Welcome from the DFPM Chair
Welcome to the DFPM – the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine.
The UAMS DFPM encompasses Family Medicine residency programs and teaching centers in Batesville, Berryville/Eureka Springs, Crossett, El Dorado, Fayetteville/Springdale, Fort Smith, Helena/West Helena, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Magnolia, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Texarkana.
It also includes the Divisions of Community Health and Education, Medical Student Education, and Research and Evaluation, along with the Office of Communication and Departmental Relations.
Our roots go back to 1969, when a division that was called Family and Community Medicine was launched at UAMS. In 1973, the division grew to become the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM). Also in 1973, the Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) were founded. Later their names were changed respectively to the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine (DFPM) and the UAMS Regional Campuses.
Over the years, our Residency Programs have graduated hundreds of Family Medicine physicians, many of whom have chosen to live and practice in Arkansas. We have trained thousands of medical students in Family Medicine, including in their clerkships that are coordinated by the Division of Medical Student Education. The DFPM Community Health and Education division supplies robust, comprehensive training to family medicine providers throughout the state and seeks to improve public health through work with CDC grants and other partners. The Research and Evaluation Division specializes in early childhood development and has many projects to train child-care providers. Each DFPM division plays a valuable role in educating future physicians, current physicians, and other health care professionals in Arkansas and beyond.
You can learn a wealth of information about our department in these web pages. We hope you will agree that we live up to our motto: We strive to do the best for our patients and trainees while supporting each other.
Shashank Kraleti, M.D., FAAFP
Associate Professor
Director, Primary Care and Population Health Service Line
Garnett Chair, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences