LETTER OF RESIGNATION TO DR. NORMAN C. NELSON, VICE CHANCELLOR FOR HEALTH AFFAIRS

July 7, 1976

"… for reasons that we are prepared to detail and document we are convinced that the quality of orthopedic education which we seek to attain is not available to us under existing conditions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and we are further convinced that the potential to develop an adequate program is not possible so long as Dr. Paul S. Derian remains as director of the program. His lack of guidance, direction and concern for his educational responsibilities have frustrated and hampered our efforts to realize our full professional potential and have caused us to question the integrity of the teaching process.

We, therefore, herewith resign as residents in orthopedic surgery effective this date and respectfully request to be relieved of all obligations and responsibilities to the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Respectfully submitted,

John Patrick Barrett, M.D.

William R. Stewart, M.D.

Byron Thomas Jeffcoat, M.D.

Gene Richard Barrett, M.D.

Walter Rowan Shelton II, M.D.

William Marshall, M.D.

Douglas Wesley Rouse, M.D.

John Kirk Drake, M.D.

David John Gandy, M.D.

(Names added later):  Dr. Robert Marascalco, Dr. William Edwards

The University of Mississippi Medical Center's new chief medical officer wears a Scottish kilt. But what Dr. Michael Henderson, a native of Edinburgh, is better known for is his international reputation in health-care quality improvement. "It's about everyone coming to work and knowing you are a caregiver - everyone, not just physicians," said Henderson, who joined the UMMC team March 1.

The scientific and scholarly studies of more than 100 researchers representing the University of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson were presented and displayed Friday at UM. 

"The response to Research Day has been fantastic," said Alice Clark, vice chancellor for research and sponsored programs at UM. "It's truly exciting to see how many faculty members and researchers participated. When great minds meet and share ideas, especially if the minds are coming from a wide range of disciplines and represent a great diversity of experience and thought, that's when the most exciting collaborations and innovations are born."

A number of interesting events is scheduled for the upcoming week at the Medical Center.