
Jennifer "Jennifer May" M. Villacorta, MD
Associate Professor
Department:
SOM-Neurosurgery
Email:
jvillacorta@umc.edu
Work Phone:
(601) 364-3435
Biography
Dr. Jennifer May Villacorta joined the faculty of the UMMC School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation/Department of Neurosurgery in July of 2016. Her appointment came through a novel and promising affiliation agreement between the Methodist Rehabilitation Center and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. As the only fellowship-trained and board-certified Spinal Cord Injury medicine provider in the state, Dr. Villacorta was to take on a very unique and specific role of providing a comprehensive and continuity of care service for spinal cord injury patients within Mississippi as well as surrounding nearby states.
Dr. Villacorta obtained her medical degree in the Philippines, at the premiere state university, The University of the Philippines, Manila. Her bachelor's degree of Physical Therapy provided a distinctive background that laid a strong foundation to pursue and complete a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (Little Rock). She followed up her training with a fellowship in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine at the University of Texas Health Sciences – Baylor College of Medicine Alliance in Houston, TX. Having completed and acquired a double board certification in PM&R and SCI medicine in 2014, she joined the Wayne State Physician Group in Detroit, MI where she served as the medical director for Spinal Cord Injury outpatient services at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM). Her extensive training in the acute as well as chronic aspects of rehabilitation care made her an asset and a welcome addition to the staff of Methodist Rehabilitation Center as the primary SCI attending and admitting physicians for inpatient and outpatient care since 2016.
Education
University of Texas, Baylor Medicine Alliance Program, Fellowship, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Clinical Fellowship | 2014 |
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, Residency, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program | 2013 |
Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines, Internship, Medical Rotating Internship | 2007 |
University of the Philippines, College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines, MD, Medicine | 2007 |
University of the Philippines, College of Allied Medical Professions, Manila, Philippines, BS, Physical Therapy | 2002 |
Specialty Certification Licensure
Certification, Medical Acupuncture for Physicians, HELMS Medical Institute | 04/2021 - Present |
Certification, Wound Care Certification, National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy | 04/2016 - 04/2026 |
Certification, Diplomate, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | 07/2014 - 12/2024 |
Licensure, Texas Medical License | 05/2015 - Present |
DEA | 04/2014 - Present |
Licensure, Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure | 06/2016 - Present |
Licensure, Registered Physical Therapist, Philippine Regulatory Commission | 08/2002 - Present |
Licensure, Registered Philippine Physician, Philippine Regulation Commission | 02/2008 - Present |
Certification, ECFMG certified | 08/2008 - Present |
Certification, Diplomate, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | 12/2014 - 12/2024 |
Current Positions
Medical Executive Committee Chairperson | 2021 - Present |
Director | 2019 - Present |
Credentialling Committee Chair | 2018 - Present |
Assistant Professor, School of Medicine | 09/2016 - Present |
SCI Medical Director | 07/2016 - Present |
The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, Mississippi 39216 |
Academic Appointments or Other Previous Appointments
Assistant Professor, Wayne State University, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, School of Medicine | |
Medical Director for SCI Outpatient Services, Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan |
Sponsored Program Funding
Extramural, “Glucagon-like peptide 1-mediated mechanisms of metabolic dysfunction after spinal cord injury in humans”, MS Center for Clinical and Translational Research | 04/2021 - 03/2022 |
Extramural, “Defining the capacity of the lumbosacral network for neuromodulation in humans with spinal cord injury”, Wings for Life SCI Research Foundation | 07/2019 - 06/2023 |
Extramural, “Does the speed of robotic leg movements during tilt-table verticalization affect orthostatic hypotension in persons with subacute spinal cord injury?”, Neilsen Allied Health Professional | 03/2019 - 06/2021 |
Publications
Book Chapter | |
Means K, Kortebein P Skin: Pressure Ulcers Geriatrics: Rehabilitation Medicine Quick Reference (2013) |
Presentations
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, COVID Rehab ...What do we know now?, MMRC, MRC BankPlus Conference | 03/2021 |
National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Spinal Cord Injury: Rehabilitation and Medical Complications, Chong Hua Hospital Department of Orthopedics, Zoom to Cebu, Philippines | 02/2021 |
Invited Symposia, Rehab role in COVID pandemic, SuperTalk Mississippi, Jackson, MS | 09/2020 |
Poster Presentation, “Physical Therapy Compliance with Physiatrist Therapy Orders in Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Evaluation, 2013 AAPMR Annual Meeting, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Fort Washington, Maryland | 10/2013 |
Seminars/Grand Rounds, SCI-induced Osteoporosis Seminar, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR | 03/2013 |
Seminars/Grand Rounds, Gait Biomechanics in Lower Extremity Amputees, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR | 11/2012 |
Seminars/Grand Rounds, Osteoporosis: Diagnosis and Prevention, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR | 05/2012 |
Seminar/Grand Rounds, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR | 04/2012 |
Poster Presentation, “Vascular Disease Masquerading as Low Back Pain: A Case Study”, 2012 AAP Annual Meeting, The Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada | 02/2012 |
Seminars/Grand Rounds, Somnolence in Stroke / Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR | 02/2012 |
Seminars/Grand Rounds, Deep Thermotherapy Ultrasound: principles and clinical application, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR | 05/2011 |
Seminar/Grand Rounds, Sexuality and outcomes in Spinal Cord Injury, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR | 03/2011 |
Seminars/Grand Rounds, Rehabilitative assessment and management of Cognitive impairments, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR | 03/2011 |
Seminar/Grand Rounds, SCI Robotics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
Dean’s Award for International Student Relations | 2005 |
Traveler’s Award Winner for Research, 6th Asian Congress for Micro Circulation, Tokyo, Japan | 2005 |
Best Research, Biochemistry Category - 2nd Runner-up | 2003 |
Best Research, Physiology Category - 2nd Runner-up | 2002 |
Best Research - 1st Runner-up | 2002 |
Highest overall 2012 SAE score – UAMS PM&R residents, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | |
Outstanding Intern of the Year in Orthopedics, Philippine General Hospital, Manila Philippines | |
Dean’s Award – Research Category (2006), University of the Philippines, College of Medicine, Manila Philippines | |
Best Thesis, University of the Philippines, College of Allied Medical Professions, Manila, Philippines | |
Consistent College and University Scholar, University of the Philippines, College of Allied Medical Professions, Manila, Philippines |
Professional Membership and Service
Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), Member | 2019 - Present |
Association of Advanced Wound Care (AAWC), Member | 2016 - Present |
Association of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals (ASCIP), Member | 2015 - Present |
American Spinal Injury Association, Member | 2014 - Present |
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR), Member | 2014 - Present |
Philippine Association of Physical Therapy, Member | |
UP Medical Alumni Society (UPMAS), Member | |
Quezon City Medical Society, Member | |
Philippine Medical Association, Member |
Committee Service
MMRC COVID Committee, Task Force Member | 2020 - Present |
Medical Executive Committee, Chair | 2020 - 2022 |
Admission/Utilization Committee, Task Force Member | 2019 - Present |
Credentialing Committee, Chair | 2018 - 2020 |
Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Member | 2016 - Present |
Community Service
MS Medico-Legal Seminar, Guest Panel Speaker | 07/2022 - 07/2022 |
NeuroTrauma Symposium, Guest Panel Speaker | 03/2022 - 03/2022 |
Other Service
Radio Interview - Supertalk MS, Guest speaker | 09/2020 - 09/2020 |
Teaching Experience
Small Group, Facilitator, PM&R Clinical Case Conference | Summer 2021 |
Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator | Spring 2017 |