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Department of Surgery

Welcome from Our Chair

Our mission is surgical excellence through action, innovation, education and research. Chaired by Dr. Christopher Anderson, the department is advancing the field of surgery through compassionate patient care, clinical training, research opportunities and education in the state’s only academic medical center.

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

Monday, April 20, 2026

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. Read More

Wade Watts enjoys an afternoon outside with his family, from left, his son Everett; his wife, Sara; and his daughter Chaney Claire.

UMMC delivers life-saving transplant during system outage

Monday, March 16, 2026

During a recent cyberattack that disrupted hospital systems, UMMC teams relied on training, teamwork and compassion to keep care moving forward. For liver transplant patient Wade Watts and his family, the experience showed that even when technology fails, the people behind it never do. Read More