Photos: Happy Holidays at The U
Published on Tuesday, December 27, 2022
From the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree in front of the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children’s of Mississippi to decorations galore at desks and in departments, the holiday spirit is aglow at the UMMC. Enjoy these holiday photos snapped throughout the Medical Center.

Mrs. Claus looks at Children's of Mississippi patient Alexander James Wegner of Perkinston during Santa's annual visit to the hospital.

Fresh Cut Catering & Floral team members hang decorations for the holiday season in the lobby of the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower, creating a holiday display sponsored by Friends of Children's Hospital.

Children's of Mississippi patient Cooper Brady of Columbia and Mrs. Claus fist bump during a visit with Santa Claus, Gov. Tate Reeves and First Lady of Mississippi Elee Reeves.

Children's of Mississippi patient Zoie Ward of Jackson smiles while receiving presents from Santa during his annual visit.

April Giavotella, left, manager of human resources operations and special projects, and Chief Mary Paradis of the UMMC Police and Public Safety Department, enjoy beach-themed holiday decorations.

Children's of Mississippi patient Naomi Steen, in Mrs. Claus' arms, enjoys a visit by her, Santa Claus and First Lady of Mississippi Elee Reeves and Gov. Tate Reeves.


Anne Elizabeth Zegel and Madeline Wilson, child life specialists, help Santa prepare bags for holiday deliveries during his annual visit to Children's of Mississippi.

Santa, Mrs. Claus, an elf, First Lady of Mississippi Elee Reeves and Gov. Tate Reeves pass presents to Children's of Mississippi patient Zoie Ward of Jackson.

Nicholas Lee Stogner of Natchez smiles over Nicholas Air's gift of a plush dinosaur as mom Jayna Stogner, left, and child life specialist Tiffany Key look on.

April Giavotella, left, manager of human resources operations, and Molly Brasfield, chief human resources officer, wrap up Human Resources' "Express Your Elf!" entry, Santa's Workshop.

Children's of Mississippi patient Kaura McLaurin of Lumberton receives toys from Mrs. Claus, Santa, and their elf during a visit to the state's only children's hospital.

The Claus family poses with Children's of Mississippi patient Jamarla Brazzle of Cruger during their visit to the children's hospital.

UMMC physical therapists and occupational therapists decorated their work area to get into the holiday spirit.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elf deliver gifts to Children's of Mississippi patient Logan Jackson of Brookhaven.

Morgan Ingram of Ridgeland smiles as son Parker Ingram plays with a stuffed reindeer from Nicholas Air as they leave the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children's of Mississippi.

A pair of happy snowmen were among the winter personalities that brought smiles to faces at the Medical Center in the physical and occupational therapists' offices.

UMMC's Red Line bus 554 made merry this week with garlands, shiny reindeer, ornaments and a full-sized Christmas tree. It's the work of bus driver and Groome Transportation employee Yolanda Madden.


The UMMC Talent Acquisition team's entry in the "Express Your Elf!" challenge turned their office into a gingerbread house.

Gov. Tate Reeves, First Lady of Mississippi Elee Reeves, Santa, and Mrs. Claus visit with Children's of Mississippi patient Keydarius Taylor of Meridian.

Showing the many bears and other stuffed toys collected by Nicholas Air for Children's of Mississippi patients are, from left, child life specialists Tiffany Key, Pepper Weed-Cooper and Kelsey Clark, Nicholas Air marketing coordinator Abby Carlton, Nicholas Air events coordinator Tate Martin, Nicholas Air President Peder von Harten, child life specialist Cara Williams, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, driver Joe Walton and child life specialist Ashley Prendez.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elf pose with Donquavius Smith of Oxford alongside mom Latasha Smith.

Reindeer in rainbow colors are carried into the state's only children's hospital by Friends of Children's Hospital executive director Caitlin Foreman and board member Janna Lampton.