One of our family’s favorite pastimes has been to take a leisurely walk at the Big Dam Bridge on the North Little Rock side of the Arkansas River. These pile dikes have always intrigued us as we have walked the trail. As they stand strong and tall against the natural elements, they convey a sense of strength and timelessness. I wanted to highlight these imposing qualities and hence it is the focal point for this particular shot. Based on trial shots using lower exposure time, I decided on using long exposure for this picture. 

Taken on a sunny afternoon with clear skies. In this shot, the smooth texture of the choppy flowing river and the dull hue of the sky was achieved by utilizing a prolonged exposure time (30 seconds) with the aid of a density filter and the camera stabilized with the use of a tripod.

Pile dikes such as these have been used since the early 1800s to tame the rivers. Numerous pile dikes (also known as wing dams) line the Arkansas River as it flows into the Mississippi. They consists of alternating timber piles supported by a horizontal spreader as part of the river navigation system. They help maintain navigation channels by directing river flow toward the main channel, resulting in reduced dredging requirements, increased channel stabilization and bank protection.​

Parthak Prodhan, M.D., FAAP, FCCM, MBA, is a Professor of Pediatric Critical Care and Cardiology at UAMS.

The picture was taken from a steep ledge off a walking trail behind the old Veterans Administration Hospital in North Little Rock. With the sun setting rapidly, it was a race against time to frame the shot properly. I myself was surprised with the end result, which was achieved by minimal post-picture manipulation.

Summers in the Natural State are on most days hot and humid. This flaming shot of the setting sun aims to convey this feeling of intense heat on a hot summer day in the Natural State. The framing against Pinnacle Mountain and the Arkansas River in the foreground give a sense of welcome respite from this heat.

Parthak Prodhan, M.D., FAAP, FCCM, MBA, is a Professor of Pediatric Critical Care and Cardiology at UAMS.

By Indranil Chakraborty, M.D., FASA

Photography has been my passion for years. In my free time, I would pick up my camera gear and venture out in pursuit of that “perfect” shot! My favorite time was on post-call mornings when I had the whole world to myself. It was a warm spring morning in 2012 and I ventured out into the fascinating natural world of the Little Rock Zoo. Just me, my camera and nature in its full glory! Here are some of the photographs.   

Indranil Chakraborty, M.D., FASA, is a Professor and the Division Chief of Neuroanesthesiology at UAMS.

I have always been impressed with the Italian way of life, it impacts everything — their lifespan and resistance to chronic diseases. We have good friends in Italy and have been going there two or three times a year for the past 25 years. 

Eating together and being together is far more effective than the Mediterranean diet that people talk about.

Sadly being together may in part be responsible for the high number of deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jay Mehta, M.D., Ph.D., is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Physiology and Biophysics, and the Stebbins Chair in Cardiology at UAMS. 

A look at the city from my hotel balcony tells you why Rome is called “The Eternal City.”

Jay Mehta, M.D., Ph.D., is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Physiology and Biophysics, and the Stebbins Chair in Cardiology at UAMS.