Colette Scott, M.D.

Dr. Scott is a Minden, La. native who received her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University. She earned her MD at Meharry Medical College in 1999 and completed an internship in anatomical and clinical pathology at the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 2000. After completing her residency in family medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2003, Dr. Scott worked as an independent contractor in rural and underserved health areas in Mississippi. She joins the faculty in 2007 as assistant professor and as staff physician of the University Physicians Quick Care Clinic in the Pavilion. Dr. Scott is a diplomate of American Board of Family Medicine, a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

 

Judith G. Gearhart, M.D.

Dr. Gearhart earned her M.D. at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where she also completed her residency in family medicine. In 1983 she joined the faculty and is associate professor. Dr. Gearhart is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She was the recipient of the 1998 AAFP National Exemplary Teaching Award for part-time faculty. She is a member of the NBME Computerized Case Simulations Scoring and Scripting Committees for the USMLE Step III, serves as director of the UMC Clinical Skills Assessment Center, and has been named

one of the "Best Doctors in America".

 

 

Steve Alan Watts, M.D.

Dr. Watts holds a joint appointment as assistant professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopedics, and has a special interest in sports medicine. He matriculated from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed his family medicine residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. While in private practice in the Dallas area, Dr. Watts served as an associate clinical professor of family medicine in the Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine with the University of Southwestern Medical School. He was president of the Tarrant County Family Physicians in 1994 and a member of the Executive Committee of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, where he also served on the Board of Directors. Dr. Watts is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice.

 

Grey Waldrop, MD

Dr. Waldrop earned his MD at University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2003 and completed an internship and residency in family medicine also at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, with completion in 2006. As a resident, Dr. Waldrop received the Gary W. Jefcoats Teaching Award in the PGY-2 year and the George Lally Bevill Memorial Fellowship in Family Medicine Award his senior year. Following graduation, Dr. Waldrop worked as a hospitalist at the MS Baptist Medical Center with Premier Medical Group. He joined the faculty in August 2007 as assistant professor and brings his skills of patient care and student teaching to the academic setting. Born in New Orleans, LA, Dr. Waldrop received his undergraduate degree in biology magna cum laude from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Dr. Waldrop is a diplomate of American Board of Family Medicine, a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, and the Society of Hospital Medicine.

 

Irma H. Welch, MD

Dr. Welch is Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at UMMC and served as Medical Director of our West Jackson Family Medical Center for 5 years. Dr. Welch received her MD degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS.

 

Thomas L. Horton

Thomas L. Horton, MD earned his BS in chemistry from Mississippi College in 1976 and received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1980. He completed an internship in family medicine at Jackson Hospital and Clinic in Montgomery, AL in 1981. After serving a National Health Service Corps obligation in Shuqualak, MS and Purvis, MS, and after gaining broad experience in ER settings and private practice in rural areas such as Brookhaven, MS and Madden, MS, he returned to residency at the University of Kentucky in 1986. In addition to performing his residency duties, Dr. Horton used this time to gain experience in various practice settings including ambulatory clinics, urgent treatment centers, urban ER’s, and very rural ER’s. Following completion of this residency in 1988, Dr. Horton practiced in Fort Payne, AL from 1988 until 2006 with two brief departures to work with the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY and then to serve as assistant program director at the Rapides Family Practice Program in Alexandria, LA. In 2006, he joined the Department of Family Medicine as an assistant professor with the hope of sharing his experience with students and residents. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine, a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and he has been named as one of the “Best Doctors in America.” Areas of special interest include rural medicine and the practical application of computer technology to the practice of medicine.

 

Gerald M. McGuire, M.S.

Mr. McGuire earned his Master of Science in Science Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1988. He joined the Department of Family Medicine in 1995, and was appointed Assistant Professor of Family Medicine in 2003. He serves as the department network administrator, webmaster and teaches students, residents, and faculty computer utilization and medical informatics. He is a member of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences, the Mississippi Association of Biologists, and Sigma XI, the Scientific Research Society.

 

Charles M. Webber, M.D.

Dr. Webber received his M.D. at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where he also completed a family medicine residency in 1981. Dr. Webber was in private practice in Madison, Mississippi, for eleven years and joined the faculty as assistant professor. He is medical director of the Lakeland Family Practice Center. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice.

 

Thais Brown Tonore, M.D.

Dr. Tonore earned her M.D. at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where she also completed her family medicine residency serving as Chief Resident. Dr. Tonore opened a family medicine clinic in the Jackson, Mississippi area upon completion of her residency and served in this capacity for eighteen years. She joined the Department of Family Medicine in 1999 as an assistant professor. She is certified by the American Board of Family Practice. She serves as the director of Student Programs. She is listed in Best Doctors in America.

 

Dr. Shannon D. Pittman

After receiving her undergraduate degree from Tougaloo College, Dr. Pittman attended the University Of Mississippi School Of Medicine for medical training and remained there to complete her residency in Family Medicine.  She served as Chief Resident from 2004-2005 and was award the George Lally Bevill Memorial Fellowship in Family Medicine.

She is a member of the American Academy of Family Medicine, the American Medical Association, and the Mississippi Academy of Family Medicine.  Dr. Pittman completed a faculty development fellowship in Waco, TX in April of 2006. She is currently an Assistant Professor and Assistant Residency Director in the department.

