The ARCOM Rotations Team with Dr. Cheryl Fulton and Dr. Travis Smiley
Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) recently named Cheryl Fulton, DO as the Preceptor of the Year for the Academic Year 2023-2024.
Dr. Fulton is a family medicine physician for Mercy Northwest Arkansas, and has been a dedicated ARCOM preceptor since 2020, embodying the highest standards of teaching and mentorship.
Dr. Fulton’s remarkable commitment to education is evident through her daily 5am “learning hour,” during which she reviews key family medicine topics with students, equipping them with a profound understanding of the discipline. According to Student Doctor Daniel Lauffenburger, “Dr. Fulton went out of her way every single day to provide extensive teaching before patients arrived and during appointments with patients. She would go over high-yield family medicine content that dramatically boosted my knowledge in the subject and shelf exam score.”
Dr. Fulton actively involves students in patient care and provides them hands-on experience in procedures and physical examinations. She fosters confidence and professional growth by encouraging students to deliver patient presentations. Students consistently express their deep appreciation for Dr. Fulton’s guidance and cite her kindness, compassion, and empathy with patients as exemplary traits that inspire them. Student Doctor Kalie Hill said, “She was a great resource for not only learning the material that I needed to know for the board but also for learning how to take a board exam.” According to Student Doctor Taylor Williams, “Dr. Fulton was the best preceptor I had for clinical rotations. There was excellent teaching and instruction within this rotation, but equally as impressive was Dr. Fulton’s commitment to kindness, compassion, and empathy toward everyone she encountered.”
Alongside her partner, Dr. Travis Smiley, who also serves as a respected ARCOM preceptor, Dr. Fulton embodies a culture of inclusivity, seamlessly integrating students into the care team at Mercy Clinic Family Medicine – Lowell. Dr. Fulton’s unwavering dedication to medical education is a testament to her enduring legacy in shaping the healthcare professionals of tomorrow.