Front and Center: Dr. Twila Rawson

Published on Monday, August 4, 2025

By: Annie Oeth, aoeth@umc.edu

Photos By: Jay Ferchaud/UMMC Communications

For four decades, Dr. Twila Rawson has helped shape the landscape of behavioral and developmental care for Mississippi’s children — from humble beginnings in a hospital basement to a leading role at one of the state’s top pediatric facilities.  

A fixture at the University of Mississippi Medical Center since 1983, she continues her mission today at the Center for Advancement of Youth, where she’s still making a difference for families across the state. 

“I’ve seen five vice chancellors and four chairs of the Department of Pediatrics,” said Rawson, associate professor of child development, who reached the landmark anniversary in July. “The Medical Center has grown on our campus and beyond, with clinics around the metro area and the state.” 

Coming to UMMC as a graduate student from the University of Southern Mississippi, Rawson began seeing neonatal patients part-time with Dr. Glen Graves, now professor emeritus, as part of her research. 

After earning her PhD in developmental psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1985, following a BA in psychology from Mississippi College in 1979, Rawson was hired full-time by Dr. Blair E. Batson, then chair of pediatrics. 

Rawson completed her dissertation research in newborn medicine in May 1985. “I took June off and started July 1 as a faculty member at what was then known as the Child Development Center,” she remembered. 

While at the Child Development Center, Rawson continued her collaboration with the Division of Newborn Medicine, conducting developmental assessments for more than 30 years. She worked closely with Graves in the Newborn Follow-up Clinic, evaluating infants born prematurely or with medical conditions that placed them at risk for developmental delays. In addition, she has served as a consultant for the UMMC Genetics Clinic, where she has followed children diagnosed with 22q deletion syndrome, a condition often associated with developmental and psychological challenges, for nearly a decade. 

Rawson returned to Mississippi College to earn a Master of Education degree in dyslexia therapy in 2016.  

Assessing children for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and learning disabilities is Rawson’s specialty, as is the follow-up care they need. The location of those visits has changed over the years. 

“We were in the basement of the circle tower 40 years ago,” she said. “Then we moved to the University Rehabilitation Center and then Select Specialty Hospital." 

Since then, “we went from a fishbowl to the ocean,” she said. The “ocean” is CAY in northeast Jackson, a 20,000-square-foot space. 

“When we moved in, it was quite large,” Rawson said, “but we’re starting to outgrow it now.” 

More than the location has changed for Child Development over the years. 

“We’ve seen increases in the number of providers and the number of children being treated,” she said.  

Another change, Rawson said, is the increase in multidisciplinary care throughout the Medical Center and at CAY.  

“That is one of the best things about UMMC, having access to experts from different disciplines throughout the Medical Center and in the Department of Pediatrics,” she said.  

CAY also has “wonderful leaders in Dr. Barbara Saunders (chief of the Division of Child Development) and Dr. Dustin Sarver (professor of psychiatry and director of CAY)” she said, noting the strong foundation for child development built by Dr. Susan Buttross, Dr. David Elkin (retired) and the late Dr. Donald Raggio.  

“Dr. Buttross and Dr. Raggio were great teachers and mentors,” she said.  

Sarver said Rawson “defines the highest standard for professionalism and collegialism.” 

“She provides the highest quality assessment services and has enhanced CAY’s expertise with her dyslexia services,” he said.  

“The consistency, humility and kindness with which she has served her patients and UMMC these past 40 years is profound. Dr. Rawson has served countless thousands of children and families in her time with UMMC and undeniably has made a mark on the behavioral health of our state. We are beyond grateful for her contributions, dedication, selflessness and warmth she has brought to CAY. She makes all of us better.” 

Saunders said Rawson’s expertise in dyslexia allows her to provide services to a population who have very few other options through whom they can receive dyslexia evaluations.   

“Her dedication to CAY and to UMMC more broadly is remarkable and demonstrates her heart for the children and families she serves,” Saunders said. “On a personal level, I'm grateful for her friendship and the encouragement I've received from her over the last 12 years.”  

Rawson plans to keep seeing patients at CAY. “I enjoy it and find it fulfilling when I meet with parents to let them know what’s going on with their children and see them get help with learning or behavior difficulties.”