About the UAMS College of Medicine Parents Club
Medical school takes a financial, mental, and emotional toll – from the monetary investment to the hours of studying, the anxiety over exams, and the residency match. The College of Medicine Parents Club for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences was created in an effort to alleviate some of these hardships through scholarships, expense reimbursements, educational resources, social events, and other activities to improve the student’s medical school experience.
Our Mission Statement
Formed in 1976, the Parents Club mission is to improve the quality of life for all UAMS medical students.
The College of Medicine Parents Club for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences supports the UAMS students in the following ways:
Travel
Travel reimbursement funds are available to students for presenting student research at regional or national scientific meetings or attending conferences and events.
In 2019-2020, we awarded three (3) travel awards. Three (3) speaker funds were awarded to Cole Howie, Jordan Spencer, and Scarlett Acklin. We also awarded three (3) attending funds to Allison Schneider, Annika Tabassum, and Taylor Freeman.
In 2018-2019, we awarded twelve (12) speaker or presentation awards to Mohammad Siddiqui, Katherine Caid, Anna Celeste Gibson, Christopher Randall, Lara McHan, Chrystal Lau, Varun Shah, Duy Ha, Jay Im, Austin Bramwell, Harrison Winslow, and Tessa Henry. We awarded five (5) attending funds to Aleece Fletcher, Margaret Grace Oliver, Brendan Moore, Blake Davidson, and Emily Tharp.
In addition, in honor of the major contribution the Parents Club gave in 2014 when we purchased Ultrasound machines for the students, we have chosen to sponsor the 2019 UAMS team that travels to the Sonoslam competition. The Parents Club approved funding for 3 students to represent UAMS COM and compete at the AIUM conference/Sonoslam (an Ultrasound competition that pits teams of medical school students (a team of 3) from across the country against each other). Morgan Sweere Treece, Mason Sifford, Hayden Scott were chosen to represent UAMS COM.
Scholarships
The Parents Club currently provides funding for seven student scholarships. In 1994, the Parents Club created a scholarship fund. Three $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to a Senior, Junior and Sophomore. Students are selected by a vote of his/her classmates. The recipient is a student who “parents their classmates” by demonstrating compassion, empathy, integrity, encouragement, and character through interaction with their classmates. Under the leadership of Linda Moore DuPuy, Parents Club President, 1994-95, the Parents Club established the scholarship fund through the sponsorship of an annual “preview night” at the Arkansas Repertory Theater. Proceeds from the performance, as well as a Silent Auction held in conjunction with the preview night, fund the scholarships.
Four additional $1,000 scholarships based on financial need have also been added bring the total to seven annual scholarships.
Funding
The Parents Club supplies the student center (an on campus office/meeting space only for students) with computers, printers, cost-free printing materials, coffee, and snacks.
We provide funding for the Student Advocacy Council which is a student led organization that was formed to help maximize the potential of all the future physicians by providing an approachable and confidential outlet to peers when they feel the need to reach out for support and help. We also provide additional funding for various projects throughout the school year.
Programs, Events, and Education
The Parents Club provides funding for social programs and events including the White Coat Ceremony for M1’s, Freshman Family Day for M1’s, the Fall Fiesta for all students, Match Day for M4’s, and Graduation Week activities for M4’s. In addition, the Parents Club funds Step 1 and Step 2 Practice tests for M2 and M3 students.
Our History
Formed in 1976, the Parents Club mission is to improve the quality of life for all UAMS medical students. We are in partnership with UAMS leadership to enhance mutual benefits for students and parents. We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
UAMS students are the future of excellence in Arkansas health care. They are essential to continued influence on legislation and standards that grow the learning environment.
Chair
2022-2023 Parents Club Officers
-
Stacey Otwell (M4)
President -
Open Position
President-Elect -
Pamela Hickman (M1)
Secretary -
Open Position
Treasurer -
Dana Renard
2020-2022 President -
Open Position
Fundraising Event Chair -
Open Position
Corporate Sponsorship Chair -
Deanna Hildebrand (M4)
Student Center Chair
-
Open Positions
Fall Fiesta Chairs -
Open Position
Membership Chair
-
Steve Cardillo (2018-2019 Parents Club President)
Website Chair
Bio: Steve is an Insurance Claims Adjuster for a Little Rock Insurance Company. His son, Tony, is a Pathologist in his 3rd year of Residency at Strong Memorial in Rochester, New York.
-
Mailbox Chair
Melinda Martin -
Dr. Jeanne McLachlin
UAMS Director of Admissions and Recruitment -
Tammy Henson
UAMS Rural Practice Program Administrator -
Tom South
UAMS Assistant Dean, Admissions -
Backups and/or Co-Chairs are needed for most positions held by M4's. Please contact the Parents Club if you are interested in volunteering.
Board Members
UAMS College of Medicine 2021-2022 Parents Club Board Members
- Steve Cardillo
- Dr. Kanthi Dasari
- Tammy Henson
- Deanna Hildebrand
- Dr. Jeanne McLachlin
- Kaleybra Morehead
- Stacey Otwell
- Dana and Kelley Renard
- Deaundra Rhodes
- Kathy and Ray Rinchuso
- Tom South
- Ann Spencer-Cole
UAMS College of Medicine 2020-2021 Parents Club Board Members
-
Steve and Carissa Cardillo
Austin, AR -
Ann Spencer-Cole
Benton, AR -
Jeff and Deanna Hildebrand
Little Rock, AR -
Joe and Sharon Locke
Little Rock, AR -
Kaleybra Morehead
Pine Bluff, AR -
Kelley and Dana Renard
Little Rock, AR -
Ray and Kathy Rinchuso
Maumelle, AR -
Tom and Lori Schneider
Maumelle, AR
-
Neal Beaton
Little Rock, AR -
Dr. Raj Chakka and Dr. Kanthi Dasari
Little Rock, AR -
Greg and Stacey Otwell
Little Rock, AR -
Trenda Ray
Little Rock, AR -
Deaundra Rhodes
Maumelle, AR
Patti Martin
Little Rock, AR
UAMS Employee Board Members
-
Tammy Henson
UAMS Rural Practice Program Administrator -
Dr. Jeanne McLachlin
UAMS Director of Admissions and Recruitment -
Tom South
UAMS Assistant Dean, Admissions