Nirvana Manning, M.D., has been named chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
“Dr. Manning has strived to provide the very best for our patients, students and trainees since joining our faculty in 2007, and in her current role as director and medical director of women’s health services,” said Christopher T. Westfall, M.D., executive vice chancellor of UAMS and dean of the College of Medicine. “She will bring her expertise, energy and strong commitment to providing the highest quality of care and exemplary education to her role as chair.”
Manning has held important roles in a number of recent advancements in women’s health at UAMS, including the newly opened UAMS Health Women’s Center at 6119 Midtown Ave. Manning was also instrumental in bringing the Mamava private lactation spaces to campus, implementing the nationally accredited CenteringPregnancy group prenatal program and achieving Center of Excellence status from the Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and perinatology.
She also was involved with launching the UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation’s new FCC-funded program to leverage digital health technology to treat patients for COVID-19 and share vital medical information with patients and health care providers across Arkansas.
Manning earned her undergraduate degree in economics and biology, graduating cum laude, from Vanderbilt University and came to UAMS for medical school. After graduating in 2003, she remained at UAMS for her residency in obstetrics and gynecology.
Early leadership roles included directing the clinic at Freeway Medical Women’s Clinic and the West Little Rock Women’s Clinic in 2011-2015, and directing the University Women’s Clinic in 2012-2015. Manning was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 2013. She began serving as medical director of women’s health services in 2015 and as director of women’s health services in 2017.
Manning is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her state leadership roles include serving as an inaugural appointed member of the Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee. At UAMS, she has received several awards for patient satisfaction and teaching. She serves on numerous campus committees relating to patient care and quality.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute and Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise including its hospital, regional clinics and clinics it operates or staffs in cooperation with other providers. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. U.S. News & World Report named UAMS Medical Center the state’s Best Hospital; ranked its ear, nose and throat program among the top 50 nationwide; and named six areas as high performing — cancer, colon cancer surgery, heart failure, hip replacement, knee replacement and lung cancer surgery. UAMS has 2,727 students, 870 medical residents and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Childrens Hospital, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.