UAMS College of Nursing Dean - Sarah Rhoads

09/24/2026

Yesterday was a great day celebrating nurses! 🎉

First, we celebrated during the annual UAMS College of Nursing Dean's Circle and Scholarship Reception. It was lovely to visit with Dean's Circle members, donors, and scholarship recipients.

One of our donors, a 1994 alumna, provided an excellent perspective on giving back. Next, a scholarship recipient told her story about how scholarships are decreasing her financial burden while in school.

Second, I joined nursing colleagues from across the state at the 2026 Great 100 Nurses of Arkansas celebration. We are especially proud that four College of Nursing Faculty members were recognized among this year's Great 100 Nurses:

⭐ Dr. Suzanne White
⭐ Dr. Dominique DuBois
⭐ Heather Hunter
⭐ Dr. Samantha Crouch

UAMS College of Nursing alumni are making a difference throughout Arkansas! A 2001 alumna was also recognized at the event - she remembered me when I taught her undergraduate nursing many years ago.

Congratulations to these outstanding nurse leaders and to the College of Nursing scholarship recipients!

09/21/2026

Celebrating UAMS Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and APPs throughout Arkansas during National APP Week!

Thankful for the Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), and Physician Assistants (PAs), who are essential members of the health care team and provide excellent care!

UAMS is celebrating APPs all week. The festivities will end on Friday with Snacks with the Dean at 2 pm in the ED II Foyer. Come see me and tell me about how you are making an impact on Arkansas's health care outcomes!

UAMS College of Nursing UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

09/21/2026

Wow! 500 Arkansas nurses were nominated for March of Dimes Awards! Congratulations to all nominees! 🎉

09/21/2026

Honored to speak at the Sigma Chi Chi Chapter tonight during their annual scholarship event. Several of our UAMS nursing students received scholarships from the chapter. It was also nice to connect with Stacie Ford - we worked together many years ago when I was a labor and delivery nurse at UAMS.

09/16/2026

So proud that Dr. Steed is leading our Nurse Anesthesia Program!

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Nursing named Martina Steed, Ph.D., CRNA, as the next director of its Nurse Anesthesia Program.

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…