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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.

From left, Dr. Lee Brown, 2026 SHRP Alumnus of the Year, SHRP Dean Dr. Jay Garner and 2026 SHRP Early Achievement Award winner Dr. Chelsey Stephens

Career pivots lead SHRP Alumnus of the Year, Early Career Achievement awardees to UMMC

Monday, May 11, 2026

The School of Health Related Professions has named Dr. Lee Brown as its 2026 Alumnus of the Year and Dr. Chelsey Stephens as its Early Career Achievement Award winner. Read More

From left, 2026 SON Early Achievement Award winner Michael Jones, Dr. Tina Martin, SON dean, and 2026 SON Alumna of the Year Dr. Jennifer Hitt.

SON recognizes Alumnus of the Year, Early Career Achievement award winners

Monday, May 11, 2026

The School of Nursing has named Dr. Jennifer Hitt and Michael Jones as its Alumna of the Year and Early Achievement Award winners for 2026. Read More

Members of the Hal's St. Paddy's parade and festival present a check to the children's hospital from left; Sophie Wolf, 2027 co-chair Hal's St. Paddy's parade and festival; Paul Wolf, 2027 co-chair Hal's St. Paddy's parade and festival; John Horhn, mayor of Jackson; Gail Horhn, first lady of Jackson; Dr. Mary Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair of Pediatrics and CEO of Children’s of Mississippi; Selena Daniel, Run the Rainbow chair; Malcolm White, founder, Hal's St. Paddy's parade and festival and Caitlin Foreman, executive director, Friends of Children's Hospital.

Hal’s St. Paddy’s parade and festival raises over $205K for Children’s of Mississippi

Leaders from Hal’s St. Paddy’s parade and festival presented proceeds from the 2026 event to Children’s of Mississippi, the state’s only children’s hospital.

Published on Monday, May 11, 2026

Marlene Rios is among the first people patients meet at the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Front and Center: Marlene Rios

Before patients meet their care team or hear a treatment plan, they meet someone who instantly puts them at ease. For CCRI, that reassuring presence is often Marlene Rios.

Published on Monday, May 11, 2026

McKing Amedari, a 2025–2026 Honors College member in the John D. Bower School of Population Health, receives his certificate of completion of the program from Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Students celebrated for achievements at first UMMC Honors College awards

Nearly 100 students across all six health professional schools and the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy were recognized Thursday during the inaugural University of Mississippi Medical Center Honors College awards ceremony, marking the first formal celebration of academic excellence in the program’s short history.

Published on Monday, May 11, 2026

UMMC graduate Hunter Sylvester pursues life-changing Alzheimer’s research

As Hunter C. Sylvester earns his PhD from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, he is already helping shape the future of Alzheimer’s research through groundbreaking work in biostatistics and neurological disease. His journey reflects his calling for improving lives through science.

Published on Monday, May 11, 2026

Skyla Wilson, supervisor of the neurophysiology lab, colors an ice cream cone on a poster for Employee Appreciation Week in 2025.

UMMC celebrates employees during annual appreciation week

Published on Monday, May 4, 2026

Dr. James Chang, the Johnson & Johnson Distinguished Professor and chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Stanford University, is the first guest in the Dr. Michael E. Jabaley Distinguished Hand Surgery Visiting Professor Lecture Series.

New lectureship honors Dr. Michael Jabaley’s legacy in hand surgery

Published on Monday, May 4, 2026

The psychiatric emergency services unit is a multidisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and the Department of Emergency Medicine. Pictured above are members of the care team, from left; Michael Eldridge, RN; Ashley Lawrence, Adult ER Nurse Manager; Sherry Riser, director of nursing; Dr. Mark Ladner, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior; Dr. Ruby Hall, psychiatry resident; Courtney Moody, ER technician and Johnathan Bell, RN.

New dedicated adult psychiatric emergency services unit improves care at UMMC

Published on Monday, May 4, 2026

Photos: Mississippi State University baseball’s winning visit to Children’s of Mississippi

Published on Monday, May 4, 2026

The new five-story Cancer Center and Research Institute will offer advanced care, groundbreaking research and a welcoming space to enhance patient care and access.

