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Recent News Stories from UMMC News

For a complete list of our news articles, please use the site navigation to the left. Past news articles can be found according to their publication month and in the order of their publication date, starting with earliest to latest in that particular month.

We hope you find what you are looking for regarding achievements, accomplishments and advancements at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. For more information, contact the Office of Communications and Marketing.

Amanda and Payton Lockey donated $1 million to the capital campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center for Research Institute.

Mississippi couple’s health care journey prompts $1M donation to transform cancer outcomes

Monday, August 11, 2025

Amanda and Payton Lockey’s commitment to helping the Medical Center’s efforts to address cancers of all varieties is borne of personal experience and deep ties to the medical community. Read More

Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, fourth from right, congratulates the Medical Alumni Awards honorees, from left: Dr. D. Stanley Hartness, Dr. Timothy Folse, Dr. Anthony Petro, Dr. Sharon Douglas, (Woodward), Dr. Charles O'Mara, Dr. James Dustin Gentry and Dr. G. Rodney Meeks.

Ceremony celebrates physicians whose work ‘shines a light everywhere’

Monday, July 28, 2025

For their remarkable achievements in patient care, research, teaching, community service and more, six eminent medical school alumni and a distinguished former Medical Center professor and surgeon were celebrated last week during an annual tradition that began more than a decade ago. Read More

Dr. Giorgio Aru, professor emeritus of surgery and former division chief and surgical director of UMMC’s heart transplant program, and his wife, Jan Aru, started Aru Family Scholarship Endowment to help medical students overcome financial barriers and pursue a future in medicine.

Aru family endowment will support future UMMC medical students

After decades of service at UMMC, Dr. Giorgio Aru and his wife, Jan, have turned their attention to supporting the next generation of physicians. The couple has established a scholarship to help medical students overcome financial barriers and pursue a future in medicine.

Published on Monday, July 21, 2025

The Office of Development and Alumni Engagement fundraising team for 2025.

Support for UMMC’s mission hits record level in fiscal 2025

New facilities for cancer and dementia research are several steps closer to reality thanks to a record year for fundraising at UMMC.

Published on Monday, July 14, 2025

School of Nursing Alumna of the Year Heather Pierce, left, is joined by Dr. Chelsea Andries, 2025 School of Nursing Early Career Achievement Award winner.

Pierce, Andries win UMMC School of Nursing alumni honors

Heather Pierce, interim director of the Office of Nursing Excellence at UMMC and the School of Nursing’s Alumna of the Year, attributes her successful career to the strong foundation she received from her alma mater. She was honored along with Dr. Chelsey Andries, winner of the 2025 Early Career Achievement Award, during a luncheon Thursday.

Published on Monday, May 12, 2025

Dr. Jay Garner, dean of the School of Health Related Professions, is joined, from left,  by Dr. Kristi Moore, 2025 Alumnus of the Year, Dr. Luke Bynum, Early Career Achievement Award winner, and Dr. Whitney Bondurant, SHRP Alumni Board President.

SHRP recognizes Alumnus of the Year, Early Career Achievement award winners

The School of Health Related Professions has named Dr. Kristi Moore as its 2025 Alumnus of the Year and Dr. Luke Bynum as its Early Achievement Award winner.

Published on Monday, May 12, 2025

From left, Dr. Martin Tucker with Martin Family, Dr. Gloria Howard Martin; Rachel Butler; and Brent Martin at the endowed chair ceremony.

Endowed chair in obstetrics and gynecology honors Dr. James N. Martin Jr. and Dr. Gloria Howard Martin

Published on Monday, May 5, 2025

Presenting 2024's Log-A-Load For Kids donation are, from left, David Livingston, Mississippi Loggers Association executive director; Roy Holder, Enviva commodity manager and an auctioneer; and logger Drew Massey.

Mississippi Loggers Association has towering record of support for Children’s of Mississippi

Published on Monday, April 28, 2025

Ken Gilner of Madison holds son Jackson while he and wife Courtney prepare for a radio interview.

Mississippi Miracles Radiothon raises $328,641 for children’s hospital

Published on Monday, March 10, 2025

Breaking ground on the new UMMC School of Nursing are, from left, architect Jim Eley, principal of Eley Guild Hardy Architects; Rep. Clay Deweese, Chairman House Appropriations C; Sen. Josh Harkins, Chairman Senate Finance; Malon Stratton, a fourth-year dental student; Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr.; Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs; Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann; Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs; Dr. Pia Chatterjee Kirk, interim dean of the School of Dentistry; Rep. John Read, Chairman House Appropriations A; Gee Ogletree, School of Dentistry alumna and previous IHL board member; Sen. Briggs Hopson, Chairman Senate Appropriations; and Secretary of State Michael Watson.

