Dr. Richard Wells, faculty member in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, is one of the many members in our department who has worked tirelessly in our ICUs to care for COVID patients over the past year. Read more to learn more about his background, interests, and why he loves UMMC.

What is your professional background?

I am originally from the Bahamas and did medical school at the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom.  I did internal medicine residency training at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA.  My specialization in pulmonary and critical care was completed at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans and I did further sub-specialization in pulmonary hypertension at Stanford Hospital in California.

Tell us about what you do at UMMC. 

I am an assistant professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care and see all pulmonary diseases and patients needing medical critical care.  I spend about half of my time focused on patients afflicted by pulmonary hypertension.  Effective treatment of pulmonary hypertension requires working in the cardiac catheterization lab to accurately diagnose patients.  Therefore, in addition to traditional pulmonary procedures like bronchoscopy, I spend time doing heart catheterizations.

What advice would you give to someone pursuing medicine today?

Success in any professional field is much more achievable with mentorship.  Mentorship is clearly vital for anyone considering applying to medical school. It does not stop there though as a successful medical career requires ongoing strong mentor/mentee relationships. Hard work and a commitment to self-study will always be critical in this ever-changing field. But, there is immeasurable benefit to forming close relationships with those who have had the success we long for.

What do you like most about UMMC?

UMMC’s role in this part of the country is critical. We are top-notch physicians and do tremendous work to improve the lives of Mississippians. I frequently meet patients who speak highly of us and go to great lengths to get their care at UMMC. The strong appreciation and consequential work I do here are invaluable to me.

Tell us something about yourself that people may not know.

I am a fitness junkie. I enjoy working out and playing sports, especially basketball. When I am not practicing medicine, I busy myself watching various YouTube videos and finding ways to improve my workout routine. Due to the pandemic, I have purchased a host of items and essentially created a home gym.