McRae Foundation’s generosity continues with significant gift to UMMC cancer center campaign

Published on Monday, May 4, 2026

For School of Nursing student, degree is fulfilment of lifelong calling

Published on Monday, May 4, 2026

Attendees gathered at the UMMC cemetery during the annual Ceremony of Thanksgiving on April 22, honoring anatomical donors whose final gift continues to educate future generations of health care professionals.

Even in death, they teach: 2026 Ceremony of Thanksgiving honors UMMC anatomical donors

Published on Monday, April 27, 2026

Dr. Michael D. Roach, professor in the Department of Biomedical Materials Science, was named the inaugural Lyle D. Zardiackas, PhD, FADM, FASTM Professor in Biomedical Materials Science, which honors the legacy of the late Dr. Zardiackas, who founded the department.

Gift from pioneering researcher establishes professorship, names lab at UMMC

Published on Monday, April 27, 2026

UMMC dental student builds on family legacy as she looks ahead to the next chapter

Published on Monday, April 27, 2026

Registered Nurses Tiana Williams and Alexis Gaines take care of a patient in the PICU. The PICU has been awarded the Pediatric Nurse Excellence Diamond Award, the highest distinction presented by the Society of Pediatric Nurses.

Children’s of Mississippi PICU earns highest national honor

Published on Monday, April 27, 2026

Image for Dental outreach, maternal care earn recognition

Dental outreach, maternal care earn recognition

Published on Monday, April 27, 2026

Dawn Hoge is pictured with her care team, from left, Dr. Ignacio Velasco Martinez, chair of the Department of Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery and Pathology; Dr. Jesse Austin III, Dr. Randall Nutt, Dr. Sara Islam, Dr. Bryant Halsch, OMS residents; and Dr. Laura Humphries, associate professor of plastic surgery.

Advanced 3D technology and interdisciplinary care restore quality of life for Mississippi patient

Published on Monday, April 20, 2026

Patrick McCarthy of Jackson, among the first Mississippians to use the Ethos system at UMMC,  is prepared for Ethos radiotherapy.

New state-of-the-art radiation oncology systems offer advanced cancer care at UMMC

Published on Monday, April 20, 2026

UMMC genetic counselor Phuc Do, left, observes as Dr. Pawel T. Pomianowski, the state’s only practicing adult geneticist, examines patient Louise Allen during a visit focused on research into the transthyretin gene variant. The hereditary condition disproportionately affects African Americans. Allen’s husband, Vincent Allen, attends in support.

TTR gene variant may reveal clues to improving heart health in African Americans

Published on Monday, April 20, 2026

Image for Medical student reflects on faith, family and purpose ahead of UMMC commencement

Medical student reflects on faith, family and purpose ahead of UMMC commencement

Published on Monday, April 20, 2026

John and Mary Kathryn Decker with their children, John Walker, 5, and Archer, 16 months, at The Village of Madison where John has built several houses and has more underway.

UMMC performs life-saving cardiac care when every second counts

Published on Monday, April 13, 2026

Dr. Pia Chatterjee Kirk, dean of the School of Dentistry, Dr. Stephanie Rizzuto Ricks, recipient of the 2026 Early Career Achievement Award, Dr. Stephanie Tullos-Shamburger, 2026 Distinguished Alumna of the Year and Dr. Sarah Carlisle, president of the dental alumni board, pose for a photo at the 43rd annual Dental Alumni and Friends Luncheon.

School of Dentistry celebrates the 43rd Dentistry Alumni and Friends Awards

Published on Monday, April 13, 2026

Melinda Warner is earning a Bachelor of Science degree in the Radiologic Sciences program and works as a student technologist while preparing for the registry exam.

Persistence pays off in school and at home for SHRP grad

Published on Monday, April 13, 2026

Rebecca Winford, nurse manager for the Adolescent Acute Psychiatric Unit, poses in the newly finished unit.

Front and Center: Rebecca Winford

Published on Monday, April 13, 2026