Howard-Claudio, Candace M., M.D., Ph.D.

Howard-Claudio, Candace M., M.D., Ph.D.

Specialties: Cardiac Imaging, General Diagnostic Radiology, Body Imaging, Ultrasound, Musculoskeletal Radiology

Gender: Female

Biography: Candace M. Howard, M.D. Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in Radiology, Cardiac and Body Imaging Divisions, Vice-Chair and Director of Radiology Research, a member of the Cancer Institute Research Advisory Committee, and Medical Executive Committee, among other departmental and institutional committees in the School of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson, MS.
Dr. Howard has published over 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters, and editorials in leading journals for the field of diagnostic radiology, cell cycle, cancer biology, and gene therapy.
Dr. Howard completed a M.D. and Ph.D. in molecular genetics at Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) in 2000 where she was awarded the William J. Bodine, Jr. Research Award, for an outstanding contribution to cancer research. Her thesis project was awarded the Alumni Thesis Prize of 1999, for most outstanding thesis, from the Alumni Association of the College of Graduate Studies of TJU. The main discovery of her thesis was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 1998 with an editorial article highlighting the importance of her work in the field of tumor suppressor genes and cancer cell-cycle research.
Dr. Howard completed residency in diagnostic radiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 2005 where her research efforts continued to be recognized by the prestigious RSNA Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award, along with industry sponsored educational/research grants that allowed her to initiate her studies in image guided gene therapy that has been awarded a patent.
At the end of her residency Dr. Howard was the first female to win the prestigious ISMRM/GE Healthcare MRI Resident Reporter Program, General Electric Healthcare Grant Award that allowed her to complete a tailored Body and MSK MRI fellowship at TJU with additional training in cardiac imaging at John’s Hopkins University & UCSF. This fellowship incorporated all aspects of body, MSK, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging covering basic and advanced principles of MRI in research and clinical practice.

My Approach to Healthcare

Clinical care of the patients that come to UMMC is one of the most important aspects of service but not the only form that we can provide. Service to the Jackson metro area and the community at a regional and state level is part of our greater mandate. To accomplish this in the most effective manner requires service to other departments in order to tackle each patient and medical problem through a multi-disciplinary approach. Radiology is uniquely positioned to address several forms of service. All medical specialties rely on radiology at one time or another in the diagnosis, clinical management, and/or care of their patients.
I have one of the fastest report turnaround times in the department. Several emergency faculty as well as radiology faculty and residents have expressed their happiness to work with me especially on call, since they can rely on me to get reports to them rapidly and accurately.
My personal goal is to keep the imaging reading work list clean during my clinical rotations. I understand that the patient and the treating clinicians need the study results to proceed with patient care and disposition. Currently, I am the only subspecialty trained cardiovascular radiologist with expertise in cardiac MRI and cardiac CT at UMMC.
Recently, I was honored to assist UMMC to maintain IV contrast supplies during the world shortage of contrast during the summer of 2022 by prioritizing and protocoling studies, changing studies to alternate imaging modalities, and implementing contrast saving protocol changes. Due to this great team effort, UMMC never ran out of IV contrast unlike so many other facilities.

Education

Board Certification: Radiology, Diagnostic Radiology
Fellowship:Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Internship:Marshall University School Of Medicine
Medical Education:Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Residency:Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Experience

Current Positions

Division Chief, School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, MS08/2020 - Present
Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS07/2019 - Present
Director, School of Graduate School in the Health Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center2019 - Present
Director Dexa Imaging Core of MCCTR, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center07/2018 - Present
Director Radiology ReCharge Center, School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center07/2017 - Present
Vice Chair, School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, MS 3921607/2017 - Present

Specialty Certification Licensure

Certification, Mini-fellowship in cardiac and chest imaging (MRI and CT emphasis) with Dr. Charles B. Higgens and Dr. Gautham P. Reddy, July – September, at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in San Francisco, CA., the University of California San Francisco (UCSF)06/2005 - Present
Certification, ACR Certification in CT Colonoscopy, American College of Radiology06/2009 - Present
Certification, ACR Breast Imaging Boot Camp with Tomosynthesis, American College of Radiology01/2014 - Present
Certification, ACR Cardiac & Peripheral Vascular MRI certification course, American College of Radiology06/2015 - Present
Certification, ACR Certification in Neuroradiology, American College of Radiology06/2011 - Present
Licensure, Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure Certificate of License Registration, Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure08/2015 - 06/2019
Certification, Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI), American Registry for Diagnostic Ultrasonography (ARDMS)09/2012 - 09/2022
Certification, Board Certified Diagnostic Radiologist, American Board of Radiology06/2005 - 06/2025
Certification, Body & MSK MRI Fellowship, Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA.06/2006 - Present
Certification, Diagnostic Radiology Residency, Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA.06/2005 - Present

