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Madison Hansen, a fourth‑year School of Medicine MD‑PhD student, founded Cantus Medici – Latin for “song of the healers” – in 2023. She said the student‑interest group explores the intersections of music, medicine and neuroscience.

Front and Center: Madison Hansen

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

When words and medicine sometime fall short, a student-led choir uses music to heal. Read More

Jason Dill, business administrator in the Department of Pathology, has worked at UMMC for eight years, first as an accountant and later as director of business operations for the School of Nursing.

Front and Center: Jason Dill

Monday, January 5, 2026

Jason Dill is a key member of the same department at UMMC he credits with solving his medical mystery as a patient at Children’s of Mississippi more than 40 years ago. Read More

Mirna Vargas has been a cytotechnologist at UMMC for nearly a decade.

Front and Center: Mirna Vargas

Behind every diagnosis is a laboratory professional ensuring patients get accurate and timely results. For Mirna Vargas, that responsibility has guided a career devoted to quality patient care.

Published on Monday, December 15, 2025

 Dr. Devika Das, director of the Division of Hematology and Oncology

Front and Center: Dr. Devika Das

As chief of hematology and oncology at UMMC and CCRI’s associate director of clinical affairs, Das focuses on education, research and patient care.

Published on Monday, November 3, 2025

 Dr. Rakesh Chandra follows Dr. Scott Stringer as the second chair of the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery since the department's founding in 2002.

Front and Center: Dr. Rakesh Chandra

With a passion for innovation and mentorship, Dr. Rakesh Chandra joins UMMC as chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. A nationally recognized surgeon, educator and leader, Chandra brings more than two decades of academic experience and a vision for expanding specialty care across Mississippi.

Published on Monday, October 13, 2025

 Rebecca Turner, a registered dietitian with UMMC's Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, helps patients achieve health goals through healthy eating habits.

Front and Center: Rebecca Turner

Healthy habits have helped Turner, a registered dietitian, achieve world-class rankings in the World Natural Strongman Competition earlier this year.

Published on Monday, September 8, 2025

 Sgt. Shanice Mays oversees officers working the night shift, a time when the Emergency Department is among the areas her unit visits.

Front and Center: Shanice Mays

Published on Tuesday, September 2, 2025

 Dr. Twila Rawson has provided care to Mississippi children for four decades.

Front and Center: Dr. Twila Rawson

Published on Monday, August 4, 2025

 MacKenzie Maier is living her dream of working as a registered nurse after a spinal cord injury.

Front and Center: MacKenzie Maier

Published on Monday, July 21, 2025

 Traci Wilson is an inpatient RN and preceptor for nurses in training.

Front and Center: Traci Wilson

Published on Monday, June 16, 2025

 Genetic counselors Emily Boothe, second from left, and Laura Hendon, right, are joined by School of Medicine Assistant Professor Dr. Laura Coats, left, and Assistant Professor Dr.Maryam Syed at a Rare Disease Day poster symposium at the School of Medicine.

UMMC genetic counselors: New licensing law benefits patients, providers

Published on Monday, June 2, 2025

 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

 Heather Wise, operational decision support manager in the Office of Nursing Excellence

Front and Center: Heather Wise

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

 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

 Hang Nguyen of Biloxi is a 2025 graduate from the UMMC School of Dentistry.

#2025UMMCGrad: Hang Nguyen

Published on Monday, April 28, 2025

 Shaneka and Kevin Patterson look forward to receiving their DNPs from UMMC.

#2025UMMCGrad: Pattersons combine DNP studies with family life, careers

Published on Monday, April 14, 2025

 Registered dietitian Mary Chosen Caples, left, talks with Milk Lab technician LaToya Spann.

That’s My Job: Registered Dietitians

Published on Monday, March 17, 2025

 Selena Daniel holds one of the medals that Run the Rainbow for Children's marathoners will receive.

Front and Center: Selena Daniel

Published on Monday, March 10, 2025

 Cory Steed, field support manager for clinical health care, takes a look at one of the desktop computers at Colony Park South with Jennifer Burnell, ambulatory nurse.

Front and Center: Cory Steed

Published on Monday, March 3, 2025

 Among the team members who help patients and families get the care they need are, from left, Stacy Martin, associate director of ambulatory access; physician schedulers Eleanor Young, Jeremy Moore, Rhett Giordano and Kayla Taylor, associate director of ambulatory access management.

That’s My Job: Physician Scheduler

Published on Monday, February 24, 2025

 Dakota Bibbs, medical student advising director, is framed by one of the intentionally-placed furnishings in his office: an aquarium meant to offer a soothing presence for stressed-out students. Goldfish Veronica, foreground, does her part.

Front and Center: Dakota Bibbs

Published on Monday, February 10, 2025

 Dr. Juan Duchesne is the director of the UMMC trauma center.

Front and Center: Dr. Juan Duchesne

Published on Monday, January 27, 2025

 Nise Branson, a mail clerk at UMMC's post office, sorts mail for the Medical Center's many departments.

That’s My Job: Receiving and Post Office

Published on Monday, January 13, 2025