The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society Issue 1 Vol 115 | Page 9

I [soon] had all I wanted, and Lee Archer became
class president after that. He did an excellent
job and was instrumental in organizing an end-
of-sophomore-year snow ski trip for all of us to
Colorado. It was a big undertaking – we rented a
bus and one of our classmates drove. It is one of
my fondest memories.
“In your junior years, you’re working your
separate paths; you’re not as close as during
those first two years. But years later, I can say
that as a physician, I’ve always had the utmost
confidence in Lee Archer. When I was diagnosed
with MS, he was the first call I made. He proved
that diagnosis to be incorrect, by the way. So, he
went from being a classmate to being a physician
I would confidently refer patients to, and then he
became my own physician.”
Athena Davis, practice manager at Davis
Neurology in Russellville, is a self-professed tes-
tament to Dr. Archer’s kindness and compassion.
“My first job in the medical field was in the UAMS
Neurology Clinic almost 15 years ago,” shared
Davis. “Dr. Archer fostered my career at UAMS.
He also helped me through a personal medical
issue. He has been a mentor and my doctor, but I
am happiest to call him my friend.”
Long before receiving all that admiration,
the young Dr. Archer chose his medical special-
ty based on one of his own role models. He ex-
plained, “When I rotated through the Neurology
service as an intern in 1983, I was so impressed
with the chair of the department, Dennis Lucy,
MD, that I decided to be a neurologist. He em-
bodied everything that I wanted in my career. His
primary concern was always what was best for
each patient, he practiced evidence-based medi-
cine, and he exhibited ki ndness and generosity to
everyone he worked with.”
A practicing neurologist for 32 years and
chairman of the UAMS Department of Neurology
for the past year, Dr. Archer has been instrumental
in making the neurology program at UAMS re-
gionally recognized and one that covers all sub-
specialties. Sleeves still rolled up, he’ll continue to
work toward firsts in Arkansas. “We want UAMS
to have the first comprehensive stroke care center
in Arkansas,” he elaborated, “and we want to es-
tablish the first neurocritical care unit in the state
that is staffed by trained neurologists.”
A civic-minded professional, Dr. Archer is in-
volved in numerous medical, community, and reli-
gious affiliations. He and his wife are active mem-
bers of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church;
NUMBER 1
Dr. Cahill passing the gavel to new AMS President Lee Archer, MD.
they have led medical mission trips to Honduras
and participated in similar trips to Guatemala.
Dr. Archer is greatly regarded for his research
and speaking abilities in his field of study. A recog-
nized and awarded authority on multiple sclerosis
and other aspects of neurology, he has held the
titles of Best Neurologist in Arkansas (2007 and
2010, Arkansas Times) and Arkansas Business
Health Care Hero (Arkansas Business, 2015). His
achievements have included numerous medical
student awards for teaching as well as the Helen
May Compassionate Care Award (2015). The latter
is given in honor of the late Helen May, an advocate
of patient rights, dignified and respectful patient
care, and a safe care experience.
“Every time I see patients, I
am drawing on the scientific
aspects of their problems and
the humanistic aspects of
how I will shape a treatment
plan to fit their situation.”

– Dr. Robert Lee Archer
As the face of the Society, Dr. Archer wants
to promote increased involvement by the phy-
sicians of this state – starting on his own home
turf. “Medicine is stronger when physicians work
together. If someone is not a member, I want them
to join. If someone is a member, I want them to
participate,” he stressed. “Being a faculty mem-
ber at UAMS, I plan to recruit more physicians
from here. We have been underrepresented as a
group … that makes no sense because, just like
those in private practice, we need the help that
organized medicine provides. Here in Arkansas,
organized medicine – AMS members and staff –
has advanced many of the issues that are impor-
tant to all physicians.
“The biggest issue right now is tort reform,”
said Dr. Archer, of the issue that AMS was instru-
mental in getting on the November ballot for a
vote. “I will be actively supporting this as much
as I can and will work to help other physicians un-
derstand the value of organized medicine.” (AMS
is in full support of the Arkansans for Jobs and
Justice campaign and its support of Senate Joint
Resolution 8, a constitutional amendment referred
to the voters by the Arkansas General Assembly.)
JULY 2018 • 9