Student Features

Student Features


Kristen Holmes

Kristen J. Homes, PT, DPT – Physical Therapy Alumnus

Kristen J. Holmes, PT, DPT, 2018 doctoral alumnus of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), was named the 2021 Clinician of the Year by her peers at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Memphis. Each year, Encompass Health recognizes employees providing exemplary service and outstanding care to patients.   [READ MORE ABOUT KRISTEN]


Jer-Rin Turner

Jer-Rin Turner – Audiology

I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I completed my undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders at the University of Houston. I was inspired to apply for the Audiology program at UAMS because of the clinical/research interests of the faculty, various clinical placement opportunities, and the course structure of the program   [READ MORE ABOUT JER-RIN]


Sydney Chastain

Sydney Chastain – Nuclear Medicine Imaging Sciences

Hello, my name is Sydney Chastain, B.S., CNMT. I am originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I came to Little Rock 6 years ago on an athletic scholarship to play Basketball at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) where I played 4 years obtaining my Degree in Sociology and minor in Biology.   [READ MORE ABOUT SYDNEY]


Dominique Sanders

Dominique Sanders – Respiratory Care

Greetings! My name is Dominique L. Sanders, I am a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and a 2014 graduate of Watson Chapel High School where I served as the Student Council President.  In the Fall of 2018, I earned my B.S. Degree in Biology/Pre-Med from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.   [READ MORE ABOUT DOMINIQUE]


Alivia Butler

Alivia Butler – Respiratory Care

My name is Alivia Butler, I am currently a senior in the cardio-respiratory care program at UAMS. I always knew I wanted to work in health care, and I began searching for professions on the College of Health Professions website. [READ MORE ABOUT ALIVIA]


Kirby Moten

Kirby Moten – Diagnostic Medical Sonography

My name is Kirby Nicole Moten and I was born to two loving parents named Donna and Tony in Rogers, Arkansas. I have an older sister named Rachael and a three-year-old nephew named Landon who stole my heart the day he was born.   [READ MORE ABOUT KIRBY]


Destiny Greenhaw

Destiny Greenhaw – Dental Hygiene

I am from a small town(400ish people) called Lead Hill, it’s South of Branson, Mo. on the Arkansas side.  I am a Dental Hygienist Student. I chose this career path because I do not want my patients to be scared of the dentist, like I was when I was younger.   [READ MORE ABOUT DESTINY]


Jonathan Williams

Jonathan Williams – Audiology

Growing up in Camden, AR, I always knew that I wanted to do something that would make my family proud as well as my community of origin. When I younger, I dreamed of attending UAMS and finding a career that would make an impact in the healthcare field.   [READ MORE ABOUT JONATHAN]


Eric Siebenmorgen

Eric Siebenmorgen – Dietetic Internship

My name is Eric Siebenmorgen and I am from Morrison Bluff, Arkansas. It only has a population of 74 people, so I highly doubt you have heard of it. But anyhow, it is 2 hours west from Little Rock. I came to UAMS to become a Registered Dietitian by completing the dietetic internship.   [READ MORE ABOUT ERIC]


Bria Mays

Bria Mays – Physician Assistant Studies

My name is Bria Mays and I am from Jonesville, Louisiana. I came to UAMS to pursue my Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.  I discovered the PA career during my senior year of high school when I was given the opportunity to shadow a Family Medicine PA.   [READ MORE ABOUT BRIA]


Adam Meade

Adam Meade – Radiologic Imaging Sciences

I was born and raised in a small town in Northwest Arkansas where the people were outnumbered by the chickens and cows.  In such a place, it was important that people learn how to entertain themselves.  Consequently, I developed many interests and hobbies over the years. [READ MORE ABOUT ADAM]


Jamiri Brown

Jamiri Brown – Genetic Counseling

My name is Jamiri Brown and I am from Patterson, Louisiana. I came to UAMS to pursue my master’s of science degree in genetic counseling.  I have known since I was I was in middle school that I wanted to be in the medical field and provide care for people.  [READ MORE ABOUT JAMIRI]


