The Academy for Excellence in Education

In 2022, The Academy for Excellence in Education was established to create a "community of educators" from across the University of Mississippi Medical Center and is part of the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Our Mission

The mission of The Academy for Excellence in Education is to enhance the learning environment of all schools at the University of Mississippi Medical Center through the following: support and recognition of outstanding educators; development of a community of dedicated educators; and promotion of educational excellence, innovation, leadership, and scholarship.

Our Membership

Membership in The Academy for Excellence in Education is a time-delimited designation, awarded by peers, and reflective of significant contributions to delivery of or scholarship/research in health sciences pedagogy.

There are various pathways for membership in The Academy. All members are expected to contribute to UMMC's academic initiatives. More information regarding pathways for membership, available membership activities, and resources for members is provided on The Academy's Intranet webpages.

2024-2025 Inductees

• Syed Abbas, MD, Assistant Professor, Pathology, SOM
• Katherine L. Artman, PharmD, BCCCP, Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice, UM SOP
• Barbara K. Brent, MSAH, RDH, Assistant Professor, Dental Hygiene, SOD
• Elizabeth Carr, DHA, RDH, Professor, Dental Hygiene, SOD
• Wade O’Connell Christopher, MD, Assistant Professor, Surgery-Transplant, SOM
• Jorri S. Davis, DNP, FNP, Associate Professor, SON
• Yuanyuan Duan, PhD, Associate Professor, Biomedical Materials Science, SOD
• Angela Duck, PhD, MSN, Associate Professor, SON
• Charly Nicole Edwards, DDS, Assistant Professor, Endodontics, SOD
• Peter Wayne Giroux, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, SHRP
• Tiffany M. Griffin, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, Assistant Professor, SON
• Beth W. Jaeger, PharmD, BCPS, Pharmacist, UM SOP
• Felicitas L. Koller, MD, Associate Professor, Surgery-Transplant, SOM
• Megan P. Ladner, DHA, MS, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, SHRP
• Melanie H. Lauderdale, PT, DPT, EdD, NCS, Professor, Physical Therapy, SHRP
• John Timothy Lam, MD, Professor, Hematopathology, SOM
• Lishia S. Lee, PhD, RN-BC, Associate Professor, SON
• Seth T. Lirette, PhD, MS, Associate Professor, SOPH
• Presly Lowry, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, Instructor, SON
• Ryan McGlawn, PT, DPT, EdD, OCS, Professor, Physical Therapy, SHRP
• Tawanda M. McNair, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor, Health Systems Administration, SHRP
• Erin W. Norcross, PhD, Professor, Advanced Biomedical Education, SOM
• Joshua A. Norman, MD, Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, SOM
• Scott M. Phillips, DMD, Associate Professor, Care Planning & Restorative Sciences, SOD
• Nathan Tullos, PhD, Associate Professor, Advanced Biomedical Education, SOM
• Brian D. Williams, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Preventive Medicine, SOM

For more information, email The Academy for Excellence in Education.