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The University Medical Center in Jackson is the health sciences campus of the
University of Mississippi. The Medical Center opened in 1955, but its
beginnings go back to 1903 when a two-year medical school was established
on the parent Oxford campus.
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Department of Medicine Staff, 1955
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The Department of Medicine began auspiciously in 1955
with the recruitment of Dr. Robert Snavely as its first professor and
chairman. He was joined by five other faculty members which constituted
the full-time staff. Dr. Snavely served as chair during great social upheaval
and shared a competitive but respectful relationship with Dr. James Hardy,
the first chair of the Department of Surgery. Dr. Snavely was a widely
respected hepatologist, whose adept use of historical information and
physical diagnostic signs created a model for teaching clinical medicine.
Additionally, despite limited funds (which required faculty recruits be
housed and fed at his home), he was able to lay the foundation for emphasizing
research and development.
Each of the three chairmen who has followed has fostered growth and success
not only by responding to the many challenges which have faced the Department,
but also by continuing to emphasize Dr. Snavely’s priority of patient-based
clinical education. For example, under the leadership of Dr. Harper Hellems
(1965-1990), the department enjoyed tremendous growth and established
most of the current 13 divisions. Dr. John B. O’Connell (1991-1996)
ushered in a period of dynamic expansion of facilities and faculty, while
increasing NIH funding and international reputation. Dr. Richard deShazo
became chairman in January, 1998, and has dedicated himself to maintaining
excellence in academic medicine while responding to the challenges presented
by managed care.
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