By Marty Trieschmann
Nov. 4, 2025 | Arkansas native Chad E. Cragle, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) as a surgical oncologist specializing in the treatment of cancers of the liver, pancreatic and biliary system.
A board-certified surgeon, Cragle also serves as assistant professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology in the UAMS College of Medicine.
Cragle returns to UAMS from the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he completed a fellowship in complex general surgical oncology and hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery — a highly specialized field focused on cancers and diseases of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts.
In addition to cancer treatment, Cragle performs gallbladder removals and surgical treatment of benign diseases of the liver, bile ducts and pancreas. He also treats a wide range of solid cancers including gastric, neuroendocrine, sarcoma, melanoma and other skin cancers.
Cragle completed a residency in general surgery at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. He earned both his medical and doctoral degrees from UAMS, where he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.
A native of Calico Rock, Arkansas, Cragle received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Arkansas Tech University before beginning his medical training at UAMS.
“Cancers of the liver, pancreas and biliary system are complex, and unfortunately, increasing in incidence,” said Sonia Orcutt, M.D., director of Surgical Oncology for UAMS Health and associate professor in the UAMS College of Medicine. “Having Dr. Cragle’s advanced expertise in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery right here in Arkansas means patients can receive the highest level of care right here at home. We’re thrilled to welcome him back to UAMS and to the state.”
Cragle sees patients in the UAMS Surgical Oncology Clinic at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and is accepting new patients. For appointments, please call 501-296-1200.UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight 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, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,485 students, 915 medical residents and fellows, and seven dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 11,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.
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