Several years ago, the College of Medicine established optional honors tracks to allow students the opportunity to explore various areas of interest related to medicine. Students who apply to and are accepted into one of the tracks, if they complete the requirements of that track, are recognized at graduation and have the inscription “with Honors in ______________” on their diploma. Participation in an honors track is also noted on the MSPE or dean’s letter which is a part of the residency application process.
Students may participate in only a single honors track, but if a student is doing well academically, they may apply to Dr. Graham or Dr. Latch for an exception and permission to do two tracks.
Track Information
Honors in Research
This is the longest existing track, having started more than 20 years ago. It has also been the most popular. Students in this track are paired with a faculty research mentor and conduct a research project, typically in the summer between the M1 and M2 years. Students then must prepare a manuscript of their research and present their project at student research day, typically in the senior year.
Dr. Robert McGehee is the director of the program.
Honors in Medical Humanities
In this track students participate in a set of core guided readings and meetings with faculty.
Students are assigned a faculty mentor. These sessions are scheduled carefully to avoid conflict with M1 or M2 curriculum. In the M4 year, students in this track design and complete a project; they may be empirical research, interpretive scholarship, a service learning project, or a creative project. Students are also expected to enroll in at least two senior humanities electives.
Dr. Angela Scott is the director of the track. The track will take a maximum of five students from each incoming class. Student applications (including CVs and a personal statement) will be sent out by Dr. Scott. Entrance into this track will require a high level of faculty confidence in the students’ likely success in completing the program.
Honors in Pediatrics
In the Pediatric Honors Program, students are paired with a faculty member to complete research/scholarly work over five weeks during the summer between M1 and M2 year.
This program introduces students interested in Pediatrics or Pediatrics subspecialities to quality improvement, research, and advocacy projects in pediatrics and provides themwith skills necessary to complete a scholarly project with support to present the project at a national or regional conference. Students will also have opportunities to meet and interact with practicing Pediatricians through shadowing. In the M4 year, students are expected to complete a scholarly project, with either presentation at a regional or national meeting or the completion of a written manuscript. Students are paired with faculty mentors in this process.
Dr. Carla Brown in the dept of pediatrics is the track director.
Application process: One-page statement describing interest in child health and the Pediatric Honors Program and a CV
Requests for applications will be sent out by Dr. Brown.
Honors in Underserved Primary Care
HUPC is a four-year guided track open to all first year UAMS medical students to prepare them to provide comprehensive medical care for rural and urban underserved populations.
HUPC at UAMS provides long-term continuity, faculty and resident support, UAMS resources, educational opportunities and early clinical experiences to encourage students to pursue community based primary care as their career. HUPC students will learn together and choose their own physician mentor who will provide personal feedback and professional guidance. Students will gain early clinical experience with a local Family Medicine physician; choose and develop a longitudinal study with literature review on a topic of personal interest; and choose other meaningful coursework and activities designed to enhance their understanding and practice of Primary Care medicine in underserved communities.
Dr. Leslie Stone in family medicine is the director of the program. More information and the application is located on their webpage.
Honors in Global Health and Service
The student will be assigned a mentor in their first year that will work with them throughout their medical school career. The student and mentor design a service learning project. Students have guided readings in a global health text. There are quarterly journal club style meetings of students and faculty in the track to discuss topics of interest related to global health. In the senior year, students will complete their service learning project. In addition, they will do a rotation in either a resource poor local or international venue.
Drs. Becky Liggin and Ashley Bean in emergency medicine are directors of the program. They will distribute information on applications to the class.
Honors in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This is the newest honors track, having just been approved in the fall of 2023. It is run out of the UAMS Bioventures office. It is aimed at nurturing the next wave of physician innovators who are equipped to drive advancements in the medical field. At the heart of this program lies the fundamental objective to foster an ‘innovator mindset’ among medical students, enabling them to expand upon their traditional clinical role to make contributions that extend beyond standard medical practice. This program is designed to enable students to proactively identify and address complex healthcare challenges, catalyzing changes that promote efficiency and improved clinical care. By focusing on the translation of academic questions and clinical pain points into viable, real-world solutions, the program bridges the gap between participation in the medical field to active, intentional problem solving.
Track director: John Sherrill, Ph.D.