Dr. Kent Westbrook was recognized at Wednesday's Health Care Heroes luncheon with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work treating cancer at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Dr. Kent Westbrook, a distinguished professor of surgery and cancer surgeon at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, on Wednesday received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Health Care Heroes awards luncheon.
The event, which took place at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock, was hosted by Arkansas Business Publishing Group of Little Rock and presented by Complete Care Inc. The event honors individuals, companies and organizations making a significant impact on the quality of health care in Arkansas.
Westbrook, along with Dr. James Y. Suen, was instrumental in establishing the Arkansas Cancer Research Center in 1984. Westbrook was named founding director of the center, which was later renamed in honor of Winthrop P. Rockefeller, and led it for 14 years.
The facility rose to state and national prominence, and Westbrook carried a number of titles at UAMS, including chief of the division of surgical oncology, distinguished college of medicine professor and chairman of the department of dermatology.
In 2015, Westbrook was the first recipient of the Kent C. Westbrook M.D. Chair in Surgical Oncology, established with a $1 million donation in his honor by James and Mary East. Westbrook, 77, still sees patients.
Others honored at the event:
- Small Hospital of the Year — CrossRidge Community Hospital
- Large Hospital of the Year — Arkansas Children’s Hospital
- Innovation Hero — Dr. Emad Aboud of CHI St. Vincent
- Workplace Wellness Hero — Lisa Weir and Karan Summitt of St Bernards Medical Center
- Women’s Health & Wellness Hero — Dr. Paul Wendel of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Health Care Professional of the Year — Scot Davis of Arkansas Urology
- Nurse of the Year — Jasper Fultz of Unity Health
- Physician of the Year — Dr. Ron Robertson of UAMS
- Health Care Administrator of the Year — Ray Montgomery of Unity Health
ABPG solicited nominations from health professionals across the state. An independent panel of health care experts served as award judges. You can read more about the honorees and finalists here.
Sign up for Daily E-news