Fiona Kelly

Fiona Kelly – Medical Laboratory Sciences

My name is Fiona Kelly and I’m from Riverside, California. I chose to attend UAMS to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science. [READ MORE ABOUT FIONA]


Catherine Power

Catherine Power – Diagnostic Medical Sonography

My name is Catherine Power and I am from Hurst, Texas. I came to UAMS to pursue my bachelor’s of science in diagnostic medical sonography with a focus in echocardiography during my senior year.   [READ MORE ABOUT CATHERINE]


Morgan Howard

Morgan Howard – Audiology

I am Morgan Howard, a second year student in the Doctorate of Audiology program. I am a graduate of Texas A&M University where I majored in Sociology. As a third generation Hard of Hearing person, Audiology sparked my interest from a very young age.   [READ MORE ABOUT MORGAN]


Caitlyn Crowder

Caitlyn Crowder – Audiology

My name is Caitlyn Crowder and I am Heber Springs, Arkansas. I chose the profession of Audiology because of a family history of hearing loss. [READ MORE ABOUT CAITLYN]


Jade DeArmond

Jade DeArmond – Medical Laboratory Sciences

My name is Jade DeArmond and I’m from the small town of Warren, Arkansas! Most recently I lived in Russellville where I got my undergraduate degree, so at heart I’m a small-town girl.  [READ MORE ABOUT JADE]


Tia McDonald

Tia McDonald – Audiology

My name is Tia McDonald. I am a 4th-year audiology student at UAMS.  I am from the great state of Maryland; home of Old Bay, the Blue Crab, and Berger Cookies (Berger Cookies= life, look these up…you won’t be disappointed? ).  I am at the very beginning of my career goals. I chose to join the US Army to pursue audiology in the military.  [READ MORE ABOUT TIA]


Foster Boadi Amoah

Foster Boadi Amoah – Medical Laboratory Sciences

My name is Foster Boadi Amoah. I am originally from Ghana, West Africa and relocated to Columbus, Ohio in 2013. I am on active duty in the Navy and currently enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Sciences program pursuing my second baccalaureate degree. [READ MORE ABOUT FOSTER]


Alicia Bratten

Alicia Bratten – Ophthalmic Medical Technology

My name is Alicia Bratten and I am currently a senior in the Ophthalmic Medical Technologies program in the College of Health Professions. I have been living in Arkansas for 3 years with my military husband and two fur babies. A common question that I get is “Where are you from?” My answer is always “Planet Earth” since my father was also in the military and we moved all over the world every few years. [READ MORE ABOUT ALICIA]


Sabrina Spencer

Sabrina Spencer – Dietetic Internship Alumni

Hello! My name is Sabrina Spencer, and I am originally from Allen, Texas, which is just north of Dallas. I received my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from UT Austin and recently graduated from the UAMS/CAVHS dietetic internship this past May. I am now a Registered and Licensed Dietitian upon passing the CDR exam in June (2018). [READ MORE ABOUT SABRINA]


Sheila Beaston, EMT

Sheila Beaston – Emergency Medical Technician Alumni

My name is Sheila Beaston, and I am originally from Illinois and currently live in Greenbrier, AR. I spent 11 years at Visalia, California where I started out as a Certified Nursing Assistant. I went on to become a Medial Assistant, Home Health Aide, and initially passed the National Emergency Medical Technology Registry back in 1990. [READ MORE ABOUT SHEILA]


Loni Cooper square

Loni Cooper, DPT – Physical Therapy Alumni

My name is Loni Cooper and I am a physical therapist in Northwest Arkansas. I recently graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in May 2018. Shortly after, I accepted my first job in an outpatient setting where I am working towards building a pelvic therapy caseload and advocating for this specific area of physical therapy.  [READ MORE ABOUT LONI]


Seth Eiland

Seth Eiland – Physician Assistant Studies

Meet Seth Eiland in our UAMS Physician Assistant Studies Program in the UAMS College of Health Professions. He is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP Hello, my name is Seth Eiland and I am a Physician Assistant student here at UAMS. I was born and raised in Camden, AR. Although I have become accustomed to living in [READ MORE ABOUT SETH]


