Faculty member, pharmacists commended for accomplishments

Published on Monday, July 15, 2024

By: Gary Pettus, gpettus@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.

McDaniel praised for editorial excellence

Dr. Larry S. McDaniel, professor of cell and molecular biology, has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award by the American Society for Microbiology.

The honor recognizes his exceptional work in 2023 as one of the top editors of the ASM journal, mBio. It recognizes “his continued efforts to elevate the reputation and impact of the journal,” Dr. Arturo Casadevall, editor-in-chief of mBio, stated in a letter to McDaniel.

“On behalf of ASM and the journal staff, we thank you for going above and beyond in your service to mBio. The journal’s success in 2023 has been critical to the overall strength of the journal’s program at ASM, and I want to thank you for the role you played in that success,” Casadevall wrote.

“Our team at mBio and ASM are incredibly grateful for the diligence and expertise that you bring to your role within the peer review process. We truly appreciate your ongoing commitment to advancing science and to mBio.”

McDaniel, who is also the director of the Center for Immunology and Microbial Sciences at UMMC, earned his PhD in microbiology at the University of Oklahoma in 1981. He has also held other academic appointments at UMMC, including chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, as well as positions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

A fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the Infectious Disease Society of America, McDaniel has served as president of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences. A founding editor of mBio, he has served as editor, reviewer or member of the publication committee for a number of other professional journals and as a member of a variety of other scientific organizations. He is the holder of several U.S. patents.

McDaniel is the coauthor of several book chapters and his list of research publications and presentations is extensive.

 “To be recognized for my efforts with mBio is a profound honor,” McDaniel said. “Dr. Casadevall, the staff at mBio and the other editors make it a pleasure to serve.”

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Pharmacy specialists Herrington, McIntosh earn statewide honors

Two clinical pharmacy specialists in the Department of Pharmacy Services were recognized recently for excellence in their profession.

Dr. Regan McIntosh and Dr. Peyton Herrington reaped honors from two separate statewide organizations.

McIntosh was named Distinguished Young Pharmacist for 2024 by the Mississippi Pharmacists Association (MPhA). She was honored in June during MPhA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show in Oxford.

Sponsored by Pharmacists Mutual, the award acknowledges a practicing pharmacist for superior achievement within 10 years of earning their terminal pharmacy degree. Nominees have demonstrated outstanding service in pharmacy practice, service in professional organizations, outstanding service to the community and services/interaction with other health care workers.

McIntosh earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Mississippi, followed by her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at UMMC in 2019. In 2020, she received her MBA from Mississippi College. She completed a PGY-1 residency with Walgreens in Jackson.

Last year, McIntosh was elected by the MPhA as its 2023 Member of the Year and she serves as chair of the organization’s New Practitioner Committee. She was awarded the MPhA Spirit of Pharmacy in 2020.

She also serves as chair of Industry Relations for the Mississippi Society of Health-System Pharmacists and on the Government Affairs Committee for the National Association of Specialty Pharmacies.

Recently, McIntosh was named one of the Mississippi Business Top 40 Under 40 for 2024.

“Regan has gone above and beyond to distinguish herself as an outstanding pharmacy practitioner,” said Dr. Kelsey Raymer, assistant director of pharmacy-specialty and ambulatory services at UMMC.

“Her engagement with professional organizations at the local and national levels is a testament of her dedication to continuous self-improvement. She is an excellent representative of UMMC, the Specialty Pharmacy Program and the pharmacy profession as a whole.”

For his part, Herrington was named a Healthcare Hero by Project Firstline Mississippi for his exceptional efforts in the area of infection control. The organization provides education for frontline health care workers to help them better protect their patients, coworkers and themselves from infectious disease threats.

Healthcare Heroes, according to Project Firstline, put hand hygiene first, use proper personal protective equipment, practice proper injection safety, clean and disinfect surfaces and devices properly, dispose of medical waste appropriately and help others accomplish those same efforts.

Herrington earned his PharmD at the University of Mississippi in 2006 following his pre-pharmacy studies at Holmes Community College. 

“Peyton has worked with UMMC’s Division of Infectious Diseases since 2019, providing care to thousands of Mississippians living with HIV and Hepatitis C,” Raymer said.

“This is a well-deserved recognition of his passion for patient advocacy and the impact his daily work has on improving medication adherence to achieve positive health outcomes for patients.”