Main Content
Gina D. Jefferson, MD
Specialties: Head and Neck Cancers, ENT Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Head and Neck Oncology and Endocrine Surgery
Gender: Female
Biography: Dr. Gina Jefferson is a Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She serves as chief of the busy division of Head and Neck Oncologic and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery for the department. After completing residency at Loma Linda University and fellowship at the University of Miami, Dr. Jefferson began her career at the University of Mississippi. She is heavily engaged in educational programming and efforts at improving diversity, equity and inclusion for under-represented persons in medicine and toward achieving equitable care and outcomes for head and neck cancer patients.
Practice Locations
|
1
Cancer Center and Research Institute clinics
2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216 View Location |
|
2
UMMC Colony Park North
124 UMMC Way, Ridgeland, MS 39157 View Location |
Accepted Insurance Plans
The University of Mississippi Medical Center accepts all plans, but may not be an in-network provider with your plan. We encourage you to contact your insurer and ask if the plan is in network with UMMC. Always contact your insurance carrier for specific coverage information.
Network Participation - 2026
MississippiCAN and CHIP [Managed Care programs promulgated by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid]
- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- Magnolia Health (Centene)
- TrueCare
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace [Individual plans offered on healthcare.gov]
- Ambetter from Magnolia Health (Centene)
- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- UHC Marketplace (Madison only)
Medicare Advantage
- Devoted Health Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP
- HealthSpring Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
- Humana: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- WellCare (Centene) Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
Commercial - Group and Individual
- Aetna Plans: PPO, HMO [Includes all facilities except UMMC Madison]
- BCBSMS Plans: BlueCardPPO, State Health Plan (AHS), Federal Employee Plan (FEP)
- Cigna Plans: PPO, HMO
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO (Includes plans administered by UMR, UnitedHealth Group's wholly owned third-party administrator (TPA) subsidiary)
Transplant Only Networks
- Optum Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, VAD
- Emerging Therapy Solutions (ETS) Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T, VAD
- Interlink Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T
- Celtic Plans: Ambetter, WellCare, Magnolia Health MississippiCAN, Magnolia Health CHIP • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT
- Cigna Lifesource Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T, VAD
Dental
- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Vision
- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Rental Networks (Utilized by self-funded employer group plans and third-party administrators (TPAs))
- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN) [If MPCN is present on a Member/Subscriber ID, all UMMC facilities and providers are in-network regardless of TPA.]
- First Choice Health Plan
- Claritev (formerly Multiplan)
- Zelis
Government Programs
- Humana Military Plan: Tricare
- United Healthcare Plan: Veterans Affairs Community Care Networks
Plans and Payors UMMC is not in-network with as of April 1, 2026
- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
Education
| Board Certification: | Otolaryngology |
| Fellowship: | University of Miami Hospital and Clinics |
| Graduate School: | Arrowhead Regional Medical Center |
| Graduate School: | LAC-King-Drew Medical Center |
| Graduate School: | LAC-King-Drew Medical Center |
| Graduate School: | Howard University Hospital |
| Internship: | Howard University Hospital |
| Medical Education: | Case Western Reserve University School Of Medicine |
| Residency: | Loma Linda University Medical Center |
Experience
Current Positions
| Professor, School of Medicine, UMMC | 07/2020 - Present |
| Director, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS | 11/2017 - Present |
| Division Chief, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS | 08/2017 - Present |
| Vice Chair, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS | 08/2017 - Present |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Licensure, Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure | 08/2017 - Present |
| Licensure, Illinois Division of Professional Regulation | 03/2013 - 07/2020 |
| Certification, The American Board of Otolaryngology | 06/2009 - Present |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Inducted, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, University of Mississippi School of Medicine | 2021 |
| Society of University Otolaryngologists Simulation Bootcamp Grant, Society of University Otolaryngologists | 2019 |
| Faculty Teacher of the Year, University of Mississippi Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences | 2018 |
| Faculty Rising Star, University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery | 2014 |
| Health Disparities Research Training Program Scholar, University of Alabama Minority Health & Health Disparities Research Center | 2012 |
| Faculty Teacher of the Year, University of Mississippi Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences | 2012 |
| Leadership Institute Award Recipient, Society of Black Academic Surgeons (SBAS) | 2012 |
| Minority Faculty Career Development Award, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) | 2011 |
| Outstanding Resident Research Award, National Medical Association Section Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery | 2008 |
| Outstanding Resident Research Award, National Medical Association Section Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery | 2006 |
| Resident Research Forum 3rd Place Cash Award, Charles R. Drew University School of Medicine | 2006 |
| Medical Alumni Association Award, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine | 2000 |
| Award & Grant, Eli Lilly & Company | 1994 |
| John Logan Distinguished Student Award, Purdue University | 1994 |
| Scholar, HCEM/Cleveland Clinic Foundation | 1993 |
| Academic All Big Ten Student Athlete, Big Ten Athletic Conference | 1993 |
| Board of Trustees Award & Grant, Amoco Incorporated | 1992 |
| Athletic Scholarship for Track & Field, Purdue University | 1991 |
| Award & Grant, Air Products Incorporation | 1991 |
| Scholarship, Shaker Heights Rotary Club | 1991 |
| Purdue University-NASA Lewis Research Center Engineering Scholarship, Purdue University & NASA Lewis Research Center | 1990 |