Dr. Thad Hardin, MD
Team Physician & Medical Director
Banister-Leiblong Clinic
Office Location: 2425 Dave Ward Drive #401
Office Phone: (501) 329-3824
Dr. Hardin joined the UCA Sports Medicine Team in 2013 as the Team Physician and Medical Director for the Athletic Training Education Program.
Dr. Hardin joined Banister-Lieblong Clinic in Conway, AR in 2010. He is originally from McGehee, AR. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 2003 and completed his medical school education at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2007. He completed his residency in Family Practice at AHEC NE in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He is board certified with the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Hardin is an sports enthusiast and avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He and his wife have two sons. They attend Antioch Baptist Church in Conway.
Dr. Tom Roberts, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Conway Regional Medical Center
Office Location: 525 Western Avenue Ste 302
Office Phone: (501) 504-6649
Dr. Roberts has been the team orthopedic surgeon for all of UCA athletics for the past 16 years. The Louisiana native has been Board Certified in Orthopaedics since 1990, is licensed in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and has proven to be an integral part in the health and well-being of all the UCA athletes he has come in contact with.
A graduate of Louisiana Tech University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry, Dr. Roberts received numerous academic honors, and was president of Alpha Epsilon Delta while there. He then attended medical school at Louisiana State University, where he was president of the student body, and received the Chancellors Award for his academic success. Upon his completion of medical school, Dr. Roberts then performed his internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and finished his residency in orthopaedic surgery there as well. He then went on to perform his fellowship at the LSU Knee and Sports Medicine Clinic.
Dr. Roberts has made more than forty presentations on various orthopaedic concerns, and has nine published articles to his credit. He has also had three books/chapters accepted for publication—including "Complications of Knee Surgery" in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Principles and Practices.
Dr. Roberts is currently on staff at Conway Regional Medical Center, St. Anthony's hospital, St. Vincent's Doctors, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the Van Buren County Memorial Hospital—Ozark Health. In addition to these institutions, Dr. Roberts is also a member of several professional organizations. While not all inclusive, they do include the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the American College of Sports Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha, and the National Athletic Trainers Association.
Dr. Roberts is married to the former Joanie Thiels and has 2 sons. They all currently reside in Conway.
Dr. Austin Cole, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Conway Orthopedic &Â Sports Medicine Center
Office Location:Â 550 Club Ln Conway, AR 72034
Office Phone: (501) 329-1510
Dr. Cole graduated from Conway High School in 2010. He played football for the Wampus Cats and was awarded the Scholastic Athlete Award upon graduation. He began his pursuit for orthopedics and sports medicine in high school through following Dr. Tom Roberts and his practice. For undergraduate studies, Dr. Cole attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in the Honors Program in 2014. He was recognized as an Arkansas Senior Scholar with a 4.00 GPA. Upon graduation, Dr. Cole was presented with the University's most prestigious award, the Arkansas Alumni Association Senior Honor Citation which is given to the most outstanding graduating student from the University of Arkansas.Â
Dr. Cole was granted early acceptance to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he obtained his medical degree in 2018 with Honors in Research. He was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, graduating in the top of his class. He completed his orthopedic residency training at the well regarded Prisma Health Orthopedic Surgery Program in Greenville, South Carolina from 2018-2023. While in training, Dr. Cole was awarded the Orthopedic Academic Excellence Award, the Orthopedic Leadership Award, and was elected as Chief Resident by his peers. In addition to training in all aspects of orthopedic surgery, he gained experience in sports medicine from the well-known Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas. While training under the team physicians of Clemson University, he assisted with care of the athlete in the training room and on the sideline.
Dr. Cole then obtained a fellowship in sports medicine and a mini fellowship in sports foot and ankle through the University of Kansas Health System from 2023-2024. He received specialty training in the most up to date techniques in sports medicine and arthroscopy. Dr. Cole assisted in care of the Kansas City Chiefs during the season of the back-to-back Super Bowls. He assisted in care and coverage of the Kansas City Royals, including trips to the Dominican Republic Training Academy and Arizona Spring Training. Furthermore, he assisted in care and coverage of the University of Kansas Athletics, including the prestigious basketball program, football, track and field, baseball, and other sports. During that year Kansas Team Health was awarded the Big 12 Sports Medicine Staff of the Year. While in fellowship, Dr. Cole also served as the site physician for the NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships, the Big 12 Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament, and the Kansas vs Missouri Football All-Star Game.
Dr. Cole has numerous publications in orthopedics, sports medicine, and patient safety. He enjoys teaching orthopedics and sports medicine to the community and other health care providers. Outside of work, Dr. Cole enjoys various adventures with his wife and two daughters. He is an avid outdoors-man and sports enthusiast, particularly for those teams he has been a part of. His Christian faith is the top priority in his family's life.
Blake has worked in retail pharmacy for over 15 years. He started working at Smith Family Pharmacy in 2015 and took over ownership from David and Shirley Smith in 2022.
He loves working in pharmacy because it allows him to meet new people and take care of patients. He also loves to make people laugh with his latest "dad joke."
He grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and graduated from Bryant High School. He completed his undergraduate studies at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and completed his graduate studies from University of Arkansas College of Pharmacy.
He and his wife Kristyn live in Conway and have two kids, an adopted son and daughter.Â
