SHRP faculty member merits acclaim, top scholars earn distinction

SHRP faculty member merits acclaim, top scholars earn distinction

Published on Monday, September 22, 2025

By: Gary Pettus, [email protected]

Medical Center faculty and staff often are recognized regionally, nationally and internationally for their academic or medical achievements. These accolades place UMMC among health science centers worldwide.

Pathology society selectsJefferson for Under Forty list

Dr. Joshua Jefferson, assistant professor of medical laboratory science in the School of Health Related Professions, has been named to the 40 Under Forty listby the American Society of Clinical Pathology.

ASCP's list recognizes members under 40 years of age for achievements and leadership qualities that make an impact on pathology and laboratory medicine.

Jefferson, a certified histotechnologist, was lauded by the organization for spearheading the creation of a new histology procurement laboratory to strengthen hands-on learning and research capabilities at UMMC.

"I'm deeply honored to receive this recognition, which truly reflects the dedication of all laboratory professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes," Jefferson said.

"Our role is vital in ensuring accurate diagnoses and effective patient care, and I'm proud to be part of a profession that not only makes a meaningful impact on the health and lives of our patients every day but also invests in educating and training the next generation of scientists to carry this important work forward."

Jefferson earned a bachelor's degree in health care administration from Jackson State University and a master's degree in health science from the University of Mississippi. His doctorate in education is from the University of Southern Mississippi.

In SHRP, as the leader of education and training of future laboratory professionals in medical laboratory science and histology, Jefferson is charged with curriculum development, clinical rotation coordination and hands-on instruction in advanced histological techniques, including immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. 

He is a member of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, Histochemical Society and National Society for Histotechnology. 

UMMC Honors College lists latest inductees

More than 80 high-achieving students from all campus schools recently earned a one-of-a-kind distinction as the latest inductees into the University of Mississippi Medical Center Honors College.

Inductees were welcomed during an August 28 orientation session.

The health care professions schools represented include the University of Mississippi's School of Pharmacy, for a total of seven.

Eligible students finished in the top 25 percent in their class after the designated performance review period. They are enrolled full-time in three-year degree programs or degree programs that are four years in length or longer and have demonstrated excellence in academics and professionalism. The list of inductees for the 2025-2026 academic year is available here.

"These 81 students, drawn from all of the health professions schools on our campus, will come together for a year in an immersive, interprofessional learning experience," said Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs.

The Honors College was established in 2023 within the Office of Academic Affairs and inducted its first class in 2024.

"It is extremely unique," said Dr. Penni Foster, director of the Honors College and director of the Office of Affiliations and the Office of Academic Engagement.

"It is one of the first in the country: an interprofessional honors college in an academic medical center, recognizing students across all the disciplines in the health sciences." Most Honors Colleges are for undergraduates, while the one at UMMC only selects students who have begun post-undergraduate coursework.

For the academic year, they will focus on a learning component call the Reading Room, which highlights required reading and group discussions of assigned material to sharpen their critical thinking skills. In May 2026, they will participate in an awards ceremony.

"At the conclusion of the [academic] year, we expect them to have an enhanced appreciation for the roles and perspectives of the entire health care team as well as a deepening of knowledge of key health care topics that are common to all of us in practice," Rodgers said. 

"These include mental health, global health, cross-cultural care, medical ethics and end-of-life care. We hope to add value to these students' UMMC experience, and we are excited to engage with them in this journey."