Friday, October 16, 2026

Dr. Woodward to Retire from UMC

 UMC Vice-Chancellor Dr. Louann Woodward issued the following announcement in her weekly column yesterday. 

This week’s VC Notes is coming out a bit early because I have information to share that I want you all to hear directly from me. Earlier today, I informed the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees that, after more than 40 years at UMMC, I will retire at the end of the current academic year on June 30, 2027. 

Chancellor Glenn Boyce wanted to offer these words as we reflected on our time together:

"Dr. Woodward has been a driving force for advancing health care in our state and improving the lives of Mississippians for today and generations to come. Throughout her distinguished career, her visionary and unwavering leadership has expanded medical education, strengthened partnerships across the state, championed children’s health care and advanced cancer care. Dr. Woodward’s enduring legacy is reflected in the significant progress and institutional achievements at UMMC, as well as in the countless lives she has touched, the communities she has strengthened and the healthier Mississippi she helped build. I congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement.”

I am deeply grateful to Chancellor Boyce and all of you for your support over the years and for the opportunity to have served alongside you. It is of utmost importance to him and me that the Medical Center continues the amazing growth and positive momentum we are currently experiencing in every mission area. To that end, the Chancellor recommended to the IHL Trustees his appointment of Dr. Alan Jones, who currently serves as the institution’s second-in-command, be appointed as the next vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine effective July 1, 2027.

This recommendation was accepted by the Board of Trustees earlier today and Chancellor Boyce shared his thoughts about Dr. Jones’ appointment and the Medical Center’s future:

“I’m deeply grateful for Dr. Alan Jones’ willingness to serve in this important leadership role and build upon UMMC’s tremendous achievements and momentum. His extensive experience across the clinical, academic, research, operational and leadership functions of UMMC positions him to advance the Medical Center’s vital mission and guide it into its next chapter of growth, innovation and service to our state." 

UMMC has held a most special place in my heart for a very long time. As I plan my departure, I can do so with excitement and joy because I have absolute confidence in Dr. Jones and our leadership team. He has played an integral role in our shared successes over the years and has advanced many of our strategic priorities. UMMC’s future is bright, and it will be in excellent hands with Dr. Jones at the helm.

However, don’t count me out yet – I still have eight months and am very eager to see what we can accomplish in that time. There will be forthcoming opportunities to express my enormous appreciation but I will start now by simply saying that serving as the vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine for UMMC since 2015 has been an honor and privilege beyond my wildest imagination. The success of the Medical Center is central to the health of the people of Mississippi. As always, my deepest gratitude for all you do for this special place and the sacred work we do to care for and serve our patients and students.  #AHealthierMississippi


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Emergency Medicine physician retires and another Emergency Medicine physician Alan Jones to take her place with all the other leaders that are all from that same area. It’s exactly why UMMC is the way it is and will never change. Another emergency doc that only knows how to react and triage things versus looking up and thinking about the next 10 years ahead.

If only Mississippi could have the courage to actually do a search for someone nationally.

Anonymous said...

UMMC would be so much better off without the Jones(plural) and Woodward experiments.

Anonymous said...

The new cancer center will be printing money soon, good health pays, bad health makes you rich baby

Anonymous said...

And this totally has nothing to do with the horrible handling of the cyber attack that is still causing chaos for the hospital and employees.

Anonymous said...

The last place you want to go for cancer treatment.

Anonymous said...

@9:07

You have never walked around UMC nor attended any function they put on if you think all of those people are from Mississippi. There are a few who sit at the upper end of the table, but that's almost the exception not the rule.

Anonymous said...

After the way she stood by Thomas Dobbs and condemned people who didn't want to participate in the communistic tyrannical covid bullshit, I say good riddance!

Anonymous said...

Great doctor great leader better mother and wife. And has a cool husband and kids. This is not John.

Anonymous said...

I don’t know the lady, but I remember her screeds during the Wuhan virus outbreak. She came across as unpleasant and unprofessional, if memory serves me right.

UMC is not a destination I would want to go for anything, especially cancer treatment.

That whole organization needs refreshed leadership.

Anonymous said...

They should conduct a real search. Dr. Jones may be the right person, but take a look out there and be open-minded.

Anonymous said...

Some of you whiners are probably pissed at UMMC because of some high bill you received, but I had a child graduate there and was impressed by everything I saw Dr. Woodward have a hand in during those four years.

Anonymous said...

Funny how UMMC always has seven figures lying around to recruit the next Northside VIP, but zero dollars for basic cybersecurity. Now the state’s flagship hospital gets paralyzed by hackers, and the executive contingency plan is literally a legal pad. World-class governance, bravo !

Anonymous said...

Great....It's time to Go !


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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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