History | About The Stead Scholars Program | Application Information | Resources
History of the Stead Scholars Program
Dr. William Stead was a former employee of the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), who had a distinguished career in medicine spanning over a period of more than 50 years. He held academic appointments at several outstanding medical institutions including the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Marquette Medical School, University of Florida College of Medicine, and University of Arkansas College of Medicine. He made major contributions in basic research and in clinical medicine, publishing more than 150 academic papers.
In 1972, he joined ADH as the Tuberculosis Control Officer and served in this position with distinction for 26 years, until his retirement in 1998. During his tenure at ADH, he made important contributions to science, developing innovative measures in tuberculosis treatment and control. He led the way in the introduction of short course chemotherapy for tuberculosis and provided groundbreaking contributions in tuberculosis control among the elderly and in the prison system. For his many contributions, he was awarded the Trudeau Medal by the American Thoracic Society, its highest award, and the James D. Bruce award from the American College of Physicians. He served on the editorial board of the Annals of Internal Medicine and was elected president of the American Federation for Clinical Research.
To honor his distinguished career, his friends throughout North America created an endowment to memorialize his work. Dr. Stead’s family decided that the annual earnings from the endowment are to be used to establish a Stead Scholars Mentorship Program at the ADH. Over the years this has extended into a partnership with the College of Public Health (COPH). The scholars are selected from undergraduate students enrolled in four-year colleges and universities in Arkansas who are thinking of a career in public health or medicine. The endowment provides enough funds for two students to be selected each summer, and ADH and COPH fund additional slots each year. The first set of students were enrolled in 2012, and to date, the number of applicants for this now prestigious program who have successfully completed the program has reached a total of 80 students.
Stead Scholars Program
The Stead Scholars Program is a full-time, 8-week summer program (June and July) where the Arkansas Department of Health and the College of Public Health at UAMS mentor undergraduate students enrolled in four-year colleges and universities in Arkansas who are thinking of a career in public health or medicine. The selection of the scholars is made by a review committee composed of the Chief Science Officer, Science Advisory Committee at ADH, as well as Department Heads, the Dean, and Associate Deans at the COPH.
Each student receives a stipend of $4,000 for the 8-week program and is assigned a mentor that they will work with on a project in one of several possible areas concerning public health, either within one of the Centers at ADH or at the UAMS College of Public Health. This is not a clinical program. This experience provides the students with an introduction to public health, exposure to applied and basic public health science and practice, and health policy development. The scholars are expected to attend weekly seminars and meetings held at ADH and COPH where public health topics are presented, discussed, and researched. After their internship, Stead Scholars present a brief PowerPoint presentation to ADH and COPH personnel and leadership on their topic, in conjunction with their mentors.
For the Summer of 2025, registration will open in December and close in mid-February.
All Arkansas undergraduates enrolled in accredited four-year colleges and universities in the state are eligible to apply.
All documents are to be submitted by February 28, 2026.
Application Information
Eligibility and Program Requirements
All currently enrolled undergraduates at an accredited four-year college or university in Arkansas are eligible to apply. Selected students will be matched to a professor at UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health or a public health professional at the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) based on their interests.
Anticipated Award Amounts
Each scholar will receive a stipend of $4,000. Limited housing through UAMS may be available for those living more than 50 miles away from Little Rock.
Application Materials
Interested students should complete the Stead Scholars Program Application online by February 27, 2026.
To complete the application, you will be asked to upload the following:
- Resume
- College transcript
- A one-page, double-spaced letter detailing why and what you want to learn about public health
- Contact information of an academic advisor for a letter of recommendation
For any questions about the application or program, please contact Dr. Kristy Scott at [email protected], 501-661-2412 (office), or 501-646-3095 (cell).
Resources
- Examples of previous projects
- STEAD SCHOLARS – Summer 2026 Registration Information
- Previous Cohorts (coming soon)
- Gallery (coming soon)