As his mother tells it, 3-year-old David Felton was a decisive fellow. Upon returning from visiting a family friend's dental practice in Charlotte, N.C., he announced, “I've decided I want to be a dentist when I grow up because all they do is sit around and make money.”

 A winning smile and a spirit that won't quit.

Those are just two of the reasons why, amid the cheers of friends and family at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Clinton, Jordan Morgan, 13, was named the 2016-17 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for Mississippi.

Jordan and his classmates ate popsicles and enjoyed cheese dip, cookies and soft drinks at the celebration that counted Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher and Miss Mississippi Hannah Roberts among the attendees.

Born 11 weeks early, and weighing just 3 pounds, Jordan was given a dire prediction when his cerebral palsy was diagnosed.

Josie Bidwell's career is littered with success.

In the last three years alone, she's earned her doctorate degree, been named Director of Clinical Services for UMMC's UNACARE Family Health Clinic, become a regular guest host on the public-broadcast radio show Southern Remedy, established a teaching kitchen in Jackson's Midtown, and more.

She added another accomplishment to the list April 7 during the University of Mississippi School of Nursing Alumni Day held at the Student Union. Bidwell was recognized as the 2016 Nursing Alumnus of the Year, an honor bestowed by her fellow alumni, many of whom cited her drive for education and outreach and her many achievements when they nominated her.

The Department of Medicine hosted its annual Research Day event on April 12 in the Norman C. Nelson Student Union. Department of Medicine trainees and faculty presented posters in the gymnasium. In addition, second- and third-year students from the Medical Student Research Program (MSRP) presented posters, while fourth-year MSRP students gave oral presentations.

A pair of second-year School of Dentistry students achieve national recognition for their academic excellence: one receives an American Dental Association scholarship, while the other is selected to serve on an American Dental Education Association committee.