Programs in Physical Therapy, Nursing to Expand in Oxford
Medical Center brings professional programs to South Oxford Center to help meet need for health care
JACKSON, Miss. – The University of Mississippi Medical Center is bringing physical therapy education to north Mississippi, adding a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Oxford to meet growing demand for licensed physical therapists across the state.
"Expanding opportunities for our physical therapy students makes our program stronger on both campuses," said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs. "We're addressing the high demand for skilled physical therapists in Mississippi as part of training the next generation of health care professionals in our state."
The School of Health Related Professions will begin offering the physical therapy program in Oxford in May 2028. Students who meet admission criteria will be eligible to apply in summer 2027 for 35 slots, adding to the 50 available at the Medical Center in Jackson.
Camia White (right), a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, acts as a mock patient during a lab for Acute Care in Physical Therapy class with fellow student Drew Horton. Photo by Jay Ferchaud/UMMC Communications
"Serving the health and well-being of Mississippians is central to our mission as the state's flagship university and only academic medical center," said Noel Wilkin, UM provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. "These expansions create meaningful opportunities for students entering high-demand professions while broadening access to skilled care across the state."
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program, along with radiologic sciences and occupational therapy, is among the largest in the School of Health Related Professions. UMMC awarded 49 doctoral degrees in physical therapy at spring 2026 Commencement exercises and has maintained a nearly 95% graduation rate over the past two years.
Jacob Daniels, associate professor and a 2016 alumnus of the program, will lead the Oxford program.
The expansion builds on the Medical Center's momentum in health care education across north Mississippi.
The School of Nursing serves some 200 students in Oxford through its traditional and accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. The accelerated BSN program will grow from 80 to 90 students in 2027, supported by new classroom and laboratory renovations at the Ole Miss South Oxford Center.
Planning is also underway to significantly expand the traditional BSN program, creating a growing pipeline of trained nurses to meet Mississippi's workforce demands and improve health care access across the state.
Tristen Foster (left) Timothy Brewer and AnnaLeigh Jones, all students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, practice skills in a lab session for Acute Care in Physical Therapy class. Photo by Jay Ferchaud/UMMC Communications
"Our growing clinical partnerships open doors for accessibility to high-level acuity experiences for students to practice safe, direct patient care," said Tina Martin, the school's dean. "Combined, these efforts reflect our commitment to building a stronger pipeline of high quality, well-prepared RNs to meet the workforce needs across Mississippi."
The physical therapy program brings a strong track record to Oxford. Nearly 92% of physical therapy students at UMMC the past two years passed licensure the first time, according to data from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. The program has a 98.9% ultimate pass rate the past two years, the data shows.
Oxford students will have access to the same residency opportunities that have grown at the Medical Center, such as hands-on sports residency positions that include time in NFL training rooms and a new orthopedics residency alongside existing programs in neurology and pediatrics.
"By expanding physical therapy education to Oxford, we are investing in Mississippi's future health care workforce," said John Garner, dean of the School of Health Related Professions. "Students will benefit from the hands-on training and clinical excellence that come from being part of Mississippi's only academic health sciences center while helping address the growing need for physical therapists across our state."
Top: University of Mississippi Medical Center students Cadence Tiller (left), Hagen Davis and Kaitlyn Hitt, all enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, demonstrate skills in a lab session for Acute Care in Physical Therapy class. The Medical Center is expanding the program to north Mississippi, with classes set for the UM South Oxford Center. Photo by Jay Ferchaud/UMMC Communications