Dr. James Yee Suen dies at 86 after decades of medical service in Arkansas
Dr. James Yee Suen, a prominent figure in Arkansas medicine who spent over 50 years at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), died on November 4, 2026, in Little Rock, Legacy reported. His passing marks the end of an era for the institution he helped shape, having served as the chair of the Department of Otolaryngology for 43 years and dedicating more than five decades to the treatment of head and neck cancer patients.
Born in Dermott, Arkansas, on October 9, 1940, Suen’s life was defined by a trajectory that moved from the modest circumstances of a child of Chinese immigrant grocers to the heights of international medical recognition. His family’s grocery store in Dermott served as a rare community hub, providing credit to sharecroppers and Japanese residents who were interned in nearby camps during a period of intense social and legal restriction in the United States. This early exposure to community service and the necessity of hard work—he began working at age five to help manage the family business—became the foundation for a career characterized by relentless dedication.
A legacy of mentorship and clinical excellence at UAMS
Suen’s medical journey was deeply personal. He found his calling in otolaryngology. This transition led him to spend the vast majority of his professional life in Arkansas, following his studies at UT Austin and medical school at UAMS.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. James Y. Suen, a renowned head and neck surgeon and beloved UAMS physician. Thank you, Dr. Suen, for the countless lives you touched. You will be dearly missed. Read more about his remarkable life and legacy: https://t.co/fyiOMIXjkn pic.twitter.com/qauMmnRnk2
At UAMS, Suen was more than a surgeon; he was a cornerstone of the academic and clinical community. His influence extended well beyond the walls of the hospital, reaching high-profile patients including President Bill Clinton, actor Roy Scheider, country singer Charley Pride, and Walmart co-founder Sam Walton. His commitment to his patients was noted for its extraordinary personal touch, often involving him providing his personal phone number or hosting patients in his own home.
Global humanitarian work and final lessons
In his later years, Suen’s focus expanded from local clinical practice to international humanitarian aid. Between 2023 and 2025, he undertook five mission trips to Ukraine to perform complex surgeries on soldiers and children in environments where such procedures had rarely been attempted. His service in the conflict zone earned him the Order of Saint Panteleimon, Ukraine’s highest public recognition for medical service.
Even as his own health declined due to two cancer diagnoses, Suen remained committed to the role of an educator. He had prepared a “Last Lecture” intended to share the wisdom gathered throughout his career. Originally a tradition for retiring professors, the lecture was transformed into a celebration of his life on October 29, 2026, when Dr. Gresham Richter, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology, presented the prepared remarks on his behalf.
Family and final arrangements
Suen is survived by his wife, Karen; his children, Brent, Tiffany, Brad, and Brennan; four grandchildren, Sophia, Vivian, Ethan, and Violet; and his sisters, Mary and Judy. He was predeceased by his parents, Yee Gao Suen and Mary Chiang, as well as his siblings Chester, Gene, May, Laura, Ming, and Mable; his mother-in-law Jean Hannahs; and his first wife, Carol Gee.
No additional services are planned. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the UAMS Department of Otolaryngology in his honor.
