Federal funds boost UMMC telehealth for rural residents

WJTV-TV Jackson

Federal funds boost UMMC telehealth for rural residents

By Miracle Jennings

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), alongside U.S. Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.), announced a $4.25 million federal award to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) for a five-year redesignation as a Center of Excellence in Telehealth.

Congress appropriated this funding, which flows through the Telehealth Centers of Excellence program. This program is designed for a five-year window, meaning UMMC will be eligible to receive subsequent awards over the next few years.

"Telehealth is a lifeline for rural states like ours," Wicker said. "This option bridges healthcare divides, bringing providers to senior citizens, busy parents, or those living far from a clinic."

Officials said as one of only two federal Telehealth Centers of Excellence in the country, UMMC will serve as a national benchmark for expanding remote care.

"UMMC continues to set the pace in expanding telehealth access and its effectiveness as a tool to promote wellness," Hyde-Smith said.

Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC's vice chancellor for health affairs, said the investment directly extends care to medically underserved areas. The funds will allow UMMC to monitor rural hospital patients, manage chronic conditions and deliver mental health services to students statewide.