Senate Resolution 30

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JASMINE PUGH TAYLOR, M.D., INTERIM ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER, FOR EDUCATIONAL AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP.

WHEREAS, Dr. Jasmine Pugh Taylor, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Multicultural Affairs, Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs in the School of Medicine and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC), was nominated to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for commendation in recognition of Black History Month; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylorwas the Valedictorian of both her high school and college graduating classes and winner of the prestigious Merrill Scholarship. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Spellman College in Atlanta (1985), and the Doctor of Medicine from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham (1989), where she participated in the Medical Scholars Program and completed an internship and residency in psychiatry; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylorwas in private psychiatry practice in Birmingham, Alabama, before she joined the UMC Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior four years ago, and in 2004 was named Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs in the School of Medicine to oversee the recruitment and retention of students; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylor is also Director of the Mississippi Area Health Education Center Network, which seeks to improve the health status of Mississippians in selected regions, and encourages disadvantaged youth in those rural areas to pursue studies that lead to health careers; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylorplays a pivotal role in UMC's continuing efforts to arm students with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively treat patients from other cultures. This cultural-proficiency training teaches students to have a certain self-awareness of their attitudes regarding others, helping them to develop a wider understanding of the social and historical context of certain populations, patterns of immigration and folk-healing practices, while leaning away from oversimplifying and stereotyping different cultures; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylor is an excellent role model for both the students and faculty at UMC. She is committed to increasing the number of minority health care providers in Mississippi. The program that she directs prepares students to be successful in health science curricula. She is diligent in her work to help eliminate the health disparities that affect minority and disadvantaged Mississippians; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Tayloris on the Board of Jackson 2000, the St. Andrew Episcopal School, Partners in Education and the Crisis Center. She is also an active member of Jack and Jill of America, the Lefleur's Bluff Chapter of Links, Inc., and the Junior League of Jackson; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylor'sprofessional affiliations include: member, American Psychiatric Association; member, National Association of Medical Minority Educators, Inc.; Spellman College Alumni Association; Anxiety Disorders Association of America; National Association of Self Esteem; Advisory Board of the University of Alabama Department of Pastoral Care; member, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church; member, Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority; founding member, Halle Tanner Johnson Medical Society; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylorhas been recognized for her work by receiving the following honors and awards: American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award, 1996; Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Award in the field of mental health, 1996; Strathmore’s Who’s Who, 1995-1996; First Place Award—Student Research Day, 1987; Medical Scholars Program, 1985-1987; Who's Who Among American College Students, 1985; YMCA College Woman of Achievement, 1985; Atlanta Women's Chamber of Commerce-named Miss Atlanta; and Beta Kappa Chi Honor Society, 1984:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we take pride in recognizing Jasmine Pugh Taylor, M.D., Interim Associate Vice Chancellor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, in observance of Black History Month for her commitment to working to increase the number of minority health care providers in Mississippi-making health careers an accessible goal for all the talented and motivated Mississippians who dream of being health care providers.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Taylorin recognition of her commitment to excellence in education and the medical profession, be forwarded to the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi and the Vice Chancellor of the University Medical Center, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.