2024 MidSOUTH Nursing Conference

Zoom Webinar

Karen Farst

Dr. Farst has worked as a child abuse pediatrician with the Team for Children at Risk at Arkansas Children’s Hospital since 2004. She completed undergraduate and medical school training at Texas Tech University. Following residency training in internal medicine and pediatrics, she was in primary care private practice for 3 years before completing a fellowship in child abuse pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She is currently the medical director for the Team for Children at Risk at AR Children’s Hospital and a professor of pediatrics with the Department of Pediatrics of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Liza Murray

Dr. Murray is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UAMS in the Division for Children at Risk. She attended Medical School at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and completed her pediatric residency at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in 2011. After residency, Dr. Murray spent one year as a pediatric chief resident before going on to finish a 3-year Child Abuse Fellowship at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Dr. Murray joined the UAMS Department of Pediatrics in 2018 and currently practices as a Child Abuse Pediatrician at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, consulting for at-risk children admitted to the hospital and evaluating children at the ACH Clark Center for Safe and Healthy Children, a facility dedicated to the multidisciplinary care and treatment of neglected and abused children and families. Dr. Murray provides regular education to medical and non-medical professionals regarding the evaluation of child abuse, has published research in the field of abuse and neglect and is actively involved in ongoing efforts related to the prevention, recognition and treatment of child abuse.

Tara Venable

Dr. Tara Venable graduated from The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in 2013 and completed her pediatric residency at Arkansas Children's Hospital in 2016. Upon completion of her training and pediatric board certification, Dr. Venable joined the UAMS faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Venable has worked as a newborn hospitalist in both The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Units as well as care for infants in the Well Baby Nursery at UAMS since 2016. She is passionate about ensuring that all infants born in Arkansas receive optimal, evidence-based care. Dr. Venable has done several research projects and speaking engagements related to Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) and is passionate about caring for infants and mothers affected by opioid addiction. She has joined the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute in helping to prepare mothers for their upcoming infant's birth and is continually engaged in projects related to optimizing care for infants with NOWS. Dr. Venable also helps to moderate PEDS PLACE, a pediatric teleconference broadcast all over the state for continuing medical education.

Gwenevere White

Dr. Gwenevere White is a General Pediatrician with a passion for education, health equity, and serving vulnerable populations. She currently works as a neonatal hospitalist at Arkansas Children's Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

Dr. White’s primary research interests lie in congenital syphilis and Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, working to increase understanding and addressing critical issues affecting newborns and their families.

Additionally, Dr. White serves as the Treasurer of the Arkansas State Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is also a Board member for the UAMS Milk Bank.

Dr. White’s dedication and impact have been recognized through various accolades. In 2023, she was honored with the Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Member of the Year Award and the American Academy of Pediatrics Special Achievement Award, acknowledging her outstanding contributions to pediatric care and advocacy. Within UAMS, her passion for education has been celebrated with the Department of Pediatrics Undergraduate Medical Educator of the Year Award and the Red Sash Award for her leadership and dedication to advancing medical education and healthcare equity.

Dr. White is married to Dr. Tremayne White and they have 3 children- Eli, Nola, and Noah. In addition to her healthcare duties, Dr. White and her husband are licensed insurance agents and own the White Insurance Agency, where they serve as independent insurance agents.

Ashley Whitlatch

Dr. Ashley Whitlatch is an advanced practice provider with seventeen years of experience within the healthcare field. Her most recent education was from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she received a Doctorate of Nurse Practice in conjunction with a Master of Business Administration in May of 2022. Her provider experience includes Family Medicine, Urgent Care, and Preventative/Wellness Medicine.

Ashley has won several awards, including 'America's Top NP Award,' Chicago's 300 Black Women's 'Top 30 Women of Influential Leading Women', the '40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader Award' for the state of Illinois, the American Heart Association's 'Peoria Woman of Impact Award,' the 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Award', and '40 Leaders Under 40' for the city of Peoria. She was also recognized by Illinois' very own Comptroller Susana Mendoza for Women's History Month.

Ashley belongs to two professional organizations, including the American Nurses Association- Illinois and the American College of Healthcare Executives of North Texas. Ashley is also a children's author and published a book to uplift and encourage children of all ages. She has two children and loves to travel the world with them in her free time. She loves spending time with family and friends while making memories that will last a lifetime. She is determined to give back to her community by providing the safest care to her patients and educating healthcare providers.