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2023
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December

Photos: UMMC’s holiday season is happy and bright

Published on Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Photos By: Jay Ferchaud and Melanie Thortis/ UMMC Photography

From confectionary construction in the battle for gingerbread house bragging rights to visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus at Children’s of Mississippi and a donation from the state’s First Lady Elee Reeves, the Medical Center was merry, indeed.

Children's of Mississippi patient Amaziah Edwards of Philadelphia greeted his visitors from the North Pole by saying, "Come on in, Christmas!" Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Children's of Mississippi patient Amaziah Edwards of Philadelphia greeted his visitors from the North Pole by saying, "Come on in, Christmas!"

Mrs. Claus, the Elf on the Shelf and Santa visit Adam Kwarteng of Hattiesburg and his mom, Ramata Sakhanokoho, at Children's of Mississippi. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Mrs. Claus, the Elf on the Shelf and Santa visit Adam Kwarteng of Hattiesburg and his mom, Ramata Sakhanokoho, at Children's of Mississippi.

Radiation Oncology was the winner in the annual gingerbread decorating contest. Melanie Thortis/ UMMC Photography — Radiation Oncology was the winner in the annual gingerbread decorating contest.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Elf on the Shelf are careful not to wake up Children's of Mississippi patient John Chris Bowman of Pelahatchie. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Elf on the Shelf are careful not to wake up Children's of Mississippi patient John Chris Bowman of Pelahatchie.

Sieger Sims of Madison, held by mom Meredith, gets his first visit from Santa at Children's of Mississippi. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Sieger Sims of Madison, held by mom Meredith, gets his first visit from Santa at Children's of Mississippi.

Children's of Mississippi patient Shepherd Snow of Hattiesburg smiles while playing with an early Christmas gift. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Children's of Mississippi patient Shepherd Snow of Hattiesburg smiles while playing with an early Christmas gift.

Children's of Mississippi patient Eric Bingham II of Vicksburg smiles with Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves and the gingerbread man. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Children's of Mississippi patient Eric Bingham II of Vicksburg smiles with Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves and the gingerbread man.

Children's of Mississippi patient Christopher Roberts of Florence gets a visit from Santa, an elf and Mrs. Claus at the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Children's of Mississippi patient Christopher Roberts of Florence gets a visit from Santa, an elf and Mrs. Claus at the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower.

Mrs. Claus, the Elf on the Shelf and St. Nicholas paid a visit to the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's of Mississippi, leaving babies toys as a holiday surprise. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Mrs. Claus, the Elf on the Shelf and St. Nicholas paid a visit to the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's of Mississippi, leaving babies toys as a holiday surprise.

Landry McCoy of Marton gets a surprise from Santa during an outpatient clinic visit at Children's of Mississippi. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Landry McCoy of Morton gets a surprise from Santa during an outpatient clinic visit at Children's of Mississippi.

Children's of Mississippi patient Jacob Warren of Meridian plays with a puzzle during a visit with Mrs. Claus, Elves on the Shelf and a gingerbread man. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Children's of Mississippi patient Jacob Warren of Meridian plays with a puzzle during a visit with Mrs. Claus, Elves on the Shelf and a gingerbread man.

Thanking Mississippi First Lady Elee Reeves, center, for her Christmas gift donation to Children's of Mississippi patients and their families are, fromleft, child life specialists Allyson Holliman and Avery Friedmann, child life manager Cara Williams, child life specialist Madeline Wilson, project manager Olivia Ulbricht, and Meredith Aldridge, executive director of the Office of Development at UMMC. Melanie Thortis/ UMMC Photography — Thanking Mississippi First Lady Elee Reeves, center, for her Christmas gift donation to Children's of Mississippi patients and their families are, from left, child life specialists Allyson Holliman and Avery Friedmann, child life manager Cara Williams, child life specialist Madeline Wilson, project manager Olivia Ulbricht, and Meredith Aldridge, executive director of the Office of Development at UMMC.

Orthopaedic nurses created this gingerbread chateau, on display at the Pavilion. Melanie Thortis/ UMMC Photography — Orthopaedic nurses created this gingerbread chateau, on display at the Pavilion.

Alicia Pace and daughter Lane, of Hattiesburg, smiles with Santa, Mrs. Claus and an elf during an outpatient visit to Children's of Mississippi. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Alicia Pace and daughter Lane, of Hattiesburg, smile with Santa, Mrs. Claus and an elf during an outpatient visit to Children's of Mississippi.

The Sleep Disorders Clinic built this candy-covered gingerbread house. Melanie Thortis/ UMMC Photography — The Sleep Disorders Clinic built this candy-covered gingerbread house.

Candias Johnson, patient data access integrity specialist, takes a selfie with Sandra Collier, access financial coordinator, and a few visitors from the North Pole. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Candias Johnson, patient data access integrity specialist, takes a selfie with Sandra Collier, access financial coordinator, and a few visitors from the North Pole.

Student & Employee Health give a nod to the UMMC Flu Blitz in their gingerbread entry. Melanie Thortis/ UMMC Photography — Student & Employee Health give a nod to the UMMC Flu Blitz in their gingerbread entry.

Judges admire the handiwork of gingerbread houses vying for top honors in UMMC's annual holiday competition. Melanie Thortis/ UMMC Photography — Judges admire the handiwork of gingerbread houses vying for top honors in UMMC's annual holiday competition.

Children's of Mississippi was visited this week by Santa and Mrs. Claus plus Elves on the Shelf and a gingerbread man to the delight of patients in Children's of Mississippi's Sanderson and Batson towers. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Children's of Mississippi was visited this week by Santa and Mrs. Claus plus Elves on the Shelf and a gingerbread man to the delight of patients in Children's of Mississippi's Sanderson and Batson towers.

Mrs. Claus, the Elf on the Shelf and Santa Claus bring holiday greetings to Children's of Mississippi patients. Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Photography — Mrs. Claus, the Elf on the Shelf and Santa Claus bring holiday greetings to Children's of Mississippi patients.