Centenary College of Brandon Springs: Mississippi’s First Medical School

Centenary College, currently a four-year liberal arts institution in Shreveport, Louisiana, was originally founded in Brandon Springs, Mississippi, in 1842. During its four-year existence in this location, the institution offered a bachelor of medicine degree which was the state’s first formal medical curriculum. This presentation traces the founding of Centenary and places its medical education program in the context of medicine and medical education of mid-nineteenth century America.

Speakers Expertise:

Dr. Ralph H. Didlake is associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and chief academic officer for the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is also a professor of surgery and director of UMMC's Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities. Dr. Didlake's focus is on the integration of biomedical ethics and professionalism across Mississippi clinical, educational and research efforts.