UMMC Bower School of Population Health

04/23/2026

FYI - The MS Rural Physicians and the Rural Dentists Scholarship Programs are now housed under a single roof - the Mississippi Rural Scholars Programs.

The Mississippi Rural Scholars Programs are unique longitudinal programs that identify rural college students who aspire to return to their roots to practice general dentistry or medicine.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575345944337

04/22/2026

More than 75% of pregnancy-related cardiovascular deaths are potentially preventable, yet too many opportunities for care are missed. A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine outlines critical steps to reduce maternal deaths and improve cardiovascular care before, during, and after pregnancy.

We’re proud to share that Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health, served on the committee that contributed to this important work.

This report reinforces the need for stronger preventive care, better postpartum follow-up, and improved care coordination across the reproductive life course.

👉👉 https://bit.ly/4cPDi9k 👈👈

04/21/2026

We’re proud to support initiatives that are improving maternal health outcomes across Mississippi. 💙 Our partners at the Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute at UMMC (MEWI) and the EversCare Clinic are hosting a CenteringPregnancy Open House on May 8 from 10 AM to 2 PM.

CenteringPregnancy is an innovative model of group prenatal care that combines clinical care, education, and peer support – helping expectant mothers build community while receiving the care they need.

If you’re interested in learning more about how this approach is making a difference, we encourage you to attend.

📅 May 8 | 10 AM – 2 PM
https://umc.edu/CenteringPregnancy

We’re opening our doors to share something special. 💙 MEWI and the EversCare Clinic invite you to a CenteringPregnancy Open House on May 8 from 10 AM to 2 PM.

CenteringPregnancy is more than prenatal care, it’s a model that brings expectant mothers together to learn, connect, and support one another throughout their pregnancy journey. By combining clinical care with education and community, this approach helps improve outcomes for moms and babies.

Whether you’re a provider, community partner, or simply interested in maternal health, we encourage you to stop by, meet our team, and learn how this program is making a difference.

📅 May 8 | 10 AM – 2 PM
https://umc.edu/CenteringPregnancy

04/17/2026

SOPH is proud to support community-based efforts that improve health outcomes across Mississippi. 💙 During the recent “April Showers” event, our partners at Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute at UMMC's Lifestyle Express Clinic and BE SAFE initiative connected with 83 individuals in Jackson, providing HIV screenings, prevention resources, and essential supplies.

As we recognize STI Awareness Month, this work highlights the importance of access, education, and meeting communities where they are.

04/16/2026

Celebrating impactful research from our faculty 👏 Dr. Manuela Staneva, instructor of Population Health Science, recently presented at the Research Day at the School of Medicine.

Her presentation, “The Epidemiology of Severe Maternal Morbidity in Mississippi, 2016–2024,” highlights critical work aimed at improving maternal health outcomes across our state. The study was coauthored with SOPH's dean, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, who also served as a research judge for the event.

At SOPH, our faculty are leading the way in addressing some of Mississippi’s most pressing health challenges.

04/15/2026

Work hard, play hard – that’s the SOPH way. 🍕 Our students took a well-earned break at The Station JXN / Fondren Yard, trading textbooks for pizza, conversation, and a chance to unwind together.

At the John D. Bower School of Population Health, we know that population health is rooted in the social determinants of health, and that means no single discipline has all the answers. Our students bring diverse perspectives and skillsets to the table, and some of the best ideas happen outside the classroom.

Because sometimes, the next big insight in population health starts with a conversation over pizza.

04/13/2026

Join our upcoming virtual info session on April 22 at 5:00 PM.

bit.ly/soph-april22

You’ll hear directly from our team about our programs, including our 100% online MS in Population Health (can be completed in a year) and our in-person Biostatistics and Data Science program with incredible job placement.

04/10/2026

It’s National Public Health Week and at the John D. Bower School of Population Health, we’re celebrating the future of public health: our students. 💙 This week, we recognize the impact of public health and the people preparing to lead it.

From research presentations to community engagement, our students are actively working to improve health outcomes across Mississippi and beyond. Their passion, innovation, and commitment to service are what drive meaningful change in population health.

04/09/2026

We’re proud to celebrate SOPH PhD students Torrey Robinson and Angie Garrett for their outstanding presentations at the final session of the Interprofessional Education (IPE) Student Grand Rounds! 👏 Their independent research highlighted the critical role of collaboration across disciplines in improving patient care—an essential component of advancing population health.

A special congratulations to Torrey Robinson, who was recognized with the Interprofessional Excellence Award for her commitment to fostering collaboration, communication, and understanding across healthcare roles.

We’re proud to see our students leading the way in interdisciplinary care and innovation!

04/09/2026

SOPH hosted Dr. David Buys for a special Research Roundtable on “Reaching Rural Mississippi: Population Health for the Rest of Us.” 🌾 Dr. Buys shared powerful insights on advancing public health across Mississippi’s rural communities, drawing from years of impactful research, outreach, and statewide collaboration.

Thank you, Dr. Buys, for engaging with our students and faculty and helping us think critically about how we can better serve all Mississippians.

04/08/2026

We were honored to welcome Lester Herrington, Environmental Health Director for the Mississippi State Department of Health, for an engaging seminar on “Understanding Environmental Health: Program, Priorities, and Impact in Mississippi.” 🌍

Hosted by Dr. Fazlay Faruque of our Department of Preventive Medicine, this session provided valuable insight into how environmental health initiatives shape communities across our state.

Thank you, Mr. Herrington, for sharing your expertise and helping our students and faculty better understand the critical role of environmental health in Mississippi!