Faculty member earns exclusive distinction; future rural practice doctors rewarded
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.
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Vidal achieves ‘meaningful milestone’
Dr. Jorge Vidal, professor of cell and molecular biology, has been elected as a fellow by the American Academy of Microbiology.
The academy is the honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology, which Vidal is serving as president-elect of the South Central Branch.
One of 63 fellows named from around the world, Vidal is the only one from the South Central region of the U.S. to be selected for one of the highest professional distinctions in the microbial sciences.
The selection process involves a peer-reviewed evaluation of a candidate’s scientific excellence, originality, scholarly achievement, leadership and the highest ethical standards.
“This is truly an honor and a meaningful milestone,” said Vidal, who is also the director of the UMMC Center for Immunology and Microbial Research. “Accomplishments like this only add to the energy and motivation I feel as we continue advancing our scientific and educational endeavors at UMMC.”
After studying medical laboratory science at the University of Puebla, Mexico, Vidal earned a Master degree in microbiology and a PhD in cellular microbiology from the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City. At the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, he conducted post-doctoral research in bacterial genetics.
A former associate professor in the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, he joined the UMMC faculty in 2019. His scientific focus is, ultimately, to help eradicate pneumococcal pneumonia and other significant infectious diseases around the globe.
Significant scholarships IMPACT students
The University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine has awarded one-year, full cost-of-attendance scholarships to 26 medical students who plan to practice primary care in a rural and underserved Mississippi community.
The scholarships were presented Feb. 20 as part of the two-day Rural Medicine Education Symposium, a forum for physicians, administrators, educators and trainees to examine issues affecting the care of patients in rural communities and to discuss best practices for the various medical educational programs statewide.
The awards were made available through the Improved Primary Care for the Rural Community through Medical Education (IMPACT the RACE) Rural Track Program, created to improve access to health care in underserved areas by enhancing rural medical education for students.
Each awardee is either a second- or third-year medical student, is in good academic standing and was recommended by a physician preceptor.
Each is committed to participating in rural medical education activities as a student and practicing in a rural Mississippi community after completing residency.
“It’s no secret that there is a shortage of doctors in rural areas, and I would like to do my part in combating this obstacle that exists for our community,” said Nancy Duarte-Sanchez, a second-year medical student and scholarship honoree.
“[The medical profession] is riddled with obstacles and sacrifices. It is not for the faint of heart. And yet I wouldn’t choose any other career if given the opportunity because this field has the potential to profoundly change someone’s life. We have the opportunity to help those on their worst days. We can alleviate an ailment that has impacted their quality of life and give them back a sense of control over their lives.
“There is no greater need for this than in rural areas of Mississippi where health care is severely limited.”
Each scholarship is worth up to $83,000 and will be applied to the 2026-2027 academic year.
“This scholarship will allow me to continue to pursue my desire to help my community and simultaneously alleviate the financial stress for my family,” Duarte-Sanchez said.
“I felt so fortunate to be able to pursue a lifelong dream that I never even considered that I may be able to do it without the added burden of debt that invariably follows.
“This accomplishment is not only mine but also my family’s, who stood by me in every way including financially. As a first-generation immigrant, getting the opportunity to attend medical school has been a dream come true.”
To Tyra Lockett, who’s interested in practicing family medicine, the scholarship “means the world. It lifts one financial burden and lets me focus on what I love,” said the second-year medical student whose hometown is Brooksville in Noxubee County.
“For someone who grew up a small town, the idea of serving a community like mine fills me with joy. Mississippi has so much beauty to offer, and I want to help residents enjoy it in the best health possible while cheering them on every step of the way.”
The list of scholarship winners:
Sarah Broadaway
Patrick Bufkin
Wilson Matthew Burke
Natasha Burrell-Etheridge
Madison Burton
Maggie Jo Creekmore
Mary Linton Davis
Courtney Detwiler
Nancy Duarte-Sanchez
Ta’Dashia Flowers
Michael “Aaron” Goldman
Tyler Holland
Danielle Holliday
Brooklyn Howe
Kathleen Huey
Jon Parker Jones
Taylor Lampkin
Tyra Lockett
Bailey Lynch
Morgan McCray
Andrea Milton
Emily Ann Rigney
Lauren Sumrall
William Sutton
Maura Isabella Webb
Morgan Kaye Williams