UMMC Bower School of Population Health

01/15/2026

☕ Coffee With the Dean, SOPH style! This morning, Dr. Dobbs traded his usual role for barista duties at Coffee With the Dean, serving up caffeine, king cake, and conversation in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Students and faculty asked questions about SOPH, academic pathways, and just about everything else.

There was great coffee, great coffee, and an unexpectedly thorough discussion of the movie Cocktail. All in all, a great way to start the day and connect as a school.

01/13/2026

💙 January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers thanks to HPV vaccination and routine screening. Yet access, misinformation, and barriers to care still put too many lives at risk.

This month, we’re raising awareness about prevention, early detection, and health equity because where you live or what resources you have should never determine your health outcomes.
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
🔗 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer.html

01/10/2026

👏 Today, nearly 50 participants joined us for a full-day Deep Learning & AI Workshop, led by Yufeng Zheng, Associate Professor in the Department of Data Science. The hands-on seminar explored the fundamentals of deep learning, real-world AI applications, and GPU-accelerated computing, giving attendees practical skills they can apply directly to research and education.

Dr. Zheng is Mississippi’s first-ever NVIDIA Ambassador, advancing cutting-edge AI training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center . Special thanks to for supporting this impactful program.

💻📊 The future of data science is being built right here.

01/08/2026

📘✨ Congratulations to SOPH assistant professor and head bioarchaeologist of the Asylum Hill project, Dr. Jennifer Mack, on the publication of Applied Bioarchaeology, the first book to explore how bioarchaeological research can actively engage communities and address health issues that matter today.

Edited by Dr. Mack, the book highlights community-led research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the role of advocacy in shaping healthier futures. This work reflects the power of population health thinking. We connect to the past to inform more equitable health outcomes. 📚💙

01/05/2026

We honor the life and legacy of Dr. Aaron Shirley on his birthday, which was on January 3. 🎂 A pioneering physician, civil rights leader, and champion for health equity, Dr. Shirley devoted his life to ensuring that Mississippians, especially those most underserved, had access to quality care. From helping establish the Jackson Medical Mall and the / Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center to mentoring generations of clinicians, his vision transformed health care delivery across the state.

Dr. Shirley chose Mississippi, and Mississippi is healthier because of it. His work reminds us that population health is rooted in justice, access, and community. We are grateful for his enduring legacy.

01/03/2026

Mississippi is facing a public health crisis that demands urgent attention!

A new Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) News article highlights research led by Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health, documenting a more than 1,000% increase in maternal syphilis infections in Mississippi over the past decade. These infections are preventable, yet they are causing devastating outcomes for infants and families.

The findings underscore the consequences of reduced public health infrastructure, clinic closures, and gaps in prenatal care and partner treatment. Strengthening prevention, screening, and contact tracing efforts is essential to protecting mothers and babies.

Read the full article:
🔗 https://bit.ly/ms-syph

01/01/2026

As we welcome 2026, we look forward to another year of educating future population health leaders, advancing impactful research and working alongside communities to improve health across Mississippi and beyond. Wishing everyone a healthy and hopeful year ahead.

12/30/2025

Congratulations Dr Staneva and Dr Gholar for this JAMA publication. I strongly recommend reading the associated commentary by Dr Cook, which speaks to the importance of core public health infrastructure and the dangers of neglecting it. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2843241?resultClick=1

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays!

12/24/2025

📬 The latest issue of MEWI in Motion is now available!

The Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities continues to advance community-centered research, clinical outreach, and health equity across Mississippi. The Fall 2025 issue highlights this work through stories from the field, program updates, and reflections on partnerships that make an impact.

📖 Read the full newsletter here: https://bit.ly/mewi-fall25

We’re proud to partner with MEWI in driving meaningful change for communities across the state.

As we move into the close of 2025, I am proud to share another edition of MEWI in Motion that reflects the heart of our work at the Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities.

12/23/2025

👏 Faculty Spotlight: Mauda Monger – Advancing Health Equity Through Implementation Science

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Monger, whose nationally recognized research continues to advance HIV prevention and health equity. Dr. Monger presented two posters at the 18th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health in Washington, D.C., a leading forum for translating research into real-world impact.

Her work highlighted community-engaged, human-centered approaches to increasing PrEP uptake among Black women in Mississippi and explored how women’s health providers can play a greater role in expanding HIV prevention access.

Dr. Monger’s scholarship reflects a deep commitment to implementation science, community partnership, and reducing HIV-related disparities across Mississippi and the Deep South. 💙

12/22/2025