Building Mississippi’s Rural Healthcare Future

05/01/2025

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Momentum is building in Mississippi, and the Institute of Primary Care at William Carey University is proof. With its launch, the state takes a bold step toward strengthening healthcare access, training a new generation of doctors, and ensuring that every Mississippian, regardless of ZIP code, has access to quality care. 

The College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Institute of Primary Care is a cutting-edge facility built with purpose—to expand the healthcare workforce, upskill future and current medical professionals, and close the healthcare gap in rural and underserved communities across Mississippi. 

“We’re not just training students—we’re building a workforce,” said Dr. Tiffany Worthington, Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences. “This Institute gives us the ability to train more physicians, engage more communities, and support a healthier Mississippi from the ground up.” 

The facility serves as a hands-on training ground for a wide range of healthcare professionals, equipping them with the skills and experience they need to make an immediate impact. 

• Medical students gain hands-on training in one of the largest Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) labs in the South. 

• Residents refine their clinical decision-making through cutting-edge simulation labs. 

• Preceptors and educators participate in ongoing training to better mentor the next generation of providers. 

• Healthcare professionals across disciplines engage in continuing education, conferences, and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

And the capacity is growing. With this expansion, William Carey has doubled its medical student enrollment from 100 to 200 annually. That translates to more physicians in Mississippi’s clinics, hospitals, and health centers—especially in high-need rural areas. 

“We started this medical school to address a specific need: the shortage of primary care providers in Mississippi’s rural communities,” said Dr. Italo Subbarao, Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. “With the Institute of Primary Care, we’re accelerating our impact.” 

That impact is being recognized nationally. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the College of Osteopathic Medicine No. 3 for graduates entering primary care, No. 4 for graduates serving in health professional shortage areas, and No. 7 for rural service—marking the fourth consecutive year of high honors for the program. 

Through partnerships with stakeholders such as the Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce, regional health systems, and residency programs, this facility serves as a hub for workforce development, skill-building, and real-world application. 

It also equips students to stay and serve, aligning education with employment in regions with the greatest need. 

“The more we train physicians in Mississippi, the more likely they are to stay in Mississippi,” said Dr. Ben Burnett, President of William Carey University. “We’re planting seeds of impact all over the state.” 

The future of Mississippi’s healthcare workforce is already taking shape. Students like Kaziah Robinson aren’t just studying medicine—they’re preparing to make a difference in the very communities they call home. 

“I chose William Carey because it felt aligned with my heart,” said Robinson. “I want to serve where it matters, where I’m needed. This Institute helps make that a reality. Robinson is one of many Rural Physician Scholars determined to practice primary care in underserved regions of the state. 

Chair of Family Medicine Dr. Kerry Scott, a family medicine physician and culinary medicine specialist, brings that same passion to his role as educator and community advocate. 

“We’re not just training doctors—we’re teaching people how to live healthier lives. That’s the kind of impact that goes beyond the classroom.” 

AccelerateMS serves the people and businesses of Mississippi by developing and deploying workforce strategies to connect individuals with transformative, high-paying careers. By leveraging resources and partnering with organizations that hold complementary missions, AccelerateMS effectuates positive change, creating sustained individual, community, and statewide economic prosperity.