UAMS College of Nursing Dean - Sarah Rhoads

08/28/2026

The UAMS College of Nursing is proud to recognize our faculty members who earned promotion and/or tenure effective July 1, 2026!

These achievements reflect years of dedication and excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and leadership. Each promotion represents not only an important professional milestone, but also the meaningful contributions our faculty make to our students, the College of Nursing, UAMS, and the nursing profession.

Please join us in congratulating our newly promoted and tenured faculty members on this well-deserved recognition! We are incredibly proud to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to their continued impact. ❤️

👏 Congratulations to the following faculty members!

Promotion to Assistant Professor: Brook Scalzo, Dr. Casey Polk, Dr. Jen Rader, Dr. Brian Parks, Heather Hunter* and Dr. Lakendra Ready*.

Promotion to Associate Professor: Dr. Natalie Capps, Dr. Leah Richardson, Dr. Stephanie Trotter, and Dr. Britt Beasley.*

Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure: Dr. Martha Rojo.

Promotion to Professor with tenure: Dr. Teresa Whited.*

Promotion to Professor (previously tenured): Dr. Laura Hays. (*not pictured)

08/25/2026

Thank you to Chancellor Barnes for awarding Dr. Teresa Whited and the College of Nursing a $15,000 2026 Chancellor's Circle grant! The funds will be used to create a Student Wellness Oasis in the college to provide a dedicated stress-relief space for students.

08/17/2026

DNP/MNSc Orientation!

08/17/2026

What a great start to the Fall Semester! Today was my first DNP/MNSc orientation as Dean. I enjoyed getting to know the students and learning their 'why' for choosing UAMS CON. The nurse-midwifery program welcome their first group of students. Many of the faculty members dressed in sports-team inspired clothing. As the 'head coach' AKA Dean - Go Team UAMS CON!

07/29/2026

What an amazing day! I'm honored to be invested as the Dr. Linda Hodges Endowed Dean's Chair. She was Dean when I was a nursing student and the Dean who hired me as a new faculty member. Dr Hodges is an amazing role model and mentor!

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) invested Sarah J. Rhoads, Ph.D., DNP, FAAN, dean of the UAMS College of Nursing, into the Linda C. Hodges Endowed Dean’s Chair during a May 7 ceremony. “As I prepared for this day, I reflected on stories that brought…

07/21/2026

Great visit with U of A Rich Mountain at the UAMS NWA Campus! It was fun to explore future collaborations with their nursing program and with their college.

07/16/2026

The College of Nursing is hosting an information session about our Nurse-Midwifery program. See the post for additional information!

Register here ... https://nursing.uams.edu/future-students/information-sessions/

UAMS College of Nursing

07/16/2026

A big shout-out to the faculty and staff who make our Northwest Arkansas campus such a special place!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting a bravo Break along with NWW UAMS Administration and Deans of the other UAMS colleges.

06/11/2026

Delighted to see that nursing is featured in this month's issue of Arkansas Money & Politics! Several UAMS nurse leaders are highlighted in the issue - UAMS Health Chief Nursing Officer - Tammy Jones, Neal Reeves and Penny Ward as well as nursing leaders and programs throughout the state.

06/11/2026

Proud of the statewide partnerships we have with U of A colleges! Excited to welcome students/graduates from U of A Ft. Smith to our programs!

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (UAFS) have entered into a formal Memorandum of Agreement designed to create clear, accelerated pathways for UAFS graduates pursuing careers in health care. The agreement covers 14 UAMS p...