Give Now - Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neuroscience Institute - University of Arkansas Medical Sciences

Stephens Spine & Neurosciences
Institute entrance

The water therapy pool is the only one of
its kind in the region. Wheelchair-accessible,
with a walking path around its perimeter,
this state-of-the-art pool provides invaluable
therapy to improve mobility and strength.

Imagine Enabling Better Life Through Better Care
Providing the structural foundation and the informational conduit for the human form, the spine and its related structures are as nuanced as they are precious. Caring for this delicate and faceted system requires uncompromised focus, expert training and state-of-the-art facilities. Fortunately for the citizens of our state and many beyond our borders, all of these integral components can be found at The Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

In addition to the tangible healing benefits conveyed daily by the professionals at UAMS, the institute also serves as a powerful source of inspiration and motivation. This impressive twelve story facility, towering symbolically over the UAMS campus, provides not merely care, but also courage to enable patients to rise and triumph over medical adversity.

For the Stephens Institute to maintain and eventually surpass the standard of excellence that has been established, the enduring support of our people and communities will be essential.

Achieving Profound Change Through Philanthropy
The Stephens Institute is not merely the architectural and technological showpiece of the UAMS campus, it also is irrefutable evidence of the amazing power of giving. Opened in 2003 and dedicated by President Jimmy Carter, the facility was made a reality by a $48 million gift by the late Jackson T. Stephens, a Little Rock businessman and longtime UAMS benefactor. This generous and monumental gift was the catalyst in creating the facilities and infrastructure that exist today.

Building on the Stephens Institute’s Ambitious Beginnings
The tireless energy devoted to caring for those suffering from spinal and neurological disorders is only part of the ambitious mission being undertaken at the Stephens Institute. The center balances its aggressive focus on healing with an equally passionate and impressive dedication to generating tomorrow’s cures through research, education and training.

This is facilitated by some of the most advanced technology available, designed to provide the nation’s leading surgeons the opportunity to enhance their skills in a unique and efficient setting. This combination of programs, facilities and faculty has generated a reputation for excellence that continues to grow.

In particular, the ability to learn from Dr. M. Gazi Yasargil, honored as the “Neurosurgeon of the Century” in 1999, has only added to the growing prestige of the Stephens Institute. Yasargil’s development of specific procedures and instruments that are used in operating rooms around the world has earned him the respect of an entire generation of surgeons.

How You Can Help
The Stephens Institute is an amazing testament to the tremendous impact that the will, compassion and commitment of the few can have on the lives of many. Dr. T. Glenn Pait, the institute’s director, and Jack Stephens, the facility’s namesake, were longtime friends. Stephens was convinced of the necessity of a facility dedicated to treating all aspects of spine-related problems.

Witnessing Stephens’ passion about the project, Pait began working diligently to ensure that his dream would eventually become a reality. This collaboration has proved to be something that would alter health care in Arkansas, particularly as it relates to the human spine, forever.

The world-class facility will continue to treat patients in need. It will push forward in the the search for cures where currently there are none. It will persevere as an institution that provides not merely health, but also hope. To carry this legacy further and to reach heights never imagined, even by its benefactors, an even greater commitment from those we serve is imperative.

With proper financial support, the only thing limiting what can be accomplished is our own imagination.

Your donations help establish stable funding for the Spine Institute — making certain that the healthcare needs of our community will always be met.

UAMS is currently involved in a comprehensive campaign to ensure a healthier future for Arkansans. A significant portion of Campaign Imagine, which has a goal of $325 million, will be designated to fund critical initiatives within the Spine Institute.

Imagine being part of something amazing. Give now.

Contact US
To learn more about funding opportunities, please contact the following member of our development team.

John Coffin
Executive Director of Development
501-526-7197
coffinjohnf@uams.edu