Honors, Awards, and Recognition

Trailblazer Award for Excellence in Medical Education (2023) University of Mississippi Medical Center –School of Medicine (for demonstrating excellence in medical student education; for engaging, inspiring, and mentoring learners; for modeling educational leadership; and for serving as a catlyst for the enhancement of teaching and learning., The Office of Medical Education at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine2023
The Trailblazer of the Year Award for Excellence in Medical Education (2023) University of Mississippi Medical Center –School of Medicine (the single most outstanding educator of the year demonstrating excellence in medical student education; for engaging, inspiring, and mentoring learners; for modeling educational leadership; and for serving as a catlyst for the enhancement of teaching and learning., The Office of Medical Education at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine2023
Trailblazer Award for Excellence in Medical Education (2022) University of Mississippi Medical Center –School of Medicine (for demonstrating excellence in medical student education; for engaging, inspiring, and mentoring learners; for modeling educational leadership; and for serving as a catlyst for the enhancement of teaching and learning., The Office of Medical Education at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine2022
Plaque Award in Recognition of her Outstanding Presentation in Population Health Symposium 85th Annually Meeting, Mississippi Academy of Sciences2021
3rd Place Outstanding Medical Research Award from the School of Medicine (SOM). Association of Sarcopenic Obesity and Anthropometric Measurements with Predictors of Liver Fibrosis, SHRP (School of Health-Related Professions) Research Affairs Committee Awards2021
2nd Place in School of Medicine category for Outstanding Medical Research Award from the School of Medicine (SOM). Can an algorithm based on CT radiomic features predict the response of metastatic RCC?, SHRP (School of Health-Related Professions) Research Affairs Committee Awards2021
1st Place (tie) Outstanding Medical Research Award from the School of Medicine (SOM). Prospective validation of a rapid bone density screening method that is applicable to routine abdominal CT images, SHRP (School of Health-Related Professions) Research Affairs Committee Awards2021
1st Place (tie) Outstanding Medical Research Award from the School of Medicine (SOM). Cardiometabolic Profile Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Patients? An Initial Case series, SHRP (School of Health-Related Professions) Research Affairs Committee Awards2021
Certificate of Merit American Roentgen Ray Society, American Roentgen Ray Society2021
Certificate of Merit for Education Exhibit: “Imaging of the Young Adult with Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death”, American Roentgen Ray Society2021
SAFMR/SSCI One of three finalists of the SSPR Clinical Science Young Investigator Award for my post-doc, Dr. Edward Florez, from Southern Section of the American Federation for Medical Research (SAFMR) and the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (SSCI), virtual meeting Feb 26-27, 2021 The SSCI Young Investigator Awards are offered to recognize and encourage excellence in investigation by physicians and medical students during research training., Southern Section of the American Federation for Medical Research (SAFMR) and the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (SSCI)2021
SAFMR/SSCI Trainee Research Award of my resident/graduate student, Dr. Juliana Sitta from Southern Section of the American Federation for Medical Research (SAFMR) and the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (SSCI), virtual meeting Feb 26-27, 2021 This award recognizes residents and fellows who are currently in training and recognize excellence among these groups., Southern Section of the American Federation for Medical Research (SAFMR) and the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (SSCI)2021
Trailblazer Teaching Award (2021) for demonstrating excellence in medical student education; for engaging, inspiring, and mentoring learners; for modeling educational leadership; and for serving as a catlyst for the enhancement of teaching and learning. The Office of Medical Education at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS. Feb 5, 2021., The Office of Medical Education at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine2021
Most outstanding mentored oral presentation 1st Place for American College of Physicians at UMMC ACP Abstract Day, October 30, 2019 & Travel Award for Oral Presentation for the 2020 National ACP meeting in Los Angeles, CA, American College of Physicians at UMMC2020
2nd place SCCI Mentored Poster Award. Seventh Annual Southern Society of Clinical Investigation (SSCI) Poster Competition, New Orleans, LA Awarded to the 2nd place finalist of all posters presented at the among students, residents, and fellows , selected to present their posters at the Seventh Annual SSCI Southern Regional Meeting, Seventh Annual Southern Society of Clinical Investigation (SSCI)2020
Press release: “New doctorate program resonates with radiologists,” Madison County Journal, Madison, MS, USA., Madison County Journal2020
Second place mentored Oral presentation in Undergraduate Division. Association of Abdominal Fat Density with Simple Anthropometric Measures and its Correlation with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among African Americans. Eighty-four Annual Meeting - Mississippi Academy of Science (MAS). The 2020 Health Science Division Awards, Mississippi Academy of Science (MAS)2020
2nd Place mentored Oral Presentation in Graduate Division. Awarded to the oral presentation receiving the second highest score from the panel of expert judges among conference attendees presenting research in the field of Health Sciences at the Mississippi Academy of Science 84th Annual Meeting in Biloxi, MS, Mississippi Academy of Science2020
