Welcome to the daily email for media members that includes news and notes from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Today's message includes news releases about a new Telehealth Center designed to find solutions for health disparities in Mississippi and the announcement of seven arts educators who will receive the annual Arts Institute of Mississippi (AIM) awards.

Media inquiries can be directed to Van Arnold at 601.266.5568 or van.arnoldFREEMississippi or David Tisdale at 601.266.4499 or d.g.tisdaleFREEMississippi.

Today's Top Story

New Center at USM Aims to Develop a Healthier Mississippi

According to the United Health Foundation, Mississippi ranks in the top five least healthy states in the nation. A new center at The University of Southern Mississippi is looking to change this statistic for the future.

The Telehealth Center, which formally opened in the summer of 2018, was created to find solutions specific to Mississippi that would address health disparities which most commonly affect Mississippians. The center is a part of the Mississippi INBRE grant which is funded by the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences.

http://news.usm.edu/article/new-center-usm-aims-develop-healthier-mississippi

Additional News Release

Seven Arts Educators to Receive the Arts Institute's 2019 AIM Awards

The Arts Institute of Mississippi (AIM) at The University of Southern Mississippi, established the AIM Awards to salute and honor the accomplishments of outstanding high school level arts teachers, schools, and organizations that are making an impact through exemplary achievements in arts education throughout the state of Mississippi.

http://news.usm.edu/article/seven-arts-educators-receive-arts-institute-s-2019-aim-awards

Photo/Video Opportunities

-Dr. Lou Marciani, director of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at USM, will be available via video at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, to answer questions from media concerning NCS4's ongoing safety and security training of law enforcement officials around the world. The video Q&A will take place at NCS4's national laboratory located on the second floor of the Trent Lott Center on the Hattiesburg campus. Marciani is currently at INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France, conducting the fourth of a six-part training program for law enforcement officials from INTERPOL's 194-member countries. Media interested in covering this event are asked to confirm attendance with Alison Crumpton, 601.266.6183 or Alison.crumptonFREEMississippi by 3 p.m. today.

-The University of Southern Mississippi Art & Design program will exhibit its Annual Student Show from March 21 through April 4 in the Gallery of Art & Design, George Hurst Building on the Hattiesburg campus. An opening reception and awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 21 at 5 p.m. Over the past few weeks, USM students were encouraged to enter up to five total works to compete for a chance to win and be exhibited in the annual art competition. The competition is comprised of the following categories: Foundations, Fine Art, and Graphic Design. To schedule coverage, call Van Arnold or David Tisdale.

Expert Availability

The University of Southern Mississippi provides a wide range of faculty experts who can offer insights on newsworthy topics. To schedule an interview, email mediaexpertsFREEMississippi. For a full list of USM media experts visit:http://news.usm.edu/resource/usm-faculty-experts-media-requests

Did You Know?

Southern Miss nursing students have access to some of the most advanced patient simulators on the market. The newest simulator replicates certain aspects of human physiology, preparing students in the nursing program for clinical practice experiences. For example, students studying the impact of cardiac disease can hear and feel how this disease affects a patient's heart sounds, lung sounds and cardiac pulses.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the CarnegieClassification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 35 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 21 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.