Message from the Dean

In 1879, eight Arkansas physicians had the foresight to establish a desperately needed medical school in Little Rock. They started with a mere 22 students and few resources. Today, the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences can look back on more than 125 years of phenomenal growth and achievement in teaching, clinical care, research and service. Excellence is our constant goal and, increasingly, our defining characteristic.

The College of Medicine is Arkansas’ sole medical school. We train the vast majority of the state’s doctors, producing world-class physicians as well as researchers who serve on the forefront of medical breakthroughs. Our students’ outstanding performance on national exams in recent years is a reflection of our faculty’s commitment to education – even though other important responsibilities such as clinical care and research also draw on their time. Our faculty and academic leaders are truly extraordinary.

Our mission to teach the next generation of physicians – not only to be excellent doctors, but also to be compassionate, selfless and excellent communicators – has never been so vital. Arkansas’ and the nation’s health care needs are growing rapidly as the population ages and obesity and other negative health factors abound. The existing physician workforce also is aging, and the Association of American Medical Colleges has called for substantial increases in medical school enrollment.

UAMS and the College of Medicine are taking many proactive steps to meet the challenge. Chief among these are carefully planned increases in freshmen enrollment, an ongoing major expansion of UAMS Medical Center and campus facilities, and exploration of a satellite campus.

I am proud to serve as dean of the College of Medicine during this historic period. I welcome everyone – faculty, students, patients and citizens – to share your ideas, concerns and other thoughts with me as we progress in the years ahead.

Debra Fiser, M.D.