GME Team - Baptist Health UAMS GME

Jim Clardy, M.D.

GME Team

Designated Institutional Official

Dr. James Clardy graduated from UAMS in 1986, completing his residency there in psychiatry before completing a fellowship in schizophrenia research at the National Institute for Mental Health. He has been active in residency education since joining UAMS as a faculty member in 1993. He has played many roles at UAMS: serving as director of the UAMS Psychiatry Residency Program, the Associate Dean for GME at UAMS from 2004-2019, and most recently, the Director of the UAMS Center for Graduate Medical Education, where he oversaw efforts to increase residency slots and improve the quality of new and existing programs throughout the state, which he continues to work on in rural GME. Dr. Clardy has served on the Steering Committee for the American Association of Medical Colleges Group on Resident Affairs, and served a six-year membership on the Accreditation Council for GME Institutional Review Committee. He also recently served ACGME in hearing Institutional Appeals, and is a current fellow in the American College of Psychiatrists. In his free time, Dr. Clardy enjoys following Razorback baseball, gardening, listening to audio books, walking, spending time with his grandchildren, and working with his church.

Amberlie Pearce, MHA

GME Team

Assistant Vice President of Medical Education

Phone: 501-534-4319

Email: Amberlie.pearce@baptist-health.org

Amberlie has been in healthcare leadership since 2012. She has worked for Baptist Health since 2015 and has served as an operational leader for the Baptist-Health UAMS Medical Education Program since 2018. Amberlie graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and completed her Masters in Healthcare Administration at UAMS. Born and raised in North Little Rock, Amberlie is passionate about access to healthcare in her home state and is honored to serve a small role in supporting the expansion of medical services and medical professionals in Arkansas. When not at work she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and her two dogs.

Thomas Lowder, Ph.D.

GME Team

Director of Educational Research

Email: thomas.lowder@baptist-health.org

Dr. Lowder completed his bachelor's degree at the University of Nevada-Reno, and his doctorate at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). He was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center prior to accepting a faculty position at the University of Houston. Dr. Lowder was most recently an associate professor at the University of Central Arkansas. Dr. Lowder has an extensive research background and is passionate about teaching and learning. His new position affords him an opportunity to help residents with their professional development and to improve patient care through evidence-based practice. In his spare time Dr. Lowder enjoys his barbells, listening to classical music, reading, and spending time with his eight (and counting) dogs, three cats, two lizards, many fish, a turtle, and his growing number of tree- and dart-frogs.

Elizabeth Borella, MPH

GME Team

Director of Practice Operations

Phone: 501-534-4313

Email: elizabeth.borella@baptist-health.org

Elizabeth Borella holds a Master of Public Health degree from Tulane University and has over 25 years of public health experience across diverse areas in healthcare. A proud U.S. Air Force veteran, Elizabeth served 21 years in both national and international public health roles, bringing a global perspective to her work. Outside of work she enjoys quality time with her husband, their wonderful children, and their fur-babies.

Jeffrey D. Dreher, MHA, LLRT

GME Team

Accreditation Coordinator

Phone: 501-534-4300

Email: jeffrey.dreher@baptist-health.org

Jeff Dreher joined the Baptist Health – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Graduate Medical Education (GME) team in May 2022 and currently serves as the Accreditation Coordinator for the Baptist Health – UAMS GME Consortium. In this role, he supports the oversight of the sponsoring institutional and program-level accreditation, regulatory compliance, and ACGME standards.

Jeff brings over nine years of healthcare experience within the Baptist Health system, with a background spanning Nursing Services, Facility Services, and Patient Services. A Little Rock native, he is deeply committed to expanding healthcare access and supporting the next generation of medical professionals across Arkansas. Jeff earned his Master of Health Administration (MHA) from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Arkansas, and Associate degrees from the University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College. He holds advanced certifications in Lean Six Sigma methodology (Champion and Green Belt) and project management. Jeff also holds an active membership in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). Outside of his professional work, Jeff enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors with his family, friends, and two dogs.

Stephanie Hughes

GME Team

Accreditation Manager

Phone: 501-534-4335

Email: Stephanie.hughes@baptist-health.org

Stephanie has worked for Baptist since March of 2023. Stephanie comes to work every day with a positive disposition and looks forward to making great strides to benefit our GME Team. Stephanie has been married for 32 years, has three children, one grandchild, and two rambunctious dogs.