Hope & HealingPatients Share Life-Changing Stories

2 HOUSE CALL

Full of PossibilitiesSix UAMS patients share their inspirational stories of hope and healing.

Launching a SatelliteThe states need for additional health care providers has prompted UAMS to begin plans for a northwest Arkansas campus.

A Good Hair DayTwo College of Nursing faculty members donate their hair to benefit others.

contents

winter 20084

On the cover: UAMS patient Karen Howlett at her horse stable near Conway.

Cover photo by Michael Pirnique.

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3 The Chancellors Corner

13 Healers Nurses career brings unexpected opportunities

14 Did You Know?

16 Builders Mental health resources have a new home

18 Scholars Dual degree programs offer advantages for students

19 Partners Entergy Arkansas CEO shares his talents with UAMS

in every issue

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chancellors corner

Celebrating Success

I. Dodd Wilson, M.D.Chancellor, University of Arkansas forMedical Sciences

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The vision of UAMS is in providing for

a healthier Arkansas. An essential part of

this vision lies in our patient care mission,

as well as in educating our future health care

providers.

The quality of our patient care is closely

linked to the quality of our education,

research and outreach. As the states only

comprehensive academic health center,

UAMS is uniquely positioned to treat people

with complex medical conditions, as well

as those in need of basic primary care. Our

doctors, nurses and other staff members are

intensely dedicated to offering the finest, most

technologically advanced treatments available.

In this issue of HouseCall, we focus on patient success stories. There are countless

stories we could have told, but the six patients

we chose represent the broad scope of care

available at UAMS. Whether they personally

made the decision to receive treatment at

UAMS or were brought here

due to a medical crisis, each of

these patients openly expresses

gratitude for the compassionate

care offered by UAMS staff.

One of the stories we share

is that of Ambra Jackson and

her brother, Bryan Clay. Like

thousands of other Americans,

Ambra and Bryan live with

multiple sclerosis, an illness for

which there is not yet a cure. Yet

these young people epitomize

the strength and conviction that

with the help of their health

care team they can live life to

the fullest.

It is truly our hope for all

Arkansans that through research

and treatment, life can be not

only extended but also enhanced.

Many of our research programs,

including the internationally

recognized Myeloma Institute for

Research and Therapy, make this goal a reality

every day.

Thanks to the dedication of the institutes

director, Dr. Bart Barlogie, and his fellow

scientists, myeloma patients at UAMS have

achieved a median survival rate of seven

years. In 2001, the National Cancer Institute

reported the national five-year survival rate for

myeloma patients was only 34 percent.

Other programs at UAMS are offering the

same kind of hope for people facing a wide

array of illnesses and medical conditions. I

hope that you will share in our celebration of

past successes and join us in recognizing the

unlimited possibilities that the future of health

care holds for us all.

HOUSECALLwinter 2008

editor

Susan Van Dusen

art director

laurie Shell

managing editor

liz Caldwell

creative director

Keith Runkle

writers

liz Caldwell

Jon Parham

David Robinson

Susan Van Dusen

photographer

Johnpaul Jones

editorial advisory board

Kathy Alexander

Jerry Atchley

Anne Bynum

Cindy Pugh

Dale Ronnel

Carla Spainhour

Judy Snowden

Becky Tucker

chancellor

Dr. I. Dodd Wilson

vice chancellor of

communications and marketing

Pat Torvestad

associate vice chancellor of

communications and marketing

leslie Taylor

assistant vice chancellor of

communications and marketing

Tim Irby

HouseCall is published quarterly by theUAMS Office of Communications and Marketing

4301 W. Markham St. #890, little Rock, AR 72205-7199Phone: (501) 686-5686 Fax: (501) 686-6020

Visit us online at www.uams.edu/housecall.

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Six UAMS Patients Share Their Stories of Hope and HealingSix UAMS Patients Share Their Stories of Hope and HealingFull of Possibilities

While no one would choose an illness or injury, the choice is often made for us. Complex and serious conditions

require not only highly trained physicians, but also the latest technological advances and a compassionate care

team that understands your specific needs.

On the following pages are the stories of six Arkansans who arrived at UAMS facing extraordinary medical

conditions. Some still face challenges, while others have beaten the odds. However, they all tell a similar story

that the care they received at UAMS made it possible for them to experience healing and wholeness.

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Karen HowlettConwayUAMS High-risk Pregnancy Program

Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute

When Karen Howlett counts her blessings, she starts with the three most dear: her daughter, her son and her vision. She wouldnt have any of them, she said, without UAMS.

Diagnosed with Marfans syndrome at age 5, Howletts parents knew she faced a life of challenges. Marfans syndrome is a genetic condition that affects the bodys connective tissue and can cause multiple medical conditions, including dislocated lenses and complications in pregnancy.

Although her vision began to deteriorate at an early age, Howlett developed a love of horseback riding, competing in both barrel racing and pole bending events. I knocked down a lot of poles because of my vision problems, she said.

As an adult, Howletts vision continued to decline, resulting in her sometimes resorting to wearing contact lenses and glasses at the same time. Because my vision was so poor, I was afraid to stay alone overnight. I eventually had to stop driving, which was really difficult for a 34-year-old to accept, she said.

At the same time Howlett was struggling with her vision, she was advised not to have children due to possible heart-related complications from Marfans. When Howlett became unexpectedly pregnant in 2000, she and her husband, Lew, sought the care of Dr. Paul Wendel, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in the UAMS high-risk pregnancy program. UAMS is home to the only board-certified maternal-fetal specialists in Arkansas.

Under Wendels care, Howlett successfully delivered her daughter, Jessica, who was followed two years later by the planned pregnancy of her brother, Justin.

Dr. Wendel believed in me and made sure I received the best possible care during my pregnancies. My children were my first two blessings, Howlett said.

Howletts third blessing came in the form of a visit to Dr. Nicola Kim at the UAMS Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute. Under the care of UAMS ophthalmologist Dr. Richard Harper since the early 1990s, Howlett was told in late 2006 that her eyes had reached the point that she eligible for a surgical procedure that could potentially improve her vision.

Kim performed three procedures on Howlett a laser treatment on her left eye and a lens implementation in both eyes bringing her vision to a near perfect 20/25.

The first time I looked at my children after my surgery, my heart melted. It was like seeing them for the first time, she said. I could see everything, even the specks of color in their eyes. A whole new world was opened up for me.

(Facing page) Karen and lew Howlett with son Justin and daughter Jessica. (Above) Thanks to her eye surgery, Howlett enjoys horseback riding again.

related complications from Marfans. When Howlett became unexpectedly pregnant in 2000, she and her husband, Lew, sought the care of Dr. Paul Wendel, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in the UAMS high-risk pregnancy program. UAMS is home to the only board-certified maternal-fetal specialists in Arkansas.

Under Wendels care, Howlett successfully delivered her daughter, Jessica, who was followed two years later by the planned pregnancy of her brother, Justin.

Full of Possibilities

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Frank Williams is getting back to his normal activities following successful brain surgery.

Frank WilliamsLittle RockUAMS Department of Neurosurgery

Winthrop P. RockefellerCancer InstituteCancer Institute

2 On the morning of March 8, 2006, Frank Williams appeared to be the picture of good health. An avid golfer, Williams also enjoyed bicycling and weight lifting. And at only 46 he showed no signs of slowing down. However, that very same night, Williams life took an unexpected turn. While getting ready for bed, he experienced a seizure and lost consciousness. His wife, Rhonda, called 911, and what followed took their lives down a path they never imagined. After they ran some test