The new year will bring restructuring of some administrative duties under the leadership of School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences Dean Dr. Joey Granger.

Dr. Libby Spence, professor of medical laboratory sciences and associate dean of academic affairs, will enter the retirement ranks at the end of the month. She joins Dr. Greg Chinchar, professor of microbiology and associate dean of student affairs, who retired in June but has since returned part-time with the Graduate School.

Taking on Spence’s duties as assistant dean of academic affairs is Dr. Sydney Murphy, assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology. Dr. Mike Ryan, associate professor of physiology and biophysics, assumed Chinchar’s position following his summer retirement.

Granger, who spends about 25 percent of his time on Graduate School duties and his remaining time on research and teaching, began building a much-needed leadership team after he became dean in 2007. “When I took over, I only had one administrative assistant, and no assistant deans,” he said. “We were tasked at the time with our graduate school going through its first accreditation ever. There was a lot to do.

Too often, cancer patients and their families facing travel for treatment and doctors’ appointments forfeit access to quality medical care because they can’t afford a hotel room. That should change soon in the Jackson area when the American Cancer Society opens the ACS Gertrude C. Ford Hope Lodge on North State Street, within close proximity to cancer treatment centers at the city’s hospitals.

The Medical Center is proud to announce the following additions to its faculty and leadership staff:

Medical Center faculty and staff often are recognized regionally, nationally and internationally for their academic or medical achievements. These accolades elevate the UMMC brand among health science centers worldwide.