MERIDIAN —
Two new University of Mississippi Medical Center leaders were in Meridian Tuesday to meet with representatives of the medical community as well as alumni from UMMC's various professional schools who live and work in the vicinity.
Dr. James E. Keeton, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine at UMMC, and Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs at UMMC and vice dean of the University of Mississippi's School of Medicine, are currently traveling to various parts of the state to introduce themselves as well as share current happenings at the Jackson facility.
"Because of the Healthcare Reform and the disparity of health care in Mississippi and the need for more health care providers in Mississippi, we feel that we (UMMC) play an important role in that," said Keeton, who, along with Woodward, assumed his position in February.
"We are the main ones who produce physicians – UMMC produces essentially over half of the physicians in Mississippi – yet Mississippi still has the lowest number of physicians per capita in the nation," he said. "With all the state's health care disparity – obesity, diabetes and heart disease – we feel that we should be partnering and telling our story to other hospital systems, and tell them about our attempt is in growth and how we can collaborate."
Increasing UMMC's medical school class size is a primary focus. The facility just enrolled 135 first-year students – up from 120 last year and 100 three years ago. UMMC officials would like to increase the number to 165 per class in the next few years, but won't be able to do that without additional state support.
"We want the public to know that the University of Mississippi Medical Center belongs to everybody. Most of the physicians here in Meridian trained there," Keeton said. "We want them to know what their school is doing and what their medical center is doing."
Keeton and Woodward, who traveled to Tupelo and Hattiesburg before their visit to Meridian, are scheduled to make their next visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For the full story about what is going on with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, see Sunday's Star.
Local News
University of Mississippi Medical Center leaders stop in Meridian
- Local News
-
- Voter registration deadline nears for primary
- Teen charged with robbery, kidnapping
-
Students attend S2S training
Representatives from Naval Air Station Meridian and Northeast Lauderdale High School recently attended the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) Student-2-Student research-based training held in San Antonio, Texas.
-
Serving the community
-
Chisolm named deputy director
-
MCC program gets ‘outrageous’ start
- Amtrak Exhibit Train coming to Meridian
-
Doors of newly renovated city hall opened to the public
The wait is finally over ...
Meridian's newly restored city hall has reclaimed its place as a majestic focal point in downtown. More than five years in the making, the doors of the nearly 100-year-old building were reopened to the public Tuesday during an open house ceremony. -
Veteran sentenced in shooting
A military veteran who was charged with the shooting of his wife two years ago was sentenced Monday in Lauderdale County Circuit Court to 20 years.
-
Shelter from the storm
The memory of Hurricane Katrina has not faded much in the seven years since that devastating August day and because of her lasting impression, Lauderdale County is still reaping the benefits of a proactive approach to preparing for any and all types of natural disasters.
- More Local News Headlines
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
