History and Healthcare: Honors Alumnus Draws on the Past to Shape the Future

By Shelby Gill / Photos by Chieko Hara

Corbin Stinnett (B.A., history, cum laude, ’17) knew he wanted to become a physician, but he also recognized that undergraduate studies might be his last opportunity to “dive deep into history and the humanities.” So, in addition to his pre-med coursework, Corbin took the unique route of majoring in history.

“The history of medicine was immediately relevant to my career,” he said, reflecting back on his studies now that he’s in his first year of a family medicine residency at the University of Arkansas School for the Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Fort Smith. “It gave me the context behind medical technologies, philosophy and ways of practice that I wouldn’t otherwise receive.”

While at the U of A, he worked with Trish Starks, Distinguished Professor of history and director of the Arkansas Humanities Center, and Michael Pierce, associate professor of history, to research medical history in Arkansas, a relatively new field of inquiry for historians at the time.  

He received a grant from the University of Arkansas Medical School Library/Society for the History of Medicine and the Health Professions to support his scholarly work, conducting a critical examination of pellagra. Caused by a vitamin deficiency, the disease swept through Arkansas between 1902 and 1945, claiming the lives of more than 10,000 Arkansans in the early decades of the 20th century. Comparing accounts from U.S. Public Health Service officials with those of local Arkansans, Stinnett uncovered discrepancies in the agreement on the methods used to combat the disease, the strength of his research also earning him a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

Throughout his studies, he has closely linked his passion for history with his aspirations in medicine. He even interned at the Arkansas Country Doctor Museum in Lincoln, where he researched the papers of local physicians and even got to use his language skills in French and Latin to translate historic medical certificates.

“My advisors held my work to a very high standard,” Stinnett said. “They made sure my research skills were where they needed to be for grad school. I also think balancing both pre-med and history courses taught me a work ethic that helped me succeed in my next environment and put me in a strong position for postgraduate studies.”

His undergraduate research took him to the University of Cambridge, where he earned a master’s degree in the history of science and delved into medical research, exploring perceptions of artificial insemination in the U.K.

After his time abroad, he returned to Arkansas to begin his medical training, earning an M.D. at UAMS. A Siloam Springs native, he isn’t surprised that Arkansas keeps pulling him back. Driven to make an impact in his community, he’s found purpose in sharing not just his medical expertise but also the critical role of historical context in shaping health policy and initiatives across the state.

As part of the Honors Arkansas course, Health and Wellness, Stinnett had the opportunity to lecture on the history of healthcare in the state, speaking to honors students from colleges and universities across Arkansas. His lecture explored the evolution of professional medicine in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the establishment of the state’s medical school.

“We discussed how many of the challenges we face today are deeply connected to the past,” Stinnett said. During the lecture, he urged students to consider Arkansas’ response to 20th-century health crises, such as the 1918 flu, tuberculosis and pellagra.

“All Honors Arkansas courses start with a focus on history,” said Louise Hancox, senior director of career innovation at the Honors College and one of the faculty leading the course. “That’s why we invited Corbin back. By looking at how past policies and medical practices shaped our current system, students gain the tools they need to think critically about the future of healthcare in Arkansas and beyond.”

Honors Arkansas is an alliance of honors educators working together to enhance the scholarly, professional and social experiences of high-achieving students. Each year, the alliance offers a course that brings together the brightest students from honors programs across Arkansas to tackle a critical issue facing the state. This unique collaboration allows students to break geographic boundaries and approach problem solving from diverse viewpoints. It also leverages networks and resources across universities, leading to distinctive guest lectures like Stinnett’s.

“The impact of Honors Arkansas is incredible,” Stinnett said. “Bringing together students not only from different backgrounds but also from different parts of the state — it’s unlike anything I’ve seen. I only wish I could have experienced it as a student.”

Returning to campus — this time as a lecturer — was a surreal experience for Stinnett.

“Honors students are incredibly bright,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of training since leaving the U of A, but at the same time, it doesn’t feel that long ago. I wanted to share something new with them, something worthy of their time.”

When speaking to students considering nontraditional paths to their careers, Stinnett offered a simple piece of advice:

“Get comfortable being uncomfortable,” he said. “The people around you may not have advice or fully understand because it’s a new way of thinking about your future. It’s up to you to make it happen — so go for it.”