Women’s leadership members collect honors; two departments recognized for patient care standards

Published on Monday, May 19, 2025

By: Gary Pettus, gpettus@umc.edu

Medical Center faculty and staff often are recognized regionally, nationally and internationally for their academic or medical achievements. These accolades place UMMC among health science centers worldwide.

Faculty, medical student reap GWIMS awards

The University of Mississippi Medical Center Chapter of the Group on Women in Medicine and Science presented awards recognizing women at each stage of their careers during Thursday’s ceremony at the Norman C. Nelson Student Union.

Dr. Candace M. Howard, professor of radiology in the School of Medicine, received the Dr. LouAnn Woodward Award – named for the UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs – which goes to a faculty member for significant accomplishments in academic leadership.

Dr. Caroline E. Compretta, associate professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine, accepted the Mid-Career Faculty Award.

Dr. Kendria D. Lyles, assistant professor in the Doctor of Health Administration program in the School of Health Related Professions, collected the Early-Career Faculty Award.

The Trainee Award went to C. Flannery Voges-Haupt, a third-year medical student.

This year set a record for the number of nominees for GWIMS annual honors at 34, said Dr. Roselin Nittala, president of the UMMC Chapter of GWIMS.

Also recognized were 2024-2025 graduates of the GWIMS Leadership Development Program: Dr. Nicole Anderson, Dr. Saja Alramadhan, Dr. Lavanya Challagundla, Dr. Evangeline Deer, Dr. Ashley Doucet, Dr. Kimberly Holt, Dr. Adriana Martini, Dr. Brigitte Martin, Dr. Jasmine Miller-Kleinhenz, Dr. Edgar Meyer, Dr. Zaria Neal, Dr. Amanda Rice, Dr. Poonam Sharma, Dr. Laveena Singla, Dr. Laura Vaughan-Robinson, Dr. Kimberly Wade and Dr. Jamie A. White-Brown.

GWIMS, a group of the Association of American Medical Colleges, “advances the full and successful participation and inclusion of women across the spectrum of academic medicine and science by addressing gender equity, recruitment and retention, awards and recognition, and career advancement,” its website states.

Founded in 2013, the UMMC GWIMS Chapter was honored in 2019 with the AAMC’s GWIMS Leadership Award for an Organization (Emerging Leader).

– – –

Ophthalmology assistants acknowledged for expertise  

Ophthalmologic assistants in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center have achieved certification by the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.

The expertise of Certified Ophthalmic Assistants “enhances the quality and availability of ophthalmic patient care,” IJCAHPO states on its website.

“We began the year with six COAs and now have a total of 31 Certified Ophthalmic Assistants, two of which also obtained their Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant certification through IJCAHPO,” said Bobbie Beard, director of ambulatory operations for the UMMC Department of Ophthalmology.

The department’s clinic offers multiple subspecialties of ophthalmology: comprehensive, glaucoma, cornea, retina, pediatrics, ocular-plastics and neuro-ophthalmology, and an optical shop, Beard said.

“I am so proud of our team and impressed with this tremendous accomplishment,” said Dr. Kimberly Crowder, UMMC professor of ophthalmology and the Drs. Ching-Jygh and Lin Chen Chair for Excellence in Ophthalmology. 

“The result of this new level of education among our techs, now COAs, is evident daily in their patient interactions. Excellent ophthalmic patient care can only happen when every member of the team is educated and engaged. 

“Our COAs rose to this challenge, and we are now a stronger team because of their hard work. I appreciate Bobbie’s leadership and encouragement in making this goal for our department a reality.”

In announcing news of this success, Crowder acknowledged the support of Madison residents, Martha and John Hill, for the department.

“This accomplishment could not have happened without their generous donation,” Crowder said. “They have been supportive of several initiatives in our department to improve patient care, but this certification of our ophthalmic assistants is the biggest accomplishment to date. 

“We are very grateful to the Hills for their generosity and passion for improving vision care.”

– – –

Labs CAP off reaccreditation

The University of Mississippi Medical Center has been notified that its various clinical laboratories have been accredited again by the College of American Pathologists.

“Achieving and keeping CAP accreditation demonstrates a commitment to maintaining high-quality testing standards in a pathology lab, fostering trust and confidence among patients and health care providers,” said Dr. Youssef Al Hmada, UMMC associate professor of pathology, vice chair for anatomic pathology and education director of anatomic pathology.

The CAP accredits labs every two years to ensure that they provide accurate test results and patient diagnosis; meet requirements from Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; manage changes in medicine and technology; exchange ideas and best practices among peers; and offer staff professional development and learning opportunities.

“CAP-accredited laboratories around the world demonstrate excellence in patient care and confidence in laboratory practices,” states the association’s website, which describes CAP as “the leading organization of board-certified pathologists.”

A division of the Department of Pathology, UMMC’s clinical pathology laboratory system includes a core laboratory in University Hospital, a limited services laboratory at Children's of Mississippi, and outpatient laboratories at Grants Ferry, Flowood and Lakeland Family Medicine.

Dr. Robert Brodell is professor and chair of the Department of Pathology; Dr. William P. Daley, professor of pathology, is the director of clinical pathology.