UMMC faculty recognized for contributions to medicine, research

UMMC faculty recognized for contributions to medicine, research

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.

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GWIMS names 2026 award winners

The University of Mississippi Medical Center Chapter of the Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS) presented awards recognizing women at each stage of their careers during a ceremony May 12 at the Norman C. Nelson Student Union.

The Dr. LouAnn Woodward Award, which honors a faculty member who has achieved significant accomplishments in academic leadership, was presented to Dr. Risa Moriarity, associate chief faculty affairs officer, professor and executive vice chair of emergency medicine.

Dr. Ana T. Palei, associate professor of research in the Department of Surgery, received the Mid-Career Faculty Award.

Dr. Amanda R. Rice, assistant professor of family medicine, garnered the Early Career Award.

The Trainee Award was presented to Brooklyn A. Howe, a third-year medical student.

Also recognized were 2025-2026 graduates of the GWIMS Leadership Development Program: Dr. Omoloro Adeleke, Dr. Diana L. Alsbrook, Emily Boothe, Dr. Claudine Brown, Dr. Beth Brownlee, Dr. Kenisha G. Davis, Dr. Tearsanee Davis, Dr. Ameze Ero, Dr. Tiffany Griffin, Dr. Ashley Johnson, Dr. Kelsey Letzring Murray, Dr. Ayana Red, Dr. Ramya Krishna Velagapudi, Dr. J. Paula Washington and Dr. Monica White.

GWIMS, a group of the Association of American Medical Colleges, advances the full and successful participation of women faculty and learners within academic medicine and science through recruitment and retention, career advancement opportunities, leadership development and advocacy, and awards and recognition.

Leaders of the UMMC GWIMS chapter are Laura Hendon, president; Dr. Roselin Nittala, immediate past president; Dr. Marilyn Harrington, president elect; Dr. Christina Ezemenaka, secretary; Dr. Kimberly Bibb, treasurer; Dr. Sumana Ramarao, programming lead and chair; Dr. Dongmei Cui, awards lead; Dr. Rachel Tyrone, mentoring lead and chair; Dr. Thy Huynh, mentoring lead and co-chair; Dr. Michelle Sheth, membership lead and chair; Dr. Laveena Singla, membership lead and co-chair; and trainee representatives Karen Wong and Arunendu Sambasivan.

The UMMC GWIMS chapter will issue a call for nominations for next year's executive board soon.

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Dr. Amod Sharma earns national Young Investigator Award

The American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (AAISCCR) presented Dr. Amod Sharma, research instructor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, with its Young Investigator Award for junior faculty. The honor follows a rigorous, blinded review of applications and abstracts by the AAISCR YIA Committee, underscoring the strength and promise of his research.

The award was presented at the AAISCR Annual Meeting on April 20 in San Diego.