during my residency . Other mentors were Richard B . Clark , MD ( director of Obstetric Anesthesiology ), Astride Seifen , MD , and Carmelita S . Pablo , MD .”
Dr . Wilkerson completed medical school in 1983 and by 1986 had completed his transitional internship and anesthesiology residency . While still in training , he met his future wife . “[ Sue Ellen ] and I are both from Rogers . Growing up , I knew her brother but did not know her ,” he said . “ She and I met in the basement pharmacy at the old VA on Roosevelt Road in Little Rock . She was in pharmacy school , and I was an intern . After we finished our training , we lived in Rogers for 14 years before moving back to Little Rock .”
Dr . Wilkerson practiced first at St . Mary – Rogers Memorial Hospital ( where he was born ) and since 2000 , has practiced at UAMS . Today , he practices primarily as a professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UAMS , with a secondary appointment as Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology . He is Board Certified in Anesthesiology by the American Board of Anesthesiology and is a fellow in the American Society of Anesthesiologists . “ My primary practice for many years was high-risk obstetric anesthesia ,” he said . “ I also served as the adult division director and the medical director for Surgical Services . Since 2017 , I have been in the Anesthesia Preoperative Evaluation Clinic .”
As a teaching professor , he has led many medical students through anesthesiology residencies — among them , his colleague and friend in the Medical Society , James Hunt , MD . “ What I appreciated about Danny — Professor Wilkerson — from day one , and what I continue to appreciate about him today , is his direct , ‘ no fluff ’ approach — whether helping new moms welcome their babies safely into the world or managing the rapid-fire complexities of trauma patients ,” shared Dr . Hunt . “ Keeping cool and staying focused in scenarios such as trauma surgery is always easier when working with someone who is also cool and focused : I always enjoyed working in difficult cases with Danny because I knew I could trust his judgment and his skills .”
A Proven Leader
As Dr . Wilkerson steps into his new role as president of the Arkansas Medical Society , he brings to it a reputation for leadership and service to his profession and to organized medicine . “ Dr . Wilkerson is already a great leader for our organization ,” said Dr . Hunt . “ I ’ m excited about getting to work with him on behalf on the Arkansas Medical Society !”
Stacy Zimmerman , MD , knows Dr . Wilkerson best through his role as an active Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care board member . “ Dr . Wilkerson is an amazing physician . I appreciate his reflective character , thoughtfulness , and measured opinions that consider all viewpoints ,” she said . “ His contributions as AMS president will create an inclusive environment for all members , thereby increasing our strength as a society .”
In addition to being active in the Society and several other professional organizations , Dr . Wilkerson has been chairman of the AMS Board of Trustees for three years and has also served on the AMS Finance and Audit Committee . He ’ s a past president of the Arkansas Society of Anesthesiologists , the Pulaski County Medical Society , and the Benton County Medical Society . He is currently the vice chairman and chairman elect of the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care and the current president of the Arkansas Medical Foundation Board of Trustees . Dr . Wilkerson is the director from Arkansas on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Anesthesiologists , a fellow in the American Society of Anesthesiologists , and a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology .
Where does his zeal for service come from ? Pertaining to AMS , he said , “ In my early years , I was not as active as I am now . There is a need for us all to be involved . When I joined the Society , I really wanted to be a part of organized medicine . We can accomplish things through organized medicine that we can ’ t accomplish individually . With that in mind , it ’ s so valuable to the health of our state .”
A Focus on Service
As president of AMS , Dr . Wilkerson wants to continue the work done by his predecessor , Chad Rodgers , MD . “ I want to focus on health care disparities across the state and how we can help address those as a Society ,” he said . “ I also want to focus on a campaign to decrease stigma attached to those that are marginalized by chronic , debilitating diseases such as substance use disorder , alcohol use disorder , psychiatric issues , and obesity . Given the current COVID-19 pandemic , AMS will continue to work with state officials , clinics , and members to help vaccinate Arkansans
“ I want to focus on health care disparities across the state and how we can help address those as a Society .”
– Dr . Danny Wilkerson
and , at the same time , care for those currently with the infection and those suffering lasting effects from the disease . As can be seen , we have a lot of work ahead of us .”
Other areas of focus for AMS President Wilkerson will include continuing the fight against scope-of-practice issues ; promoting education , PPE availability , vaccinations related to COVID-19 ; and working with state officials to continue to curb opioid and substance abuse .
Service during a continuing pandemic will be a challenge , but it ’ s one the Society can handle , even with the trials and changes that less in-person events create , according to Dr . Wilkerson . “ The side bar conversations , the food , and the travel have been replaced by remote meetings , but I think we have continued to address issues , confront problems , find answers , and enjoy each other ’ s company . We plan to meet remotely for now and get back to in-person meetings as soon as possible .”
During his virtual swearing in , Dr . Wilkerson enjoyed having family at his side . “ It was different in that it wasn ’ t the big to-do that it usually is ,” he said , “ I wish my son would have been able to be there , but it was great that my wife was there . She supports me in everything and always has . She stood and held the bible that I put my hand on during the induction . My wife ’ s father is a retired Presbyterian minister , so that was a special moment for us .”
In reaction to the induction itself , Dr . Wilkerson humbly thanked his colleagues . “ It was a special moment , and I ’ m just humbled to have the membership have the confidence in me to elect me as president . I was proud to be honored in this way and to stand on the shoulders of the presidents that came before .”
As his colleagues have attested , Dr . Wilkerson ’ s history of leadership , advocacy , fairness , and a cool head amid emergencies make him a natural fit for the current term as AMS president . His skills and style will surely prove a presidential tenure to be watched , valued , and admired .
Volume 118 • Number 1 JULY 2021 • 7