Nov. 5, 2014 | The 15th U.S. Surgeon General, the doctor who performed the world’s first kidney transplant, and the first African-American to be admitted to the UAMS College of Medicine were among seven with UAMS ties honored recently for their contributions to civil rights in the medical field in Arkansas.

A total of 10 people were honored Oct. 24 by the Institute on Race and Ethnicity at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock at a public ceremony held in the River Market District. Afterward, the seven with UAMS connections were guests of honor at a reception held at the UAMS Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute.

It was a positive chain reaction of accomplishments and mutual admiration that spurred the honorees to work for social and racial equity in the medical field in Arkansas. More than one said he or she had been inspired by the others.

“No one told me I couldn’t do it. I always had someone help me and support me,” Edith Irby Jones, M.D., said. “I appreciate being here and all UAMS has done for me. I was always encouraged to make it a better world, and I’ve tried.”

Each honoree received a commemorative plaque on the Arkansas Civil Rights Heritage Trail.

Jones became the first African-American to be admitted to the College of Medicine at UAMS in 1948. After practicing several years in Hot Springs, Jones and her family moved to Houston where she helped establish a hospital that served the poor. In 1985, she become the first woman to lead the National Medical Association and became co-founder of the Association of Black Cardiologists.

Honoree Joycelyn Elders, M.D., a graduate of and professor emeritus at UAMS, thanked Jones for the positive role she had played in Elders’ life.

“I wanted to be just like her, and I spent the next 50 years trying. She was a mentor and someone I always looked up to,” Elders said. “This award is very meaningful to all of us. We have all tried to make change happen.”

Elders was the first person in the state to become board certified in pediatric endocrinology. She was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as the 16th Surgeon General of the United States, becoming the first African-American and only the second woman to head the U.S. Public Health Services. She is a graduate of UAMS.

Elders also recognized Thomas Bruce, M.D., for how he always respected and encouraged diversity at UAMS and in the health care field.

Bruce spent most of his career promoting access and quality health care to underserved populations. He served as dean of the College of Medicine at UAMS and helped create the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health at UAMS. He was the inaugural dean and continues to be an adjunct professor at the college. He served as dean pro tem of the University of Arkansas System’s Clinton School of Public Service.

“I’ve always admired and respected Dr. Elders, and in many ways I tried to emulate her,” Billy Ray Thomas, M.D., another honoree, said. He also thanked Bruce for his leadership. The UAMS neonatologist said Bruce helped him achieve where he is today.

Thomas, a UAMS graduate, is the first vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion at UAMS. His position reflects the expansion of the institution’s resources regarding diversity issues. He works to increase the number of medical graduates from traditionally underrepresented groups.

Another honoree, Henry Foster, Jr., M.D., was the only African-American in his 1958 class of 90 students at UAMS. He was dean of the Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he established the “I Have a Future” program in 1987 to reduce teen pregnancy and provide tutoring, job training and medical services to underserved youth.

Two of the health pioneers were honored posthumously —Samuel Lee Kountz, M.D., and Phillip Rayford, Ph.D.

Kountz came to UAMS as one of the first African-American students in 1954. He was rejected when he first applied but was admitted after earning a chemistry degree from the University of Arkansas, graduating third in his class. He is best known for having performed the world’s first kidney transplant, and went on to perform over 500 such surgeries.

Rayford was the former chairman of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics in the College of Medicine at UAMS. He also served as the dean of minority affairs where he successfully recruited and retained minority students in the College of Medicine and Graduate School.

At the reception, Roxane Townsend, M.D., CEO of UAMS Medical Center, congratulated the honorees.

“I’m impressed by the work that has been done by those in the room,” Townsend said. “I’m excited that seven honorees are affiliated with UAMS.”