JACKSON, Miss.–The state’s leading research hospital, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, will be headed up by Mississippi native Dr. LouAnn Woodward, announced the hospital Wednesday. Woodward was chosen by Ole Miss Chancellor Dan Jones after a national search. Woodward will serve as the dean of the School of Medicine and vice chancellor for Health Affairs.

The facility’s current chief, Dr. Jimmy Keeton is retiring.

Woodward specializes in emergency medicine. She is from Carroll County and lives in Madison. She is the first woman to be head on UMMC.

“I am deeply grateful to the Medical Center family – faculty, staff, and students – for the tremendous support that has been extended to me,” said Woodward in a statement. “It is my earnest desire to continue the positive momentum to advance the Medical Center as the foremost leader in Mississippi for health care, health sciences discovery and health sciences education. I feel a personal responsibility to accelerate the shared vision of everyone who works, learns and teaches at UMMC to improve health in Mississippi.”

“I am delighted by the appointment of Dr. LouAnn Woodward to serve as vice chancellor for health affairs of the University of Mississippi Medical Center and dean of the School of Medicine,” said Gov. Bryant. “Through working with Dr. Woodward and watching her build a national reputation, I have become convinced that this native Mississippian is the best person to take our academic health center to even greater levels of achievement. I look forward to working with her in this new capacity.”