Faculty
Edward Williams, DMSc, M.Ed., PA-C
Chair, Department of Physician Assistant Studies
Director, Physician Assistant Program
Dr. Williams hails from Montgomery, Alabama and joined the U.S. Army in 1991 as a Combat Medic. During his time as a medic, he developed a passion for training and education. In 2001, Dr. Williams was accepted into the Army’s Physician Assistant Program. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2003 from The University of Nebraska then later earned his Masters of Science in the same field in 2004 with a specialty in Family Practice. In June of 2012, Professor Williams earned his Master’s in Education from the University of Phoenix while stationed in South Korea. In 2022 Dr. Williams earned his Doctor of Medical Science degree from The University of Lynchburg with a concentration in PA education.
During his service in the Army, he was awarded many awards and decorations to include the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, and the Legion of Merit. As a Physician Assistant, he has served as the Medical Officer for several battalions and served as the Officer in Charge of a Troop Medical Clinic in South Korea. Professor Williams retired from the Army after 22 years of service. Edward is married to his wife, Jill, and has two children, Drew and Lauren.
Dr. Williams is fulfilling a long-term goal of instructing on a professional level. He is eager to impart his medical knowledge to future Physician Assistants and believes it is important to give back to the Physician Assistant profession that continues to give so much to those in need.
Nadja Vawryk Button, MHS, PA-C
Assistant Professor
Before becoming a Physician Assistant, Ms. Vawryk Button worked for twenty years in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in various capacities, as a Paramedic, an EMS educator, and regional EMS Quality Improvement Coordinator.
She graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Health Services and completed a Master of Science degree at Towson University in Instructional Technology. At the Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, she attained a Master of Health Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies.
Upon graduation, she practiced in rural St. Francis Kansas as a family practice PA, and was clinic manager. She implemented and managed the clinic’s Electronic Medical Records program. While there, she was a recipient of the National Health Services Corps (NHSC) tuition reimbursement. Later she practiced as an Emergency Department PA in rural Georgia.
Previously she served at the Mercer University PA Program as the Clinical Coordinator, then as Quality Enhancement and Technology coordinator managing the PA program educational administration and testing databases.
Ms. Vawryk Button is proud to have been one of the original UAMS Physician Assistant faculty, and hopes to share her clinical knowledge of family practice and emergency medicine, her interest in quality enhancement and technology, and her calling to care for citizens in rural communities.
Chance Gee, MPAS, PA-C
Director of Admissions, Assistant Professor
Chance Gee completed his undergraduate education at Texas A&M University in College Station in 2006; earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences. In 2010, he earned his Masters of Physician Assistant Studies degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. Upon gaining national certification, Chance worked in a private practice setting in Texas in the field of Internal Medicine. Since moving to Arkansas, he has worked with the department of Burn Surgery at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at UAMS.
Chance joined the UAMS Physician Assistant Program in 2019 and is excited about the opportunity to share his knowledge and prior experiences with future physician assistants. He has been married to his lovely wife, Maria, since 2016, and together they have a beautiful son and daughter and two dogs. Chance is an avid sports fan, and in his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing, and playing golf.
Melissa Halverson, Pharm.D., M.P.H.
Director of the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center, Associate Professor, and Interim Associate Program Director
Dr. Melissa Halverson graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in May 2014 earning both a doctorate in Pharmacy as well as a Master in Public Health. She has lived in central Arkansas since 2004 when her family moved to Little Rock from Suwanee, Georgia, part of the Metro-Atlanta area.
During her time as a dual-degree student at UAMS, she spent many hours volunteering at the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center (a student-run, interprofessional, free clinic). She completed her culminating experience project at the center where she initiated the evaluation of a patient’s health literacy status, which would influence the way the professional students communicate with the patient.
After graduation she accepted an ambulatory care residency position with the UAMS College of Pharmacy with a significant amount of time dedicated to the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center. During her time as a resident she helped the center become a Vaccines for Children provider, implement a patient-centered, interprofessional diabetes education class held at the center, as well as other UAMS clinics, and saw the center provide dental services for the first time.
Dr. Halverson began teaching in the UAMS Physician Assistant Program while earning a teaching certificate as part of the residency program and is excited to continue teaching with the program as a full-time faculty member. Along with teaching responsibilities, she will help coordinate the service learning portion of the curriculum. With her enthusiasm for interprofessional education, Dr. Halverson continues to volunteer at the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center and actively promote interprofessional education on the UAMS campus.
Oleg Karaduta, MD
Director of Research, Assistant Professor
Oleg Karaduta studied general medicine at Volgograd State Medical University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Dr. Karaduta subsequently completed his residency in General Surgery in 2004. He became the Chief Resident at Volgograd Regional Hospital in 2006, supervising students and junior residents. Dr. Karaduta completed his research fellowship on vascular surgery that was supported by an American-Austrian Foundation.
In 2007 he accepted his first faculty position at the Volgograd Medical University where he directed courses of “General Surgery” and “Nursing Surgical Patients” for foreign medical students from all over the world.
In 2011 Dr. Karaduta joined UAMS as a researcher developing a novel approach for the management of cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease. During his postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (UAMS) Oleg Karaduta studied gut microbiome and metabolomics profiles concurrent with amelioration of chronic kidney disease. As an established investigator he was able to secure external funding from Burroughs Wellcome Fund, as well as multiple awards from scientific societies: MSACL, AHA, ASMS.
After finishing his postdoctoral fellowship Dr. Karaduta accepted faculty appointment at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (UAMS).
He left DBMB in 2021 to become core faculty and Director of Research in College of Health Professions in the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, leading PA program in the state of Arkansas.
