From the Chair

Fall is always one of my favorite seasons, marked by cooler temperatures, college football, and the beginning of a new academic year.  I am always a little sad as I realize we will no longer be working with the graduating residents. However, I am so proud to know we have prepared another group of well-trained dermatologists to enter the next step of their careers.  I am also excited about the next class of residents who join our department and the privilege it is to contribute to their professional and personal growth.

This Fall, our department will be making a change to our residency program. Dr. Nancye McCowan, the founding program director of the UMMC Dermatology Residency Program, has decided that it is time for her to step down from her role as program director.  During her tenure, we have had 30 residency program alumni with a 100% board pass rate. From our beginnings of just two dermatology residents to our current slate of 13 dermatology residents, Dr. McCowan has overseen substantial growth and development of our training program.  I am so thankful for the leadership of Dr. McCowan and the stability she has provided over the past 11 years. 

I am excited to announce that Dr. Allison Cruse, one of our own residency alumni, will now assume the role of our program director.  I am thankful the program continues to be in great hands with Dr. Cruse and Dr. Chelsea Mockbee, who continues in her role as assistant program director, and I am grateful to all of our faculty who invest so much time into teaching and training our residents and students. It truly is a team effort!  Our program is recognized as one of the strongest training programs in the region, and we are positioned for continued growth and success. 

While I am encouraged about the future of our education programs, it is also worth noting that our clinical and research efforts are as strong as ever.  We continue to expand our access to dermatologic care, and our research team continues to expand through new grants and clinical trials.  It’s an exciting time to be a part of UMMC Dermatology!

Jeremy Jackson, MD

Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology
University of Mississippi Medical Center