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Jennifer C. Shores, MD

Jennifer C. Shores, MD

Specialties: Children's Cardiology, Fetal Cardiology

Gender: Female

Biography: I am a native of Yazoo City, MS, attended undergraduate school at University of MS and then pursued my medical training at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in an effort to broaden by exposure and expand my areas of interest. I then returned to my home state with a mission of providing superior clinical care in the areas of Pediatric and Perinatal Cardiology to the children of Mississippi. In my time here, I expanded the pediatric echocardiography lab, transferred it to digital storage and reporting and instituted the creation of the area of Fetal Cardiology in the state of Mississippi. I have since worked to continue to expand our Fetal Cardiology program with outreach to local practices and those around the state. I take great pride in my role as a professional role model as a woman, wife, mother and physician. I love taking care of patients and interacting with families and seeing the development of these children with congenital heart defects from in utero through adolescense.

My Approach to Healthcare

As a pediatric and fetal cardiologist, I diagnose and treat patients from before birth until adulthood. I am passionate about fetal cardiac diagnosis in the state of Mississippi and have spent my career trying to increase the percentage of heart defects that are fetally diagnosed. I specialize in diagnosing and treating complex structural congenital heart defects including complex single ventricle heart lesions. My favorite part of my job is following patients throughout their childhood, watching them grow and develop, and helping them reach their maximum potential. I strive to be accessible to my patients and their families, to give them the best cardiac care possible, and to help navigate their often complex medical needs.

Practice Locations

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: Pediatrics; Pediatrics, Pediatric Cardiology
Fellowship:The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Internship:The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Medical Education:Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Residency:The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Experience

Current Positions

Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center2019 - Present

Specialty Certification Licensure

Certification, Pediatric Cardiology, American Board of Pediatrics08/2004 - Present
Certification, Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics10/1996 - Present
Licensure, State of Pennsylvania1996 - 12/2018
Licensure, State of Mississippi2001 - 06/2019
DEA, Controlled Substance Registration Certificate08/1999 - Present
Licensure, State of New Jersey2001 - 06/2011
Certification, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)1997 - Present
Certification, Neonatal Advanced Life Support (NALS)1995 - 12/2000

Honors, Awards, and Recognition

Carrier Scholarship, University of Mississippi1983
Fellow, American Society of Echocardiography
Fellow, American College of Cardiology
Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
Alpha Epsilon Delta (president)
Mortar Board (selections chairperson)
Golden Key Honor Society Outstanding Junior Initiate, Phi Kappa Phi
Taylor Medal in Chemistry
Hefley Outstanding Freshman Award
Chancellor’s Scholarship, University of Mississippi
National Merit Scholarship