2021 Recipients
Alice Alexander, M.D.
Alice Alexander, M.D., is a critical leader in resident education in the Department of Internal Medicine, where she has served as program director for the Medicine-Pediatrics Residency since 2017 and previously served for six years as associate director.
Alexander is also associate program director for the Internal Medicine Residency and, since 2019, has served as vice chair for education in the Department of Internal Medicine. “In each of these roles, Dr. Alexander is a supportive and accountable leader for faculty and learners,” wrote Robert Hopkins Jr., director of the Division of General Internal Medicine, and Edward T.H. Yeh, M.D., chair of Internal Medicine.
Alexander developed and continues to update the ambulatory education curriculum, a core educational experience for Internal Medicine and Medicine-Pediatrics residents that includes a quality-improvement curriculum and problem-based modules. She led the establishment of a dedicated clinic for Medicine-Pediatrics residents and recently oversaw redevelopment of the Medicine-Pediatrics and Internal Medicine housestaff (residents) office.
“As one of her residents, it is easy to respect her medical knowledge and leadership among her peers, to be thankful for the detailed care she takes for each of us in ensuring that we complete all core requirements, and to be humbled by this coming so naturally to her,” third-year Medicine-Pediatrics resident Barrett Burger, M.D., wrote in a letter of support that compiled comments from fellow residents in the program. Third-year Internal Medicine resident Zach Tilley was the nominating resident.
Residents described Alexander as an approachable and kind role model who is detail-oriented and committed to ensuring that they meet required benchmarks for training. Residents have selected Alexander to receive the George L. Ackerman Award for Internal Medicine Faculty of the Year multiple times.
Wyvonne Ora, B.S.
From Match Day in March each year – when graduating medical students learn where they will complete their residency training – Program Coordinator Wyvonne Ora, B.S., makes it clear to incoming residents of the UAMS Northwest Arkansas Internal Medicine Residency Program that they are now a part of her extended family.
“I will truly miss (being a resident) when my time with the program comes to a close, due to her genuine love and belief in the power of our community residency program,” Chief Resident Mikaila Calcagni, M.D., wrote in a letter of support. “Through her unparalleled communication and interpersonal skills, understanding and facilitation of ACGME (national) requirements and accreditation, promoting of program excellence, and personal leadership and mentorship of others, Mrs. Ora is the only choice in my opinion to receive this honor.”
Ora’s dedication to residents is just part of the reason Program Director Thomas K. Schulz, M.D., nominated her for the annual honor. Ora brings 35 years of experience in graduate medical education at UAMS to the program.
“Wyvonne has been a major driving force in the program since its conceptualization in 2011, demonstrating outstanding communication and interpersonal skills with internal and external constituents,” he wrote. When Schulz arrived in 2015, charged with leading a second application for the complex process of obtaining accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), Ora had the “playbook” ready for what would become a successful effort.
“Since this initial accreditation, Wyvonne’s understanding of and facilitating excellence in the program’s ACGME accreditation processes have resulted in full accreditation with commendation for substantial compliance on our two-year site visit, and continuing to this year with our most recent review resulting in continued accreditation with commendation for substantial compliance – and no citations,” Schulz wrote.