Preventive medicine residency class of 2026 recognized

The John D. Bower School of Population Health celebrated the Department of Preventive Medicine residency class of 2026 during a recognition ceremony honoring their training, service and commitment to improving health at the population level.

This year’s class included Dr. Mark Lund, Dr. Jacquelyn Mares, Dr. Hien Piotrowski, Dr. David Sandy and Dr. Sanzida Swarna.

The ceremony also marked an important moment for the residency program and its leadership. Brian Williams, MD, MPH, who oversees the program, helped guide the class through training focused on prevention, public health practice, population health management, clinical prevention, health systems improvement and research. The class of 2026 was the first to have been fully recruited and trained by Dr. Williams, who joined the program in 2022. This class also featured the first Mississippi native, Dr. David Sandy, to complete the Preventive Medicine residency program at UMMC.

“This class reflects the strength of preventive medicine and the important role our residents play in advancing public health,” Williams said. “Their work demonstrates the value of prevention, evidence-based practice and systems-level thinking in improving health for individuals and communities.”

As part of their training, the residents completed capstone projects focused on topics relevant to public health in Mississippi. The projects served as a culmination of their research and scientific review, highlighting the connection between preventive medicine, evidence-based practice and the health needs of communities across the state.

SOPH congratulates the Preventive Medicine Residency Class of 2026 and recognizes the leadership of Dr. Williams, along with the faculty, staff, mentors and partners who supported the residents throughout their training.

Their work reflects the school’s commitment to preparing leaders who can think upstream, strengthen prevention and improve health for communities across Mississippi and beyond.