Wilkerson Inaugurated as 2021-2022 AMS President

Little Rock Anesthesiologist Danny Wilkerson, MD, has been named president of the Arkansas Medical Society effective May 14, 2021, and will lead the organization over the next year.

After medical school at UAMS, Dr. Wilkerson began his career in 1986 at St Mary – Rogers Memorial Hospital in Northwest Arkansas. In 2000, Dr. Wilkerson joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences as Professor of Anesthesiology, with a secondary appointment as Anesthesiology Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In 2017, he joined the UAMS Anesthesia Preoperative Evaluation Clinic as a practicing anesthesiologist.

In addition to being a 30-year active member 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 is 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.

When determining his agenda for the upcoming year, Dr. Wilkerson wants to continue the work done by his predecessor, Chad Rodgers, MD, by addressing health care disparities across the state, as well as continuing the fight against scope of practice issues and the stigma of substance use disorder. COVID-19 issues will also continue to be a priority. He said, “AMS will continue to work with state officials, clinics, and members to help vaccinate Arkansans and, at the same time, care for those currently with the infection and those suffering lasting effects from the disease.”