LITTLE ROCK – Hershey Garner, J.D., M.D., has been named interim chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology in the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

He succeeds Vaneerat Ratanatharathorn, M.D., M.B.A., who has led the department since it was established in 2000. Ratanatharathorn is stepping down to focus on patient care and will continue as a professor.

Garner is board certified in radiation oncology from the American Board of Radiology and practices at Highlands Oncology Group in northwest Arkansas. He previously served as clinical assistant professor in the UAMS Department of Radiation Oncology.

A native of Little Rock, Garner received a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law prior to earning his medical degree from the UAMS College of Medicine. He serves on several regional ethics committees and is active in many community organizations.