June 12 – Mississippi State University promotes two key administrators to lead the rapidly developing health sciences units at MSU-Meridian’s Riley Campus.
David Buys is the new vice provost for health sciences, and Harold Jones is the interim dean of health professions. The two are important additions to a university team that continues to strengthen MSU’s leadership position in training students to meet critical health care needs in the state and region. The appointments await final approval by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees.
“This is an exciting and inspiring time in the history of MSU-Meridian and for the communities of East Mississippi and West Alabama,” said MSU Provost David R. Shaw. “These highly competent and experienced administrators will bring a strong focus and enthusiasm that will build on MSU-Meridian’s solid foundation and our commitment to growing our health sciences units in this beautiful community.”
Buys, currently state health specialist for MSU Extension, will lead the coordination of health science programs on the Meridian and Starkville campuses, including MSU-Meridian’s newly established School of Nursing and School of Health Professions, both approved by the IHL in May. with health-related programs and courses in the colleges of education and arts and sciences. He will oversee the creation and development of all shared services with these programs on the MSU-Meridian campus. He will also lead research grant efforts at MSU-Meridian.
Buys, an MSU employee since 2014, is also an associate professor in the university’s Department of Food Sciences, Nutrition and Health Promotion.
“I feel very privileged to be an even more committed member of the team building these relevant and necessary programs,” said Buys. “The availability of quality healthcare options is critical to the future of Meridian and the entire region. Recruiting and training these future healthcare professionals is a challenge I relish, and as a native Mississippian, I am extremely eager to contribute to the success of our joint efforts.”
Jones, who has served in interim administrative and advisory roles at MSU-Meridian for the past three years, will assume the inaugural position of dean of health professions to lead the new School of Health Professions. As the school’s Chief Academic Officer, he will oversee programs, guide accreditation and collaborate with Buys and other campus deans. He is the retired dean of the School of Health Professions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
“The local community is invested in these programs and I am pleased to be part of this effort,” said Jones. “I am grateful for the confidence we have shown in our ability to make these investments fruitful for this region and the families who live and work here.”
MSU-Meridian will accept its first class of students into the Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing program this fall and graduate its first class of Master of Physician Assistant Studies students in spring 2023. The growing campus in the state’s Queen City also offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and a Doctor of Psychology in Combined Healthcare Psychology.
Contact Glenda Sanders at gsanders@themeridianstar.com.
