Portraits

Front and Center

Main Content

Front and Center News

Liza Owens, who is earning a master's degree in the Health Systems Administration program, is a registered respiratory therapist and works at UMMC as a tracheostomy educator.

#2025UMMCGrad: Experience leads to innovation for Liza Owens

Monday, May 5, 2025

Learning how to lead will be just the latest skill Liza Owens can claim with a master’s degree from SHRP. Read More

Iesha Smith is wrapping up her first full semester as a faculty member in the doctoral degree program in occupational therapy while also working at Children’s of Mississippi.

Front and Center: Iesha Smith

Monday, April 28, 2025

A decade spent aiding the highest of high-risk newborns to recovery and full health made Iesha Smith a natural fit to teach future occupational therapy practitioners. Read More

Hang Nguyen of Biloxi is a 2025 graduate from the UMMC School of Dentistry.

#2025UMMCGrad: Hang Nguyen

Growing up in East Biloxi, Hang Nguyen witnessed firsthand the barriers her community faced in accessing dental care. Now, as a member of the UMMC School of Dentistry Class of 2025, she is preparing to return home and make a difference as a dentist dedicated to serving underserved populations.

Published on Monday, April 28, 2025

 Shaneka and Kevin Patterson look forward to receiving their DNPs from UMMC.

#2025UMMCGrad: Pattersons combine DNP studies with family life, careers

Shaneka and Kevin Patterson have balanced doctoral studies with busy lives, exemplifying the highest standards of excellence in nursing and paving the way for future students.

Published on Monday, April 14, 2025

 Registered dietitian Mary Chosen Caples, left, talks with Milk Lab technician LaToya Spann.

That’s My Job: Registered Dietitians

Every hospital inpatient depends on the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s registered dietitians to keep them healthy and give them the fuel to power their healing.

Published on Monday, March 17, 2025

 Selena Daniel holds one of the medals that Run the Rainbow for Children's marathoners will receive.

Front and Center: Selena Daniel

The director of business operations for the Department of Pediatrics also directs Run the Rainbow for Children’s, a marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K run that’s heading into its third year.

Published on Monday, March 10, 2025

 Cory Steed, field support manager for clinical health care, takes a look at one of the desktop computers at Colony Park South with Jennifer Burnell, ambulatory nurse.

Front and Center: Cory Steed

Published on Monday, March 3, 2025

 Among the team members who help patients and families get the care they need are, from left, Stacy Martin, associate director of ambulatory access; physician schedulers Eleanor Young, Jeremy Moore, Rhett Giordano and Kayla Taylor, associate director of ambulatory access management.

That’s My Job: Physician Scheduler

Published on Monday, February 24, 2025

 Dakota Bibbs, medical student advising director, is framed by one of the intentionally-placed furnishings in his office: an aquarium meant to offer a soothing presence for stressed-out students. Goldfish Veronica, foreground, does her part.

Front and Center: Dakota Bibbs

Published on Monday, February 10, 2025

 Dr. Juan Duchesne is the director of the UMMC trauma center.

Front and Center: Dr. Juan Duchesne

Published on Monday, January 27, 2025

 Nise Branson, a mail clerk at UMMC's post office, sorts mail for the Medical Center's many departments.

That’s My Job: Receiving and Post Office

Published on Monday, January 13, 2025

 Jill Bayles was recently appointed director of the Office of Patient Experience.

Front and Center: Jill Bayles

Published on Monday, January 6, 2025

 Dr. Jack Harkins is a second-year internal medicine resident.

Front and Center: Jack Harkins

Published on Monday, November 25, 2024

 Office of Enrollment Management, from left, Candice Brent, Nikki Hubbard, Brittney Anthony, Nicole Nichols, Nicole Connolly, Lauren Nichols, Tameshia Bankhead, Dr. Emily Cole and Mary Bess Skinner.

That’s My Job: Office of Enrollment Management

Published on Monday, November 18, 2024

 When planning the next step in her career, Iley Anne Baldwin looked to the UMMC School of Nursing, where her mother and grandmother completed their nursing education.

Front & Center: Iley Anne Baldwin

Published on Monday, October 28, 2024

 Dr. Rojymon Jacob was appointed chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology in 2024.

Passion to care, mentor guides career of new radiation oncology chair

Published on Monday, October 14, 2024

 Alena Calderon, an early interventionist at Children's of Mississippi, wrote and illustrated the book "Little Things," which offers information and resources for families with babies in neonatal intensive care.

Front and Center: Alena Calderon

Published on Monday, October 14, 2024

 Children's of Mississippi patient Cayden Myers of Camden gets a visit from Hollywood and the facility dog's handler, child life manager Cara Williams.

Golden retriever Hollywood joins Children’s of Mississippi care team

Published on Monday, October 14, 2024

 Margaret Workman is the nurse manager of the UMMC transplant clinic.

Front and Center: Margaret Workman

Published on Monday, September 9, 2024

 Ironically, perhaps, a rare, paralyzing disease Dr. Harrison Hicks experienced as patient also sensitized him to the needs of those he cares for as a physician.

Front and Center: Dr. Harrison Hicks

Published on Monday, August 26, 2024

 Discussing research findings are, from left, Chelsea Giachelli, clinical research coordinator; Dr. Abhay Bhatt, director of research in the Division of Neonatology; Dr. Taylor Mayes, resident, and Dr. Simon Karam, associate professor of neonatology.

That’s My Job: Clinical Research

Published on Monday, August 26, 2024

 As a unit secretary, Nechole Sullivan fills multiple roles in preparing nursing staff for patient care in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU).

Front and Center: Nechole Sullivan

Published on Monday, July 22, 2024

 Harold Brewer, major gifts officer for UMMC's Office of Development and Alumni Engagement, is pastor of Mountain Ridge Christian Fellowship in Brandon.

Front and Center: Harold Brewer

Published on Monday, June 17, 2024

 Dr. Karen Carney, professor of care planning and restorative sciences, has taught every graduating class from the School of Dentistry.

Front and Center: Dr. Karen Carney

Published on Tuesday, May 28, 2024

 Nathan Campbell, who began working in laboratory research at UMMC as a high school student 11 years ago, is now graduating with a PhD in Experimental Therapeutics and Pharmacology.

#2024UMMCGrad: Nathan Campbell’s scientific training at UMMC began in high school

Published on Monday, May 20, 2024