Little Rock, Arkansas – Dr. Cam Patterson, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), has announced that he will step down from his role, concluding a transformative yet challenging seven-year tenure. The news was shared publicly on June 9, as Patterson cited medical and personal reasons for his decision.
The University of Arkansas System President Jay B. Silveria confirmed the resignation and will soon name an interim chancellor to guide the institution through the transition period. In his statement, Silveria acknowledged the significance of Patterson’s leadership during difficult times.
“Leading UAMS is a demanding task, and I appreciate Dr. Patterson’s need to do what he feels is best for himself and his family and for the long-term success of the university,” Silveria said. “His contributions to UAMS came through unusually restrictive times, and he should be celebrated for his efforts to push the institution forward while navigating a challenging environment. I wish Dr. Patterson and his family well moving forward and thank him for his service to UAMS and the UA System.”
Dr. Patterson, who took the position of chancellor on June 1, 2018, came to Arkansas with significant experience in academic medicine. Before joining UAMS, he served as the senior vice president and chief operating officer at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Komansky Children’s Hospital in New York. His background in both leadership and cardiology has made him a key figure in the medical education landscape of Arkansas.
Under his guidance, UAMS faced and overcame major public health challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership was marked by a commitment to both patient care and institutional growth in a time of global uncertainty. Patterson helped steer the medical school and its many programs through the crisis while maintaining the university’s academic and research missions.
“The work our team has done at UAMS over the last seven-plus years has been the high point of my career,” said Patterson. “We have a lot to be proud of, and I’ve been the luckiest guy to be a part of it. I am excited about the opportunity to return to the faculty and engage more deeply in the academic and clinical missions at our institution.”
Following his resignation as chancellor, Patterson plans to remain at UAMS by returning to the faculty to serve in cardiology—his original medical specialty. This shift allows him to re-engage with clinical work and continue contributing to the institution in a different capacity.
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Patterson holds a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine. His academic credentials and leadership have long been respected in both national and institutional circles.
As the University of Arkansas System prepares to name an interim chancellor, the medical community and the broader UAMS family reflect on Patterson’s impact. His decision to return to the classroom and clinic instead of retiring completely underscores his dedication to medicine and education.
For now, the university looks ahead to its next chapter, while continuing to benefit from the influence of a leader who helped it weather one of the most turbulent periods in modern health care.
