Spring break was anything but relaxing for faculty in the Medical Center's seven schools. They had days to place most course content online as it became clear that students wouldn't return to campus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, the faculty and students pushed through to graduation for the sake of patients who will need their care and comfort.

Ambika Srivastava, School of Dentistry graduate, has filled leadership roles locally and nationally during her four years of dental school. But for the last two months, she took on a new responsibility: a health care professional on the front lines of a public health crisis.

Meagan Wier said she's had a number of stops and starts on her journey to graduate school at UMMC. After earning her master of science in biomedical sciences this spring, she's prepared to enter the School of Medicine as a member of the Class of 2024.

Life circumstances caused Margaret McGaugh and Katheryn McCardle to each set aside their academic ambitions to pursue respected careers in health care. Thanks to the Complete to Compete Program offered by the School of Health Related Professions, the health sciences students were both able to pick up the scholarly baton and earn degrees that will enhance their professional futures.

Andrea Washington and Brianca Fizer have graduated from the School of Pharmacy just across Woodrow Wilson Drive from where their interest in the profession began: Murrah High School. UMMC and Ole Miss have partnered with Murrah and Jackson Public Schools to mentor students through Murrah's Pharmacy Club, launching them into careers.

As a clinical pharmacist, Erika Webster gets to know her patients personally. She sees firsthand the challenges that can undermine their ability to manage chronic diseases. Lessons she's learned from the John D. Bower School of Population Health will give Webster the tools to help her patients live their healthiest lives.

Throughout most of her medical school years, Kandice Bailey believed desire and gumption would lift her over any obstacles she faced as she raced toward her goals – and they did. But when it came time to interview for a coveted residency spot, there was one thing she forgot to believe in: herself.

Pam Farris sticks to her commitments. Every day for 26 years, she's traveled back and forth from Brookhaven to work at the Medical Center. After eight years pursuing her Ph.D., she'll graduate from the School of Nursing.