MEDICAL SCHOOL UPDATES
UAMS MD / MPH Program Prepares Students to Care for Patients , Communities
Austin Brown will graduate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences ( UAMS ) in May with both a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health , equipping him for his goal to battle systemic , “ outside of the clinic ” problems that impact his patients ’ lives and health .
The Excellence in Public Health Award that Brown received from the U . S . Public Health Service this year is a good indication the aspiring family medicine physician will succeed .
Brown is one of 123 students currently enrolled in the MD / MPH program at UAMS
Leaders in Medical Education
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine ( NYITCOM ) at Arkansas State University is committed to training talented physicians who aspire to become servant leaders that positively impact their communities .
Contact us to learn more about the two degree programs offered on our Jonesboro campus :
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine ( D . O .) Master of Science , Biomedical Sciences
Training Physicians In Arkansas , For Arkansas
— the highest number to date for the dual degree program established in 2004 . He is the third consecutive UAMS student nominated and selected for the prestigious national award .
Brown ’ s capstone project for his MPH explored why rural Arkansans are less likely to become organ donors . With the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency ( ARORA ) and mentors in the UAMS Fay W . Boozman College of Public Health , Brown analyzed population and demographical data , revealing clear divides along boundaries of poverty , education and race between donors and non-donors . The work is informing ARORA on strategies for working with underrepresented groups .
“ I believe that working in public health will make me a better doctor , and that working as a physician can help me ask better questions when it comes to public health ,” Brown said . “ Ultimately , the reward is that by being better at both , I can take better care of patients and my community .”
Nearly one in five UAMS medical students is enrolled in the MD / MPH program , said James Graham , MD , vice dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Medicine , who attributes the program ’ s popularity to several factors , including the clarity the pandemic has provided about the relevance of public health approaches in medicine .
“ The program also has grown organically , as incoming medical students hear positive things from participants in classes ahead of them ,” Graham said . “ This is a clear testament to the fact that we have a truly great College of Public Health at UAMS .”
Susan Smyth , MD , PhD , executive vice chancellor and dean of the College of Medicine , said graduates like Brown are crucial to improving health in Arkansas .
“ Public health approaches are integral to our ability to take good care of Arkansans and reduce health inequities ,” she said . “ We are enormously proud of Austin and all of our MD / MPH students .” ■
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SPRING 2022 | VOLUME 118 | NUMBER 9 185