I am saddened to hear of the passing of my friend Dr. Aaron Shirley.
Aaron was a very wise and caring man who could have gone anywhere and done anything with his talents. But he chose to stay in Mississippi and work to improve the health of its people, and his life of service was a testament to that.
His impact on the medical community was immense. I was in residency at UMMC when he became the first African-American learner here. He later served Jackson and the state as a pediatrician for more than 40 years and co-founded the Jackson Medical Mall.
Even in retirement, Aaron continued to be a friend to UMMC and a champion for the elimination of health disparities across Mississippi.
He will be missed.
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