Welcome

Meryll Bouldin, M.D. 
Program Director

Welcome — and thank you for your interest in the UAMS Emergency Medicine Residency Program in Little Rock.

Why UAMS Emergency Medicine

At UAMS, we are committed to developing emergency physicians with exceptional clinical skills — graduates prepared to deliver top-tier care in any practice setting.

Founded in 1984 and based in Little Rock, we are the state’s first and only academic emergency medicine residency and remain the only adult Level I Trauma Center in Arkansas. As the academic and clinical hub for emergency care across the state, UAMS serves patients requiring the highest level of expertise.

What sets UAMS apart is the breadth and depth of clinical exposure. Our residents train in a hospital system that offers several unique capabilities:

• Comprehensive Specialty Access: Advanced stroke care, vascular surgery, transplant medicine, ECMO, and other highly specialized services unavailable elsewhere in the state.
• National Centers of Excellence: The UAMS Myeloma Center draws patients from across the country, providing exposure to complex, multidisciplinary care.
• Commitment to Innovation: Under the leadership of Dr. Ashley Norse, UAMS Emergency Medicine continues to advance its clinical care, educational mission, scholarship, and operational systems — strengthening how we deliver patient care, teach, and support learners and faculty.

These strengths create an environment where residents care for the sickest patients in the state — developing adaptability, precision, and teamwork that prepare them to excel anywhere. What truly defines UAMS Emergency Medicine is our people — a community grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a clear sense of purpose.

Our Culture: Family, Teamwork, and Purpose

The strength of UAMS Emergency Medicine lies in how we do it — together.

Our program was built on decades of strong leadership and a clear mission: to train clinically excellent emergency physicians and future leaders of our specialty. That mission has been carried forward by generations of UAMS EM alumni who remain deeply connected to the program — as faculty, mentors, collaborators, and ongoing partners in resident education.

We live by six core values: authenticity, compassion, perseverance, curiosity, community, and excellence. These values guide how we practice medicine and care for one another. Every member of our department — from intern to senior faculty — contributes to our shared success.

This is more than a residency — it’s a program that supports its people and takes pride in the impact we make across Arkansas.

What Makes Us Unique

UAMS Emergency Medicine is an academic learning environment where innovation, clinical and educational excellence, and shared purpose thrive.

• Shared Ownership: Residents have a genuine voice in shaping the program — influencing curriculum, recruitment, and operations — and helping build a culture of accountability and belonging.
• Engaged Faculty: Our faculty bring expertise across ultrasound, global health, toxicology, medical education, street medicine, and health policy. They are defined by their passion for education, strong work ethic, and commitment to mentorship, problem-solving, and continual improvement.
• Leadership and Career Trajectory: Residents develop the skills and confidence to set themselves apart — matching into a wide range of fellowships and graduating prepared to lead in clinical, educational, and innovative roles.

Why Little Rock

UAMS Emergency Medicine is proudly based in Little Rock, the heart of Arkansas and home to UAMS’ main academic medical center.

As the state’s capital and medical hub, Little Rock is where people come when they need care the most. Training here means making a real impact on patients from every corner of the state. These experiences will challenge you, ground you, and prepare you to practice with confidence in any setting.

Outside the hospital, Little Rock offers a pace of life that supports balance and connection. The city features a vibrant food scene, a growing arts community, and easy access to outdoor spaces. With a low cost of living, short commutes, and a welcoming sense of community, Little Rock is a place where it’s easy to feel at home.

Now is an exceptional time to train at UAMS Emergency Medicine in Little Rock — a program defined by teamwork, innovation, and purpose. Here, you’ll find more than a place to train; you’ll find a place to grow, lead, and belong.

Meryll Bouldin, M.D.
Program Director