
Medical Director, Interventional Radiology
Collaborations & Teamwork
Vascular Anomalies Team
Joana Mack, M.D., Medical Director
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Gresham Richter, M.D., Surgical Director
Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
and Colleagues
Rising Star Clinical Faculty
Stephen Dalby, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Section of Pediatric Cardiology
Physician of the Year
Viktoras Palys, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Surgical Director, Level 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Quality and Safety Officer, Neuroscience Service Line
Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award
Robert L. “Lee” Archer, M.D.
Professor, Department of Neurology
Major and Ruth Nodini Chair in Neurology for MS and Related Disorders
Watch the video tribute to associate professors.
Watch the video tribute to professors, distinguished professors and emeritus faculty.
Download a list of the 2025 promotion and tenure honorees.
Watch the video recording of the ceremony.
Photos by Bryan Clifton