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Recent News Stories from UMMC News

Dr. Giorgio Aru, professor emeritus of surgery and former division chief and surgical director of UMMC’s heart transplant program, and his wife, Jan Aru, started Aru Family Scholarship Endowment to help medical students overcome financial barriers and pursue a future in medicine.

Aru family endowment will support future UMMC medical students

Monday, July 21, 2025

After decades of service at UMMC, Dr. Giorgio Aru and his wife, Jan, have turned their attention to supporting the next generation of physicians. The couple has established a scholarship to help medical students overcome financial barriers and pursue a future in medicine. Read More

Members of the MD-PhD class are, front from left, Caroline Sit, Shelley Edwards, Madeline Griffin, Madison Hansen and Assata DeMyers; and back from left, Hayley Murphy, Xavier Person, Jack Berman, Meredith Johnson and Garner Fincher.

MD-PhD program grows in numbers, but also in potential and staying power

Monday, July 14, 2025

An increase in physician scientists at UMMC is among the goals of the program, which has been reinvigorated with through strong leadership in the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences. With several students in the pipeline, the potential for new program recruits and avenues of funding fuel long-term success. Read More

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

 TEACH Prize honoree Dr. Katie Barber, center, receives congratulations and a $10,000 facsimile check from Regions Bank officials LoRose Moore, far left, and Myer Mack, far right. Between them are, from left, Dr. Donna Strum, dean of the School of Pharmacy; Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs; and Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.

With TEACH Prize win, Katie Barber reaches ‘pinnacle’ of profession

Among the gifted educators celebrated here last week was the winner of the Medical Center’s top teaching award, an advocate for her specialty and a precedent setter for her school.

Published on Monday, May 12, 2025

 Now 40, Chris Glasgow had one time persuaded himself that he was too old to go to medical school. On Commencement Day, he will become one of around 160 graduates from the School of Medicine and will soon begin his specialty training in anesthesiology at UMMC.

#2025UMMCGrad: Chris Glasgow embraces the life he almost lost

Like many other medical school graduates, Chris Glasgow had to sacrifice a lot to get to this point. But the biggest thing he gave up was about the only thing holding him back.

Published on Monday, April 21, 2025

 Zornia Collier, 51, of Jackson prepares for a health screening, courtesy of Jackson Free Clinic students, during World Homeless Day last fall in Jackson. "With them, it's a caring situation," Collier says of the students. "It's not for a paycheck. It's from the heart."

‘A caring situation’ Students of the Jackson Free Clinic show up where the people are

Published on Monday, March 31, 2025

 With wife, Bonnie, cheering him on, Chris Glasgow, president of the fourth-year medical school class, reveals that he has matched in anesthesiology at UMMC.

“Matching” medical students remember the kindness and skill of those who inspired them to be doctors

Published on Monday, March 24, 2025

 Dr. Licy Yanes Cardozo always remembers her grandmother "when something good happens in my academic life," she says. She remembers her grandmother a lot.

Stolen breath, inspired dream: Yanes Cardozo’s life speaks to her patients

Published on Monday, August 19, 2024

 Entering medical students prepare to begin "their greatest journey" during last Thursday's White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2028.

Their ‘greatest journey’ begins: Class of 2028 dons ‘coat of compassion’

Published on Monday, August 12, 2024

 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

 The 2024 Medical Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame Honorees are, from left, Dr. Thad Waites, Dr. Alexander Haick Jr., Dr. Thomas Skelton, Dr. Joyce Olutade, Dr. Justin Turner and Dr. Van Lackey, along with Dr. Jacques Arceneaux, who accepted on behalf of his late father, Dr. J. Lincoln Arceneaux.

Inspiring, innovative – Hall of Famers, distinguished alumni are celebrated

Published on Monday, July 29, 2024

 Medical student Eric Lucas and his fiancee, Marissa Anderson, smile during his Match Day announcement.

Match Day reveals residencies for UMMC medical students

Published on Monday, March 18, 2024

 On the day before Valentine's Day, Elaine Jones, right, of Jackson gets her blood pressure checked by Student Health Coalition member Alka Ghadiyaram at Northwood Village Apartments during one of the coalition's many screening events.

Screenings, service and the Scooba Scramble: Meet the Student Health Coalition

Published on Monday, February 26, 2024

 For his visual narrative, "What Became of Dr. Smith,” artist Noah Saterstrom produced 183 oil-on-canvas panels, some of which are shown here during a preview of the exhibition at Millsaps College early last year.

The asylum connection: Artist unravels his family’s secret history

Published on Monday, February 19, 2024

 Second-year medical student Thomas Moore remembers well his late grandfather's reaction when he told him he was considering a career as a physician. "That moment is what gets me through medical school," he said.

Front and Center: Thomas Moore

Published on Monday, January 29, 2024

 For Dr. Stanley Smith, professor of pharmacology/toxicology at UMMC, the Medical Center has been a gift - offering him enduring friendships, a sense of belonging and place for loved ones to heal.

Smith to the nth degree: Pharm professor discovers the right chemistry at work, in life

Published on Tuesday, December 26, 2023

 Gabrielle "Gabi" Morris is in medical school at UMMC because of the compassionate care she received from a physician who treated her years ago, Dr. Brad Ingram, left.

Front and Center: Gabrielle “Gabi” Morris

Published on Monday, October 16, 2023

 Medical Kayla Lovitt and Stephen Weathersby, Jr. examine and interview Standardized Patient Terry Winstead; this simulated clinical experience will be afforded M1s and M2s when the curriculum design is in place.

Revolution evolution: Coming curriculum model breaks century-old mold

Published on Monday, August 14, 2023

 Honorees or their representatives at the Medical Alumni Awards dinner are, front row, from left, Dr. Gerry Ann Houston, Dr. Summer Allen and Dr. J. Clay Hays Jr.; back row, from left: Dr. Jennifer Garrett, representing Dr. James J. Corbett; Dr. Claude D. Brunson; Marsha Thompson, representing the late Dr. Ed Thompson Jr.; and Dr. Shirley Dreux Schlessinger.

They ‘made our profession better’: Hall of Fame pays homage to distinguished physicians

Published on Monday, July 31, 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

 Dr. Rodney Meeks and Dr. Sara Meeks display a watercolor of the Winfred L. Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants, named for Rodney Meeks' mentor at UMMC. The painting was presented to the couple Thursday, following the announcement of the Drs. G. Rodney and Sara M. Meeks Endowed Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology

A legacy of patience and humility: Endowed chair named for Rodney and Sara Meeks

Published on Monday, May 8, 2023

 Ruhi Randhawa, who was accepted for a residency in anesthesiology at UMMC, will soon apply her skills to live patients.

#UMMCGrad2023: She looked into her heart and saw a doctor’s life there

Published on Monday, May 8, 2023

 Dr. Loretta Jackson-Williams, professor of emergency medicine and vice dean for medical education in the School of Medicine, recently received the Career Educator Award from the Southern Group on Educational Affairs.

‘Beacon for aspiring physicians’ earns top educator award

Published on Monday, April 3, 2023

 Mantachie native JudiBeth Stephens, a fourth-year medical student, is one of 15 winners of full-ride scholarships; they will be recognized Friday, at the beginning of the three-day Rural Medicine Education Symposium. Conferenced speakers will discuss ways to encourage more medical students to become rural practice physicians.

‘We know there aren’t enough doctors’: Forum addresses rural shortage

Published on Monday, February 13, 2023