The DFPM Research Symposium was launched in June 2025.
Though the UAMS Family Medicine residency programs had held individual events focused on scholarly activity, the 2025 Research Symposium was the first time that all of the UAMS FM programs combined their efforts into one event.
The DFPM Research Symposium was structured like a national conference. There was a call for submissions – the submissions were peer-reviewed by members of the DFPM Research Workgroup – and the winning proposals were announced.
Symposium registration was online. Registrants were given access to an app that contained the symposium agenda, details about each presentation, and the usual information contained in an app for a national conference.
Approximately 140 faculty, residents, staff, and students from around Arkansas (Batesville, Berryville/ Eureka Springs, Crossett, El Dorado, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Little Rock, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Texarkana) attended. The symposium featured 13 in-person presentations and 49 scientific posters.
Blue ribbons were awarded in the following categories:
BEST PRESENTATION AWARD
Family Medicine Parent Partnership: Supporting Mothers with Depressive Symptoms and Promoting Child Development – Nikki Edge, Jennifer Harman, Danya Johnson, Rubie Eubanks, Shashank Kraleti, Amrutha Denduluri
BEST POSTER AWARD (Staff)
Improvements in Recovery Capital within Adult Treatment Drug Court with Parallel Peer Support Services – Rubie Eubanks, Eleanor Hughes, Jennifer Micek, Michelle Barrett, Sharon Clark, Isis Martel
BEST POSTER AWARD (Residents/Students)
Sports Medicine in Residency Training: A Guide by Residents for Residents – Viridiana Saenz, Wayne Bryant Jr.
BEST POSTER AWARD (Faculty)
Scholarly Activity Showcase: A Pathway for Residents to Develop Skills in Scholarship – Shashank Kraleti, Diane Jarrett, Lauren Gibson-Oliver
The plenary speaker was Warren Newton MD, MPH – President and CEO of the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Newton also led a luncheon meeting with the residents and met with the DFPM Executive Committee.
The day culminated with the launching of the first CARE Awards (Chair’s Awards for Recognition of Excellence). There were 22 different awards for which 64 nominations were submitted. One of the highlights was the awarding of the Chair’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award to Daniel A. Knight MD, FAAFP. Dr. Knight was the previous chair of the DFPM, the previous program director of the Little Rock FM program, and a nationally-known and honored teacher, mentor, scholar, and administrator. This award was presented to him by Dr. Kraleti and by Steven A. Webber, MBChB, MRCP, Dean of the College of Medicine and UAMS Executive Vice Chancellor.
The 2025 DFPM Research Symposium was a great success. We look forward to next year’s event.