 

Diane K. Beebe, M.D.

Dr. Beebe is professor, chairman and residency director at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS, where she earned her M.D.  She joined the faculty in 1987 after completing her family medicine residency, having served as chief resident her senior year.  Dr. Beebe is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine. She is immediate past Chair of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Residency Review Committee for Family Medicine and was a member of the Future of Family Medicine Task Force on education.  She is on the Academic Council for the National Institute for Program Directors Fellowship both basic and advanced. Dr. Beebe holds numerous offices and serves locally on many committees, including the Graduate Medical Education Committee of her university.  An author of many publications including chapters in Taylor’s Family Medicine and Rakel’s Manual of Medical Practice, she has presented nationally and internationally.  She is also a reviewer for the American Family Physician.  Named one of the Best Doctors in America since 2002, Dr. Beebe has also been recognized by her residents with the Golden Stethoscope Award for clinical teaching on several occasions over the years and as Outstanding Faculty of the Year for 2005-2006.  She received the Gold Level Program Director Recognition Award for dedication to family medicine in 2006.  Prior to serving as chairman, Dr. Beebe served as vice chairman of the department since 1996.  

 

 

D. Melessa Phillips, M.D         

Dr. Phillips received her M.D. from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1973, and completed an internal medicine internship and family medicine residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She joined the department faculty in 1976, serving as director of the Student Division until 1986. A fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice, Dr. Phillips was an elected member of the National Board of Directors of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (1987-1990). She was a member of the AAFP Interorganizational Task Force on Student Interest and was awarded a W. K. Kellogg Foundation National Fellowship (1990-1993). She is a member of the Editorial Board of the American Academy of Family Physicians Home Assessment Program and is an associate editor of the third, fourth, and fifth editions of the textbook, Family Medicine Principles and Practice. She was selected a fellow by the Salzburg Seminar, Salzburg, Austria in 1998, and has been named one of the "Best Doctors in America". She is the recipient of the 1999 Thomas W. Johnson Award selected by the AAFP Commission on Education and Board of Directors for outstanding contribution to education for family practice. She is professor emeritus and served as chairman of the Department of Family Medicine for nineteen years..

 

William H. Replogle, Ph.D.

Dr. Replogle received his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Mississippi in 1982. He was employed in community mental health for eight years and has consulted with private business and industry in the area of automated information systems. As professor, he serves as director of the research program.

 

Robert C. Forbes, M.D.

Dr. Forbes graduated from the University of Toronto in 1967 and completed his internship and residency at Toronto East General Hospital and the University of Western Ontario. He was in private practice in rural Nova Scotia until joining the faculty at UMC in 1979. He is an associate professor and assistant director of student programs. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice and fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and has been named one of the "Best Doctors in America".

 

Susan Hart-Hester, Ph.D.

Dr. Hart-Hester received her masters in psychology from West

Georgia College in 1977 and her doctoral degree in curriculum development and special education from the University of Virginia in 1986. Dr. Hart-Hester served as an educational technologist for the Mississippi State Department of Education and as coordinator of student teaching for the University of Southern Mississippi before joining the faculty in March 1992. She is a professor and her principal responsibility is in the area of grant-writing.

 

Patrick O. Smith, Ph.D.

Dr. Smith received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Mississippi in 1991. After coordinating the inpatient Trauma Recovery Program at the Jackson VA Medical Center he joined the Department of Family Medicine in 1995. Dr. Smith is a professor of Family Medicine and Surgery, and assistant professor of Psychiatry & Human Behavior. He directs the department’s Health Psychology fellowship program and his research interests focus on the integration of tobacco cessation guidelines in primary care settings. He is a member of numerous professional psychology organizations and presently serves as Treasurer of the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers. He is a past president of the MS Psychological Association and was recently appointed by the Governor to the Mississippi Board of Psychology. As a licensed psychologist, Dr. Smith provides evidence based psychological treatments to adults through the Department of Family Medicine with a special focus on anxiety disorders, addictive behaviors, and chronic disease management.

 

Holly Peeples, M.D.

 

Chris Anne Rodgers Arthur, Ph.D., CHES.

Dr. Arthur received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Special Education from The Ohio State University and is a certified health education specialist (CHES). She served as faculty in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at both The University of Iowa and the University of Southwestern Louisiana before joining the UMC Department of Family Medicine in 1998 as the medical educational specialist. Dr. Arthur is a skilled facilitator and is involved in state and national projects that seek to develop consensus agendas around community health. She is an associate professor and the director of medical education and

faculty development in the department.

 

James Anthony Cloy, M.D.

Dr. Cloy graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, and completed his residency in family medicine with the department in 1994. He joined the faculty as assistant professor after seven years in private practice in the Jackson metro area. He has served as chair of the Communications Committee of the MS Academy of Family Physicians and is on the National Advisory Board for the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine*‘s Annual Conference on Patient Educationmedical and director of the Lakeland Family Practice Center.. Dr. Cloy is a diplomate of American Board of Family Practice, a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Mississippi State Medical Association where he has served as delegate for Central Medical Society. Dr. Cloy is a native of Jackson, and received his undergraduate training at Millsaps College.