UAMS Chancellor’s Circle Awards 10 Grants to New Programs

By Holland Doran

| UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn Chancellor's Circle
UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D., announces the recipients of the Chancellor’s Circle Awards at a reception April 10.

Sue Williamson and Judy Snowden
Sue Williamson (left), longtime fundraiser for UAMS, receives a certificate from Judy Snowden, former chair and lifetime member of the Foundation Fund Board, announcing the establishment of the Sue Williamson UAMS Medical Center Endowment.

April 11, 2014 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D. awarded 10 grants to UAMS programs at the annual Chancellor’s Circle Awards Reception, including one named in honor of longtime fundraiser Sue Williamson.

Announcing that Williamson will retire June 30 after 30 years at UAMS, Rahn said UAMS will establish the Sue Williamson UAMS Medical Center Endowment and that gifts to the endowment would be matched by a $50,000 Chancellor’s Circle Matching Grant until June 30.

Some of Williamson’s career highlights include being a part of the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute’s initial $12 million research and capital campaign in the 1980s and the $63.5 million Invest in Life campaign in the 1990s. She was interim director for the $15 million Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging Campaign match in 2004 and senior director of the successful $200 million UAMS Medical Center hospital expansion. Most recently, Williamson was involved in Campaign Imagine that raised more than $385 million, benefitting the entire UAMS campus.

“Sue has been instrumental in innumerable achievements of UAMS,” Rahn said. “She is beloved by countless people across our state and country. In fact, four years ago, she was awarded the Outstanding Fundraising Professional award, the top national award given by the American Society of Fundraising Professionals.”

Judy Snowden, former chair and lifetime member of the Foundation Fund Board who helped build the Chancellor’s Circle, presented Williamson with a framed certificate.

The other nine grants Rahn distributed will allow UAMS educational programs, clinical services and research projects to fund new projects. He recognized UAMS donors’ invaluable role in the institution’s success.

“We recognize that you all have many opportunities for what it is that you want to do with your time and talent and your philanthropic support,” Rahn said. “While you may never know how many patients, families and students have benefitted from your service to UAMS, we will always be grateful to you.”

The following 10 programs were chosen to receive grants starting at $25,000:

  • UAMS Center for Dental Education – William Slagle, M.D., director of the UAMS Center for Dental Education, and Douglas Murphy, Ph.D., dean of the UAMS College of Health Professions. Kevin Crass, chair of the UAMS Foundation Fund Board and Chancellor’s Circle member, presented the award.
  • UAMS Physical Therapy Program at UAMS Northwest – Murphy and Peter Kohler, M.D., vice chancellor of UAMS Northwest. Lee Ronnel, lifetime member of the Chancellor’s Circle, immediate past chair of the UAMS Foundation Fund Board and current chair of the University of Arkansas Foundation Inc. Board of Directors, presented the award.
  • UAMS 12th Street Health and Wellness Center/Interprofessional Education – Jeanne Heard, M.D., Ph.D., provost, and Stephanie Gardner, M.D., dean of the UAMS College of Pharmacy. Don Munro, member of the Foundation Fund Board and Chancellor’s Circle, presented the award.
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Program – Lorraine Frazier, Ph.D., dean of the UAMS College of Nursing. Jim Darr, vice chair of the Foundation Fund board, presented the award.
  • Precision Medicine Dean’s Society Innovation Fund – Richard Smith, M.D., dean of the UAMS College of Medicine. Patti Bailey, corporate roundtable member of the Chancellor’s Circle, presented the award.
  • Mosquito Control Research – Helen Benes, Ph.D., and Larry Cornett, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research. Sandra Connor, vice chair of philanthropy and Foundation Fund Board member, presented the award.
  • UAMS Health Literacy Program – Kristie Hadden, director of the UAMS Health Literacy Program, and Mark Mengel, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for regional programs. Dick Williams, co-chair of the Volunteer Boards Development Committee of the Foundation Fund Board, presented the award.
  • Cord Blood Bank of Arkansas – Michele Fox, M.D., medical director of the cord blood bank, professor of pathology, and director of cell therapy and transfusion. Cindy Pugh, chair of the philanthropy committee of the Foundation Fund Board, and Connor, presented the award.
  • Healing Arts Acquisition Project – Roxane Townsend, M.D., CEO of UAMS Medical Center, and Erin Gray, director of Volunteer Services and Auxiliary. Floyd Kyser, member of the Chancellor’s Circle and past member of the Foundation Fund Board, presented the award.

The Chancellor’s Circle raises more than $350,000 every year and has raised more than $7 million to date. The UAMS Foundation Fund board formed the circle in 1984 to recognize donors who support programs at UAMS through annual unrestricted contributions. UAMS’ chancellor then distributes the funds to educational programs, clinical services and research projects on the basis of the institution’s priorities. Annual support from the Chancellor’s Circle has been a key factor in providing strength and flexibility for the growth and success of the institutional programs at UAMS.