Habitat For Humanity and UMMC Anesthesiology
Published on Monday, December 30, 2024
By: Nickhil Rugnath, MS-4
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) is the cornerstone of healthcare and education for the state of Mississippi. Dedicated to improving the lives of individuals across the region, UMMC not only excels in medical research, patient care, and education but also extends its mission into community service. Recognizing the importance of building stronger, healthier communities, the Department of Anesthesiology often collaborates with organizations that align with its values. One such partnership has been with Habitat for Humanity, a globally recognized nonprofit committed to eliminating substandard housing and fostering sustainable home ownership. Through this collaboration, UMMC demonstrates its commitment to addressing not just healthcare needs but also the social determinants of health that profoundly impact overall well-being.
The UMMC Habitat for Humanity philanthropy event was held on 10/12/2024 and 10/26/2024 and is a highlight of their community engagement efforts, bringing together students, faculty, and staff to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Several faculty, staff, CRNAs, residents, and medical students helped on one or both of the dates including Michelle Sheth, Anesh Rugnath, Luiz Lima, Patrick Newman, Chet Lake, Lakshmi Kurnutala, Sarah Guy, Mandy Cribbs, Renira Rugnath, Jonathan Bishop, Claudio Cesar Nascimento, Elaine West, Stephanie Brown Craft, Quita Walker, Fabricio Sitta, Valarie Tatum, and Antoinette Newsome along with Corley Henderson (Medical student), Josuf Turnispeed (medical student), Huntley Hill (undergrad student) and Payton Hollifield (undergrad student).
Participants rolled up their sleeves to assist in building safe, affordable homes for families in need, often working alongside the future homeowners themselves. Activities included external wall painting, framework construction, and many others. Callie (volunteer coordinator) said “I just received a paint job estimate from construction director, and based it off previous builds that are the same sizes. It would've cost around $2,000 per house for the paint job to have been completed by a subcontractor. In total your volunteer group's contribution to both of the build projects saved Habitat around $4,000!”
This event is more than just a day of volunteering and cost savings, it represents a shared vision for uplifting the community and fostering hope. By empowering families with stable housing, UMMC and Habitat for Humanity helps to create a foundation for improved health, education, and economic opportunities. The initiative exemplifies how UMMC integrates compassion, collaboration, and action into its mission, leaving a lasting impact far beyond the walls of its medical campus. The department hopes to continue their partnership with Habitat for Humanity to give back to the community and to those who need it the most! Hope you will join us again in 2025.
