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Recent News Stories from UMMC News

Dr. Felicitas Koller, inaugural recipient of the Hardy-Raju Chair of Transplant Surgery, is pictured with Dr. Seshadri Raju and his wife, Dr. Sybil Raju.

Dr. Felicitas Koller named inaugural Hardy-Raju Chair of Transplant Surgery

Monday, November 10, 2025

Dr. Felicitas Koller has been named the Hardy-Raju Chair of Transplant Surgery. The endowed chair honors the legacy of surgical innovation at UMMC while ensuring its continued advancement of transplant care, research and education. 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

Monday, July 21, 2025

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. Read More

Since opening in 1955, the Department of Surgery at UMMC has trained generations of surgeons and led pioneering advancements in patient care.

UMMC Department of Surgery celebrates 70 years

This year, UMMC’s Department of Surgery celebrates 70 years of excellence. From historic firsts to life-changing recoveries, the department has spent decades pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and proving that world-class surgical care can thrive in the heart of Mississippi.

Published on Monday, July 7, 2025

 Surgeon, public safety chief and peds resident earn acclaim

Surgeon, public safety chief and peds resident earn acclaim

Medical Center faculty and staff often are recognized regionally, nationally and internationally for their academic or medical achievements. These accolades place UMMC among health science centers worldwide.

Published on Monday, June 23, 2025

 Nurse Lakeeba Hutchins, left, and Brigitta Strutchen, burn center administrator, work in UMMC's new dedicated burn center.

UMMC opens dedicated burn unit to expand statewide care

UMMC opened a new dedicated burn unit, expanding its ability to care for both pediatric and adult patients with serious burn injuries. The specialized unit is designed to deliver advanced, coordinated treatment from emergency care through rehabilitation, all in one centralized location.

Published on Monday, May 5, 2025

 Dr. Marc Walker, director of The Jabaley-Songcharoen Center for Hand, Upper Extremity and Nerve Surgery, and surgical team operate on Trey Wheeler of Brandon.

UMMC Hand Center earns accreditation as the first-ever Center of Excellence in hand surgery

The Jabaley-Songcharoen Center for Hand, Upper Extremity and Nerve Surgery has become the first in the world to receive a newly established Center of Excellence designation for hand surgery. The recognition comes from the Surgical Review Corporation following a first-of-its-kind evaluation.

Published on Monday, April 21, 2025

 Dr. Shannon Orr shares the 2024 findings of the Mississippi Colorectal Center Roundtable during an announcement at the Mississippi Legislature.

Mississippi coalition unites to boost colorectal cancer screenings, save lives

Published on Friday, March 7, 2025

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

Front and Center: Dr. Juan Duchesne

Published on Monday, January 27, 2025

 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

 Dr. Ian Hoppe holds patient Mila Medders after a series of plastic surgeries repaired her right ear.

Children’s of Mississippi plastic surgeons rebuild ear after injury

Published on Monday, November 18, 2024

 Audra Shepherd of Germantown, Tennessee, discusses details of her breast reconstruction surgery with Michelle Henderson, nurse practitioner in the Department of Surgery.

UMMC surgeon delivers life-changing care for breast cancer survivors with advanced reconstruction

Published on Monday, October 21, 2024

 Faculty join select group, resident earns research honor

Faculty join select group, resident earns research honor

Published on Monday, October 21, 2024

 Dr. Pierre de Delva, right, UMMC division chief of General Thoracic Surgery and chair of the Mississippi Lung Cancer Roundtable, and Dr. Jonathan Hontzas, assistant professor in the School of Population Health and director of the ACT Center and Lung Cancer Screening Program at UMMC, view a low-dose CT scan, the only proven lung cancer screening tool.

UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute’s lung cancer screening program secures $1.8 million grant

Published on Monday, September 30, 2024

 Dr. Mrinal Shukla, professor of surgery and vascular surgeon, examines Tripp Pender's dexterity after surgery.

UMMC surgeons reconstruct teen’s arm after life-threatening accident

Published on Monday, September 30, 2024

 Twelve-year-old Joseph "Josey" Osborne of Winona poses for a photo three months after being treated for severe burns at Children's of Mississippi.

Indomitable spirit, skilled care aids healing in Mississippi Burn Center patient

Published on Monday, August 12, 2024

 Tina King Clay is a marathon coach, life insurance agent, and advocate for women's health.

UMMC takes heart patient from lethal diagnosis back to athletic powerhouse

Published on Monday, August 5, 2024

 Dr. Matthew Kutcher, associate professor of surgery and emergency medicine, was a site investigator on the CAVALIER study.

Trauma drug study aims to save lives following severe injuries

Published on Monday, July 1, 2024

 Kobe Abron smiles while Dr. Marc Walker cuts his cast off with a saw. Filming her laughing grandson is Stacey Hughes of Jackson.

UMMC Jabaley-Songcharoen Hand Center gives child a thumb

Published on Monday, June 10, 2024

 Milestones in UMMC History

Milestones in UMMC History

Published on Monday, March 25, 2024

 Dr. Juvonda Hodge, medical director of The Mississippi Burn Center, aims to bring her experience and expertise to the new role.

Front and Center: Dr. Juvonda Hodge

Published on Monday, March 4, 2024

 Top investigators recognized with Excellence in Research Awards

Top investigators recognized with Excellence in Research Awards

Published on Monday, December 11, 2023

 Head and Neck Cancer specialist and surgeon, Dr. Anne Kane, prepares patient Todd Wilson for one of the first single port robot-assisted surgeries in the state of Mississippi.

UMMC surgeons conduct the first single port robot-assisted surgeries in the state

Published on Monday, November 20, 2023

 Nephrologist Dr. Sabahat Afshan talks with kidney transplant patient Dakota White during a follow up visit. White has been waiting for a transplant since 2022.

Unprecedented UMMC Kidney Swap: A Lifesaving Exchange of Donors Gives Two Patients a Second Chance at Life

Published on Monday, November 13, 2023

 From left, Dr. Somprasong Songcharoen, Dr. Suthin Songcharoen, Mary Jabaley and Dr. Marc Walker celebrate the creation of the Jabaley-Songcharoen Center for Hand, Upper Extremity and Nerve Surgery.

$5M hand surgery gift creating the Jabaley-Songcharoen Center, Songcharoen Chair at UMMC

Published on Monday, October 2, 2023

 From left, surgery resident Dr. Abigail Bateman, Dr. Jacob Moremen and scrub tech Jackie Brown observe the progress of the POPE surgical technique.

Procedure makes food fun again for patients with rare esophageal condition

Published on Tuesday, September 5, 2023