Awards

Joana M. Mack, M.D., Program Director

GME Program Director Educator of the Year 2025, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Fellow Educator of the Year 2025, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Red Sash Award 2025, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Andrew D. Tran, M.D., Faculty (Fellow 2021-2025)

Sam Smith Outstanding Fellow of the Year Award 2025, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Academic Pediatric Association Travel Award 2025 for Bridging the AI Gap in Healthcare: An Innovative Approach to Educating Medical Professionals on Generative AI

David K. Wilson, D.O., Fellow 2023-2026

The American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Early Career Travel Award 2025 for Impact of Parental Adverse Childhood Experiences on Pediatric Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Accolades

Joana M. Mack, M.D., Program Director

Dr. Mack was honored in Little Rock Soirée Magazine’s segment ‘Top Doctors 2025’ as the top physician in Pediatric Hematology, which was based on peer-to-peer selections from licensed physicians throughout the Little Rock metro community.

Lauren E. Appell, M.D., Associate Program Director

Dr. Appell was honored in Little Rock Soirée Magazine’s segment ‘Top Doctors 2025’ as the top physician in Pediatric Oncology, which was based on peer-to-peer selections from licensed physicians throughout the Little Rock metro community.

Andrew D. Tran, M.D., Faculty (Fellow 2021-2025)

Completed the first-ever, nationally recognized, ACGME-approved, combined fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology and clinical informatics through Arkansas Children’s Hospital and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Developed and led a workshop as a fellow at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting on Bridging the AI Gap in Healthcare, which included several CMIOs from other institutions
Developed and led a workshop as a fellow at the Arkansas Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics on utilizing AI in Healthcare

Combined Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program and Adult Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program

The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the Adult Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences developed and proposed a groundbreaking ACGME-approved, nationally recognized, five-year, combined fellowship.
The adolescent and young adult patient population often falls between traditional training silos, and this unique program will be among a handful of its kind nationally and positions Arkansas Children’s Hospital as a leader in bridging gaps in adolescent and young adult blood and cancer care.
The combined fellowship will offer board certification in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship and Adult Hematology/Oncology Fellowship programs.

Combined Adult & Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Seminars

The seminar is held quarterly at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
The seminar pairs a pediatric hematology/oncology fellow from Arkansas Children’s Hospital with an adult hematology/oncology fellow from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to present adolescent and young adult patient cases to faculty and peers from each program.
The seminar highlights similarities and differences between the pediatric and adult approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
In addition to education, the seminar fosters interaction and collaboration between pediatric and adult faculty and fellows.

Fellows’ Research Forum

Held annually at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the forum provides an opportunity for fellows to showcase and present research completed within the academic year to faculty, peers, residents, medical students, and staff.