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Interprofessional Education at UMMC
Eight UMMC Graduates pose for a photo at Commencement

70th Annual UMMC Commencement

Friday, May 22, 2026 10 a.m.
Mississippi Coliseum
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Welcome to the Office of Academic Affairs

Portrait of Dr. Scott Rogers and Dr. Natalie Gaughf
Scott M. Rodgers, MD Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Natalie W. Gaughf, PhD, ABPP Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

The University of Mississippi Medical Center supports six health professions schools on its main campus in Jackson and successfully graduates roughly 1000 health care professionals each year, many of whom choose to stay and practice in the state.

The Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs oversees the academic enterprise of UMMC. To support our academic mission, each member of our team plays an essential role in our continuing success as we work to identify and promote best practices in health care education, including the following: 

  • Academic planning and strategy
  • Academic policies and procedures
  • Continuing health professions education
  • Faculty development and success
  • Institutional accreditation
  • Quality improvement and innovation in education
  • Resources through the Rowland Medical Library
  • Student services and success

Our goals are to provide quality education to our students and trainees and to promote lifelong learning to our alumni, faculty, and staff.

Thank you for visiting our webpage, and please feel free to browse through our many programs.  

Six Schools. One UMMC.

  1. School of Medicine building exterior.

    1955

    School of Medicine
  2. School of Nursing building exterior.

    1958

    School of Nursing
  3. School of Health Related Professions building exterior.

    1973

    School of Health Related Professions
  4. School of Dentistry building exterior.

    1975

    School of Dentistry
  5. Guyton Research Complex building exterior.

    2001

    School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences

  6. School of Population Health exterior building.

    2016

    John D. Bower School of Population Health

Faculty Directory

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Academic Affairs News

Doctor of Medicine graduate Boris Kuyeb.

Photos: UMMC Commencement 2025

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

A new class of health care professionals congratulated fellow graduates from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and beamed with pride at family and friends during the May 23 commencement ceremony. For many, it marked the culmination of years of training—and beginning of a lifelong commitment to care. Read More

Graduates from the schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, Population Health and Health Related Professions were applauded by friends and family during ceremonies at the Mississippi Coliseum.

UMMC celebrates the graduating class of 2025

Friday, May 23, 2025

UMMC celebrated nearly 1,000 graduates Friday during its 69th annual commencement ceremony. The event, held at the Mississippi Coliseum, honored students from all six of the Medical Center’s health sciences schools. Read More

Latest Articles

Taylor Lefler enjoyed working closely with other graduates during her School of Population Health PhD biostatistics and data science studies as seen in this 2022 photo during a student body meeting.

#2025UMMCGrad: Love of games, puzzles lead to student’s future career

Published on Monday, May 19, 2025

 School of Nursing Alumna of the Year Heather Pierce, left, is joined by Dr. Chelsea Andries, 2025 School of Nursing Early Career Achievement Award winner.

Pierce, Andries win UMMC School of Nursing alumni honors

Published on Monday, May 12, 2025

 TEACH Prize honoree Dr. Katie Barber, center, receives congratulations and a $10,000 facsimile check from Regions Bank officials LoRose Moore, far left, and Myer Mack, far right. Between them are, from left, Dr. Donna Strum, dean of the School of Pharmacy; Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs; and Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.

With TEACH Prize win, Katie Barber reaches ‘pinnacle’ of profession

Published on Monday, May 12, 2025

 Dr. Jay Garner, dean of the School of Health Related Professions, is joined, from left,  by Dr. Kristi Moore, 2025 Alumnus of the Year, Dr. Luke Bynum, Early Career Achievement Award winner, and Dr. Whitney Bondurant, SHRP Alumni Board President.

SHRP recognizes Alumnus of the Year, Early Career Achievement award winners

Published on Monday, May 12, 2025

 Jordan Mallette earns a PhD from the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences this month, establishing her career in research and education.

#2025UMMCGrad: PhD student focuses on the interconnectedness of the body

Published on Monday, May 12, 2025

 Liza Owens, who is earning a master's degree in the Health Systems Administration program, is a registered respiratory therapist and works at UMMC as a tracheostomy educator.

#2025UMMCGrad: Experience leads to innovation for Liza Owens

Published on Monday, May 5, 2025

 Base Pair founder Dr. Rob Rockhold and Hattiesburg High teacher and Base Pair leader Mariah Hawkins discuss students’ research in the high school laboratory.

Base Pair expansion powers the promise of future researchers

Published on Monday, May 5, 2025

 Iesha Smith is wrapping up her first full semester as a faculty member in the doctoral degree program in occupational therapy while also working at Children’s of Mississippi.

Front and Center: Iesha Smith

Published on Monday, April 28, 2025

Find Us on Social Media

Get news and information you need about the Office of Academic Affairs by connecting with us through our social media community. Our office is active on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Learn more about the student activities, events, programs, and services we support.

We look forward to engaging with you!

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Upcoming Academic Calendar Items

Portrait of Dr. Michelle Martin

CCRI Seminar

Monday, July 14 at 12:00 p.m

Michelle Martin, PhD, a professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, will present the Cancer Center & Research Institute seminar "Leading Cancer Research Programs: Opportunities Abound!"

Read More
Portrait of Saurabh B. Bhardwaj

CE – Controlled Substance

Tuesday, July 15 at 12:00 p.m

Saurabh B. Bhardwaj, a division chief, will present "Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia and Role of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)" as part of the Continuing Education - Controlled Substance Prescribing Series.

Read More
Image of person touching their toes

Adult Chair Yoga Classes

Tuesday, July 15 at 5:30 p.m

Join us at the Center for Integrative Health for a free, one-hour, beginner-level chair yoga class to help build strength and flexibility of the body and mind from a seated posture. Any interested participants can sign up by filling out the online form or calling the CIH at (601) 815-3424, option 1.

Read More

SHRP Last Day to Withdraw (DPT and OTD only)

Wednesday, July 16 at 12:00 a.m

School of Health Related Professions' last day to withdraw from a course and receive a “W” grade if failing (DPT and OTD only) is Wednesday, July 16.

Read More

SOPH Last Day for Withdrawal Grade

Wednesday, July 16

Physiology & Biophysics Seminar

Wednesday, July 16

CCRI Seminar

Thursday, July 17

SOPH Last Day for Dissertation Defense for August 2025 Degree

Friday, July 18

SOPH August 2025 Completion Deadline

Friday, July 18

SGSHS Certificate Applicants Fall 2025 Deadline

Monday, July 21

Ophthalmology Journal Club

Monday, July 21

Center for Integrative Health Move and Groove

Monday, July 21

View Full Academic Calendar