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Welcome to the Office of Academic Affairs

Portrait of Dr. Scott Rogers and Dr. Natalie Gaughf
Scott M. Rodgers, MD Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Natalie W. Gaughf, PhD, ABPP Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

The University of Mississippi Medical Center supports six health professions schools on its main campus in Jackson and successfully graduates roughly 1000 health care professionals each year, many of whom choose to stay and practice in the state.

The Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs oversees the academic enterprise of UMMC. To support our academic mission, each member of our team plays an essential role in our continuing success as we work to identify and promote best practices in health care education, including the following: 

  • Academic planning and strategy
  • Academic policies and procedures
  • Continuing health professions education
  • Faculty development and success
  • Institutional accreditation
  • Quality improvement and innovation in education
  • Resources through the Rowland Medical Library
  • Student services and success

Our goals are to provide quality education to our students and trainees and to promote lifelong learning to our alumni, faculty, and staff.

Thank you for visiting our webpage, and please feel free to browse through our many programs.  

Six Schools. One UMMC.

  1. School of Medicine building exterior.

    1955

    School of Medicine
  2. School of Nursing building exterior.

    1958

    School of Nursing
  3. School of Health Related Professions building exterior.

    1973

    School of Health Related Professions
  4. School of Dentistry building exterior.

    1975

    School of Dentistry
  5. Guyton Research Complex building exterior.

    2001

    School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences

  6. School of Population Health exterior building.

    2016

    John D. Bower School of Population Health

Faculty Directory

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Academic Affairs News

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

Image for Medical student reflects on faith, family and purpose ahead of UMMC commencement

Medical student reflects on faith, family and purpose ahead of UMMC commencement

Monday, April 20, 2026

As graduation approaches at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, medical student Jonathan Parke is recognized for the perspective and resilience that have shaped his journey. Read More

Latest Articles

Melinda Warner is earning a Bachelor of Science degree in the Radiologic Sciences program and works as a student technologist while preparing for the registry exam.

Persistence pays off in school and at home for SHRP grad

Published on Monday, April 13, 2026

 With humor and energy, Dr. Nathan Tullos engages the audience during UMMC’s Last Lecture, blending personal stories with lessons on purpose and perseverance.

Tullos bridges ‘Indiana Jones,’ science career, guiding principles in ‘Last Lecture’

Published on Monday, April 6, 2026

 Dr. Billie Rhea Philllips receives a gift bag from Dr. Lesley J. Thweatt, left, assistant professor of education for the School of Nursing, during the PhD in Nursing program 25th anniversary event.

PhD in nursing program marks 25 years of skill building, research activity

Published on Monday, April 6, 2026

 Reid Fracchia and Kate Purdom announce their match in urology and internal medicine at UMMC during School of Medicine Match Day ceremony.

'Matching' students reminisce about caring doctors who shaped their career paths

Published on Monday, March 23, 2026

 Dr. Jeannette Simino, second from left, the 2026 Regions Bank TEACH Prize honoree, is congratulated by, from left, Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs; (Simino); Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine; and Regions Bank vice presidents Tamicalyn Foster and Regina Fowler.

With generous gesture, Simino shores up title as UMMC’s top teacher

Published on Monday, February 16, 2026

 More than half of Mississippi adults are affected by intimate partner violence, including 700,000 women and 530,000 men, according to the Mississippi Violence Experiences Survey. UMMC researchers collaborated on the survey with Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute.

Solutions to violence in Mississippi evident in UMMC research efforts

Published on Monday, February 9, 2026

 Walker Hardin, one of three post-doctoral residents in physical therapy in 2025, will work with athletics staff at Jackson State University through spring 2026. Among the Tigers’ travels during the year was a trip to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to play Grambling State.

Residencies in PT expand in sports, orthopaedics

Published on Monday, February 2, 2026

 The School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences on Friday held its annual Distinguished Alumni Ceremony and Luncheon to honor Drs. Joey Granger and Jared Cobb with alumni awards for 2025. From left are Cobb, Dr. Sydney Murphy and Dr. Joey Granger.

Graduate School honors outstanding alumni, research

Published on Monday, November 10, 2025

Find Us on Social Media

Get news and information you need about the Office of Academic Affairs by connecting with us through our social media community. Our office is active on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Learn more about the student activities, events, programs, and services we support.

We look forward to engaging with you!

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Upcoming Academic Calendar Items

Ceremony of Thanksgiving

Wednesday, April 22 at 12:00 p.m

The University of Mississippi Medical Center invites you to its Ceremony of Thanksgiving for the institution's anatomical donors, those individuals who gave their bodies to the Medical Center for health professional education and research, at noon Wednesday, April 22.
Read More
Portrait of Dr. Laura Godfrey Hendon

Faculty Focus

Wednesday, April 22 at 12:00 p.m

Laura Godfrey Hendon, MA, MS, LCGC, associate professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology, will present the Faculty Focus session, "Tiny but Mighty: Emerging Applications of Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA) Technology in Oncology and Fetal Medicine."

Read More

SOD Hembree Honor Society Banquet

Thursday, April 23 at 12:00 a.m

School of Dentistry Hembree Honor Society Banquet is on Thursday, April 23.

Read More

SGSHS Certificate Program Summer Application Deadline

Friday, April 24 at 12:00 a.m

School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences' deadline for Summer Semester 2026-2027 applications (Graduate Certificate program only) is Friday, April 24.

Read More

SHRP Research Day

Friday, April 24

SON Last Day of Classes

Friday, April 24

SOD DH Final Exams Begin

Monday, April 27

SHRP Final Examinations Begin (Except OTD and DPT)

Monday, April 27

Ophthalmology Chief Clinical Cases

Monday, April 27

Cardiovascular Disease Symposium

Tuesday, April 28

Physiology & Biophysics Seminar

Wednesday, April 29

Faculty Focus EDTalks

Thursday, April 30

View Full Academic Calendar