Meet Dr. Kate Noel – Clinton native, second-year internal medicine resident, and devoted wife and mom. Here, she shares her journey to UMMC, memorable moments from residency, and the people and experiences that have shaped her along the way.
Tell us about you.
I grew up in Clinton, MS. I attended Mississippi College for undergrad and then UMMC for medical school. I met my husband, Chandler Noel, in high school. We were lucky enough to be accepted to medical school the same cycle. During our third year of medical school, we received the surprise of a lifetime when we found out I was pregnant on our first clinical rotation. Nellie was born that following February. She’s without a doubt the best thing that has happened to our little family. Chandler is currently a second-year pediatric resident and plans to pursue a career as a pediatric hospitalist.
Why did you choose UMMC for residency?
I chose UMMC for the people. Throughout medical school, I had the privilege of working alongside residents and attendings who not only provided excellent patient care but also served as outstanding teachers and mentors. They modeled the type of physician I aspire to be; knowledgeable, compassionate, humble, and dedicated to their patients.
As I considered residency programs, I realized that I still had so much to learn from the faculty and residents at UMMC. UMMC felt like a place where I could continue to develop into the physician I wanted to become while caring for a diverse patient population and serving the community that has shaped so much of my own life.
Tell us about a memorable experience from training.
We should have shirts made that say, “I survived the Great Cyberattack of 2026.” It started as a normal Thursday morning. I was getting ready to head into cardiology consults when we received a text that there had been a cyberattack. My first thought was, this has to be a test, right? But it wasn’t a test; it was real life. When I arrived at the hospital, everything felt strange. We all looked at each other, unsure of what to do next. Without Epic, many of us couldn’t even remember where our patients were located. For once, I was grateful that I hadn’t thrown away my list from the day before.
While there were certainly some very real and frightening aspects of the cyberattack, there were also unexpected moments of joy. Two of my friends were also on consult services, so we often pre-rounded together. Nephrology, infectious disease, and cardiology consults all pre-rounding as a team, when has that ever happened? Despite the chaos, those moments of camaraderie and teamwork made the experience one I’ll never forget.
What could you give a 40-minute presentation with absolutely no preparation?
I could easily give a 40-minute presentation on estate sales with no preparation. One of my favorite hobbies is going to estate sales, and I could talk about them for hours. My love for estate sales is multifaceted: you’re giving great items a second life instead of sending them to a landfill, you get a fascinating glimpse into the things people collect over a lifetime, and touring the homes is half the fun.
The furniture alone deserves its own presentation. If you’re looking for quality furniture, estate sales are the place to go. (they simply don’t make many pieces the way they used to) I could also spend plenty of time discussing estate sale strategy, because it can be surprisingly competitive. Knowing when to arrive, what to look for, and how to spot a hidden gem is an art form. And then there’s the world of online estate sales, which could easily be an entirely separate lecture.
What are some small things that make your day better?
The small things that make my day better are usually simple ones. At work, an afternoon Cups or Diet Coke run with my co-residents is a classic way to recharge and catch up during a busy day. At home, there’s nothing better than snuggling with Nellie after work. To end the day, I love curling up with a good book and a cup of hot tea after dinner.
Where could we find you when you are not at the hospital?
When I’m not at the hospital, you can usually find me playing with Nellie and Chandler in the backyard, going on family walks, or making a classic Costco run. There’s just something about buying in bulk that does the heart good. These days, my favorite place to be is wherever my family is; preferably outdoors, with a happy toddler and a Costco-sized box of snacks nearby.
What profession would you have chosen if you weren’t a physician?
If I hadn’t become a physician, I think I would have been a potter. I took several semesters of pottery during my undergraduate years and absolutely loved it. There was something incredibly rewarding about creating something with my hands and watching a simple lump of clay transform into a finished piece.
Progress Notes 