UAMS College of Medicine Spring Faculty Meeting
June 1, 2010
MINUTES
1. Welcome and College of Medicine Overview
Debra H. Fiser, M.D., Dean, College of Medicine; Vice Chancellor, UAMS
Dr. Fiser called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. She noted several highlights of FY10 including new leaders:
UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D., who started in November 2009; Department of Neurosurgery Chair
J.D. Day, M.D., who joined the faculty in April 2010; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Chairman Kevin Raney, Ph.D., who assumed his new post on June 1; and incoming Department of
Neurology Chair John Greenfield, M.D., Ph.D., who will start July 1. Dr. Fiser also noted the successful
Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) that UAMS received at the start of FY10 and the
opening of UAMS-Northwest Campus in July 2009. The national economy and clinical cost issues related
to the opening of the new hospital last year constituted significant challenges during the fiscal year.
Dr. Fiser reviewed key indicators for the COM. MCPG and CUMG performed well, with charges
projected to increase 5.82% and payments expected to increase 4.02% by the end of the FY, echoing an
increase in clinical work productivity (RVW). Research funding was bolstered by the faculty’s aggressive
response to RFAs and RFPs from the NIH and other federal agencies under the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. As of April 1, $73.2 million in total costs from all sources had been awarded to date
during UAMS FY10, surpassing the $64.5 million received during the entire preceding fiscal year.
Medical student board scores continued to improve, with the COM narrowing the gap between UAMS and
the national average on the USMLE Step 1. Step 2 CK average scores improved slightly. With 98%
passing, Step 2CS scores continued to exceed the national average. The most recent data shows Step 3
scores remaining slightly under the national average.
The Dean outlined goals for FY11. In Research, the COM will develop thematic areas and hold a planning
retreat in the fall. Clinical goals include performance improvement, developing a clinical neuroscience
service line, positioning for health care reform and fostering a functionally integrated clinical enterprise.
Fiscal goals include aligning incentives, revenue cycle enhancements and developing mission-specific
revenue streams. Educational goals including improving the Step 2 CK results and supporting seniors as
well as juniors at the NW campus. Statewide service goals include health improvement and prevention and
partnering with the Arkansas Development of Health on several priorities.
2. Research Update
Lawrence E. Cornett, Ph.D., Executive Associate Dean for Research
Dr. Cornett reported that the March NCRR site visit and review of UAMS’ first year performance under
the CTSA grant went well. The KL2 Scholars Program has selected the first two scholars and will name
two additional scholars in the coming year. The Novel Methodologies/Pilot Studies Program granted 15
awards. The Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR) is supporting a number of enhanced
software initiatives in the areas of conflict of interest, grants management and clinical trial budget/IRB
support. Dr. Cornett also noted the recent NIH construction grant that will enable completion of two floors
of shell space in the Cancer Institute in July 2011, creating a 16% gain in research space on campus.
3. Curriculum Committee Report
Bruce Newton, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education
Dr. Newton discussed the move of the Geriatrics rotation to the M4 year and the decision to have all
medical students complete both the Surgical Subspecialties and Neuroscience rotations in the M3 year,
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starting in the upcoming academic year. The changes will enable students to complete the Surgical
Subspecialties and Neuroscience rotations prior to residency interviews and making NRMP list decisions,
while also better preparing them for the Geriatrics rotation. The changes enabled reevaluation of content in
the Neuroscience rotation and are expected to help improve Surgery National Board scores. Dr. Newton
also reported that the first academic year for students at the Northwest Arkansas campus has gone very
well, with juniors outscoring their main-campus counterparts on shelf exams.
4. Chancellor’s Remarks
Dan Rahn, M.D., Chancellor
Dr. Rahn stated that while UAMS is on a positive trajectory in all mission areas, the institution must be
ready to adapt to the rapidly changing national health care environment. Health care reform is expected to
place an increased emphasis on the ability to prove organizational and clinical excellence while also
reducing costs. Expanded requirements for evidence-based medicine, possible elimination of payment for
readmissions, and reduced payment per unit of service also are anticipated. He said the changing landscape
will require more teamwork and transparency. In addition, leadership and policy changes at the NIH, NCI
and CMS could impact funding streams in the future.
5. Faculty Awards
Richard P. Wheeler, M.D., Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Dr. Wheeler presented annual faculty awards to the following individuals:
 Master Teacher Award – Patrick W. Tank, Ph.D., Professor, Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences
 Educational Innovation Award – Sara Tariq, M.D., Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, Assistant
Dean for Undergraduate Clinical Education
 Educational Research Award – Bryan L. Burke Jr., M.D., Associate Professor, Pediatrics
 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award (presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation) – John L.
Dornhoffer, M.D., Professor, Otolaryngology
6. Residency Educator Awards
Jim Clardy, M.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education
Dr. Clardy presented Residency Educator Awards to the following programs and individuals:
 Otolaryngology Residency – Sam Welch, M.D., Program Director, Associate Professor
o Lisa Blair, Coordinator; James Suen, M.D., Department Chair
 Pediatrics Critical Care Fellowship – Richard “Tad” Fiser, M.D., Program Director, Professor
o Connie Ocampo, Coordinator; Richard Jacobs, M.D., Department Chair
7. Closing & Special Presentation
Debra H. Fiser, M.D., Dean, College of Medicine; Vice Chancellor, UAMS
Dr. Fiser thanked T. Glenn Pait, M.D., for serving as Interim Chair of Neurosurgery and Tim Chambers,
Ph.D., for serving as Interim Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology during the searches for
permanent chairs for those departments. In a special presentation, Dr. Fiser presented a plaque of
appreciation to Sami Harik, M.D., for his 16 years of service as Chair of the Department of Neurology.
Dr. Fiser adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tamara Robinson
College of Medicine
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