Dustin E. Sarver, PhD
Specialties: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Child Development, Psychology
Gender: Male
Biography: Dustin Sarver, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior and Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Sarver earned his B.A. degree in 2005 from Oklahoma Baptist University, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2013. He completed his clinical internship at the Medical University of South Carolina and his research postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia in 2014. His interests and expertise involve infant and early childhood neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders as well as parenting interventions. Dr. Sarver directs several clinical, research, and training programs at UMMC. He founded and is the Clinical Director of the Child Access to Mental Health and Psychiatry (CHAMP) telepsychiatry access program; founded and directs the MAGNOLIA scholar training program in child integrated behavioral health for predoctoral psychology and masters counseling trainees; directs the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Disorders Research and Services Lab at UMMC. He served as the founding Director (2018-2022) of the Child Health and Development Promotion Interdisciplinary Fellowship. At UMMC, Dr. Sarver initiated and developed the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) program in 2016 at the Center for Advancement of Youth, the first in the state. He is involved in multiple training programs from student to post-doctoral and postgraduate. Trainees under his mentorship have been awarded clinical, research, and training fellowships from NIH, SAMHSA, and NSF. He is the author or coauthor of over 63 peer-reviewed publications and chapters, a former NIH LRP awardee, and his work has been federally and nationally funded since 2017. He is on the editorial board of the journal Research in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. Outside of UMMC, he enjoys spending time with his wonderful and perfect wife (Katy) and two scoundrel dogs (Rockie and Kia), as well as enjoying football, cooking, and whisky, and traveling.
My Approach to Healthcare
My approach to healthcare delivery is patient-centered and family-driven. My patients receive the best evidence-based care possible that I can provide. And when creative solutions are needed, I collaborate with my patients and their families to ensure progress towards their priorities and goals are being met.
Practice Locations
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1
Center for the Advancement of Youth - UMMC
4400 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS 39211 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 - 2026MississippiCAN 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)
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
| Internship: | Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine |
| Medical Education: | University of Central Florida College of Medicine |
| Medical Education: | University Of Virginia |
Experience
Current Positions
| Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 07/2024 - Present |
| Adjunct Graduate Faculty, Department of Psychology, Jackson State University | 03/2023 - Present |
| Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 08/2021 - Present |
| Director, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 08/2021 - Present |
| Director, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 08/2018 - Present |
| Director, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 08/2017 - Present |
| Director, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 2016 - Present |
| Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 07/2015 - Present |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Certification, PCIT Within-Agency Trainer, PCIT International, Inc. | 04/2022 - 04/2024 |
| Certification, Certified Trainer: Child-Adult Relational Enhancement (CARE) | 12/2016 - Present |
| NPI, National Provider Indicator | |
| Certification, Advanced Topics in Structural Equation Modeling, Center for Integrated Latent Variable Research (Univ. of Maryland) | 03/2014 - Present |
| Certification, Managing and Adapting Practice: MAP Therapist, PracticeWise, LLC | 09/2016 - 09/2019 |
| Certification, Certified Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Therapist, PCIT International, Inc. | 01/2018 - 01/2025 |
| Licensure, Psychology License, Board of Psychology | 02/2015 - Present |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Excellence in Research Award (Gold), University of Mississippi Medical Center | 2021 |
| Faculty Research Mentor Award, UMMC Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior | 2021 |
| Excellence in Research Award (Bronze), University of Mississippi Medical Center | 2020 |
| Rusty Turner Memorial Excellence Award, Families as Allies | 2020 |
| LeBlanc Award of Outstanding Faculty Research in Pediatrics, UMMC Department of Pediatrics | 2019 |
| Loan Repayment Program Awardee (NIMH: Clinical), National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Mental Health) | 2018 |
| Rhodes-Cai Research Award, UMMC Pediatrics Discovery Group | 2017 |
| 1st Place Resarch Poster Award, Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapies ADHD Special Interest Group | 2016 |
| Medical University of South Carolina Psychology Internship Research Paper Competition Award Winner, Charleston Consortium Psychology Internship | 2013 |
| Graduate Travel Award (annual; $1600 total), University of Central Florida | 2007 |
| All-American Collegiate Scholar | 2005 |
| Regional Research Award Finalist, Southwestern Psychological Association | 2005 |
| Southwest Regional Research Award Winner, Psi-Chi | 2005 |
| Edward Emberton Fellowship, Baptist Fountation of Oklahoma | 2004 |
| Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities | 2004 |
| National Dean's List | 2004 |
| Inducted Member, Mortar Board Honor Society | 2004 |
| Inducted Member, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society | 2003 |
| President's Honor Roll, Oklahoma Baptist University | 2002 |
| Inducted Member, Psi-Chi | 2002 |