Jackson named inaugural Brodell Chair in Dermatology

Guests from across the country gathered for a celebration that honored the legacy of the University of Mississippi Medical Center Department of Dermatology as Dr. Jeremy Jackson was named the inaugural Linda P. Brodell, M.D. and Robert T. Brodell, M.D. Chair in Dermatology. 

Jackson, a graduate of the UMMC School of Medicine, has led the department since Brodell retired as chair in 2022. 

Established by longtime UMMC faculty members Drs. Linda and Robert Brodell, the endowed chair honors their transformative influence on education and patient care in Mississippi. The gift also ensures Jackson’s ability to continue to support the advancement of the department’s mission and growth for years to come. 

“Fourteen years ago, Bob and Linda Brodell were minding their own business in Ohio, practicing dermatology and ophthalmology and raising a fantastic family—and somehow, they were convinced to uproot and come to Mississippi to make a difference here. And wow, what a difference to make,” said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs.  

When the Brodells arrived, the Department of Dermatology did not yet exist. Brodell not only planted its roots but nurtured its growth far beyond the Medical Center’s walls—expanding access through community clinics, establishing residency and fellowship programs and advancing research initiatives that elevated Mississippi’s presence in the field. 

“Bob built this department from the bottom up, and his leadership continues to inspire all of us,” Woodward said. “But it is not just about leadership with him. It is about the way he invests in the people around him and in all that he does. The Brodell Chair will ensure that compassion and excellence—traits that Bob brought to the Medical Center when he joined our team—remain hallmarks of this department.” 

Likening Brodell to the Energizer Bunny, Woodward noted that it was Brodell’s “boundless energy and inability to see anything as an obstacle that he couldn’t overcome” that powered the department’s rapid growth and national recognition. 

“I don’t know anyone else besides Dr. Brodell who has accomplished so much so quickly,” said Michael Cosulich, a New Jersey dermatologist who trained under Brodell. “It’s a testament to his vision, his dedication and his work ethic. When they said it couldn’t be done, he made it happen. When I think about Dr. Brodell, the quality that stands out the most is his willingness and desire to help people achieve their goals.” 

Cosulich’s sentiments echoed the feelings of the faculty, staff, friends, and family whose lives Brodell has shaped at UMMC and beyond. Among those he has guided and inspired is Jackson. 

“[The Brodells] are the perfect example of servant leadership,” Jackson said. “They give of themselves and pour into so many lives, never seeking credit for themselves, but simply finding joy in the success of others. The number of students, residents and faculty they have mentored is countless. They always see the better version and potential in others. They have personally impacted my life more than I can express.” 

A Mississippi native, Jackson completed an internal medicine residency at UMMC before training in dermatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

He joined the UMMC Department of Dermatology in 2013 as an assistant professor and assistant program director of the residency program. He quickly ascended the ranks—from assistant professor in 2016 to full professor and chair by 2023. He has also served as division chief of dermatology at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center since 2020. 

An accomplished clinician-educator, Jackson directs the cutaneous lymphoma clinic and has shaped dermatology education for medical students, residents, and fellows through his longstanding service as course director, residency educator, and grand rounds leader.  

He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, contributed to national board-preparation curricula, and is a sought-after speaker at local, regional and national meetings. His contributions to the Medical Center have been recognized through accolades such as the Trailblazer Award for Excellence in Education and selection as Department of Dermatology Faculty of the Year. 

“Jeremy Jackson knows there’s no ‘I’ in team, and he played professional baseball for a number of years, so he knows a thing or two about that,” Brodell said. “What he has done with the department since I retired as chair has been absolutely incredible. He has nurtured the department. He brings his leadership skills, a deep passion for dermatology, and a good will for everyone in Mississippi. 

“I wanted Jeremy to be able to do some special things for the department,” he said. “That might be a special research project or helping a resident go to a meeting where they will deliver a paper or poster presentation. There’s no one better suited who can carry on the mission of this department.” 

Jackson emphasized that the Brodell Chair is more than just a title, but a “permanent investment in excellence.” 

“It creates a foundation of stability that allows our department to recruit and retain world-class faculty,” he said. “Its impact extends far beyond the individual who holds it and ensures that our department remains a leader in clinical care, education and research for many decades to come. It also strengthens our training of future generations of dermatologists.” 

Jackson’s work builds on the foundation laid by Brodell, who expanded rural access to care, established innovative training pathways and led the department to national recognition in less than a decade. The Brodells’ vision has resulted in a robust academic department whose faculty, nurse practitioners, residents and fellows care for tens of thousands of patients annually and have trained dozens of dermatologists, many of whom now practice in Mississippi.