Drs. Zach and Kelly Pippin, both alumni of UMMC School of Medicine and the Department of Medicine, share their favorite memories of training and what they are up to now.
Tell us about you and your time at UMMC.
Kelly: My time at UMMC was such a special time in my life, I got married as a third year medical student and had my first baby as a third year resident. Some of life’s biggest moments happened for me during my training and I love I shared this time in my life with other medical students and co-residents who have become some of my closest lifelong friends. In a way, I felt like I grew up at UMMC. The UMMC leadership, like Dr. Jerry Clark, and all of the APD’s and Dr. Thigpen within the Medicine Department played such a big role in shaping those years.
Zach: I am Zach Pippin. I graduated from UMMC for the final time in June 2019. UMMC is where I completed medical school, residency in internal medicine, and fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. While at UMMC I married Kelly, adopted a dog, had a child, and grew a lot as a person.
Where are you now and what are you doing?
Kelly: After my chief year and Zach finished fellowship, we moved to San Antonio, Texas where I completed hematology/oncology fellowship. I now work in Covington, Louisiana treating breast cancer, lung cancer and benign hematology. Thankfully my time at UMMC taught me the value of not only quality medicine, but the value of family and quality time at home. I’ve chosen to work part-time and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Zach: I am currently employed with Ochsner Health working full time as a palliative care physician at Slidell Memorial Hospital in Slidell, LA.
What do you miss most about UMMC?
Kelly: UMMC holds such a special place in my heart because of the sincerely genuine leadership in the Medicine Department. I miss people like Dr. Jimmy Stewart, Dr. Lyssa Weatherly, Dr. Zeb Henson, Dr. Calvin Thigpen and all the internal medicine leadership, I felt cared for by them in a unique way.
Zach: After being employed and working at multiple large and small institutions, the only reasonable response is the people. In my experience, all health systems share the same struggles. The colleagues and leadership make all the difference. I wish every institution shared leadership with similar values to those in the Medicine Department at UMMC. And I miss coffee with Carole and Dr. Mansel in the morning, again the people.
Share a memory or more of your time here at UMMC.
Kelly: Hmmm, so many to choose from.
- I really enjoyed playing in the band that included myself, John Bridges, Jorge Jimenez, McGinty Chilcut, and Drew Smith. Music was a wonderful get away from the stressors of medical school and residency. It was therapy. Whether it was playing in John’s living room or a gig out in town, I had a blast and have since started teaching myself the guitar to try to re-create some of the fun.
- I’m so thankful for the time I spent with my husband during medical school and residency and getting to see him become the first fellow in the palliative care department.
- Having a spouse, Zach, who also happened to be a resident with a peaceful demeanor and quiet confidence who loves to listen was one of the things that got me through all the tough times. So thankful Zach put up with me all those years!
Zach: There are so many.
- I really enjoyed the free VA post-call breakfast; if it was pancake day, it was extra special.
- One time Dr. Henson asked me to have a cup of coffee with him. Not because I performed poorly on the ITE (which I did), was rude to ER resident (which I was) or missed a diagnosis (which I did). It was simply a cup of coffee as an excuse to check-in and make sure I was okay. A small gesture that went a long way.
Progress Notes 
Great article, enjoyed hearing from Drs Pippin. They are great examples of the quality of people coming out of UMMC.
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