2005: ‘Southern Remedy’ makes its debut

Published on Monday, July 28, 2025

By: Gary Pettus, gpettus@umc.edu

During its 70-year history, the University of Mississippi Medical Center has made contributions to the state, and the world, in medicine, science and education. Each month, we’ll recognize at least one of these major accomplishments.

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“Southern Remedy,” a statewide call-in radio show in which health care experts answer listeners’ questions, began in 2005 as a partnership between the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Its aim remains to promote health literacy and an awareness of health and sickness. The wellness program was mostly the creation of Dr. Richard deShazo, now UMMC professor emeritus of medicine. In the beginning, and for nearly a decade, he spent an hour every Wednesday taking calls. In 2014, “Southern Remedy” expanded to five days a week. The broadcasts begin at 11 a.m. each week day with this current lineup of UMMC experts: Monday, “Healthy & Fit” with Dr. Josie Bidwell, director of the Office of Well-Being; Tuesday, “Relatively Speaking” with Dr. Susan Buttross, professor of pediatrics-child development; Wednesday, “The Original Southern Remedy” with Dr. Jimmy Stewart, professor of medicine; Thursday, “Kids and Teens” with Dr. Mary Morgan McLeod, assistant professor of medicine-medicine/pediatrics; Friday, “Southern Remedy for Women” with Dr. Jasmine Kency, associate professor of medicine.