New Flagbearers

Good morning.

First off, welcome to all of the new students who may be receiving and reading their first VC Notes. Welcome to the UMMC family! You are a part of a group of more than 3,000 health science students who represent the next generation of professionals who will lead efforts to improve the health and well-being of all Mississippians. And to the hundreds of faculty and staff who are involved in our education and training operations – thank you. The future success of our students, residents and fellows will be a direct result of your dedication. I’m proud of all of our schools and truly believe, working together, we can make a difference in our state.

In many cases, the impact of our schools and their departments is a direct result of the person at the top making the decisions and setting strategy. Especially in an organization our size, effective leadership is important to having successful programs, projects and outcomes. Across the Medical Center, from the Health System, to schools, to the research mission, to our many divisions and offices, we are lucky to have a multitude of excellent leaders helping steer this massive ship.

At times, there can be leadership changes that have wide-ranging effect and impact multiple areas of the Medical Center. Recently, though, we’ve had the opportunity to make several leadership appointments all within a shorter-than-usual timeframe. In 2022, I’ve announced 15 leadership positions that are now filled – in some cases as an interim appointment – by someone new. Today, I’d like to share with you a list of these faculty/staff leaders and a little bit about what they bring to the Medical Center in their new titles.

Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs

• I fully expect Dr. Rodgers to bring the level of success and progress he led as chair of the Department of Psychiatry to this leading role over the Medical Center’s academic mission. I believe his background in and passion for students and their success will have a hugely positive impact on each of our schools and education programs.

Dr. Joey Granger, associate vice chancellor for research

• On July 1, Dr. Granger took over as the lead executive for the Medical Center’s research mission. Time and time again, for many years, he proves that he is a dynamic researcher and educator. Since 2008 he’s been dean of the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences and under him the school has reached new heights in enrollment, external funding, degree programs and prestige. He’s nationally recognized for many of the research projects and groups he has led or is leading. UMMC Research will continue its recent record-setting momentum under Dr. Granger’s leadership.

Dr. Thomas Dobbs, dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health

• Dobbs enters this role following serving as the State Health Officer at the Mississippi State Department of Health since 2018. His work in all parts of the state with public health – including providing outstanding leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic – and his past research made him uniquely qualified to lead SOPH.

Dr. Angela Burrell, interim dean of the School of Health Related Professions

• Burrell started her health sciences career as a nurse (her doctorate is in nursing education and administration) and joined the SHRP faculty in 2010. She is an active researcher and in 2019 was named the school’s Nelson Order of Teaching Excellence recipient. I look forward to working with her while she is in this interim role to continue the school’s important work and past success.

Dr. Natalie Gaughf, assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs

• Gaughf takes this newly developed position that is essentially second-in-charge for Academic Affairs under Dr. Rodgers. And with the appointment of Dr. Dobbs as dean of SOPH, she no longer serves as interim dean of the school and will be able to fully invest her many talents toward UMMC academia.

Dr. Rich Duszak, chair of the Department of Radiology

• The one person on this list who joined us from outside of the UMMC family. Dr. Duszak was previously with Emory in Atlanta but he’s not new to Mississippi – he previously worked at Baptist Hospital in Southaven. He has been recognized many times for his passion for and expertise in radiologic sciences, patient care and policy and the department’s profile will benefit from the national recognition he brings.

Dr. Norma Ojeda, chair of the Department of Advanced Biomedical Education

• This academic year will be the first for the new formed Department of Advanced Biomedical Education and Dr. Ojeda, who has long been recognized for her cross-campus and cross-disciple collaborations, was an excellent choice to be the founding chair. She is an accomplished and skilled clinician-scientist and her dedication to medical training will set a tone for the new department that I believe will drive it toward being successful and impactful for other SOM departments.

Dr. Bob Brodell, chair of the Department of Pathology

• Brodell makes the transition from dermatology, where he was the founding chair since 2013, to be chair of the Department of Pathology. This isn’t the first time he’s led Pathology. He previously served as an interim chair, while maintaining his position with Dermatology. Dr. Brodell is a dedicated and tireless clinician and educator and I’m excited about him bringing that energy to the Department of Pathology.

Dr. Babbette LaMarca, chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

• LaMarca was interim chair of the department for nearly a year and did such a commendable job in that role that she was selected to fill the position permanently. A Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology, she has been with the department since 2011 and brings into this leadership role a strong track record of faculty engagement, research and education excellence.

Dr. Michael Hall, interim chair of the Department of Medicine 

• We have experienced a lot of firsts at UMMC and this appointment marks another one: The first time we’ve had two members of one family as department heads at the same time. Dr. John Hall is the longtime chair of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Dr. Michael Hall’s father. Dr. Michael Hall takes the reins of one of our largest departments. He has experience and proven excellence in each of our three missions and I think he will do well in this interim role to keep the department’s positive momentum going forward.

Dr. Anand Prem, interim chair of the Department of Anesthesiology

• A specialist in pain management, Dr. Prem is also a well-regarded educator. He’s been awarded several resident and fellow teaching awards and was named the School of Medicine Trailblazer Teaching Award winner in 2021. The department’s faculty and trainees will benefit from his mix of clinical and education success.

Dr. Jeremy Jackson, interim chair of the Department of Dermatology

• Like others in this list, Dr. Jackson is a UMMC product, having earned his medical degree here in 2006 following a stint as a professional baseball player. Since joining the department, he has shown acumen as a clinician, educator and researcher. He will do well in this interim role and I anticipate the department will flourish under his leadership.

Dr. Sara Gleason, interim chair of the Department of Psychiatry

• Gleason’s background is as diverse as it comes. In addition to being a UMMC medical school alum, she also holds a law degree (she spent some time as a practicing attorney) and an executive MBA. And, she taught high school. It’s no wonder she has been an engaged participant with many initiatives, committees and projects representing all areas of the Medical Center. Her experiences will serve the department well under her interim leadership.

Dr. Zeb Henson, chief of medical staff

• From this position within the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Henson works with all members of our medical staff on priorities and strategic goals set for our clinical enterprise. His ability to communicate with physicians no matter their specialty area – he himself has experience in both adult and pediatric care – is a valued asset in this role.

Stacy Baldwin, chief integrity officer

• Baldwin, the most recently announced member of this list, has accepted an expanded role from her previous title of executive director of compliance. She is now lead for the Offices of Integrity and Compliance, Contracts Administration, Information Security and Policy. It’s a big job, but I have full confidence in her ability to serve as top executive over the activities within these offices.