For the University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2015 was a year of new leadership, new ideas, discoveries and triumphs.
Health care, education and research have combined to move us forward in the pursuit of “A Healthier Mississippi.” With the help of our strong leadership and 10,000 dedicated employees, the year ahead will see us move even closer to the goal.
We at the Division of Public Affairs have been happy to tell the stories of your accomplishments and look forward to another headline-making year in 2016.
January
2020 Vision: New strategic plan emphasizes mission integration, individual performance
UMMC/2020, the innovative and inclusive five-year strategic plan unveiled in Jan. 2015, emphasizes the integration of UMMC's health-care, research and educational programs into one cohesive effort.
Tournament hits a hole in $1M for Mississippi's children
The Sanderson Farms Championship, a PGA Tour event held in Jackson, Miss., announces a record $1.1 million gift to Friends of Children's Hospital, a fundraising organization for Batson.
February
Mississippi native chosen to lead Medical Center
Following a committee-led national search, Dr. LouAnn Heath Woodward is named UMMC's new vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.
March
MIND Center has fantastic Knight!
Gladys Knight performs a benefit concert to a sold-out crowd to raise more than $240,000 for the MIND Center to find treatments for Alzheimer's and related dementia.
Video: Batson Children's Hospital hosts nation's largest Radiothon
The largest radiothon in the country, the 14th Annual Mississippi Miracles Radiothon broadcasts live from the lobby of Batson Children's Hospital.
April
Fifty livers in two years: UMMC transplant program thriving
Utica resident Dennis Mitchell receives the 50th liver since the 2013 jump-starting of UMMC's long-dormant liver transplant program.
No falling down on the job: Patient care team garners safety award
Aggressive efforts to stop patient falls before they happen by Cissy Bailey's team of nurses on 5 North lead to UMMC being one of only two hospital systems in the country awarded a 2015 Stand Up for Patient Safety Management Award from the National Patient Safety Foundation.
Friends of Children's Hospital celebrates 25 years of giving
Born of Dr. Owen "Bev" Evans' desire to build a new children's hospital, Friends of Children's Hospital fundraising group celebrates its 25th birthday.
June
Dan Jones will join UMMC to help lead obesity research efforts
Former University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones steps into the role of director of clinical and population sciences at the Mississippi Center for Obesity Research with the task of tackling Mississippi's most pernicious and consequential health problem.
August
Research yields possible new cancer therapy
Dr. Wael ElShamy, associate professor of biochemistry and director of the UMMC Cancer Institute's Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Program, receives a patent for his method to diagnose and treat several types and subtypes of cancer involving the overexpression of geminin and c-Abl in the cell nucleus.
New mental health clinic extends care, compassion to LGBT community
Under the leadership of Dr. Scott Rodgers, the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior launches the LGBT Clinic at the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center - a pioneering treatment center that will help fill a gap in mental health services for Mississippi's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
September
A decade after the devastation, UMMC's response still resonates
When faced with the largest disaster in Mississippi's history, hurricane Katrina, the administration, faculty, students and staff of UMMC rise to the occasion to provide help where it is needed - from makeshift clinics to child care and even a fueling station.
October
Centers' focus shifting to medically integrated wellness, fitness
New University Wellness Centers focus on medically integrated wellness achieved through personalized fitness and proper nutrition, two cornerstones of good health and disease prevention.
Teen clinic promotes healthy choices, healthy futures
Through a partnership between Jackson Public Schools, the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the School of Nursing, students at Lanier High School in Jackson receive primary medical care at the new Teen Wellness Clinic.
November
Boyte named Schwartz Center National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year
The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, a national nonprofit leading the movement to bring compassion to every patient-caregiver interaction, names Dr. Rick Boyte as the Schwartz Center National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year (NCCY) Award recipient.
Former first twin visits, reads to Batson patients
Jenna Bush Hager, special correspondent for NBC, an author and an editor-at-large for Southern Living magazine, and former first daughter, visits Batson Children's Hospital to read to patients from the book, “Read All About It!,” which she authored with her mother, former first lady Laura Bush.
December
Vitter: UM, UMMC collaboration promotes growth, success
Dr. Jeffrey Vitter, newly appointed chancellor of the University of Mississippi, talks collaboration, growth and success as he tours UMMC, meeting with faculty and staff and visiting hospitals and research facilities.
Felton chosen to be new dean of School of Dentistry
Dr. David Felton is chosen to be the new dean of the School of Dentistry at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.