News Stories

Main Content

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.

Wade Watts enjoys an afternoon outside with his family, from left, his son Everett; his wife, Sara; and his daughter Chaney Claire.

UMMC delivers life-saving transplant during system outage

Monday, March 16, 2026

During a recent cyberattack that disrupted hospital systems, UMMC teams relied on training, teamwork and compassion to keep care moving forward. For liver transplant patient Wade Watts and his family, the experience showed that even when technology fails, the people behind it never do. Read More

The Oliver family includes, from left, Annie, Candace, Kent and Charlotte.

Transforming care through laughter: Olivers make $500K gift to CCRI

Monday, March 16, 2026

Laughter changed their lives — now it’s changing cancer care in Mississippi. Kent and Candace Oliver, the force behind Laughs 4 Life, are turning their own cancer journey into a $500,000 investment in hope, innovation and better outcomes at UMMC’s Cancer Center and Research Institute. Read More

Dr. Caesar Alshibli, clinical research manager in the UMMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, helped broker cooperation between the U.S. military and Iraqi civilians while working as a surgical resident in war-torn Iraq in 2003.

Front and Center: Dr. Caesar Alshibli

Dr. Caesar Alshibli fled his homeland after militias hunted him for negotiating with U.S. troops during the Second Iraq War. His courage, resilience and second chances landed him at UMMC to rebuild his life and fulfill his purpose as a researcher.

Published on Monday, March 16, 2026

Anne Travis, right, president and CEO of the Bower Foundation, presents Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs, with a $10 million check for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Bower Foundation makes $10M gift to campaign for UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute

The Bower Foundation made the largest gift in its history to It’s About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute, a $125 million drive to help fund construction of a cancer center.

Published on Monday, March 9, 2026

Friends of Children’s Hospital's 2025-2026 board of directors includes, from left, Byron Burkhalter, Mark Hosemann, Jordan Bryan, Katherine Woodall, Maggie West, Michael Boerner, Sanford Moore, Dr. Adam Adcock, Ben James, Kirk Sims, Meredith Aldridge, Samantha Moore, Jennifer Johnson, Mary Clift Abdalla, Caitlin Foreman, Dr. Mary Taylor and Jia Scott.

Friends of Children’s Hospital commits $1.5M to psychiatric unit renovation

A recent gift of $1.5 million from Friends of Children’s Hospital will help create an environment that better supports the mental health and wellbeing of children from across Mississippi.

Published on Monday, March 9, 2026

The long-term commitment of Dr. Caroline Compretta, assistant vice chancellor for research, to health equity, community partnerships and research has landed her in the top echelon of academic achievers.

Compretta earns 2026 SEC Faculty Achievement Award

The long-term commitment of Dr. Caroline Compretta, assistant vice chancellor for research, to health equity, community partnerships and research has landed her in the top echelon of academic achievers.

Published on Monday, March 9, 2026

Image for Faculty earn national recognition in research, education

Faculty earn national recognition in research, education

Published on Monday, March 9, 2026

Angela Masuku, a registered nurse on 5 Wiser, charts her patient care on paper.

‘This has pulled us together’: UMMC prioritizes care, learning during cyberattack

Published on Monday, March 2, 2026

Image for Faculty member earns exclusive distinction; future rural practice doctors rewarded

Faculty member earns exclusive distinction; future rural practice doctors rewarded

Published on Monday, March 2, 2026

Image for 2003: The telehealth trek begins

2003: The telehealth trek begins

Published on Monday, March 2, 2026

Federal, state and medical leaders watch as, from left: Dr. Dustyn Baker, assistant professor and medical director of the Adolescent Acute Psychiatric Unit as well as program director for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, Rep. Michael Guest, Dr. Mary Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair and CEO of Children's of Mississippi, Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs, Dr. Alan Jones, associate vice chancellor for health affairs, Dr. Mark Ladner, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Dr. Nikki Cowan, Director of Nursing for the adolescent acute psychiatric unit and Rep. Clay Deweese; cut the ribbon on the Adolescent Acute Psychiatric Unit.

