University of Mississippi School of Medicine: A Comprehensive Overview
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) School of Medicine stands as the state's sole medical school, playing a pivotal role in shaping the healthcare landscape of Mississippi and beyond. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the institution, encompassing its mission, curriculum, facilities, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Mission and Core Values
The essential goal of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine is to train physicians to deliver skilled, equitable health care to all citizens of Mississippi, the region, and the nation. This mission is underpinned by a commitment to excellence in education, striving to foster a climate where each student can reach their full potential. The school is dedicated to developing the knowledge, professionalism, and clinical expertise necessary for students to succeed in the academic learning environment and to care for every patient with integrity, dignity, and respect. This comprehensive academic program is designed to create a physician workforce dedicated to improving patient care and health outcomes to create a healthier Mississippi. The program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
The school's core values emphasize respect for the range of diversity reflected in all people. The University of Mississippi School of Medicine is committed to training skilled and compassionate physicians to provide high-quality and equitable health care, particularly to the state’s residents, including diverse and underserved populations.
Curriculum and Training
The University of Mississippi School of Medicine offers a four-year course of study leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the basic sciences and clinical medicine. Graduates are successful in securing positions in a range of specialty areas.
A crucial component of the residency program is its emphasis on health disparities. Since 2018, all residents are required to take a health disparities curriculum. Recent sessions have included a didactic focused on the basic understanding of insurers/payer mixes, a small group session regarding COVID-19 disparities in Mississippi and nationwide, cultural competency, and care of the transgender patient.
Read also: University of Georgia Sorority Guide
Facilities and Infrastructure
As the sole school of medicine in the state of Mississippi, UMMC has committed to expanding its undergraduate class size from 135 to 185 students a year with the goal of placing 1,000 new doctors in the State by 2025. Recognizing the need for modern and integrated facilities, UMMC has invested in constructing its first dedicated School of Medicine building. The school has never had a centralized location or image of its own, and current teaching spaces are interspersed throughout the campus. UMMC’s first dedicated School of Medicine building is situated at the head of the expanding academic core, creating a significant presence on campus.
The design of the new building blends seamlessly with the existing facilities. CDFL and EGH drew inspiration from the original teaching hospital constructed in 1953 by incorporating the ‘brise soleils’ technique to the exterior to harmonize the architectural language of the facilities as well as providing sun shading.
The building features eighteen small-group classrooms, designed to be easily converted from lecture mode to teamwork style, and group presentation and discussion. The goal is for each seat to have maximum access to all displayed information, and to offer the instructor the ability to facilitate the content. Network technology supports learning and is integrated into the space providing each student access to shared display interfaces.
The large team-focused, multi-modal auditoriums are dynamic spaces that allow for grand rounds, guest lecture presentations, classroom activities, collaborative group interaction, and testing. The spaces are wider, shallower, and less steep than a traditional lecture hall, with non-fixed seats.
Admissions
Due to high competition in the admissions process, state residency is virtually a requirement. The school has a number of academic prerequisites for admission. Required science courses are 8 semester hours each of Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics, all with associated labs. Three semester hours of college-level Algebra and three of college-level Trigonometry, or 3 semester hours of Calculus, satisfies the Math requirement. Six semester hours of English is an additional prerequisite.
Read also: History of the Block 'M'
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
The medical school operates within an equity framework and offers various DEI trainings, scholarships, and resources. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion outlines their principles by stating "the Office of Diversity and Inclusion develops strategies for diversifying UMMC's faculty, staff, and student body. For the 2020-21 academic year, UMMC offered a program called "DEI Community of Scholars." It aimed to connect participating junior faculty, residents, fellows, and postdocs to research topics including DEI, social justice, racial justice, etc. The Medical School is planning to host a series of discussions in the fall of 2023 titled Racial Equity Leadership Series. The School of Dentistry has established the Dr. Leon Anderson, Jr. The Shaping Minds to Inspire Lead and Explore (S.M.I.L.E. UMMC has a Health and Equity Leadership Program aimed at providing additional leadership and training opportunities for "young men of color." It offers additional one on one opportunities with leaders, faculty, department chairs, etc.
The Winter 2022 issue of UMMC Dentistry magazine (for the school of dentistry) included an article that discusses some efforts the school undertakes to enroll students based on race, gender, age, socio-economic status, geography, etc. They also mention attracting students that have a record of serving the underserved. On April 22, 2024, Professor of social epidemiology at the American Cancer Society Nancy Krieger, PhD gave the "John D.
Read also: Legacy of Fordham University
tags: #university #of #mississippi #school #of #medicine