UMMC School of Dentistry breaks ground for new clinical building

Published on Thursday, March 6, 2025

Deuce Bloodsaw tells his story on live radio as mom Dr. Nikki Cowan, director of Children’s of Mississippi’s medical-surgical and inpatient psychiatric units, looks on in this photo from 2020.

Mississippi Miracles Radiothon on the air March 6-7

Published on Monday, March 3, 2025

Dr. Diane Beebe is a member of the 2020 Medical Alumni Chapter Hall of Fame. In this file photo, she accepts her Hall of Fame certificate from Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, during a formal ceremony held in 2021.

Former family medicine leader endows fund at UMMC

Published on Monday, March 3, 2025

An artistic digital rendering depicts the future School of Dentistry clinical building.

UMMC School of Dentistry breaks ground on a new building

Published on Monday, February 24, 2025

The Fred R. Adams, Jr. MIND Center and Geriatric clinic will be located at 1405 North State Street, just down the road from UMMC's main Jackson campus.

The MIND Center’s new centralized facility moves forward with $1 million donation

Published on Monday, February 10, 2025

JD Johnson is the state's 2025 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion.

JD Johnson is Mississippi’s 2025 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion

Published on Friday, February 7, 2025

Dr. Charles Ramsey, Dental Alumnus of the Year, and Dr. Mary Catherine Hoover, recipient of the Early Career Achievement Award, smile after the 2025 School of Dentistry Alumni Awards ceremony.

School of Dentistry alumni honored for exceptional service to their communities

Published on Monday, January 27, 2025

The new five-story, 250,000+ square foot facility will offer advanced care, groundbreaking research and a welcoming space to enhance patient care and access.

Mississippi couple commits $25 million gift to benefit UMMC cancer care, research

Published on Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Celebrating the $1 million donation from Century Club Charities to Friends of Children's Hospital are, from left, Caitlin Foreman, executive director of Friends of Children's Hospital; Hilary Burroughs, vice president of marketing at Wayne-Sanderson Farms; Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs at UMMC; Dr. Mary Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair and professor of pediatrics; David Gadd, senior vice president at Wayne-Sanderson Farms and general manager of the company's retail business unit; Dr. JR Woodall, president of Century Club Charities; Kristin Allen, board chair of Friends of Children's Hospital; Steve Jent, executive director of the Sanderson Farms Championship; and Dr. Guy Giesecke, CEO of Children's of Mississippi.

Sanderson Farms Championship host organization donates $1M to benefit Children’s of Mississippi

Published on Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Pioneering transplant surgeon Dr. Seshadri Raju and his wife, retired nephrologist Dr. Sybil Raju, are endowing the Hardy-Raju Chair of Transplant Surgery at UMMC.

Hardy-Raju chair honors groundbreaking surgeon and his eminent mentor

Published on Monday, December 9, 2024

Children's of Mississippi patient Fanci Tuggle of Petal enjoys BankPlus Presents Winter Wonderland and Ace Tree Farm with her family.

Photos: Holiday aglow at Children’s of Mississippi

Published on Monday, December 9, 2024

Children’s of Mississippi’s Batson Tower renovations will be advanced through a $1.5 million gift from the Joseph C. Bancroft Charitable and Educational Fund. Photo courtesy of HDR © 2020 Dan Schwalm

Bancroft Fund gives $1.5 million to create Croft Medical Surgical Unit

Published on Monday, November 11, 2024

Children's of Mississippi patient Lundyn Roberts listens as mom Nikita talks with broadcasters during the 2022 Mississippi Miracles Radiothon.

Families share their Children’s of Mississippi stories as 2025 Ambassadors

Published on Monday, October 21, 2024

Dr. James Keeton and Suzan Thames, who often worked together to make a difference in the lives of Mississippians, will be the honorees during the inaugural Changemakers Gala on November 1 in Jackson. (Photo by Jenny Woodruff Wilson/The Northside Sun)

‘Changemakers’ Keeton, Thames to be lionized at inaugural gala

Published on Monday, September 9, 2024

Members of the second cohort of Bower scholars include, standing, from left, Wendy Sasser, Stephanie Langston, James Davion, Jeremy Nowell, Noah Holcomb, Kimberly Roland; and, seated, from left, Shannon Blailock, Jessica Cagle, Stephanie Childress and Angela Cooper.

Bower Foundation MSN graduates educating next generation of nurses

Published on Monday, May 20, 2024

Dr. Stephen Stray, professor of cell and molecular biology, delivered the 2024 Last Lecture. The annual series is presented by the Office of Development-Alumni Engagement, the Student Alumni Representatives (STARS) and the Associated Student Body.

Listen and engage: Stray delivers ‘Last Lecture’

Published on Monday, April 22, 2024