Congratulations to two of our staffers who have been recognized as UAMS College of Medicine Most Valuable Players.
Suresh Kannan, Ph.D.
is the Department Administrator/Assistant Chair of the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology. His unique training, first as a scientist and then as an administrator, makes him a superb department administrator. He understands the ins and outs of the research enterprise, of submitting and administrating grants, writing reports, and he also understand the idiosyncrasies of faculty and the needs of students. He has great interpersonal skills and an established record of effective administration, finance operations and business management. He possesses the ability to develop strategic objectives and to adapt to challenging situations. He demonstrated his talents like no other while assisting Dr. Bellido’s transition to the new Chair of Physiology at the peak of the pandemic.
Suresh is a tireless learner who is motivated to stay up-to-date through formal education and professional development training opportunities.
Suresh deserves a recognition as a MVP in the COM. Among administrative personnel within the department and beyond, he inspires others to be better and always finds and value fellow’s strengths. Suresh is the core of our administrative team and looks at difficult situations with optimism and always finds solutions.
Congratulations Suresh!
Diane McKinstry
Diane McKinstry’s daily interactions with faculty and staff across campus make her an exceptional worthy candidate. She is always gracious, positive and friendly with the faculty, staff and students she has contact with daily. Her work is exemplified most by the relationships she has built with students who participate in the AR INBRE Undergraduate Research Summer Program and the medical students in the WPR Cancer Institute PCAR program. Diane becomes the students’ mentor, coach and cheerleader. She lets them know from day one that she is available 24/7, ready to help them if and when needed. In order to make the program an enriching experience, she has built collaborations with faculty and staff across campus. Additionally, she works with the Graduate School to schedule social events, and opens the door to new programs to join us each summer. Over the past two years, Diane has helped numerous programs across campus navigate the Academic Visitor on-boarding process and has become the person to call if you have questions pertaining to how to clear students to work on campus. Every day she exemplifies the UAMS values in her efforts to give students a memorable and impactful research experience here. She is a shining star for the INBRE program and the PCAR.
Congratulations, Diane!
