The Mississippi State Medical Association held its Women in Medicine Awards on August 8, 2024 at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson. Congratulations to Dr. Helen Turner and Dr. Melanie Baker on their awards!
MSMA Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Helen Turner
Dr. Helen R. Turner earned a PhD in medical microbiology in 1975 and finished her medical degree in 1979 at UMMC, where she also completed her residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in infectious diseases. She later became UMMC’s first Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the first woman to serve as Associate Chief of Staff for Education and Chief of Medicine at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Jackson. She also served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at UMMC and as President of the Mississippi State Medical Association (MSMA).
Rising Star Award
Dr. Melanie Baker
Dr. Melanie Baker is a PGY-2 internal medicine resident at UMMC. Dr. Baker served as President of the UMMC AMA Chapter and Chief Operating Officer of the Jackson Free Clinic during medical school at UMMC. She was the 2023 recipient of the Leonard Tow Award given by the Gold Humanism Society. Dr. Baker was recently elected to the MSMA Resident and Fellow Board of Trustees.
Progress Notes 