Alumnus president-elect of pediatrics association

Alumnus president-elect of pediatrics association

Dr. Richard F. Jacobs, a 1973 graduate of Henderson State, is president-elect of the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs (AMSPDC). Jacobs is the Robert Fiser Jr. MD Endowed Chair in Pediatrics and professor and chair of the department of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

At Henderson, Jacobs earned his B.S. degree in biology, and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, ROTC, and student government. He was honored as a distinguished alumnus in 2003.

Jacobs is also pediatrician-in-chief at Arkansas Children’s Hospital where he is an infectious disease physician who sees pediatric patients in inpatient and outpatient settings. In addition, he teaches third- and fourth-year medical students, residents, and physicians at UAMS.

Jacobs participates in two NIH-funded clinical research projects: the antiviral study group and the pediatric pharmacology research unit network. In May 2008, ACH and UAMS held an investiture ceremony to name Jacobs as the inaugural recipient and steward of the Robert H. Fiser Jr. MD Endowed Chair in Pediatrics.

He has been affiliated with ACH and UAMS since 1982.

The mission of the AMSPDC is to pursue optimal health of children through the development of successful academic pediatric departments across North America.