UMMC honors 992 health care professionals at 70th annual commencement

UMMC honors 992 health care professionals at 70th annual commencement

Graduating students representing six schools across the academic health sciences assembled inside the Mississippi Coliseum for UMMC's 70th commencement.

Before the 992 graduates received their diplomas in medical sciences during the 70th annual University of Mississippi Medical Center commencement on Friday at the Mississippi Coliseum, they were reminded that caring for others is work that ultimately "fills your soul."

That message was among several poignant reflections shared by Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, as she addressed UMMC graduates representing six schools across the academic health sciences campus - medicine, dentistry, nursing, graduate studies in the health sciences, population health and health related professions.

Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, addresses graduates during UMMC's 2026 commencement ceremony at the Mississippi Coliseum.

Woodward also acknowledged the family members, friends and faculty who gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 as graduates prepared to begin the next chapter of their lives.

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Woodward reminded graduates that commencement marks not an ending, but a beginning.

"It's a big day and one you have worked toward for a long time," Woodward said. "And while it is a significant milestone, it's not the end of anything. It is just a new beginning. As you go forward, you will continue to learn from one another, from other health care professionals, and you will learn from the greatest teachers of all - the patients. Never lose sight of what a privilege that is. Don't become too jaded or too hurried to remember you hold a special trust and privilege in your relationship with patients and their families."

University of Mississippi Chancellor Dr. Glenn Boyce congratulates graduates and their families during UMMC's 70th annual commencement ceremony.

Dr. Glenn Boyce, chancellor of the University of Mississippi, also congratulated graduates and acknowledged the years of "study, sacrifice, diligent preparation and the support of loved ones" that helped bring them to commencement day.

Boyce thanked graduates for choosing careers devoted to serving others.

"As you embark on your career in health care, you share a common legacy of professionalism, commitment and compassion with those who have come before you," Boyce said. "We're confident that you're well prepared for your next steps of training or to assume your responsibility as health care professionals in service to making our state and nation stronger and healthier for all. No one succeeds on this journey alone, and I know there are loved ones here today who also sacrificed and supported you on this journey."

For many graduates, commencement represented far more than earning a diploma. It reflected years of perseverance, sacrifice and balancing personal responsibilities while remaining committed to serving others.

Akyla N. Robinson celebrates earning her bachelor's degree in health systems administration from the School of Health Related Professions.

For Akyla N. Robinson, earning her Bachelor of Science in health systems administration from the School of Health Related Professions marked the culmination of faith, resilience and determination. During her second year in the program, Robinson experienced a devastating apartment fire that resulted in the loss of everything she and her son owned.

"At the time, I felt like my world was over," she said. "I fell behind in school and failed a class while trying to recover emotionally and rebuild our lives."

Today, Robinson says her degree places her on a new trajectory - one that will allow her to continue rebuilding a better future for herself and her son. She credits the encouragement of family members, professors and managers at UMMC, where she currently works as an administrative assistant, for helping her persevere through the challenges.

Robinson plans to pursue a master's degree and hopes to eventually transition into an executive-level leadership role at the university. Through her work at UMMC, she said she has developed a deep sense of empathy and appreciation for the many people involved in patient care.

"I want to continue helping create positive experiences within health care while inspiring others, especially young mothers and working adults, to keep pursuing their goals no matter what obstacles they face," she said.

Lauren S. Pongetti earned her PhD in population health science.

For Lauren S. Pongetti, an occupational therapist earning a PhD in population health science, commencement represented the intersection of clinical care, research and community impact. Pongetti said one of the greatest challenges she faced was transitioning from direct patient care into population-level health research.

"Learning to interpret large-scale data while still seeing the real people behind the numbers required a major shift in perspective," she said.

Her experiences caring for patients inspired her to focus on the broader environmental and socioeconomic conditions that influence health outcomes throughout Mississippi. Pongetti credits her husband and mentors for helping her navigate the demands of doctoral training and research.

Her work focuses on environmental health, heat-related illness and health equity, with the goal of developing meaningful research and policy initiatives that improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. By combining her clinical background in occupational therapy with population health science, she hopes to create sustainable improvements in community health throughout the state.

Graduating medical student Tyrikus G. Hayes received his MD degree.

Meanwhile, graduating medical student Tyrikus G. Hayes is preparing to answer another call to service. Hayes said his journey through the School of Medicine was shaped by family, faith and firsthand experiences witnessing compassionate care.

Coming from a family affected by chronic health conditions, Hayes said he was inspired early on to pursue medicine.

"The compassion shown to my family during our toughest times inspired me to offer that same care to others," he said.

His experiences of volunteering at the Jackson Free Clinic further strengthened his commitment to patient-centered care and understanding the broader needs of individuals and families.

Following graduation, Hayes will begin a psychiatry residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth before serving as a physician in the U.S. Navy. He also hopes to eventually pursue a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Identical twin brothers Colton and Carson Yoder both earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees from the School of Nursing and will continue their careers at UMMC - Colton in the Adult Emergency Department and Carson in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

Colton and Carson Yoder celebrated earning their bachelor's degree in nursing.

The brothers said faith, family and a desire to serve others inspired their healthcare journeys, with both crediting their mother and great-grandmother as major influences. They also shared similar struggles with self-confidence during nursing school. Both said support from family, mentors and their faith helped them trust their own journeys and continue pushing forward.

"I struggled with believing in myself and felt like I couldn't finish the program because I wasn't smart enough and lacked confidence in myself," Colton said.

Carson reflected on battling comparison both academically and personally. "I struggled with comparison not only during school because of the achievements of my peers, but also because I am the youngest of three boys. I had a hard time being proud of myself because I always thought I could do more and achieve more."

Overall, the graduates of the Class of 2026 represent the next generation of healthcare professionals committed to improving lives through compassion, service and innovation. Woodward reminded graduates that each will play an important role in addressing some of the nation's most pressing health challenges.

"I encourage you, when it is time to think about where you will settle down, to consider the place that needs you more than anywhere in this nation," Woodward said. "The place with the worst health outcomes and greatest challenges - Mississippi."

The seven students who received top honors are:

• Charles Bailey, Richard N. Graves Award to the graduating advanced standing nursing student selected by the faculty as the most outstanding registered nurse

• Audrey Eldridge, Christine L. Oglevee Memorial Award to the graduating traditional Bachelor of Science in nursing student selected by the faculty as the most outstanding student

• Abbey McCrory, Dr. Virginia Stansel Tolbert Award to the graduating student with the highest academic average in the School of Health Related Professions

• Alexis Berry, Wallace V. Mann Award to the dental student with the highest academic average

• Jonathan Parke, Waller S. Leathers Award to the graduating medical student with the highest cumulative average for all four years

• Hunter Sylvester, John D. Bower School of Population Health Award to the graduating PhD student who exhibits exceptional potential in the field of population health

• Sheetal Chowdhury, Robert A. Mahaffey, Jr. Memorial Award to the exceptional research potential of young investigators in the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences