From the Arkansas Advocate:
The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees approved the selection Thursday of Dr. C. Lowry Barnes as the new chancellor of the state’s public medical school.
Barnes has served as interim chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences since July following Dr. Cam Patterson’s announcement that he would return to being a faculty member in the university’s cardiology department after leading UAMS for seven years.
Founded in 1879 by eight physicians, UAMS has grown into a statewide health system that includes regional campuses, clinical affiliates and a cancer institute.
A professor and chair of UAMS’ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Barnes was selected as one of four finalists in a national search for the position in December.
Barnes said he was honored and humbled by the opportunity.
“This is not a one-man job, it’s not a one-team job,” he said at Thursday’s special board meeting. “It’s going to take help from outside and a lot of help from inside, and I appreciate being given the opportunity to lead from within.”
During his time at UAMS, Barnes “has demonstrated a deep commitment to the success of UAMS and a clear understanding of its vital importance to the state of Arkansas,” University of Arkansas System President Jay Silveria said.
Silveria, who recommended Barnes for the position, said he’s looking forward to supporting him and his team.
“He leads with energy and dedication, and he will work tirelessly to advance the mission of UAMS and the success of 12,000 employees and 3,000 students,” Silveria said.
Barnes succeeds Patterson, who led UAMS during a period that included the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as challenges and improvement to the university’s economic outlook.
The founding director of The Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital at UAMS, Barnes is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint reconstruction and replacement surgery of the hip and knee, according to a news release.
After graduating with honors from the UAMS College of Medicine, Barnes remained at UAMS for his internship and residency in orthopaedic surgery.
He went into practice as a joint replacement surgeon at Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics, later becoming its president and managing partner for more than a decade.
Barnes, who joined UAMS in 2014, also serves as the director of the Musculoskeletal Service Line at UAMS Health. He has published more than 350 peer-reviewed articles, lectures internationally and holds seven patents for orthopaedic surgery devices and implants.
