The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has received a $250,000 gift from an anonymous donor to support the G. Richard Smith, M.D. Fund for Excellence in the Psychiatric Research Institute on its Little Rock campus.
Smith is chair of the Department of Psychiatry and oversaw the design and construction of the institute, which opened in 2008. In 2013, he became dean of the UAMS College of Medicine and executive vice chancellor, a position he held for two years before stepping down to become a professor of psychiatry, medicine and public health. In 2018, he was again named the department’s chair.
Smith is set to retire from UAMS in June 2021. The university said this gift honors his legacy and provides funding to address urgent priorities at the institute.
“This generous gift will allow the Psychiatric Research Institute to invest in research, educational and clinical programs,” Smith said in a news release. “The flexibility allows us to meet critical unexpected needs or take advantage of quickly developing opportunities.”
The institute has three inpatient units and provides outpatient care, with specialty services in neuropsychology, trauma, addiction, women’s mental health, mood disorders and eating disorders. In 2019, it launched the Center for Trauma Prevention, Recovery and Innovation.
In May, the institute launched AR-Connect, a 24-hour call center and weekday virtual clinic for anyone dealing with mental health issues or stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no out-of-pocket cost to the patients using this service or the clinic.
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