Samantha Lawson, MPAS, PA-C
Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor
Professor Samantha Lawson is an Arkansas native, growing up in Little Rock. Her path to science and medicine was not a conventional one. She attended Southern Methodist University for undergraduate studies, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Bachelor of Arts in Italian Area Studies. After graduating, she spent some time working and living in Italy. Upon arriving back to the United States, she returned to school part time to prepare for Physician Assistant school while also working full time in a pediatric clinic. There, she developed a passion for patient care in the clinical setting. She was a member of the Inaugural Class of the UAMS Physician Assistant Program, which graduated in 2015. After graduating, she worked in orthopedic joint replacement surgery for two years, and then went on to work in a family practice clinic for the next four years.
Samantha joined the UAMS Physician Assistant Program faculty in April 2022. She is excited to be returning to UAMS to help educate future PA providers and shape the PA profession. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her husband while they try to keep up with their two adorable and very active daughters.
Hillary Mayberry, MPAS, PA-C
Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor
Hillary is from central Arkansas and a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a Minor in Spanish. She first called UAMS home in 2013 when she began working as a Research Technician in the Pharmacology/Toxicology Department doing stroke and hypertension research prior to attending PA school. She is a proud graduate of the UAMS Physician Assistant Studies Program where she received her Master’s degree in 2018. She continued her time at UAMS by working in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. During her time in surgery, Hillary acted as a preceptor, mentor, and enjoyed lecturing to the PA students.
She is passionate about education and is excited to help shape future PAs. In her free time, Hillary enjoys spending time with her husband and their daughter, traveling, and doing anything outdoors, to include camping, kayaking, hiking, etc.
Lachan E. Siebenmorgen, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor and Director of Assessment
Lachan Siebenmorgen has been with the UAMS PA Program since February 2020 and is an Assistant Professor. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from UAMS. She is a current PhD Candidate in Health Promotion and Prevention Research at UAMS. Before being a full-time faculty member, she was a guest lecturer for the PA program starting in 2017. She brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Lachan has received recognition for her dedication to teaching, earning the Faculty Instructor of the Year award in 2022. She has actively contributed to curriculum development, faculty committees, and scholarly activities, reflecting her commitment to enhancing medical education. In addition to her academic role, Lachan has extensive clinical experience as a Physician Assistant, contributing to UAMS Family Medical Clinic, Emergency Department, and COVID-19 Triage Service. Her passion for research is an integral part of her personality. She has presented numerous times, published abstracts, and participated in grant-funded projects, including an HRSA Maternal Child Health Catalyst Program grant. Lachan’s service extends beyond academia and healthcare, involving participation in various committees, workshops, and community outreach programs. Her multifaceted contributions underscore her dedication to advancing education, improving patient outcomes, and fostering community engagement.
Billy R. Thomas, M.D.
Interim Medical Director
Brittany Wilkerson, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor
Professor Brittany Wilkerson is a native of Central Arkansas. She completed her undergraduate studies at Philander Smith College, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. As an undergraduate, Professor Wilkerson volunteered at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) Cancer Institute Modular Mammography Program. She also participated in undergraduate research as a scholar for the Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Health/National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases. Professor Wilkerson continued her education at the UAMS College of Health Professions, earning a Master of Science in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies. After obtaining national certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Professor Wilkerson practiced as the Bleeding Disorders PA at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, with a focus on rare benign Hematological disorders. She was also one of the investigators in multiple research studies regarding genetic therapy for Hemophilia. Professor Wilkerson is excited to begin her role as a faculty member and alumnus of the UAMS Physician Assistant Program. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Audra Wilson, DMS, M.S., PA-C
Director of Didactic Education, Associate Medical Director of the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center, Assistant Professor
Audra Wilson graduated from Harding University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish in 2016 and continued her education at Harding, completing a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies in 2018. Upon graduating, she earned NCCPA national certification as a PA and practiced in family medicine in Sherwood, Arkansas. Most recently, she has worked at UAMS in the COVID Triage Unit to provide community testing and vaccinations throughout the state.
During her career, Audra has participated in numerous medical mission campaigns to Central and South America. She continues to be passionate about improving healthcare access for rural and underserved populations, both abroad and in Arkansas. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and completing renovation projects at her home. Audra is excited to be joining the UAMS PA program to train competent and compassionate providers.
Adjunct/Additional Faculty
Sarah Anderson, ;Natalie S. Bradford, M.M.S., PA-C; Anne Brown, ; Laura O’Hern,
Staff
Jeffrey DeSantis
Educational Coordinator
Jeffrey DeSantis comes to the Physician Assistant program as an Educational Coordinator with extensive higher educational experience in program management and coordination. Most recently he lead UAMS through its ten year reaccreditation for the Higher Learning Commission, UAMS’ regional accreditor which is necessary for students to be able to sit for state board licensing examinations and obtain federal financial aid. He has held positions at several universities including instructor, academic advisor, registrar, and systems administrator at both private and public institutions and he is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Higher Educational Leadership at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He holds advanced degrees in Higher Education from Suffolk University, and Interdisciplinary Studies from Boston University as well as a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy from SUNY Brockport and a graduate certificate in Business from UA Little Rock. His professional interests include program assessment, curriculum development, program accreditation and enrollment management. He lives in Little Rock with his wife Dr. Kathryn King and two young children Julian and Alexandra.
Linda Haubenstein
Assistant to the Chair
Linda Gammon Haubenstein, originally from New Orleans, LA, joined the UAMS Physician Assistant Staff in January 2013. She moved from Davenport, IA where she worked for the Genesis Health Services Foundation, Genesis Medical Center, for 12 years. Linda is married to Kurt J. Haubenstein and they have three children.
