Smith to step down as College of Medicine dean at UAMS

FILE - 04/12/2013 - G. Richard Smith, M.D., shown in this 2013 file photo, is stepping down from his position as dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences effective Dec. 31, 2014. Smith has been a faculty member of the university since 1981.
FILE - 04/12/2013 - G. Richard Smith, M.D., shown in this 2013 file photo, is stepping down from his position as dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences effective Dec. 31, 2014. Smith has been a faculty member of the university since 1981.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences announced Tuesday that Dr. G. Richard Smith is stepping down from his position as the dean of the College of Medicine.

Chancellor Dr. Dan Rahn announced Smith’s resignation Tuesday in an email sent to all UAMS employees and students.

Smith — who was a medical student, intern and resident at UAMS — joined the faculty in 1981 and has since served in a variety of leadership roles at the university, Rahn said.

UAMS spokesman Andrea Peel said Smith’s last official day as dean of the College of Medicine will be Dec. 31, but he has agreed to stay around until a new dean is chosen.

He will assist the new dean in a part-time capacity through March, Rahn said.

Peel said a search committee for a new dean has not been put together just yet, but the search will be nationwide.

Before serving as dean, Smith was the Marie Wilson Howells professor and chair in the department of psychiatry for 12 years and the founding director of the Psychiatric Research Institute.

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