UAMS Surgeon Dr. James Suen Dies at 85
Longtime head and neck surgeon and cancer research co-founder Dr. James Suen died Wednesday, November 4.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Cancer
Dr. James Suen, a head and neck surgeon who spent more than 50 years at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, died on Wednesday, November 4. Home for Healing is dedicating every guest room to Suen throughout November.
Why it matters
Suen led UAMS' otolaryngology-head and neck surgery department and co-founded the Arkansas Cancer Research Center, which later became the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. His work in Little Rock and abroad shaped both local cancer care and surgical training.
Suen spent more than 50 years at UAMS and led its head and neck surgery department for 43 years, from 1974 to 2017. The reported details do not specify the circumstances of his death beyond an earlier cancer diagnosis this year.
The players
Dr. James Suen
A Dermott-born head and neck surgeon who led UAMS' otolaryngology department and co-founded the Arkansas Cancer Research Center.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
The Little Rock academic medical center where Suen worked for more than 50 years and led its head and neck surgery department.
Home for Healing
A nonprofit that provides free lodging to patients and families traveling for medical care, which Suen helped establish.
The details
Suen was a Dermott native who treated soldiers and civilians in Ukraine and trained Ukrainian surgeons in complex facial reconstruction. He helped establish Home for Healing, a nonprofit offering free lodging to patients and families traveling for medical care, and gave his final lecture on October 29 at a UAMS auditorium, where Richter delivered portions of it for him.
Timeline
1974: Suen began leading the UAMS head and neck surgery department.
2017: His tenure leading the department ended.
Earlier in 2026: Suen was diagnosed with cancer.
October 29, 2026: Suen gave his final lecture at a UAMS auditorium.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Suen died.
Health Landscape
Suen co-founded the Arkansas Cancer Research Center with Dr. Kent Westbrook, and that center later became the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. His career traces the growth of cancer research and head and neck surgery in Arkansas from the 1970s onward.
Patients and families traveling to Little Rock for cancer or surgical care can use Home for Healing's free lodging, with every guest room dedicated to Suen throughout November. The dedication offers a direct, practical resource for those seeking affordable housing during treatment.
The takeaway
Suen's career shows how cancer research and patient lodging can be linked through local institutions. Families facing treatment far from home may find practical support through nonprofits like Home for Healing.
Further reading
Explore more on Cancer coverage in Little Rock.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KATV.
