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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

Monday, April 20, 2026

After losing her teeth during cancer treatment, Dawn Hoge faced another battle when her jaw began deteriorating due to the radiation. For years, she was told nothing could be done, until a multidisciplinary surgical team at UMMC took on her case and restored her smile. Read More

Fourth-year dental student, Adriana Ivy, prepares to place crowns for Mike Armstrong of Pearl.

Mississippi’s only dental school celebrates 50 years

Monday, September 22, 2025

For a half century the UMMC School of Dentistry has been dedicated to improving oral health across Mississippi. The school has broadened the state’s access to care by training providers, advancing research and serving communities that once went without dental care. Read More

New Radiological Sciences student Michelle Zhang, receives her white coat from Dr. Lee Brown, left and SHRP Dean Jay Garner, during orientation week at the school.

Photos: Students get a touch of class as school year begins

During the first weeks of August, students in the various campus schools were welcomed back – or for the first time – to the Medical Center. First-year students in particular enjoyed such activities as Family Day, tours and other back-to-school events – entertaining and informative preludes to the first day of classes.

Published on Monday, August 18, 2025

 Doctor of Medicine graduate Boris Kuyeb.

Photos: UMMC Commencement 2025

A new class of health care professionals congratulated fellow graduates from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and beamed with pride at family and friends during the May 23 commencement ceremony. For many, it marked the culmination of years of training—and beginning of a lifelong commitment to care.

Published on Tuesday, May 27, 2025

 Graduates from the schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, Population Health and Health Related Professions were applauded by friends and family during ceremonies at the Mississippi Coliseum.

UMMC celebrates the graduating class of 2025

UMMC celebrated nearly 1,000 graduates Friday during its 69th annual commencement ceremony. The event, held at the Mississippi Coliseum, honored students from all six of the Medical Center’s health sciences schools.

Published on Friday, May 23, 2025

 Hang Nguyen of Biloxi is a 2025 graduate from the UMMC School of Dentistry.

#2025UMMCGrad: Hang Nguyen

Growing up in East Biloxi, Hang Nguyen witnessed firsthand the barriers her community faced in accessing dental care. Now, as a member of the UMMC School of Dentistry Class of 2025, she is preparing to return home and make a difference as a dentist dedicated to serving underserved populations.

Published on Monday, April 28, 2025

 Breaking ground on the new UMMC School of Nursing are, from left, architect Jim Eley, principal of Eley Guild Hardy Architects; Rep. Clay Deweese, Chairman House Appropriations C; Sen. Josh Harkins, Chairman Senate Finance; Malon Stratton, a fourth-year dental student; Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr.; Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs; Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann; Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs; Dr. Pia Chatterjee Kirk, interim dean of the School of Dentistry; Rep. John Read, Chairman House Appropriations A; Gee Ogletree, School of Dentistry alumna and previous IHL board member; Sen. Briggs Hopson, Chairman Senate Appropriations; and Secretary of State Michael Watson.

UMMC School of Dentistry breaks ground for new clinical building

Published on Thursday, March 6, 2025

 An artistic digital rendering depicts the future School of Dentistry clinical building.

UMMC School of Dentistry breaks ground on a new building

Published on Monday, February 24, 2025

 Dr. Michael Fast, director of the Comprehensive General Dentistry Program, and Avery Gibens, third-year dental student, examine patient, Lorenzo Boyland of Pearl, during Dental Mission Week.

Hundreds benefit from free services during Dental Mission Week

Published on Monday, February 10, 2025

 Dr. Charles Ramsey, Dental Alumnus of the Year, and Dr. Mary Catherine Hoover, recipient of the Early Career Achievement Award, smile after the 2025 School of Dentistry Alumni Awards ceremony.

School of Dentistry alumni honored for exceptional service to their communities

Published on Monday, January 27, 2025

 First-year dental students Christopher Cronin, left, and Caden Grover, try on surgical glasses with manufacturer representative Scott Walker during the student organization fair at the Norman C. Nelson Student Union.

Photos: New students beginning classes at UMMC

Published on Monday, August 12, 2024

 Analisha Coleman, dental assistant, and Devon Coleman, fourth-year dental student, examine Kennedy Pomerlee, 9, of Byram.

UMMC School of Dentistry launches 'Free Care Friday' for Mississippi kids

Published on Monday, July 15, 2024

 Aiden Ford blows up a balloon with second-year dental student Kyle Bryant, creating a wind-powered engine for a project during S.M.I.L.E. U.

Summer camp piques interest in dental careers for children across the state

Published on Monday, June 10, 2024

 Ninth-grader, Alvin Simmons, has his teeth examined by Dr. Sreenivas Koka, dean of the School of Dentistry and Brittany Rogel, assistant professor of dental hygiene.

School of Dentistry begins two-year research project to improve children’s oral health

Published on Monday, May 13, 2024

 Aaron Winters has known he wanted to be a dentist since he was five years old.

#2024UMMCGrad: Aaron Winters captures smiles with community outreach

Published on Monday, May 13, 2024

 Preston Ivy is a dental hygiene student in the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry.

#2024UMMCGrad: Preston Ivy champions oral health at home and abroad

Published on Monday, May 13, 2024

 Teleshia Johnson, fourth-year dental student, examines patient Tonjula Mason.

School of Dentistry pilots after-hours clinic

Published on Monday, April 1, 2024

 Nursing student Shelton Cole shows dental hygiene student, Morgan Kaminski, how to extract from a vile.

UMMC Schools of Dentistry, Nursing team up to tackle HPV

Published on Monday, February 19, 2024

 School of Dentistry Dean Dr. Sree Koka with Dental Alumni Awardees Dr. Alexa Lampkin and Dr. Darrell Hutto.

Hutto and Lampkin Honored in 2024 School of Dentistry Alumni Awards

Published on Monday, January 29, 2024

 Venessia Randle poses in her office at the School of Dentistry with her first and favorite guitar that she bought when she was 17 years old.

Front and Center: Venessia Randle

Published on Monday, January 8, 2024

 Dr. Jason Griggs is winner of the International Association of Dental Researchers Wilmer Souder Award.

Griggs recognized for decades of dental materials research

Published on Monday, June 26, 2023

 School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences PhD student Chipo Chapusha leads an activity to test medicine release rates with middle schoolers, clockwise from left, De'Nahri Middleton, Aiden Wynn, Kyndal Lewis, Connor Harrell and Journi Garvis.

Summer school for these kids means lessons in dentistry

Published on Monday, June 12, 2023

 Master of biomedical sciences graduate Cara Irby spots a loved one in the crowd and cheers as her mother, Melanie Irby, prepares to enter the coliseum for commencement.

Photos: Capturing memories of the Class of 2023

Published on Tuesday, May 30, 2023

 Malita Chaffier is a 2023 dental hygiene graduate of the School of Dentistry.

#UMMCGrad2023: Patient care a passion for dental hygiene grad

Published on Monday, May 15, 2023

 Greenville resident Casey Park is a May 2023 graduate of the School of Dentistry.

#UMMCGrad2023: Residency, then private practice in Casey Park’s future

Published on Monday, May 15, 2023