Dermatology Connection - Spring 2021 - University of Mississippi Medical Center

From the Chair

It is impossible to know what is going to happen from week to week, much less in six months to a year, BUT I am hopeful that the COVID-19 pandemic will be winding down soon. Our dermatology team has aggressively encouraged everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible for their age group and illness category.

Faculty List

Review our most recent information for current faculty.

Residency and Fellowship Update

The UMMC Dermatology Residency Program filled three residency slots in March. Two of the new residents will complete their PGY-1 year before joining us in July 2022.

Alumni Update: Kathleen Casamiquela

We recently caught up with one of our very first residency program graduates, Kathleen Casamiquela, who sent us the following note and photos as she reflected back over her time here and what has happened since leaving us.

Dr. Ira Harber Chosen for AOA for Leadership and Education in Rural Dermatology

Ira Harber, MD, has truly earned his induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society as a resident member. A graduate in the top 20 percent of his class at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), he is the epitome of hard work, dedication, and self-motivation.

Dr. Stephen Helms Chosen for AOA for Exceptional Contributions to Teaching and Service at UMMC

There is no individual more deserving of induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society than Stephen Helms, MD. For 34 years, Dr. Helms was a model private dermatology practitioner in Warren, Ohio. But for the past eight years he committed himself to the life of teaching in the dermatology department at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC).

Southern Dermatology Consortium Resident Research Day

Ross Pearlman, MD, won first place at the Southern Dermatology Consortium Resident Research Day Feb. 26. His presentation was titled “A Study on Quality of Life in Psoriasis Patients with Consideration of Comorbidities.”

Patient Safety Week

UMMC celebrated a culture of patient safety and care with its Patient Safety Week March 8-12. During the week, inpatient and ambulatory units were recognized daily in an Olympic-style village with gold, silver, and bronze medals.

ACGME Annual Meeting

Robert Brodell, MD; Adam Byrd, MD; Ira Harber, MD; and Ross Pearlman, MD, presented a session at the 2021 ACGME Annual Meeting: Meaning in Medicine: Mastering the Moment entitled - Rural Residency Slots: Promise and Pitfalls.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Recognizes the Department

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion recognition committee named the Department of Dermatology as one of three nominees receiving Honorable Mention for the Esprit De Corps Award as part of The 2021 Pillars: Recognition of Service and Inclusive Excellence. This honors the efforts of faculty and staff for their access to dermatologic care initiatives.

Promotions

The Department of Dermatology is pleased to announce two faculty members received promotions, Drs. Adam Byrd and Vinayak Nahar.

Trailblazer Teaching Awards

In addition to their promotions to Associate Professor, both Vinayak Nahar, MD, and Adam Byrd, MD, were honored with the 2021 Trailblazer Teaching Award. The Office of Medical Education award celebrates the time and effort faculty have put into educating the physicians of the future.