Joycelyn Elders


September 24, 2018

Seventy Years Later, Edith Irby Jones, M.D., Continues to Inspire

Benjamin Waldrum

First-year medical students Brittany Demmings and Tia'Asia James meet Edith Irby Jones, M.D. (at right) after receiving scholarships created in her name.

Sept. 24, 2018 | A month-long celebration of the life and career of Edith Irby Jones, M.D., who enrolled 70 years ago at UAMS as the first African-American medical student in the South, brought thanks and appreciation from those she inspired and served.


April 28, 2017

Two Former U.S. Surgeons General Give Advice on Becoming the Healthiest Nation

Ashley McNatt

Dr. David Satcher

April 28, 2017 | Our ethics must be as sophisticated as our science, said former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher on April 20 to UAMS faculty, students and staff. Satcher, at UAMS to discuss how the United States could become the healthiest nation, was quoting from former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna…


April 21, 2017

James M. Raczynski, Ph.D., Named to Inaugural M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D., Chair in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Benjamin Waldrum

James M. Raczynski, Ph.D. (seated), dean of the UAMS College of Public Health, was named the inaugural holder of the M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D., Chair in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. From left are former U.S. Surgeons General David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., and M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D.; Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., UAMS senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and provost; and UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D.

April 21, 2017 | James M. Raczynski, Ph.D., dean of the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), was invested April 20 as the inaugural recipient of the M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D., Chair in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Raczynski, professor and founding dean of the…


September 26, 2016

Elders Inducted Into Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame

Benjamin Waldrum

Former U.S. Surgeon General M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D., and her husband, Oliver "Coach" Elders, as seen in April 2015 for the unveiling of a commemorative portrait of Elders at UAMS.

Sept. 26, 2016 | Former U.S. Surgeon General M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D., was recently inducted into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Statehouse Convention Center. Elders, an emeritus professor of pediatrics and distinguished professor of public health for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), was appointed U.S. surgeon…


May 18, 2015

UAMS Graduates 931 New Health Care Professionals

Spencer Watson

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) awarded certificates and degrees today to 931 graduates of its five colleges and graduate school during its commencement ceremony at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock.


April 21, 2015

Author Lectures on Influence of U.S. Surgeon General’s Office

Spencer Watson

April 21, 2015 | Associated Press national medical correspondent Mike Stobbe, Dr.P.H., can recall the specific  conversation that inspired him to write a book about the office of the U.S. surgeon general.


April 9, 2015

UAMS Unveils Portrait, Launches Endowment Campaign Honoring Former U.S. Surgeon General M. Joycelyn Elders

Spencer Watson

April 9, 2015 | Former U.S. Surgeon General M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D., has been honored with the unveiling of a portrait commissioned by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Advisory Council.


UAMS Unveils Portrait, Launches Endowment Campaign Honoring Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders

Spencer Watson

LITTLE ROCK — Former U.S. Surgeon General M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D., has been honored with the unveiling of a portrait commissioned by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Advisory Council.


October 18, 2012

Former Surgeon General Talks Health Disparities

Ben Boulden

Oct. 18, 2012 | Jocelyn Elders, M.D. and former U.S. surgeon general, exhorted physicians Oct. 10 at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to “educate, educate, educate” and take a stronger leadership role to reduce health disparities nationwide.


September 28, 2010

Diversity Can be a Strength in Changing Health Care, Says Elders

Jon Parham

Sept. 28, 2010 | When Joycelyn Elders, M.D., began medical school at what is now the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in 1956, she was one of just three African-American students.