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Profiles: Harry Ward
Map of Arkansas with Little Rock highlighted

Harry P. Ward was born in Pueblo, Colorado, in the midst of the Great Depression on June 6, 1933.

He graduated from Princeton University in 1955 and received his medical degree from the University of Colorado Medical School.  Dr. Ward was appointed Chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1979.   He is credited with leading UAMS’ transformation from a small medical school with a charity hospital to an academic health center and research leader.

Through Dr. Ward’s efforts, the Arkansas Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program was created in 1973.  AHEC is the primary education outreach tool of UAMS.  The AHEC training approach emphasizes primary care, which covers general health education and basic medical care for the entire family.

During Dr. Ward’s twenty-one years as chancellor, he led UAMS through major expansions, including development of  the Arkansas Cancer Research Center, the Jones Eye Research Institute, and the Reynolds Center for Aging.