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Dr. James E. Keeton

Dr. James E. Keeton served as UMMC’s vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine from July 2009 to February 2015. He retired in January 2017, holding emeritus status in these roles and as professor of surgery and pediatrics.

During his tenure, UMMC opened its new, state-of-the-art School of Medicine building on the UMMC campus. Keeton secured funding and oversaw planning for the project, an endeavor that enabled UMMC to expand its medical class and train more doctors for Mississippi.

Keeton was also instrumental in planning the construction of the $25 million University Heart Center, the $68 million Translational Research Center, a $23 million public-private project to create housing close to campus for students and faculty, and the expansion of both the Blair E. Batson Tower and the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children’s of Mississippi. Under Keeton’s watch, UMMC’s liver transplant program was re-established after a 22-year hiatus, and Medical Center surgeons performed Mississippi’s first pancreas transplant.

Keeton was named by his peers as the 2014 Distinguished Medical Alumnus, an award given to an alum who made distinctive contributions to the field of medicine.

The Columbus native is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and certified by the American Board of Urology. He and his wife, Jona (MSN 90), live in Jackson and are the proud parents of two children and grandparents of seven grandchildren.