UMMC Surgery

09/03/2026

💙 Meet Quwanda Daniels, MSN, AGACNP-BC!

Quwanda’s UMMC story has come full circle. She started here as a CNA, became an RN, spent more than a decade caring for trauma and surgical patients, and now she’s back as a Trauma Nurse Practitioner!

What a special way to start her new role, Quwanda recently received a DAISY Award recognizing the compassion and dedication she brings to her patients. 🌼

When she’s not at the hospital, Quwanda enjoys spending time with her family and grandson. She’s also a horse lover and proud owner of a racehorse!

Quwanda, we’re glad you’re here! 💙

09/01/2026

Dr. Ian Hoppe was in Phoenix for the Annual Craniofacial Fellows Bootcamp, where he helped teach and work with craniofacial fellows from across the country.

It was a great opportunity to share his experience, connect with colleagues and contribute to the education of the next generation of craniofacial surgeons.

08/28/2026

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Kyle Curtis to the UMMC Department of Surgery!

Dr. Curtis is joining our team as a transplant surgeon, with a special interest in liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation, as well as robotic hepatobiliary surgery.

And this isn’t his first time at UMMC! Dr. Curtis completed his surgical residency here before heading to Chicago for his transplant fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. We’re excited to welcome him back home. 💙

When he’s away from the OR, Dr. Curtis enjoys a round of golf, firing up the grill and, most importantly, spending time with his wife, Alison, and their son, Eli.

We’re so glad to have you back at UMMC, Dr. Curtis! Welcome to the team! 🩺 University Transplant at University of Mississippi Medical Center

08/26/2026

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Jay Shake on his leadership role as UMMC’s next chief of medical staff, effective September 1, 2026! 🎉

Dr. Shake is a professor in the Department of Surgery and Division of Cardiac Surgery and has served UMMC in a number of leadership roles throughout his career.

We are proud to see one of our own step into this important role and look forward to seeing all that he accomplishes in this new position.

Congratulations, Dr. Shake!

08/25/2026

Meet Hunter Gelston, MSN, FNP-C, our new Plastic & Hand Surgery Nurse Practitioner!

Hunter began her nursing career in 2018 in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s of Mississippi. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama in 2023 and went on to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Outside of the clinic, Hunter enjoys spending time with her family and going to the beach!

We’re thrilled to welcome Hunter to the UMMC Surgery family! 💙

08/22/2026

It’s National Surgical Oncologist Day, so naturally, we had to celebrate everyone’s favorite three, Dr. Kelly Brister, Dr. Wade Christopher, and Dr. Shannon Orr! 💙

08/18/2026

We’re excited to welcome Cody to the team! Cody previously worked as a registered nurse in the ICU at St. Dominic’s Hospital and is looking forward to continuing to grow in critical care while becoming part of our team.

Outside of work, Cody enjoys spending time outdoors, staying active, working out, and making memories with family.

Cody and his wife are expecting their first baby this September! We’re excited to have Cody on board and wish their growing family all the best as they prepare for this exciting new chapter. 💙

08/14/2026

There’s already enough to think about before surgery. We hope this guide helps make getting to the Day Surgery Center one less thing to worry about.

Save this post for your upcoming procedure, and feel free to share it with a family member or caregiver who may be coming with you. We’ll see you soon!

08/11/2026

We’re hiring a Colorectal Surgeon to join the Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center as an Assistant or Associate Professor.

This is a great opportunity to practice at Mississippi’s only academic health sciences center while contributing to patient care, research, and surgical education.

Learn more and apply:

Hello, Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Please review the following instructions prior to submitting your job application: Provide all of your employment history, education, and licenses/certifications/registrations. You will be u...

08/10/2026

We’re excited to introduce Eden Ford, our newest Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit!

You may recognize Eden as she previously served as a Registered Nurse in the SICU, making this a special full-circle moment as she continues caring for patients in a new role.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, trying local cuisine, spending time with her husband, Clint, and their Goldendoodle, May. She’s also looking forward to a trip to Paris later this month!

Fun Fact: She paid her way through college on a full vocal scholarship.

Please join us in congratulating Eden on this exciting new chapter and welcoming her to her new role!