Advanced Burn Care

Good morning.

As we settle into the new year, I want to take a moment to share some exciting updates about our Mississippi Burn Center and the remarkable progress we’re making in this essential area of care.

Construction of the new, dedicated burn unit in the Batson Tower is well underway. The facility, designed to address the unique needs of burn recovery, will provide a specialized environment for both pediatric and adult patients when it opens this spring. This new unit location for the center that was established in 2023 further supports our commitment to remaining Mississippi’s leader in burn care, combining advanced resources with comprehensive patient-centered treatment. The Mississippi State Department of Health state burn center designation reflects the expertise, dedication and hard work of so many of you who are making a difference in the lives of burn patients across our state.

UMMC is Mississippi’s only Level I trauma care provider, and we offer the highest level of care for pediatric and adult patients with complex medical problems. The Mississippi Burn Center is part of that mission. In 2024, the center admitted 201 patients — a number that underscores the significant role we play in serving the state. As the only center in Mississippi equipped to treat pediatric burn patients, the work we do is even more critical.

Last year, we welcomed Dr. Juvonda Hodge as the center’s director. With over 17 years of experience in pediatric and adult burn care, Dr. Hodge has brought invaluable leadership and expertise to our program. Since its founding, we have been adding highly capable staff to the burn center team. We have been committed in ensuring the burn center is staffed with skilled professionals who embody our mission of care and compassion.

Education and outreach remain priorities. Dr. Hodge has been providing various educational opportunities to UMMC faculty and students, including in-services for employees in Children’s, grand rounds for Pediatrics, lectures for medical students, training for Pafford and AMR ambulance services and sessions for anesthesiology and emergency medicine residents and fellows.

Additionally, we have expanded our outreach to nearly 30 partner hospitals, ensuring burn patients across the state have access to timely and coordinated care.

Last year, our team provided individualized care to many children suffering from traumatic burns, with a level of exceptional care only offered at Children’s of Mississippi. One such patient was 12-year-old Josey Osborne. His amazing story was featured in Medical Center Matters and served as a reminder of the importance of the burn center’s work.

Together, we are not just building an outstanding burn program – we are improving lives and shaping the future of care for patients and families in the state and taking an important step toward building A Healthier Mississippi.