3rd Place mentored Oral Presentation in Graduate Division. Awarded to the oral presentation receiving the second highest score from the panel of expert judges among conference attendees presenting research in the field of Health Sciences at the 84th Mississippi Academy of Science Annual Meeting in Biloxi, MS, Mississippi Academy of Science2020
Third place in the SSCI Poster Award. Response Assessment in Recurrent Glioblastoma Based on Contrast-Enhanced T1-Weighted Subtraction Color Maps and RANO Criteria. The Southern Society of Clinical Investigation - Southern Regional Meeting 2020., The Southern Society of Clinical Investigation2020
Two SSCI Poster Award Finalists. The Southern Society of Clinical Investigation - Southern Regional Meeting 2020. February 13, 2020. InterContinental New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana., The Southern Society of Clinical Investigation2020
Two SAFMR/SSCI Student Research Travel Awards for my undergraduate and graduate students Southern Section of the American Federation for Medical Research (SAFMR) and the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (SSCI) New Orleans, LA Awarded to acknowledge the work of students who are currently in training and accomplished in research with the intent to provide a travel grant to the annual Southern Regional meeting for the student to present their work, The Southern Society of Clinical Investigation2020
SAFMR/SSCI Faculty Research Travel Award Southern Section of the American Federation for Medical Research (SAFMR) and the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (SSCI)New Orleans, LA Awarded to acknowledge the work of accomplished researchers with the intent to provide a travel grant to the annual Southern Regional meeting to present their work, Southern Section of the American Federation for Medical Research (SAFMR) and the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (SSCI)2020
Press release: “New PhD in research Program Resonates with Radiologists”, Clarion Ledger, USA Today Network., Clarion Ledger, USA Today Network.2020
Best Scientific Poster of the Meeting (1st Place). Society for Advanced Body Imaging (SABI) (Formerly known as SCBT MR, Society of Computed Body Tomography & Magnetic Resonance) 42nd Annual Meeting Mile High Innovation to Practice, Society for Advanced Body Imaging (SABI)2019
Finalist & 2nd Place Mentored Oral Presentation, ASB Student Research Day, UMMC2019
Finalist & 3rd Place Mentored Poster Presentation, School of Health Related Professions Research Day, UMMC2019
Most outstanding mentored oral presentation 1st Place for MSRP at UMMC Annual Medicine Research Day, UMMC2019
Most outstanding mentored poster presentation 1st Place, Vice Chancellor for Research’s Scholarship for Graduate Studies UMMC Annual Medicine Research Day, UMMC2019
Most Outstanding Mentored Oral Presentation 1st Place Mississippi Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Mississippi Academy of Science2019
Press release: Candace M. Howard-Claudio, MD, PhD Recent Addition to the Graduate Faculty at UMMC in Biomedical Sciences, The GRADUATE bulletin. Latest news from the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, February 4, 2019., The GRADUATE Bulletin2019
Investigator Development Program and Pilot Program Award, Mississippi Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Jackson, MS2018
Selected by the Investigator Development Program to represent the MCCTR at the Symposium of Biomedical Research Excellence, Mississippi Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Washington, DC2018
Selected for the Millsaps Business Advantage Program for Professions for current and future leaders at UMMC to receive formal training in basic business principles. Awarded a full Scholarship for the program by the Office of Faculty Affairs at UMMC with support of a Hearin Foundation Grant., Office of Faculty Affairs at University Of Mississipi, Jackson, MS2018
Travel Award - Cohorts for Heart & Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Mississippi Center for Clinical and Translational Research2018
Research Travel Fellowship, Thomas Jefferson University2007
Press release: “Radiology Resident Receives Prestigious GE Healthcare Grant Award, ”Jeff News, March 1, 2005., Jeff News2005
ISMRM/GE Healthcare MRI Fellowship, ISMRM/GE2005
RSNA Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award, RSNA &Thomas Jefferson2005
General Electric Healthcare Grant Award, ISMRM/GE Healthcare MRI Resident Reporter Program2004
“Leaders on the Horizon” educational grant from Bracco Diagnostics., Bracco Diagnostics2003
The Caring Spirit Award, Cabell Huntington Hospital, Huntington, WV2001
Press release: “Jefferson Scientists Find Anticancer Gene May be Effective Adjunct to Angioplasty,” Jeff News, February 1, 2000., Jeff News2000
The Philip J. Hodes Prize in Radiology. To the fourth-year student displaying outstanding aptitude and interest in radiology, honorable mention, Thomas Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA.2000
William J. Bodine, Jr. Research Award, for an outstanding contribution to cancer research, Thomas Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA2000
Alumni Thesis Prize of 1999, for most outstanding thesis, Thomas Jefferson University1999
Alpha Omega Alpha honors society nominated as a junior and senior medical student, Alpha Omega Alpha honors society1998
M.D./Ph.D. Program Fellowship, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.1993
Summa cum laude with a BA in Biology and Chemistry, Transylvania University, Lexington KY1993
Monroe Moosnick Chemistry Award, Transylvania University, Lexington, KY1993
Holleian Society, Transylvania University, Lexington, KY1993
Senior Class Academic Award, Transylvania University, Lexington, KY1993
Junior Class Academic Award, Transylvania University, Lexington, KY1992
Sophomore Class Academic Award, Transylvania University, Lexington, KY1991
College Scholars of America, College Scholars of America1991
Steven Austin Freshman Class Academic Award, Transylvania University, Lexington, KY1990
Class Valedictorian, East Carter County High School, Grayson, KY.1989