University of Mississippi Medical Center

The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) stands as Mississippi's only academic health sciences center, a beacon of medical education, advanced patient care, and groundbreaking research. Located in Jackson, UMMC is a comprehensive hub for health professions training, attracting aspiring clinicians and researchers dedicated to advancing health outcomes for the region and beyond.

UMMC's impressive journey began in 1903 as a two-year medical school on the parent campus in Oxford. Recognizing the critical need for a complete medical education within the state, the Mississippi Legislature acted in 1950, paving the way for the establishment of a four-year medical school. In 1955, the new Medical Center officially opened its doors in Jackson, evolving rapidly to encompass a teaching hospital, a robust library, and a full spectrum of medical and graduate degree programs.

Over the decades, UMMC significantly expanded its academic offerings, establishing the School of Nursing in 1958, the School of Health Related Professions (SHRP) in 1971, and the School of Dentistry in 1973. Its commitment to advanced study was further solidified in 2001 with the elevation of its graduate program to the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences. This comprehensive approach ensures that students have access to a wide array of specialized health education pathways.

Beyond its academic prowess, UMMC holds a profound historical significance, particularly during the Civil Rights era. Despite operating under segregation laws upon its opening, the Medical Center became a critical site, notably caring for injured Freedom Riders in 1964. Following a federal civil rights complaint in 1965, UMMC bravely led the way in integrating its facilities and staff, hiring its first Black faculty member and admitting its first African-American learner, marking a pivotal moment in both its history and the broader fight for equality in healthcare and education.