New faculty join UMMC academic ranks
Medical Center leadership is proud to announce the following additions to its faculty and leadership staff.
Taylor Martin
The University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing welcomes Taylor Martin as an assistant professor.
Martin brings more than a decade of experience in nursing practice, education and academic leadership. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from William Carey University in 2017 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2014. She is also pursuing doctoral coursework in public health at Jackson State University.
Before transitioning into nursing education, Martin gained clinical experience as a registered nurse at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson.
Martin has served in nursing education since 2017, formerly serving as Department Chair for Undergraduate Nursing Programs at Mississippi College.
Martin is a Clinical Nurse Leader and a certified basic life support instructor through the American Heart Association. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the Mississippi Nurses’ Association.
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Dr. Zariad Saran
The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s School of Medicine welcomes Dr. Zariad Saran as an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine.
Saran has been a part of the UMMC community since 2020, completing his emergency medicine residency and medical toxicology fellowship at the medical center. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated summa cum laude from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences and a minor in pharmacology and toxicology.
He has authored peer-reviewed publications, served as a reviewer for medical journals and presented research at national conferences, including the American College of Medical Toxicology Annual Conference.
He is a member of the American Board of Emergency Medicine, the American College of Medical Toxicology, the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the American College of Emergency Physicians.
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Kaitlyn Wilcher
Kaitlyn Wilcher, a recent graduate of the School of Health-Related Professions, will return to the school as an assistant professor in the Department of Radiologic Sciences.
Wilcher graduated with her Master of Science in health systems administration in May. She earned her Bachelor of Science in radiologic sciences from the medical center in 2017.
Wilcher began her career at UMMC after earning her undergraduate degree in 2017 as a computed tomography technologist. Since 2022, she has served as the Computed Tomography Department manager, providing leadership for clinical operations while supporting quality improvement and patient care initiatives. She is a registered radiologic technologist and certified computed tomography technologist through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Throughout her career, she has served on several departmental and health system committees, including the Radiation Safety Committee, Value Analysis Committee, Trauma Committee and Stroke Committee. She has also contributed to imaging workflow improvements through her involvement in the Imaging Wayfinding Project and supported recruitment efforts as a Discovery Day facilitator highlighting careers in imaging.