Suzan B. Thames

Suzan B. Thames earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree in speech pathology and audiology from Tulane University. Following a university fellowship in behavioral disabilities from the University of Wisconsin, Suzan worked for 34 years as a speech pathologist and audiologist at the Jackson Ear Nose and Throat Clinic.

Thames’ volunteer career with UMMC spans decades. As a part of the Junior League of Jackson, she led a successful statewide capital fundraising campaign for what is now the Children’s of Mississippi Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. In 1987, she helped found Friends of Children’s Hospital, an organization that continues to generate awareness and support in all areas of pediatric services at UMMC. Thames served as its inaugural president and chairman of the board for 20 years.

Thames continued her service to UMMC as part of its Capital Campaign Committee for the new Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children’s of Mississippi. The tower, which houses critical care floors and dedicated pediatric imaging and surgical suites, opened in 2020.

Suzan has worked tirelessly in support of The MIND Center (Memory Impairment and Neurodegenerative Dementia). As chairman of the advisory board, a fundraising and awareness support group at UMMC, Suzan has been instrumental in raising over $38 million in community and private donor support.

Suzan’s efforts at UMMC inspired her friends and family to contribute $2.1 million in her honor to endow the Suzan Brown Thames Chair in Pediatrics. This chair is held by Dr. Mary Taylor, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics.

Suzan is most proud of her family and the support they’ve given her. Suzan and her husband, Tommy, reside in Ridgeland. They have three daughters and six grandchildren, who are now making their own contributions to the world. They are members of Northminster Baptist Church.