The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) School of Nursing has unveiled newly renovated classrooms and labs at the South Oxford Center, aiming to enhance nursing education and address the demand for healthcare professionals in North Mississippi. The state-of-the-art facilities were inaugurated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by prominent state, local, and medical leaders.
The upgraded spaces include a high-tech classroom featuring a dozen interactive computer display screens, as well as simulation labs equipped with manikins capable of movement, blinking, and displaying vital signs. These facilities are designed to support the growing enrollment and foster collaboration and flexibility in nursing education.
“This is a special day, no question about it,” remarked University of Mississippi Chancellor Dr. Glenn Boyce. “This renovation represents the dream of expanding health care in Mississippi, but it’s just a building. The power of this beautiful building is what its impact will be on nursing and nursing education.”
Currently, the UMMC School of Nursing enrolls approximately 200 students in its Oxford-based traditional BSN and accelerated BSN programs. The renovation includes faculty office spaces and is part of a broader push to enhance healthcare education in the state.
Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs at UMMC, emphasized the significance of these developments, stating, “By increasing access to nursing education in Oxford, we are not only addressing the critical need for skilled nurses but also strengthening the care teams that are essential to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.”
The initiative follows a $4 million appropriation by the Mississippi Legislature in 2023 for the repair, renovation, and expansion of the Oxford nursing school facilities. Key supporters of the project include Gov. Tate Reeves, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, and various state legislators. Additionally, a new School of Nursing building is under construction in Jackson, slated to open in fall 2026, with $55 million in funding approved in 2022.
Dr. Tina Martin, dean of the School of Nursing, expressed gratitude for the legislative support, stating, “The renovation of the South Oxford Center represents the growth and commitment to excellence in nursing education at the UMMC School of Nursing.”
The University of Mississippi’s first baccalaureate nursing program began in 1948 and was relocated to the UMMC campus in 1956. The Oxford BSN program returned in 2008, evolving into a year-long accelerated program, with a traditional four-year BSN program commencing in 2024.
Students and faculty have already begun utilizing the newly renovated facilities. Jack Taylor, a junior in the traditional BSN program, highlighted the benefits of the advanced learning environment, noting the support and growth fostered by faculty and staff.
Dr. Kristi Reece, assistant dean of the Oxford site, emphasized the opportunity provided by the renovated space, stating, “This is giving our students the chance to learn alongside dedicated faculty in a high-tech, hands-on environment.”
The fourth-floor renovations complement the existing first-floor classroom and simulation lab, previously used as an intensive care unit. Dr. Camille Beals, director of the traditional BSN program, noted that the new spaces enhance the educational experience by simulating real-life nursing environments.
