First responder, select students receive recognition

Published on Monday, January 8, 2024

By: Patrice Guilfoyle, pguilfoyle@umc.edu

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

Houck garners state first responder award

Stephen Houck, director of the Mississippi Center for Emergency Services at UMMC, was recognized by peers in the first responder community in Mississippi for outstanding community service.

Houck was awarded the First Responder Community Champion Award by First Responders of Mississippi. The 20-year first responder was recognized among others receiving the honor for his role ensuring the safe and effective treatment, transport and coordination of critically ill patients, as well as campus safety and disaster response.

“Being recognized as a First Responder Community Champion illustrates Stephen’s commitment to service and is representative of the amazing teams that he leads here at UMMC to care for the people of Mississippi,” said Dr. Jonathan Wilson, UMMC chief administrative officer.

MCES includes departments such as Mississippi MED-COM, AirCare, Children’s Transport, Environmental Health and Safety and the Public Safety Support Division.

– – –

UMMC students added to highly selective honor society

The University of Mississippi Medical Center celebrated the 38 new scholars added to one of the nation’s largest and most selective collegiate honor societies.

Phi Kappa Phi is a multidisciplinary honor society that recognizes excellence in all academic disciplines and engages scholars in service to others.

The University of Mississippi Chapter was chartered in May 1959 as the 77th chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. UMMC is part of the University of Mississippi Chapter.

Membership is highly selective and is offered to distinguished UMMC students. To qualify for membership, undergraduates must be seniors with high standards of scholarship and character. Graduate students and students in professional schools must have distinguished records, placing them among the most accomplished in their classes.

Students who become members are proudly recognized at UMMC Commencement Services. The 2023 initiates and their schools are:

School of Dentistry - Beth Dunmire, Jacob Fortenberry, Kelbe Logan, Nicole Roa, Hannah Stempkovski, Austin Toler

School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences - Oheneba Boadum, Michael Brown, Jennifer Brumfield, Yousaf Zafar

School of Health Related Professions - Madeline Appel (King), Julia Dunigan, Christian Dyess, Richard Herring, Casey LaFontaine, Marquis Moore, Sarah Sumrall

School of Medicine - Hannah Buie, Brittany Corder, Georgia Gibson, Harrison Hicks, Taylor Kot, Joshua Parker, Lauren Pole, Tracy Rappai, Sunna Savani

School of Nursing - Vanessa Anguiano Mejia, Leah Arnold, Candice Buchanan, Amanda Coleman, Heather Hildebrant, Ansley Hill, Elizabeth Pace, Charity Rhinewalt, Claudia Washington, Georgia Wasson

School of Population Health - Kazi Sabrina Alam, Quest Whalen