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Recent News Stories from UMMC News

For a complete list of our news articles, please use the site navigation to the left. Past news articles can be found according to their publication month and in the order of their publication date, starting with earliest to latest in that particular month.

We hope you find what you are looking for regarding achievements, accomplishments and advancements at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. For more information, contact the Office of Communications and Marketing.

The NSICU day team poses for a photo, from left, Caitlin Morrow, Valerie Fagan, Lucas Sandroni, Alyssa Ortlepp, Anna Claire Blaine, Kylie Page, Megan Bauerle and Matt Pulliam.

UMMC neuroscience ICU receives national Beacon Award for nursing excellence

Monday, January 26, 2026

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses has awarded the Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver) to UMMC’s Neuroscience ICU, a national recognition honoring high-performing critical care units that demonstrate strong outcomes and evidence-based practice. Read More

Image for 2016: Population Health, newest Medical Center school, celebrated

2016: Population Health, newest Medical Center school, celebrated

Monday, January 26, 2026

During its 70-year history, the University of Mississippi Medical Center has made contributions to the state, and the world, in medicine, science and education. Each month, we’ll recognize at least one of these major accomplishments. Read More

Dr. Michael R. Garrett, has served as chair of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology since 2023, with some research focused on cancer and genomics.

70 Years of Research: Celebrating the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at UMMC

The UMMC program is working to decode disease at the molecular level, paving the way for breakthroughs in cancer, genomics and precision medicine.

Published on Monday, January 26, 2026

Madison Hansen, a fourth‑year School of Medicine MD‑PhD student, founded Cantus Medici – Latin for “song of the healers” – in 2023. She said the student‑interest group explores the intersections of music, medicine and neuroscience.

Front and Center: Madison Hansen

When words and medicine sometime fall short, a student-led choir uses music to heal.

Published on Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Image for Heart surgery, dementia care, bioarchaeologist score successes

Heart surgery, dementia care, bioarchaeologist score successes

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.

Published on Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Dr. Babbette LaMarca, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, works alongside Dr. Nathan Campbell, a PhD student in experimental therapeutics and pharmacology when this photo was taken in 2024, and now an instructor in the department, to continue a legacy of research that began 70 years ago.

70 Years of Pharmacology: Past, Present, Future

As the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology marks its 70th anniversary, it stands as a powerhouse with a legacy shaped by decades of discovery, leadership and transformation.

Published on Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Porter Antici is Mississippi's 2026 Children's Miracle Network Champion.

Porter Antici named 2026 Children’s Miracle Network champion for Mississippi

Published on Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Runners are shown at the start of Run the Rainbow's 5K course.

Run the Rainbow returns March 21 to support Children’s of Mississippi

Published on Monday, January 12, 2026

Regular cervical cancer screening is essential for early detection and prevention, health experts say, and HPV vaccination can protect against the virus that causes most cervical cancers.

UMMC research leads to updated HPV clinical guidelines

Published on Monday, January 12, 2026

Image for Award recognizes Turner’s commitment, service

Award recognizes Turner’s commitment, service

Published on Monday, January 12, 2026

The Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior poses for a group photo in August 2025.

UMMC Psychiatry marks 70 years of advancing mental health care in Mississippi

Published on Monday, January 12, 2026

Jason Dill, business administrator in the Department of Pathology, has worked at UMMC for eight years, first as an accountant and later as director of business operations for the School of Nursing.

Front and Center: Jason Dill

Published on Monday, January 5, 2026

Dr. Stanley Smith, right, credits surgeon Dr. Chad Huckabay and CCRI care for successful treatment of his prostate cancer.

Cancer journey extends UMMC professor’s lessons beyond classroom

Published on Monday, December 29, 2025

During an appointment, Meredith Morris assesses the fetal heartbeat of Jameka Hollins of Leland as Sara Humbert Wahl looks on.

UMMC grows midwifery in Mississippi with a gift from Roots & Wings

Published on Monday, December 29, 2025

Image for 1957: New school of medicine graduates first woman

1957: New school of medicine graduates first woman

Published on Monday, December 29, 2025

Photos: Holiday Cheer at Children’s of Mississippi

Published on Monday, December 22, 2025

Betty and Rex Dettre in Shreveport, Louisiana, in June 1988, on the day that Maj. Gen. Dettre was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal.

Betty Sue Dettre leaves legacy of service and compassion through gift to Children’s of Mississippi

Published on Monday, December 22, 2025

A mother with heart failure delivers hope

Video: A mother with heart failure delivers hope

Published on Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Celebrating the $1 million donation from the 2025 Sanderson Farms Championship are, from left, Dr. JR Woodall, Century Club president and an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery; Friends of Children's Hospital executive director Caitlin Foreman; Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs; Dr. Mary Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair of Pediatrics and CEO of Children's of Mississippi; Hilary Burroughs, Wayne-Sanderson Farms vice president of marketing; Mary Clift Abdalla, Friends of Children's Hospital board chair; Kevin McDaniel, Wayne-Sanderson Farms CEO; and Steve Jent, executive director of the Sanderson Farms Championship.

Sanderson Farms Championship host organization donates $1M to benefit Children’s of Mississippi

Published on Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Mirna Vargas has been a cytotechnologist at UMMC for nearly a decade.

Front and Center: Mirna Vargas

Published on Monday, December 15, 2025

Image for Dobbs attracts national recognition

Dobbs attracts national recognition

Published on Monday, December 15, 2025

The ACT Center team poses for a photo, from left, [front row] Dr. Jonathan Hontzas, director; Sharon Terry, tobacco treatment specialist; Kelli Grant, manager of research operations; Brittany Tichenor, tobacco treatment specialist; Erica Cameron, lung cancer screening coordinator; Latoya Scott, scheduler; Stacy Wilson, medical office assistant; Leslie Musshafen, associate director of administration for the Cancer Center & Research Institute; [back row] Langston Moore, project manager for the Cancer Center & Research Institute; Kathy Banks, administrative assistant; and Jay Thompson, project manager.

ACT Center holds pinning ceremony honoring tobacco treatment graduates

Published on Monday, December 15, 2025

Image for Medical Center Matters Readership Survey

Medical Center Matters Readership Survey

Published on Monday, December 15, 2025

Research by Dr. Keli Xu into the origins of a type of pancreatic cancer could lead to better biomarkers and treatments.

CCRI research seeking to unlock mysteries of pancreatic cancer with $1.8M NCI grant

Published on Monday, December 8, 2025

Dr. Bill Pierce's sons, from left to right, Dr. Sam Pierce and Dr. Paul Pierce; his wife, Patricia Pierce, Dr. LouAnn Woodward and Dr. Calvin Thigpen are present at the chair-naming ceremony.

UMMC Honors Thigpen with Pierce Chair in Internal Medicine

Published on Monday, December 8, 2025