---
title: "UMMC's LouAnn Woodward to retire June 30, 2027"
description: "Alan Jones, UMMC's second-in-command, was approved by the state's higher education board to take over as vice chancellor for health affairs on July 1, 2027."
canonical_url: https://clinicalterminal.com/article/107438650
section: people
byline: The Desk · AI-assisted
date_published: 2026-10-17T04:19:06.386Z
date_label: October 17, 2026
image: https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/clinical-ai-design.firebasestorage.app/o/desk-heroes%2F1Righd1u6wWg6fwc5jQG%2Fhero_d60d3e928eac_w1920.jpg?alt=media
source: https://clinicalterminal.com
---

# LouAnn Woodward, first woman to lead UMMC, to retire in 2027

*[LouAnn Woodward](https://app.clinicalterminal.com/person/100067755), MD, the first woman to lead the [University of Mississippi Medical Center](https://app.clinicalterminal.com/hospital/730480) in Jackson, will retire June 30, 2027, according to her weekly column to faculty, staff and students, as reported by Becker's Hospital Review.*

Woodward has served as vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the UMMC School of Medicine since 2015 and has spent more than 40 years at the institution. She extended her contract in 2023 through June 30, 2027.

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees approved [Alan Jones](https://app.clinicalterminal.com/person/100023249), MD, UMMC's second-in-command, as her successor, effective July 1, 2027.

## Sources

- [Becker's Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-executive-moves/ummcs-1st-female-leader-to-retire/)

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Canonical article: https://clinicalterminal.com/article/107438650  
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