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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.

A family prayer began a weekend family get-together for Rhonda Cooley and her husband Jerry, her sister Gina and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bench-to-bedside care catches cancer risk for Mississippi family

Monday, October 19, 2026

Genetic testing for CCRI patient Rhonda Cooley at UMMC revealed a heredity risk for medullary thyroid cancer among her family members. That knowledge is helping them stay healthy. Read More

Emilia Calderon, a senior radiologic sciences student at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, wears her white coat as she prepares for a career in medical imaging, where she hopes to play a vital role in patient care through the detection and diagnosis of diseases, including cancer.

UMMC trains future health care workforce today for the cancer care of tomorrow

Monday, October 19, 2026

The future of cancer care in Mississippi is already taking shape at UMMC. As plans move forward for the new Cancer Center and Research Institute, students, fellows and physicians are preparing today to meet the cancer care needs of tomorrow. Read More

Dr. Mohd Abdullah Khan, seated, Dr. Jawed Siddiqui, looking over Khan’s shoulder, and Dr. Gunjan Sharma observe UMMC’s new 3D bioprinter. The technology helps researchers build models to study how cancer cells behave in surroundings that more closely resemble human tissue.

UMMC’s new 3D bioprinter brings cancer research to life

Using living cells instead of conventional ink, researchers can create three-dimensional models that more closely resemble the environment inside the human body. The technology could help scientists better understand how cancer spreads, why some treatments fail and which therapies might work best for individual patients.

Published on Monday, October 19, 2026

Peyton Loftin, a senior at Mendenhall High School, performs resuscitation training with Kristina Readman, life support training center educator, during Discovery Day.

Mississippi students find inspiration at UMMC’s Discovery Day

Nearly 200 Mississippi high school students preparing for health care careers examined what UMMC programs and departments had to offer during Discovery Day.

Published on Monday, October 19, 2026

Terrence Shirley: NCI designation will ‘speak volumes’

As CEO of the Community Health Center Association of Mississippi and a cancer survivor, Terrence Shirley understands why advanced cancer care and strong research programs must be available close to home for Mississippians and why achieving National Cancer Institute designation is essential to delivering both.

Published on Monday, October 19, 2026

Dr. Alfred Martin Jr., with MIND Center staff member Ladonna Goff, completes a grip-strength assessment as part of the MIND Center Study of Aging.

National awards boost MIND Center-Mayo Clinic efforts to better predict dementia risk

Mississippians are playing an important role in research that could change how doctors understand and predict dementia. By following participants over time, scientists hope to uncover patterns that could lead to earlier detection and more personalized care.

Published on Monday, October 19, 2026

Bella Boyd, 6, of Jackson catches a fish while playing fair game at Fair with Friends.

Photos: Fair with Friends brings fun to Children’s of Mississippi patients

Published on Monday, October 12, 2026

Image for UMMC physician on global stage; Medical Center earns well-being recognition

UMMC physician on global stage; Medical Center earns well-being recognition

Published on Monday, October 12, 2026

Dr. Jamie White Brown, the state's only oral pathologist

Front and Center: Dr. Jamie White Brown

Published on Monday, October 12, 2026

Dr. Ajay Singh, right, discusses laboratory research with Dr. Shashi Anand. Singh is investigating how chronic stress, inflammation and environmental factors may influence prostate cancer aggressiveness, particularly among Black men.

UMMC scientists take new approaches to tackling Mississippi’s cancer burden

Published on Monday, October 12, 2026

Deborah Deerman: 'I just knew I was in good hands' at UMMC

Published on Monday, October 12, 2026

Celebrating Regions Bank's $2.5 million gift to the It's About Time campaign are, from left, John Howie, Metro Jackson market executive for Regions Bank; Dr. Alan Jones, associate vice chancellor for health affairs; Leroy Abrahams, executive vice president of community and market engagement for Regions Bank; Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs; and Dr. Rod Rocconi, Ergon Chair for Cancer Research and CCRI director.

Regions announces $2.5M gift for UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute campaign

Published on Monday, October 5, 2026

Shenike Bankston found ways to thrive after a thyroid cancer diagnosis through Survivor University, a free program from the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute for cancer patients around the state.

It’s time for a change: access to advanced care, detection, prevention could rewrite state’s cancer story

Published on Monday, October 5, 2026

Dr. Thomas Dobbs, dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health, speaks to students during a class at UMMC.

UMMC School of Population Health marks 10 years of looking upstream to improve Mississippi health

Published on Monday, October 5, 2026

From left, Dr. Hyung Kim, chief of the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Dr. Jennifer Hankenson, program director; Dr. Jennifer May Villacorta, associate professor; and Tina Norrells-Gustavis, program coordinator, gather as they prepare to welcome the first residents of UMMC’s new Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program. The program’s accreditation completes UMMC’s core residency offerings.

UMMC launches Mississippi’s first physical medicine and rehabilitation residency

Published on Monday, October 5, 2026

Jesse Robinson’s music doesn’t stop for cancer

Published on Monday, October 5, 2026

Dr. Mitchell Hobbs, director of the pediatric hospital medicine fellowship program, begins morning rounds in the Batson Tower.

Pediatric hospital medicine growth leads to new fellowship at UMMC

Published on Monday, September 28, 2026

Nurse practitioner Barbara Herring talks with patient Fershurn Stanford of Canton at the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute's high-risk breast cancer clinic.

UMMC ranks No. 2 on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals

Published on Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Charis Jennings of Union smiles while her parents, Tyshunda and Jaylan Jennings, read to her.

Photos: A celebration of reading for children’s tiniest patients

Published on Monday, September 21, 2026

Ebony Gaston, nurse manager with UMMC's ambulatory radiation oncology clinic, celebrates her 25-year career at UMMC.

Front and Center: Ebony Gaston

Published on Monday, September 21, 2026

Nearly $4M investment positions UMMC to strengthen rural health care

Published on Monday, September 21, 2026

John Stephen Nasekos, one of seven mobility technicians in rehabilitative services, assists patient Ernest Weathersby with his morning exercise.

That’s My Job: Mobility technicians

Published on Monday, September 21, 2026

Supported by the Mississippi Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Dr. Tim Yen, assistant professor of medicine and nephrologist, second from left, and Thomas Hudson, clinical research coordinator, collect research measurements from patient April Jackson during dialysis.

UMMC’s FY26 sponsored funding tops $103 million, fuels statewide impact

Published on Monday, September 21, 2026

Dr. Erik Frandsen, pediatric cardiologist at Children's of Mississippi.

Front and Center: Dr. Erik Frandsen

Published on Monday, September 14, 2026

Pailyn Williams, 5, of Crystal Springs and her mom, Patience, pose with her new bear at Toot, Teach and Roll's third annual Furry Friends event at the children's hospital.

Photos: Furry Friends bring smiles to Children’s

Published on Monday, September 14, 2026