Happy Trails

Good morning!

The final Friday of June marks some beginnings and some endings.

New students, residents and fellows have already started joining us. This is an exciting time for them as well as the faculty and staff who get to educate and/or work with these bright-eyed and exuberant learners. 

We are about midway through the calendar year which usually means the days are as hot as they are long. And we’re nearing the point when we flip over to a new fiscal/academic year. That always means a flurry of end-of-budget year activity as well as preparations to start the next one.

Around this time of year, we recognize our colleagues who decided to turn in their badge and retire after serving UMMC without interruption for 25 or more years. Some pick June 30 as their final day but there are many others that have already started this next chapter of their life earlier.

Last year, I dubbed the group of retirees our “Legacy Makers.” I think that moniker is still very much applicable this year when you consider this year’s 62 retirees (as of earlier this week according to HR’s list) served this Medical Center and the people of Mississippi for a total of 1,788 years and 8 months! LOTS of coffee would have been drunk and lessons learned in that timeframe. I’ve said before that our most valuable resource is people, and what you know and have learned over the course of your UMMC career are premium commodities and contribute to successes in our three mission areas now and in the future.

Five of this year’s retirees served UMMC for 35 or more years. This special group of people generously gave most or all of their professional career for the betterment of our institution. There really are no words to appropriately express how grateful I am to these five amazing individuals. Simply put, thank you. 

	LaDonna Northington, School of Nursing, 44 years and 4 months “Dr. Northington is a leader whose integrity translates to her actions. She lives her values and is who I think of when I hear the phrase, ‘mission driven.’ Her commitment to nursing excellence and education has resulted in outstanding nurses prepared for practice. I’m honored to have worked with LaDonna,” said Dr. Julie Sanford, dean of the School of Nursing.
	Jerome Allison, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, 40 years and 5 months “Jerome was a longtime employee of the department and an expert in computer operations including hardware, programming and networking. Additionally, he was very proficient in computer assisted design and fabricating metal and Plexiglas devices for use in research. His expertise in these areas was very valuable to the department, the Medical Center and his colleagues,” said Dr. Allan Sinning, interim chair of neurobiology and anatomical sciences.
	Ann Fox, Office of the Comptroller, 40 years and 5 months “Ann was a dedicated employee who always was willing to assist her co-workers and others outside her department. Part of her job was to greet visitors and answering the phone. She did her job graciously and was always sincere and cordial to every individual who crossed her path,” said Robert Kalka, associate comptroller.
	Rob Rockhold, Office of Academic Affairs, 38 years and 11 months “Dr. Rob Rockhold has served UMMC faithfully and with distinction. Among his many achievements, his role as the founder of UMMC’s Nelson Order, which identifies outstanding educators from each of the health professions schools and is considered by many to be UMMC’s most prestigious teaching honor, certainly stands out as one of his greatest contributions. Dr. Rockhold is also known as the originator of several pathway programs, including the Base Pair program that has paired faculty from UMMC with high school students and educators for 30 years,” said Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs.
	Angeline Green, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 36 years and 9 months “We have had the privilege of Ms. Angeline Green’s support and guidance for 36 years. She has been the steady rock for everyone in the department: students, staff and faculty. Always professional, calm, and kind, Angeline has stayed current on policy changes, management systems and the correct contacts for any issues,” said Dr. Eva Bengten, professor of microbiology and immunology.
	Paul May, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, 35 years and 1 month “Paul was the kind of colleague everyone wants. He was a team player in the department, always willing to help a colleague, whether it was to pick up a lecture or to review a manuscript or a grant.  In addition, he was very involved in mentoring our new faculty and graduate students to put them in the best possible position for success,” said Dr. Sinning.

We owe the people listed today a huge debt of gratitude. Thank you for what you’ve done for the Medical Center and we will miss you. 

Best wishes to each of you in retirement and I hope you are able to spend time doing what you love and with the people you value most. You’ve earned it! It’s sad to lose these longtime members of the People of the U family, but your contributions and dedication have left a legacy and will continue, even after you’re gone, to make a positive impact on our mission to create A Healthier Mississippi.