UAMS Administrators Announce Retirement

Chancellor Dan Rahn, who has led the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) for nearly eight years, will retire at the end of July next year, he announced Sept. 19.

Rahn, who came to UAMS Nov. 1, 2009, after serving eight years as president of the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, has led a savings initiative of more than $100 million, expanded the Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville, and advocated for a dental center at the university.

University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald Bobbitt said in a statement that Rahn will leave a lasting legacy at UAMS, and both the institution and the UA System are much better because of his efforts.

Bobbitt will form a search committee to find the next chancellor.

UAMS’ regional campus in Northwest Arkansas will also see a key departure in the coming months.

Peter Kohler announced Sept. 9 he will retire as vice chancellor of the Fayetteville campus, effective Dec. 31.

Kohler was hired in 2007 to lead efforts to open the Fayetteville campus. His previous experience at UAMS includes chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine in the College of Medicine and interim dean of the medical school.

In a related UAMS organizational change, Pearl McElfish, director of the Office of Community Health and Research and co-director of the Center for Pacific Islander Health, will become associate vice chancellor, leading the regional campus and its programs.

McElfish will report to Tim Hill, vice chancellor for regional programs, and continue her work in her existing positions

UAMS is the state’s largest public employer and its only academic health sciences university.