Oct. 20, 2010 | Oct. 20, 2010 | In another sign of progress at UAMS Northwest, experienced administrator and clinician Chris Smith, M.D., has been named regional associate dean for the College of Medicine programs at the Fayetteville campus.

Smith, a professor of pediatrics working at UAMS-affiliate Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH), will assume his new post Jan. 1, 2011. He will direct the College of Medicine’s academic programs at the UAMS Northwest campus and see patients in the Centers for Children clinic in Lowell, a collaboration of UAMS and ACH.

“Dr. Smith joining UAMS Northwest is another sign of our growing academic programs,” said Peter O. Kohler, M.D., UAMS vice chancellor for the Northwest Arkansas Region. “His combination of experience in both undergraduate and graduate medical education is a boost as we expand the programs for medical students and resident physicians here.”

Opened in 2009, the UAMS Northwest campus now includes four junior medical students and six seniors attending classes. Fourteen junior students are expected to arrive in July 2011, along with 22 junior pharmacy students.

Eventual enrollment at the campus is expected to be between 250-300 with students in medical, pharmacy, nursing and allied health programs, along with resident physicians serving residencies at area hospitals and clinics. The campus also is home to the UAMS Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Northwest.

Senior medical student Drew Lewis recently finished his orthopaedics rotation at a Fayetteville clinic and hospital. One of the first students to arrive on the campus in 2009, he said he would recommend the experience at UAMS Northwest.

“I’ve gotten a great amount of clinical experience and a work schedule that has given me plenty of time to study,” Lewis said. “I’ve said that this is a very student-oriented, patient-focused campus because everyone I’ve worked with seems very excited that we’re here and I really felt like they took the time to make sure we got a good learning experience and connected with patients.”

Smith, the new regional associate dean, joined the UAMS faculty in 1989. He has directed the ACH pediatric hospitalist service since 2003. He was medical director of the ACH Express Care Unit from 2003-2009 and has served as associate medical director at ACH since 2005.

He received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi in 1983 and completed his pediatric internship and residency at UAMS. He spent three years in private practice in Clinton, Miss., before joining the UAMS faculty.

Smith was associate residency program director for the Department of Pediatrics during his first three years at UAMS and served as program director from 1992-1997, when he was appointed vice-chairman for education. He served 12 years on the UAMS Graduate Medical Education Committee, including four years as chairman.

He has received numerous educational honors, including the college’s Master Teacher Award and the Chancellor’s Faculty Teaching Award in 2009, and 14 Red Sash awards – which are voted on by students – through the years.

In addition, Dr. Smith will bring his experience as a leader in pediatric simulation education and telemedicine to his new post. He has been medical director of the PULSE (Pediatric Understanding and Learning through Simulation Education) Center at ACH since 2006. His work in telemedicine and distance education has helped to make the ACH campus more connected to UAMS and to rural communities around the state.