Department News

The MVP of the Month for June 2026 from the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and the Primary Care and Population Health Service Line is Sunni Helton. Sunni is a diagnostic radiology technologist at the Texarkana Family Medicine Clinic and has been a valued member of Team UAMS for over 3 years!

Sunni was recognized for the following:

• Going above and beyond to help patients, colleagues, and anyone who has a need with a warm smile and positive attitude leaving them better than they were before they met her. Her nominator said Sunni truly lives up to her name!

• Consistently looking for ways to improve patient experience including recently requesting a mat for the X-ray exam table to help make patients more comfortable during X-rays

• Sunni was recently selected as the local clinic employee spotlight in Texarkana showing just how well-regarded she is by her colleagues

Sunni will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift bag. She also will be honored during the annual DFPM Research Symposium.

Congratulations, Sunni! Thank you for all you do!

The MVP of the Month for May 2026 from the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and the Primary Care and Population Health Service Line is Letrese’ Burton-Leonard. Letrese’ is a Registered Nurse and serves as the CSM for Student and Employee Health Services. She has been a valued member of Team UAMS for eleven years!

Letrese’ was recognized for the following:

• Letrese’s leadership has helped to significantly improve Student and Employee Health Services since she took over the clinic as a CSM. She facilitates a smooth and efficient transition for new and visiting students by collaborating with the individual leadership of each UAMS college.
• She has also helped improve compliance throughout the new employee onboarding at UAMS.
• She has also helped to create the new Employee Health Clinic (EHC) within the past year and a half. The EHC started as a half day clinic and is currently operating full days with two providers. The feedback is 100% positive due to fast same day appts and decrease with staffing issues.  
• She continuously collaborates with HR for onboarding with new employees, volunteers or visiting residents so they can quickly staff units and clinics as soon as possible.
• SEHS employee health compliance is now the best it’s been in the past decade with Letrese’s management.

Letrese will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift bag. She also will be honored during the annual DFPM Research Symposium.

Congratulations, Letrese’ and thank you for all you do!

The MVP of the Month for April 2026 from the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and the Primary Care and Population Health Service Line is Angela Ward. Angela is a Registered Nurse and serves as the CSM for our Family Medicine Clinic in Helena. She has been a valued member of Team UAMS for seven years!

Angela was recognized for the following:

• Angela always goes above and beyond for patients and exceeds the standards for nursing practice.
• If there is something to be figured out, she is there to get it accomplished.
• Patient satisfaction is her highest priority. She never leaves a patient disgruntled or unhappy after speaking to them. Patients seek her out when coming to the clinic because of her relationship with them.
• Angela is kind, charismatic, and a true team player. She helps the clinic function smoothly and that positive reputation is reflected in the community.

Angela will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift bag. She also will be honored during the annual DFPM Research Symposium.

Congratulations, Angela, and thank you for all you do!

The MVP of the Month for March 2026 from the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and the Primary Care and Population Health Service Line is Ashley Walters-Allison.  Ashley is a Registered Nurse and works as a phone nurse at the Family Medicine Clinic in Little Rock.  She has been part of Team UAMS for 2.5 years!

Ashley was recognized for her actions as follows:

• Ashley has an exemplary attitude about life, and this is portrayed in her positive demeanor throughout the workplace.
• She is self-driven to achieve her work goals.  She is professional, ethical and honest in her position.
• Ashley goes above and beyond her duties as a phone nurse. She is always friendly, helpful and will take the time to assist others.
• She is positive towards everyone and holds her co-workers in good esteem.
• Ashley is the type of person that makes it easier to come to work and a happier place to be.

Ashley will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift bag. She also will be honored during the annual DFPM Research Symposium.

Congratulations Ashley!

The MVP of the Month for February 2026 from the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and the Primary Care and Population Health Service Line is Tiffany Duty.  Tiffany is a Registered Nurse and the CSM for Jonesboro FMC. She has been part of Team UAMS for 2 years!

Tiffany was recognized for her actions as follows:

• Tiffany is an exceptional nurse whose dedication, professionalism and leadership shine through in everything she does.
• Tiffancy leads with compassion, integrity and excellence.
• Her open-door policy creates a welcoming environment where staff feel comfortable sharing concerns and seeking guidance.  She is always ready to listen, offer support and help find solutions.
• Tiffany’s ability to manage her team has helped to build a stronger, more efficient clinic that has made an impact on patient care and staff morale.

Tiffany will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift bag. She also will be honored during the annual DFPM Research Symposium.

Congratulations Tiffany!

The MVP of the Month for January 2026 from the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and the Primary Care and Population Health Service Line is Jamie Collier.  Jamie is a Sr. Phlebotomist for Fort Smith FMC and has been part of Team UAMS for 10 years!

Jamie was recognized for hers actions as follows:

• Jamie is noted for her relationship with patients.  Patients seek her out to say hello, even when not getting lab work done.
• Not only is she gifted with exceptional skill and professionalism, but Jamie also creates a very calm and comfortable environment that eases the anxiety and nervousness of all patients.
• She displays empathy, patience and compassion to everyone she serves
• Jamie sets a high standard for excellence for all her co-workers to follow.

Jamie will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift bag. She also will be honored during the annual DFPM Research Symposium.

Congratulations Jamie!

The December MVP of the Month of December from the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and the Primary Care and Population Health Service Line is Marybeth Curtis.  Marybeth is a Staff Educator with Community Health and Education, formerly served as program manager for CDC colorectal screening grant and served as director of SEHS and POEM.  She has been part of Team UAMS for 9 years!

Marybeth was recognized for hers actions as follows:

• Marybeth helped UAMS create and implement their first virtual FMC conferences during COVID. She has since taken the lead with virtual learning and video scripts.
• Marybeth won an award from the CDC on her colon cancer screening campaign – “45 is the New FIT-ty”.
• Underpinning her work ethic is kindness and compassion – she quietly organizes departmental responses to co-worker life events.
• Marybeth is quick to volunteer for tasks.  Her Southern charm and self-deprecating humor disarm even the most stoic professionals.

Marybeth will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift bag. She also will be honored during the annual DFPM Research Symposium.

Congratulations Marybeth!