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Recent News Stories from UMMC News

Doctor of Medicine graduate Boris Kuyeb.

Photos: UMMC Commencement 2025

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

A new class of health care professionals congratulated fellow graduates from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and beamed with pride at family and friends during the May 23 commencement ceremony. For many, it marked the culmination of years of training—and beginning of a lifelong commitment to care. Read More

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

Friday, May 23, 2025

UMMC celebrated nearly 1,000 graduates Friday during its 69th annual commencement ceremony. The event, held at the Mississippi Coliseum, honored students from all six of the Medical Center’s health sciences schools. 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

 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

The School of Dentistry is laying the foundation for the future of dental education and patient care in Mississippi. With state and university leaders breaking ground on a new clinical building, this expansion promises to enhance student training, improve patient access and solidify the school’s role as a leader in oral health.

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

The groundbreaking event on March 6 represents the school’s commitment to its mission to advancing dental education, enhancing patient care and shaping the future of oral health in Mississippi.

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

Hundreds of Mississippians, including many veterans, received critical dental care during the 9th annual Dental Mission Week at the School of Dentistry. The free event provided a range of services, aiming to restore both health and confidence to those in need.

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

 Dr. Jason Griggs is winner of the International Association of Dental Researchers Wilmer Souder Award.

Griggs recognized for decades of dental materials research

Published on Monday, June 26, 2023

 School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences PhD student Chipo Chapusha leads an activity to test medicine release rates with middle schoolers, clockwise from left, De'Nahri Middleton, Aiden Wynn, Kyndal Lewis, Connor Harrell and Journi Garvis.

Summer school for these kids means lessons in dentistry

Published on Monday, June 12, 2023

 Master of biomedical sciences graduate Cara Irby spots a loved one in the crowd and cheers as her mother, Melanie Irby, prepares to enter the coliseum for commencement.

Photos: Capturing memories of the Class of 2023

Published on Tuesday, May 30, 2023

 Malita Chaffier is a 2023 dental hygiene graduate of the School of Dentistry.

#UMMCGrad2023: Patient care a passion for dental hygiene grad

Published on Monday, May 15, 2023

 Greenville resident Casey Park is a May 2023 graduate of the School of Dentistry.

#UMMCGrad2023: Residency, then private practice in Casey Park’s future

Published on Monday, May 15, 2023

 Dr. Alexa Lampkin is the first woman dentist appointed to the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners.

Lampkin becomes dental trailblazer

Published on Monday, April 17, 2023

 Dr. William Boteler, left, and Dr. Acie Whitlock were honored by the Dental Alumni Board during a Jan 27 celebration. Whitlock is the 2023 Dental Alumnus of the Year, and Boteler is the 2023 Distinguished Friend of the Year.

Whitlock, Boteler shine as School of Dentistry honorees

Published on Monday, January 30, 2023

 Senior dental hygiene student Mary Breland Cross, left, treats patient Zhenguo Xu at the Jackson Free Clinic as junior Morgan Leach assists.

Dental hygiene at UMMC turns 50

Published on Monday, December 5, 2022