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Peyton Loftin, a senior at Mendenhall High School, performs resuscitation training with Kristina Readman, life support training center educator, during Discovery Day.

Mississippi students find inspiration at UMMC’s Discovery Day

Monday, October 19, 2026

Nearly 200 Mississippi high school students preparing for health care careers examined what UMMC programs and departments had to offer during Discovery Day. Read More

Medical students welcome first-year student Akshar Brahmbhatt as he enters the School of Medicine during Welcome Week celebrations.

Photos: UMMC welcomes students for a new academic year

Monday, August 10, 2026

A new academic year is underway at the University of Mississippi Medical Center as students across UMMC’s health professions schools return to campus and begin the next chapter of their educational journeys. Read More

Dr. Hiram Gatewood has been a member of the UMMC School of Dentistry faculty for 45 years.

Front and Center: Dr. Hiram Gatewood

For 45 years, Dr. Hiram Gatewood Jr. has helped shape the next generation of Mississippi dentists while carrying forward the values of service and compassion he learned from his father. A member of the School of Dentistry's third graduating class, his career has spanned the classroom, the clinic and his hometown community.

Published on Monday, July 20, 2026

 Dr. Michael D. Roach, professor in the Department of Biomedical Materials Science, was named the inaugural Lyle D. Zardiackas, PhD, FADM, FASTM Professor in Biomedical Materials Science, which honors the legacy of the late Dr. Zardiackas, who founded the department.

Gift from pioneering researcher establishes professorship, names lab at UMMC

Decades after establishing the groundwork for biomedical materials science in Mississippi, the late Dr. Lyle Zardiackas continues to move the field forward. Gifts from one of the Medical Center’s most influential researchers established an endowed professorship and named a laboratory in his honor.

Published on Monday, April 27, 2026

UMMC dental student builds on family legacy as she looks ahead to the next chapter

Aubree Dillon has spent years learning the family trade. Now, the 2026 SOD graduate prepares to carry that legacy forward, returning home to practice alongside her father and brother.

Published on Monday, April 27, 2026

 Dawn Hoge is pictured with her care team, from left, Dr. Ignacio Velasco Martinez, chair of the Department of Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery and Pathology; Dr. Jesse Austin III, Dr. Randall Nutt, Dr. Sara Islam, Dr. Bryant Halsch, OMS residents; and Dr. Laura Humphries, associate professor of plastic surgery.

Advanced 3D technology and interdisciplinary care restore quality of life for Mississippi patient

After losing her teeth during cancer treatment, Dawn Hoge faced another battle when her jaw began deteriorating due to the radiation. For years, she was told nothing could be done, until a multidisciplinary surgical team at UMMC took on her case and restored her smile.

Published on Monday, April 20, 2026

 Fourth-year dental student, Adriana Ivy, prepares to place crowns for Mike Armstrong of Pearl.

Mississippi’s only dental school celebrates 50 years

Published on Monday, September 22, 2025

 New Radiological Sciences student Michelle Zhang, receives her white coat from Dr. Lee Brown, left and SHRP Dean Jay Garner, during orientation week at the school.

Photos: Students get a touch of class as school year begins

Published on Monday, August 18, 2025

 Doctor of Medicine graduate Boris Kuyeb.

Photos: UMMC Commencement 2025

Published on Tuesday, May 27, 2025

 Graduates from the schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, Population Health and Health Related Professions were applauded by friends and family during ceremonies at the Mississippi Coliseum.

UMMC celebrates the graduating class of 2025

Published on Friday, May 23, 2025

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

#2025UMMCGrad: Hang Nguyen

Published on Monday, April 28, 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

 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

 Dr. Michael Fast, director of the Comprehensive General Dentistry Program, and Avery Gibens, third-year dental student, examine patient, Lorenzo Boyland of Pearl, during Dental Mission Week.

Hundreds benefit from free services during Dental Mission Week

Published on Monday, February 10, 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

 First-year dental students Christopher Cronin, left, and Caden Grover, try on surgical glasses with manufacturer representative Scott Walker during the student organization fair at the Norman C. Nelson Student Union.

Photos: New students beginning classes at UMMC

Published on Monday, August 12, 2024

 Analisha Coleman, dental assistant, and Devon Coleman, fourth-year dental student, examine Kennedy Pomerlee, 9, of Byram.

UMMC School of Dentistry launches 'Free Care Friday' for Mississippi kids

Published on Monday, July 15, 2024

 Aiden Ford blows up a balloon with second-year dental student Kyle Bryant, creating a wind-powered engine for a project during S.M.I.L.E. U.

Summer camp piques interest in dental careers for children across the state

Published on Monday, June 10, 2024

 Ninth-grader, Alvin Simmons, has his teeth examined by Dr. Sreenivas Koka, dean of the School of Dentistry and Brittany Rogel, assistant professor of dental hygiene.

School of Dentistry begins two-year research project to improve children’s oral health

Published on Monday, May 13, 2024

 Aaron Winters has known he wanted to be a dentist since he was five years old.

#2024UMMCGrad: Aaron Winters captures smiles with community outreach

Published on Monday, May 13, 2024

 Preston Ivy is a dental hygiene student in the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry.

#2024UMMCGrad: Preston Ivy champions oral health at home and abroad

Published on Monday, May 13, 2024

 Teleshia Johnson, fourth-year dental student, examines patient Tonjula Mason.

School of Dentistry pilots after-hours clinic

Published on Monday, April 1, 2024

 Nursing student Shelton Cole shows dental hygiene student, Morgan Kaminski, how to extract from a vile.

UMMC Schools of Dentistry, Nursing team up to tackle HPV

Published on Monday, February 19, 2024

 School of Dentistry Dean Dr. Sree Koka with Dental Alumni Awardees Dr. Alexa Lampkin and Dr. Darrell Hutto.

Hutto and Lampkin Honored in 2024 School of Dentistry Alumni Awards

Published on Monday, January 29, 2024

 Venessia Randle poses in her office at the School of Dentistry with her first and favorite guitar that she bought when she was 17 years old.

Front and Center: Venessia Randle

Published on Monday, January 8, 2024