Lauren Grogan

Lauren Grogan – Medical Laboratory Sciences

Meet Lauren Grogan in our Medical Laboratory Sciences program. She is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP My name is Lauren Grogan and I am originally from North Little Rock but recently moved to Beebe. I always knew I wanted to work in the medical field but I never felt the traditional medical route was for me. [READ MORE ABOUT LAUREN]


Erica Gardner

Erica Gardner – Audiology

Meet Erica Gardner in our Doctor of Audiology program. She is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP My name is Erica Gardner. I grew up here in Little Rock. My parents moved to the city right before I was born and I graduated from Little Rock Central High School. I chose Audiology because of my cousin, Aaron. [READ MORE ABOUT ERICA]


Sylvia Alobuia

Sylvia Alobuia – Dental Hygiene

Meet Sylvia Alobuia in our Dental Hygiene program. She is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP “Self-confidence is the foundation of all great success and achievement.” My name is Sylvia Alobuia, and this quote by Brian Tracy is one I have held dear to my heart since my family and I relocated to the United States in [READ MORE ABOUT SYLVIA]


Emily Youngblood

Emily Youngblood – Dietetic Internship

Meet Emily Youngblood in our Dietetic Internship program. She is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP My name is Emily Youngblood. I grew up in San Diego until I was 14 and have lived in Little Rock since then. From the time I could stand on a step-stool, I was interested in cooking. My entire childhood I [READ MORE ABOUT EMILY]


Raven Hefner

Raven Hefner – Medical Laboratory Sciences

Meet Raven Hefner in the UAMS Department of Laboratory SciencesMedical Laboratory Science program. She is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP My name is Raven Hefner, and I am honored to be given the opportunity to share my story with the health care community! I was born in Jacksonville North Carolina at the Marine Base Camp Lejune, Oorah! [READ MORE ABOUT RAVEN]


Carson York

Carson York – Physician Assistant

Meet Carson York in our Physician Assistant program. He is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP My name is Carson York and I grew up in Salem, a small town in north central Arkansas. After high school, I attended the University of Central Arkansas where I received a bachelor’s degree in biology. When I was going through the application [READ MORE ABOUT CARSON]


Nicolis Russell

Nicolis Russell – Ophthalmic Medical Technology

Meet Nicolis Russell in our Ophthalmic Medical Technology program. He is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP My name is Nicolis Russell. I have family and friends that call me Nico, because of the untraditional spelling of my name. I also don’t mind when people call me Nic, because I realize that is the traditional “nickname”. I [READ MORE ABOUT NICOLIS]


Heather Wallace

Heather Wallace – Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Meet Heather Wallace in our Diagnostic Medical Sonography program in the Department of Imaging and Radiation Sciences. She is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP My name is Heather Wallace. I grew up in Pine Bluff, AR but moved to Fort Smith, AR. I graduated in 2010 from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville with a Bachelor’s degree in [READ MORE ABOUT HEATHER]


Kendra McCraney

Kendra McCraney – Respiratory Care

Meet Kendra McCraney in our UAMS Respiratory Care Education Program in the UAMS College of Health Professions. She is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP My name is Kendra McCraney. I am from Helena-West Helena, AR. I chose Cardio-Respiratory Care after shadowing my aunt, who is a respiratory therapist. I aspire to work towards leadership in respiratory therapy via the [READ MORE ABOUT KENDRA]


Joanna Murphy

Joanna Murphy – Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Meet Joanna Murphy in our Diagnostic Medical Sonography program in the Department of Imaging and Radiation Sciences. She is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP My name is Joanna Murphy. I am originally from a little town in Iowa called Algona, but I have lived in Little Rock for the last 3 years. I have always known that I [READ MORE ABOUT JOANNA]


Shanario Whitfield

Shanario Whitfield – Cytotechnology

Meet Shanario Whitfield in our UAMS Cytotechnology Program in the UAMS Department of Laboratory Sciences. He is our featured Student Highlight #UAMSCHP My name is Shanario Whitfield I am from Nassau, Bahamas. By profession I am a Medical Technologist, with extensive experience in Medical Microbiology. One day I discovered an opening for a Cytotechnologist position at the Princess Margaret [READ MORE ABOUT SHANARIO]