UMMC Bower School of Population Health

The latest issue of MEWI in Motion is now available! Published by the Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute at UMMC, this issue highlights research, community partnerships, student engagement, and innovative programs working to improve health outcomes across Mississippi.

Discover how MEWI is addressing the social determinants of health through research, education, clinical services, and community collaboration. 📖 Read the Spring 2026 issue:

MEWI in Motion MEWI Executive Director Dr. Victoria Gholar reflects on the institute’s continued work to advance health equity through community-centered care, maternal health initiatives, service, research and partnership.

The Department of Data Science at SOPH was proud to participate in the Campus-Wide Research Expo at University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Faculty shared how data science, biostatistics, and analytics are helping researchers better understand health challenges, identify trends, and develop evidence-based solutions that improve lives.

From machine learning and artificial intelligence to clinical and population health research, data science is playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of healthcare. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more about the exciting work happening at SOPH!

Physicians, expand your impact beyond the exam room.

Earn your Master of Public Health from the John D. Bower School of Population Health and gain the skills to improve health outcomes at the community, system, and population levels.

✔ Learn to address the social determinants of health
✔ Strengthen your research and data analysis skills
✔ Develop leadership expertise in healthcare and public health
✔ Enhance your ability to improve health systems and policy

The next application deadline is July 1. Apply now and take the next step in your professional journey – https://bit.ly/soph-mph

Yesterday, SOPH students, faculty, and staff traveled to the Mississippi Delta for an immersive learning experience exploring the factors that shape health in communities.

The group visited Plan A Health in Louise, the Mound Bayou Museum, the Delta Health Center Museum, and enjoyed lunch at Madea's Parris Place before concluding the day at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola.

Throughout the trip, participants explored how history, access to healthcare, economic opportunity, community leadership, and culture influence health outcomes. From the story of the nation's first community health center in Mound Bayou to practical solutions that meet a community's health needs – for free – at Plan A Health, the Delta offered powerful lessons in resilience, innovation, and health equity.

Population health is about more than healthcare – it's about understanding the places where people live, work, learn, and thrive.

Congratulations to the Department of Preventive Medicine Class of 2026!

We're celebrating a remarkable group of physicians who have dedicated themselves to improving the health of individuals, communities, and populations. Through rigorous training in public health, clinical preventive medicine, research, and population health, these residents are prepared to lead efforts that reduce health disparities, prevent disease, and improve health outcomes.

We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and grateful for the impact they have already made across Mississippi and beyond.

Congratulations, graduates! Your future is bright, and the communities you serve will be healthier because of your work.

Congratulations to our General Preventive Medicine PGY-3 residents on successfully presenting their capstone projects!
These projects represent the culmination of years of training, research, and scientific inquiry focused on some of Mississippi's most pressing public health challenges.

We are proud of these future leaders in preventive medicine and population health as they work to reduce health disparities, improve health outcomes, and strengthen the health of communities across Mississippi and beyond.

Congratulations to the John D. Bower School of Population Health Class of 2026! SOPH faculty, staff, and students and their families gathered for the 2026 Honors and Awards Ceremony and Graduation Reception to recognize outstanding student accomplishments and celebrate the newest graduates of the School of Population Health.

Special congratulations to the recipients of the school’s high-honor awards:
Tasnim Tabassum – SOPH Student Service Award
Kerri Ivey – Regions Bank Research Award
Hunter Sylvester – John D. Bower Award

We are proud of all our students and graduates for their hard work, leadership, service and commitment to improving health in Mississippi and beyond. Your SOPH family is cheering you on!

As Hunter Sylvester celebrates earning his PhD in Biostatistics and Data Science from SOPH, his work is already contributing to the future of Alzheimer’s research and advancing our understanding of neurological disease through biostatistics.

Congratulations, Dr. Sylvester! 🎓

UMMC PhD graduate Hunter Sylvester Cole is using data science to fight Alzheimer’s disease Hunter Sylvester Cole’s path to earning his PhD in biostatistics and data science has been driven by perseverance and purpose. Raised in Louisville, Mississi...

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the strength, care, and resilience of mothers everywhere, and reaffirm the importance of advancing maternal health for all families.

At SOPH, we recognize that healthy communities begin with healthy mothers. Through research, education, and community partnerships, we remain committed to addressing maternal health challenges and improving outcomes across Mississippi and beyond.

Today, we honor mothers, caregivers, and advocates who inspire healthier futures every day. 💐