Moseley invested as first Arkansas Medical Society Distinguished Dean’s Chair

Dr. Pope L. Moseley, dean of the College of Medicine and executive vice chancellor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock, was formally invested Thursday (June 8) as the inaugural recipient of the Arkansas Medical Society Distinguished Dean’s Chair.

Moseley came to UAMS in July 2015. He oversees the college’s interrelated missions to train the next generation of Arkansas’ physicians, develop new knowledge that leads to better health, and deliver world-class, patient-centered care. The College of Medicine is the largest at UAMS and home to about three-fourths of the faculty, many of whom also serve in UAMS’ Graduate School, institutes and other units. As executive vice chancellor, Moseley is a senior leader at UAMS.

An endowed distinguished chair, according to UAMS, is among the highest academic honors a university can bestow on a faculty member and is established with gifts of $1.5 million, which are invested and the proceeds used to support the educational, research and clinical activities of the chair holder and college. Those named to a distinguished chair are among the most highly regarded scientists, physicians and educators in their fields of expertise.

Moseley was presented with a commemorative medallion by Rahn and Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost.

“This is a great personal honor to be the holder of the first Arkansas Medical Society Distinguished Dean’s Chair,” said Moseley. “The chair is really not about me, though, it’s about the position. I am most grateful that it has been established because of what it means for the College of Medicine and those we serve. I’m grateful because it’s what we as the college can do to work with the medical society to create value in our medical system.

“This endowment will provide funds for wherever they are needed most. It will help us to meet unexpected challenges,” Moseley said. “And someday this chair will help us find the next dean, because it’s a powerful recruitment tool for us. It’s extremely important for this college and it’s extremely important for Arkansas.”

The Arkansas Medical Society was created by and for physicians in 1875 and is now one of the most respected and influential health care organizations in Arkansas. The society is dedicated to improving health care in Arkansas and helping physicians focus on caring for their patients. It serves as an advocate, support system and source for health care news and resources.