News to Know: Updates from UAMS
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Comprehensive Epilepsy Center Earns Highest Accreditation Level
The UAMS Comprehensive Epilepsy Center has been accredited with a Level 4, the highest designation available from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.
Bashir Sami Shihabuddin, M.D., is medical director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center.
UAMS is capable of performing the most complex surgeries for the treatment of epilepsy, made possible with the hiring of fellowship-trained neurosurgeon Viktoras Palys, M.D.
Palys completed his general surgery residency training at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in Kaunas, Lithuania. He completed his general surgery internship at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Metropolitan Group Hospitals, and neurosurgery r
esidency training at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He also obtained additional functional and stereotactic neurosurgery training at a Virginia Commonwealth University fellowship.
To make a referral, call 501-686-5838.
Deanne King, M.D., Ph.D., to Direct ENT Clinical Research
Deanne L. King, M.D., Ph.D., has joined UAMS as director of clinical research for the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the College of Medicine.
King will facilitate collaborations on otolaryngology topics between researchers on campus, assist residents and medical students with publishing their research, increase the number of clinical trials in the department, and pursue grant funding.
King has an M.D./Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology and pathobiology from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. She completed an internship in general surgery and a surgery residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, both at UAMS.
Christopher Paul, M.D., Joins Pain Clinic
Christopher Paul, M.D., has joined the UAMS Pain Clinic.
Paul completed his residency in anesthesiology at Saint Louis University. He underwent fellowship training in regional anesthesia and acute pain at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he focused on the use of ultrasound-guided injections in the treatment of pain conditions. He also completed a fellowship in interventional chronic pain at the University of Alabama.
He joins Jonathan Goree, M.D., and Heejung Choi, M.D., in the Pain Clinic, which offers a comprehensive approach to pain management.
To make a referral, call 501-686-8818.
Gut Club Meets Quarterly
UAMS Gastroenterology holds quarterly Gut Club medical education meetings and welcomes the participation of community providers.
The Aug. 30 meeting will feature case presentations. The Nov. 29 meeting will feature a presentation on “Innovations in ADR Improvement and Removal of Large Polyps” from Harry R. Aslanian, M.D., professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine.
Meetings are held from 6:30-8 p.m. on the 12th floor of the UAMS Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute.
For more information, contact Melanie Meyer at melanie@uams.edu or 501-686-8206.
Runners Clinic Offers Patients Unique Treatment Plans
The UAMS Orthopaedic Clinic – 10815 Colonel Glenn, Suite 500, Little Rock – is offering a full-service diagnostic, treatment and rehab clinic for running injuries.
Patients include amateur or professional athletes and injured current runners or past runners. The comprehensive analysis includes a physician office visit, appropriate imaging if needed, physical therapy evaluation, and 3D Gait Analysis, which the team uses to craft a treatment plan unique to each patient.
For appointments: 501-526-1046. For more information, visit UAMSRunningClinic.com.
UAMS Designated Baby Friendly for Encouraging Breastfeeding
UAMS Medical Center is the only hospital in central Arkansas to have received international recognition as “baby friendly” for its policies and procedures encouraging new mothers to breastfeed as a healthier way to feed their babies.
The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative as a global program to assist hospitals in giving all mothers the information, confidence and skills necessary to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding.
UAMS delivers more than 3,000 babies a year. To achieve the baby-friendly designation, UAMS completed rigorous requirements in each of four phases and passed an on-site assessment.
UAMS First Hospital in Arkansas to Install Cameras on Every Preemie Bed
The UAMS Medical Center and Angel Eye Camera Systems has installed 40 camera systems in the medical center’s neonatal intensive care unit, making it the first in the state with a camera on every preemie bed. Using the Angel Eye camera system, parents can see their baby anytime, day or night, from their mobile phone or computer.
Academic Appointments
Christopher T. Westfall, M.D., F.A.C.S., professor and chair of the Department of O
phthalmology in the College of Medicine at UAMS and director of the UAMS Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, has been appointed interim dean of the College of Medicine. Westfall will continue his roles in ophthalmology and clinical services. Westfall joined the faculty in 1997 and served in numerous leadership positions.
Jill Mhyre, M.D., director of obstetric anesthesia and vice chair for research in the Department of Anesthesiology, has accepted appointment as chair of anesthesiology, effective July 1. Mhyre joined the faculty in 2013.
New Physicians
Clinical Pathology
Hoda Hagrass, M.D.
Internal Medicine
Howard Lovett, M.D.
UAMS PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT & PROVIDER PLACEMENT PROGRAM
The UAMS Physician Recruitment & Provider Placement Program has a team of placement specialists dedicated to serving the recruitment needs of our partner communities, UAMS Regional Campuses and UAMS faculty. Physician/provider opportunities are available in all specialties throughout Arkansas.
FEATURED JOBS
Hospitalist opportunities: A northeast Arkansas medical center is seeking board certified/board eligible internal medicine physicians to join a patient-centered, evidence-based hospitalist program.
Interventional Radiologist: A nonprofit, community-owned health care system in beautiful Northwest Arkansas is seeking an interventional radiologist.
Rural Medicine Opportunities: Interested in practicing rural health? Opportunities are available throughout Arkansas, including Dumas, Eureka Springs, Fordyce, Green Forest, Huntsville, Jasper, Lake Village, Lincoln and Pocahontas, to name a few.
Recruitment services contact:
Carla Alexander: 501-686-7934 or carla@uams.edu
For a complete listing of job descriptions and opportunities, visit: MedJobArkansas.com