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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

Dr. Jeannette Simino, second from left, the 2026 Regions Bank TEACH Prize honoree, is congratulated by, from left, Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs; (Simino); Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine; and Regions Bank vice presidents Tamicalyn Foster and Regina Fowler.

With generous gesture, Simino shores up title as UMMC’s top teacher

Monday, February 16, 2026

Dr. Jeannette Simino, who came to teaching reluctantly, has grown into that role exceptionally. She has received the 2026 Regions Bank TEACH Prize – a rewarding development not only for her career, but because of her generosity, for her department as well. Read More

More than half of Mississippi adults are affected by intimate partner violence, including 700,000 women and 530,000 men, according to the Mississippi Violence Experiences Survey. UMMC researchers collaborated on the survey with Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute.

Solutions to violence in Mississippi evident in UMMC research efforts

Monday, February 9, 2026

Economic hardship and mental health struggles are markers of violence in Mississippi, a new survey shows, but the way out is being mapped by UMMC researchers. Read More

Latest Articles

Walker Hardin, one of three post-doctoral residents in physical therapy in 2025, will work with athletics staff at Jackson State University through spring 2026. Among the Tigers’ travels during the year was a trip to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to play Grambling State.

Residencies in PT expand in sports, orthopaedics

Published on Monday, February 2, 2026

 The School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences on Friday held its annual Distinguished Alumni Ceremony and Luncheon to honor Drs. Joey Granger and Jared Cobb with alumni awards for 2025. From left are Cobb, Dr. Sydney Murphy and Dr. Joey Granger.

Graduate School honors outstanding alumni, research

Published on Monday, November 10, 2025

 The School of Medicine class of 2029 receives an overview of their academic year during orientation in August. The entering class numbers 170, with total medical school enrollment recorded at 657 students.

In good season: Once again, student enrollment springs in the fall

Published on Monday, November 10, 2025

 A new generation of physiologists tapping into the expertise of Dr. John Hall, center, include, from left, Dr. Alan Mouton and Dr. Ana Omoto. Both are UMMC assistant professors of physiology and biophysics.

A textbook case of excellence, Department of Physiology and Biophysics writes 70+ years of history

Published on Monday, September 29, 2025

 Fourth-year dental student, Adriana Ivy, prepares to place crowns for Mike Armstrong of Pearl.

Mississippi’s only dental school celebrates 50 years

Published on Monday, September 22, 2025

 Traditional BSN students Valerie Camargo, left, and Audrey Ezell practice clinical skills.

‘Truly life-changing’: Bedford Falls Foundation – DAF’s $2M grant opens door to UMMC School of Nursing for students in need

Published on Monday, August 18, 2025

 New Radiological Sciences student Michelle Zhang, receives her white coat from Dr. Lee Brown, left and SHRP Dean Jay Garner, during orientation week at the school.

Photos: Students get a touch of class as school year begins

Published on Monday, August 18, 2025

 The 2029 School of Medicine Class is 170 students strong.

New medical students put on the coat with a ‘kind of deep magic’

Published on Monday, August 11, 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

Caregiver University

Caregiver University

Tuesday, February 10 at 10:00 a.m

Beginning Feb. 10, The MIND Center will host the next Caregiver University sessions from 10 a.m. to noon through Feb. 20.

Read More

Ophthalmology Journal Club

Monday, February 16 at 4:30 p.m

Dr. Stanton Heydinger, PGY2; Dr. Laura Nussdorf, PGY2; and Dr. J. Hunter Aultman, PGY4, will present during the Ophthalmology Journal Club on Monday, Feb. 16.

Read More

Lunch and Learn

Tuesday, February 17 at 12:00 p.m

Dr. Edgar R. Meyer, assistant professor of clinical anatomy, will present the Catholic Diocese of Jackson and the Catholic Medical Association, St. Gianna Beretta Molla Student Chapter at UMMC Lunch and Learn, "Parties, Prayer, and Penance: The History of Mardi Gras and Its Secular and Religious Significance."
Read More
Portrait of Dr. Anil Trindade

Medicine Grand Rounds

Tuesday, February 17 at 12:00 p.m

Anil Trindade, MD, associate medical director of the Lung Transplant Program, medical director of the Laryngeal Transplant Program and associate professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, will present Medicine Grand Rounds, "Building a Better Bridge: ECMO for Patients with Advanced Lung Disease."

Read More

Faculty Focus Book Club

Wednesday, February 18

Physiology & Biophysics Seminar

Wednesday, February 18

Ash Wednesday Mass

Wednesday, February 18

GWIMS CSA

Thursday, February 19

Ophthalmology Grand Rounds

Thursday, February 19

Rural Medicine Education Symposium

Friday, Feb. 20 to Feb. 21

Kids at Heart Charity Ball

Friday, February 20

Nuclear Medicine Update

Saturday, Feb. 21 to Feb. 22

View Full Academic Calendar