Ten UAMS Nurses Make ‘40 Under 40’ List

By ChaseYavondaC

The honorees, who come from health systems and universities across the state, were selected based on their commitment to excellence, service and outreach, leadership qualities, and contributions to the advancement of the nursing profession.

They were recognized at a June 23 ceremony at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock. The UAMS nurses on the 2017 list were:

  • Maeghan Arnold, M.N.Sc., A.P.R.N.
  • Ashley Davis, M.N.Sc., R.N.
  • Jessica Fowler, M.N.Sc., A.P.R.N.
  • Joe Jimmerson, M.N.Sc., R.N.
  • Christina Leisenring, B.S.N.
  • Shaneika Lewis-Williams, M.N.Sc., A.P.R.N.
  • Leslie McCormack, M.N.Sc., A.P.R.N.
  • Kamala Steele, D.N.P., A.P.R.N.
  • Mark Tanner D.N.P., A.P.R.N.
  • Angela Willis, D.N.P., R.N.

“We’re thrilled to have so many faculty members from the College of Nursing recognized by the Arkansas Center for Nursing,” said Patricia A. Cowan, Ph.D., R.N., dean of the UAMS College of Nursing. “Our faculty play such an important role in educating the next generation of nursing professionals and that work deserves to be commended.”

UAMS nurses honored included faculty members in the College of Nursing and UAMS Medical Center nurses.

“These nurses are vital to UAMS and its mission to improve the health of all Arkansans,” said Mary Helen Forrest, M.N.Sc., R.N., chief nursing officer for UAMS Medical Center. “I’m happy to see their accomplishments noticed.”

The Arkansas Center for Nursing, a nonprofit organization, was created in 2016 by the Arkansas Action Coalition to take over the coalition’s former mission of advancing the health of Arkansans through nursing education, practice, leadership and workforce development. The coalition began the “40 Under 40” list in 2015, which has honored UAMS nurses each year, including seven on the inaugural list.

The Arkansas Center for Nursing is a member of the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers, a national network of nursing organizations that aims to improve health care, meet nursing shortages and share best practices in research, policy, and workforce planning and development.