AMS Announces 2026 Award Winners
LITTLE ROCK, AR—April 1, 2026—Arkansas Medical Society Announces 2026 Lifetime Achievement and Other Prestigious Award Winners Ahead of Annual Meeting
The 2026 AMS Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients:
Healthcare Leadership
Marcy Doderer, FACHE
Physician
Teresita Angtuaco, MD
Hemendra Shah, MD
Volunteer
Carol Bridges
The 2026 AMS Best Faculty Award RECIPIENTS:
Early Career
Holly Agud, MD (Psychiatry)
Lauren Gibson-Oliver, MD (Family Medicine)
Robert Saadi, MD (ENT)
Kumar Shashi, MD (Radiology)
Mid-Career
Mary Katherine Kimbrough, MD (General Surgery)
Shashank Kraleti, MD (Family Medicine)
Sara Shalin, MD (Dermatology)
Sisira Yadala, MD (Neurology)
Late Career
Katherine Irish-Clardy, MD (Family Medicine with Obstetrics)
T. Glenn Pait, MD (Neurosurgery)
Non-Physicians
Lorraine McKelvey, PhD
Rajendram Rajnarayanan, PhD
The 2026 AMS Best Fellow Award Recipients:
Sai Nikhila Ghanta, MD (Cardiology)
Nishanth Thalambedu, MD (Hematology/Oncology)
Claire Foster, MD (Pediatric Critical Care Medicine/Development and Behavioral)
Megan Scarbrough, MD (Pediatric Emergency Medicine)
David Wilson, DO (Pediatric Hematology/Oncology)
Carolyn Reeves, DO (Rheumatology)
THE 2026 AMS Best Resident Award Recipients:
Madison Stokes, MD (Dermatology, UAMS)
Muhammed Fatih Atac, MD (Diagnostic Radiology, UAMS)
Yusuke Kishimoto, MD (Emergency Medicine, UAMS)
Melissa Eckes, MD (General Surgery, UAMS)
Nicole Sullivan, MD (Interventional Radiology, UAMS)
Divya Nayar, MD (Neurology, UAMS)
Brooke Elberson, MD, PhD (Neurosurgery, UAMS)
Natalie Phelan, MD (Nuclear Radiology, UAMS)
Savanna Holland, MD (Obstetrics/Gynecology, UAMS)
Audrey Wright, MD (Orthopaedic Surgery, UAMS)
Carli Cox, MD (Pathology, UAMS)
Abubaker Koko, MD (Pediatrics, UAMS)
Emory Reyes, DO (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, UAMS)
Vijaya Padma Kotapati, MD (Psychiatry, Baptist-UAMS)
Romy Megahed, MD (Radiation Oncology, UAMS)
Audra Favano, MD (Family Medicine, UAMS-Batesville)
Komal Ganger, MD (Family Medicine, UAMS-Little Rock)
Tatiana Lino, MD (Family Medicine, UAMS-Little Rock)
Baylee King, DO (Internal Medicine, St. Bernards)
Jasjit Multani, MD (Internal Medicine, Unity Health)
Meghan Stevenson, DO (Internal Medicine, St. Bernards)
THE 2026 AMS Best Medical Student Award RECIPIENTS:
Alice Walton School of Medicine
Raven “Rylie” Poling (1st year)
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Allie Dew (2nd year)
NYIT COM at A-State
Taylor Gipson (1st year)
Joshua Gullace (3rd year)
Jasmine Stewart (4th year)
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Lily DeSpain (2nd year)
Alaina Baggett (3rd year)
Lindsey Herberger (4th year)
THE 2026 ASKLEPIAN AWARD
The Arkansas Medical Society is pleased to announce the newest recipients of The AMS Asklepian Award. Named for the Greek god of medicine, the award honors an AMS member who promotes the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health; embodies the values of the medical profession through leadership, service, excellence, integrity, and ethical behavior; and serves the community through dedicated medical practice.
The 2026 Asklepian Award Recipient is Robert Arrington, MD, an Arkansas native who has served patients statewide for over 50 years. Dr. Arrington is renowned for his service in pediatric and neonatal medicine and his commitment to teaching and mentorship. He earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, then completed his residency and fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at UAMS. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he built his academic career at UAMS, holding roles such as director of Neonatology, medical director of the NICU and Newborn Transport Service, chief of staff at Arkansas Children’s, and president of the Arkansas Perinatal Society. Respected by patients and peers, Dr. Arrington has received multiple Best Doctor in America awards, the Ruth Olive Beall Award, the Betty A. Lowe, MD, Lifetime Achievement in Pediatric Medicine Award, and other honors for clinical excellence and leadership. Building on this impressive foundation, he is known as a pioneer in neonatal care and widely referred to by his colleagues as the “Father of Neonatology” in Arkansas. His leadership and expertise have transformed outcomes for countless families, leaving a lasting mark on state medicine.
THE 2026 SHUFFIELD AWARD
The Arkansas Medical Society is pleased to announce the newest recipients of the AMS Shuffield Award. The AMS Shuffield Award is given to select Arkansas laypersons who have made outstanding contributions to healthcare. Named for Drs. Joe and Elvin Shuffield, a father-son team from Little Rock devoted to Arkansas healthcare. Dr. Elvin Shuffield, an AMS honorary past president, served as AMS secretary and as Legislative Committee chair for more than 20 years.
The 2026 Shuffield Award is presented posthumously to Nancy Jo Smith. A lifelong Arkansan, Smith is remembered for decades ofdedicated service to the healthcare community. As former director of Special Services at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, she helped cancer patients navigate complex medical systems and access essential care. Her reputation for service led to the installation of the Nancy Jo Smith Endowed Scholarship in the College of Nursing, and she previously received the Pat and Willard Walker Tribute Award. Best known for compassion and commitment, Smith’s work left a lasting impact on healthcare delivery in Arkansas.
The awards listed above will be presented on April 11, 2026, during the 2026 AMS Annual Meeting and President’s Gala. This event brings together the state’s physicians, healthcare leaders, medical students from across the state, and exhibiting sponsors for networking, education, and celebration. Additional awards recognize advocacy, academic excellence, and lifetime contributions to the field of medicine in Arkansas. Other event highlights include poster presentations by medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty.
For more information, visit arkmed.org/2026-annual-meeting or call 501-224-8967.
The Arkansas Medical Society is a physician-led professional association representing more than
4,000 physicians, residents, and medical students in Arkansas.
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