UMMC Locks In Leaders For Four Years

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – The head of the University of Mississippi Medical Center has a new contract, a sign College Board trustees have more confidence in her leadership.

Ole Miss Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter confirms he has signed four-year pacts with Vice Chancellor Dr. LouAnn Woodward and medical center CEO Kevin Cook.

In a closed meeting in October, trustees unanimously gave Vitter permission to draw up the new contracts.

Trustees approved Woodward in 2015 at the behest of former Chancellor Dan Jones, weeks before they declined to keep Jones on. Their displeasure centered on the medical center’s business practices and Woodward received only a two-year contract. The norm is four years.

Interim Vice President for University Relations Alice Clark says Woodward continues to make $700,400 a year, and Cook is making $800,400.