Children’s of Mississippi completes adolescent acute psychiatric unit

Published on Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Image for UMMC makes celebrated list of top employers

UMMC makes celebrated list of top employers

Published on Monday, February 16, 2026

CenteringPregnancy is a new group-based clinic model offered through EversCare at the Jackson Medical Mall.

UMMC brings community-centered prenatal care to EversCare

Published on Monday, February 16, 2026

The approximately 131,000-square-foot campus includes a medical office building, ambulatory surgery facility, advanced imaging services and an education space.

UMMC opens Colony Park North outpatient campus

Published on Monday, February 16, 2026

Medical student and artist Virginia Kate Gammon, editor of the arts and literature journal, The Mosaic, draws on the lessons she learned from her late grandmother, artist Virginia Thomas, who gave free art lessons to children. Gammon is shown here, appropriately, beside artwork displayed in the hallway leading to the Batson Tower of Children’s of Mississippi.

Front and Center: Virginia Kate Gammon

Published on Monday, February 16, 2026

Dr. Jeannette Simino, second from left, the 2026 Regions Bank TEACH Prize honoree, is congratulated by, from left, Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs; (Simino); Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine; and Regions Bank vice presidents Tamicalyn Foster and Regina Fowler.

With generous gesture, Simino shores up title as UMMC’s top teacher

Published on Monday, February 16, 2026

Nova Williams, 4, of Bassfield, works with Child Life intern Sage Crews on a valentine.

Photos: Hearts, Crafts and Mardi Gras magic at Children’s of Mississippi

Published on Monday, February 16, 2026

Cytotechnologist Mirna Vargas analyzes test results in this photo from See, Test and Treat in 2024.

See, Test and Treat offers free cancer screenings for uninsured, underinsured

Published on Monday, February 9, 2026

Displaying C Spire's $5 million gift to the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute are, from left, Dr. Rod Rocconi, Ergon Chair for Cancer Research and CCRI director; Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs; and Dr. Holt Crews, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and a member of the C Spire board of directors.

C Spire donates $5M for new UMMC cancer center

Published on Monday, February 9, 2026

Orthopaedic research team members meet to discuss current projects. They are, clockwise from bottom left, Fibiana Oladipo, Researcher III; Caesar Alshibi, a clinical research manager; Dr. Johnathan Riley, research fellow; Sheetal Chowdhury, graduate student; Priyanka Nehete, clinical research manager; and Dr. Clarence Clark II, research fellow.

That’s My Job: Orthopaedic Researchers

Published on Monday, February 9, 2026

Avery Gibens, fourth-year dental student, with partner Jolan Mills, second-year dental student, walks Tenika Spann of Jackson through her upcoming procedure.

Dental Mission Week celebrates a decade of expanding access to care

Published on Monday, February 9, 2026

More than half of Mississippi adults are affected by intimate partner violence, including 700,000 women and 530,000 men, according to the Mississippi Violence Experiences Survey. UMMC researchers collaborated on the survey with Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute.

Solutions to violence in Mississippi evident in UMMC research efforts

Published on Monday, February 9, 2026

Walker Hardin, one of three post-doctoral residents in physical therapy in 2025, will work with athletics staff at Jackson State University through spring 2026. Among the Tigers’ travels during the year was a trip to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to play Grambling State.

Residencies in PT expand in sports, orthopaedics

Published on Monday, February 2, 2026

Kerry and Dr. Paul Parker are continuing to show their support for UMMC by making a $250,000 donation to the Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Parkers’ $250,000 gift advancing cancer care at UMMC

Published on Monday, February 2, 2026

Owen Overby, 9, of Flowood, holds the 2026 Run the Rainbow medal featuring his artwork.

Children’s of Mississippi ambassador designs 2026 Run the Rainbow medal

Published on Monday, February 2, 2026