Awards and Scholarships

John C. Morrison, MD
Mississippi Section Legend 2024

John Coulter Morrison, MD, was born in Mayfield, Kentucky, on September 11, 1943. Both of Dr. Morrison’s grandfathers were physicians, and both helped shape Dr. Morrison’s love for people, education, and service. Naturally, Dr. Morrison pursued a career in medicine, receiving his medical degree from University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences (UTCHS) in 1968. After completing his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at UTCHS in 1972, he served as an assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology before serving two years in the military in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the Fifth General Hospital in Stuttgart, Germany. He returned to Memphis and UTCHS in 1975 to serve as an associate professor, where he remained until he became a faculty member in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in 1979 at the urging of his friend and mentor Winfred L. Wiser, MD. During his 40-year association with UMMC, he served as professor, director of the division of maternal–fetal medicine, and chair and vice chair of the department. 

Dr. Morrison pioneered methods that made possible the safe delivery of infants born to people with health complications such as diabetes, preterm birth, sickle cell disease, and hypertension. He received awards from the National Perinatal Association and the AMA. At UMMC, he was named an A.P. Barnard Distinguished Professor and a Billy S. Guyton Distinguished Professor. Dr. Morrison was a member of the board of directors of seven organizations and served as president of the Southern Perinatal Association, the Central Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology, and the South Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. He was also an examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

He is the author of more than 550 peer review papers, more than 100 other reports published in scientific journals, 106 textbook chapters, and five books. He also served on the editorial boards of many of the major scientific publications in his field. In 2012, he edited and cowrote an online textbook on preterm birth which he made available free to practitioners everywhere.

Dr. Morrison believed that empathy, concerned care for patients, and excellence in education for students and residents made it possible for him to help them achieve the best possible outcome in pregnancy, medical education, research, and personal accomplishments.  
Dr. Morrison passed away in 2019. He was a friend and colleague to all of the obstetricians and gynecologists in Mississippi, most of whom he trained. He is remembered by family members, patients, and residents as a compassionate healer, husband, father, and grandfather.

George Rodney Meeks, MD, FACOG
Mississippi Section Legend 2020

George Rodney Meeks, MD, FACOG, is a Life Fellow of ACOG with a long history of contributions to the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

After completing his undergraduate degree at Millsaps College, Dr. Meeks went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and completed his residency at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York, where he received the Ward L. Ekas Outstanding Resident Award for scholarship and leadership as a resident. Dr. Meeks joined the University of Mississippi Medical Center as an instructor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, becoming a professor in 1991 and the Winfred L. Wiser chair of gynecologic surgery in 1998. He has shown keen interest in mentorship and helped more than 150 residents become obstetrician–gynecologists.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Meeks has established an artificial insemination program and assisted with the first egg retrievals for IVF; received credit for more than 100 scientific articles; and conducted a course on the prevention of gynecologic surgery complications at six ACOG Annual Clinical & Scientific Meetings; and served as a reviewer for 18 academic journals. He has won awards including the ACOG Continuing Professional Development Award and the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award.

Dr. Meeks has served as secretary-treasurer and president of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, a member of the board of directors of the American Urogynecologic Society, a consultant to the Mississippi State Legislature Task Force on Teenage Pregnancy, and a member of the board of directors of APGO. His work with ACOG includes three years on ACOG’s Ethics Committee, two terms as secretary-treasurer of the Mississippi Section, and service as the chair of registration for the District VII Annual Meeting in Jackson, Mississippi.

Dr. Meeks credits his accomplishments and success to the support of his wife Sara; his children Ellen, Shannon, and Patrick; his mentors; his partners; and his residents and their curiosity.

Richard Carlton Boronow, MD
Mississippi Section Legend 2018

Richard Carlton Boronow, MD (1933–2015), was an accomplished obstetrician–gynecologist. He completed his undergraduate education at Northwestern University and his medical degree at Northwestern University Medical School. He then went on to complete an obstetrics and gynecology residency at Evanston Hospital in Indiana, a general surgery residency at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, and a gynecology fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

After his residencies and fellowship, Dr. Boronow briefly served as assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Medical School before beginning his extensive career with UMMC. He joined UMMC as an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and went on to serve as professor of obstetrics of gynecology, director of the division of gynecologic oncology, acting chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology, and clinical professor emeritus and honorary physician in the department of obstetrics and gynecology.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Boronow served as founding member and president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, president of the Society of Pelvic Surgeons, founding member of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society, founding member and president of the Felix Rutledge Society, and president of the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Gynecologic Oncologists. Widely recognized as an expert in his field, Dr. Boronow published many articles in peer-reviewed medical journals; authored or coauthored 14 book chapters and one book; lectured internationally; and received many awards. Among those awards are the Distinguished Achievement Award from Northwestern University’s department of obstetrics and gynecology and the Exemplary Physician Award presented to him by the Central Medical Society of Mississippi.

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James Nello Martin Jr, MD, FRCOG, FACOG
Mississippi Section Legend 2017

James N. Martin Jr, MD (1974–2021), former president of ACOG, was professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology and maternal–fetal medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and adjunct professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Wake Forest Baptist. He was a preeminent global authority on the hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and authored hundreds of scientific publications and communications, including a number of books. He received many awards, such as the Preeclampsia Foundation’s Hope Award, the Society for Maternal–Fetal Medicine’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and ACOG’s Excellence in Mentoring Award.

Dr. Martin trained countless residents and maternal–fetal medicine fellows in Mississippi and taught about leadership and mentoring at ACOG’s Robert C. Cefalo National Leadership Institute. He is known nationwide and around the world for his work with ACOG, the Society for Maternal–Fetal Medicine, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and countless other medical organizations. His work continued into retirement, with international speaking appearances and positions with the Preeclampsia Foundation, the Mississippi State Perinatal Quality Collaborative Steering Committee, and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Bryan Dean Cowan, MD
Mississippi Section Legend 2016

Bryan Dean Cowan, MD, is remembered as a dreamer with high ethical standards and a true love for medicine. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and his medical degree from the University of Colorado College of Medicine. He then went on to complete a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Portsmouth Naval Hospital and fellowship training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the NIH.

Pursuing reproductive endocrinology led him into academic medicine, where he inspired residents, fellows, and medical students with his evidence-based approach to medicine. Students and colleagues admired his innovative thinking, advancement of technology, and skills in basic science research and endoscopic surgery. He founded the in vitro fertilization program at UMMC and cared deeply about helping patients with treatment for infertility and endocrine dysfunction. Over the course of his career, he held leadership positions across various organizations, including ACOG, the American Fertility Society, and the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Winfred L. Wiser, MD
Mississippi Section Legend 2015

Winfred L. Wiser, MD, was an obstetrician–gynecologist whose colleagues remember him as “a man for all seasons and all people.” He often cited his childhood in a small town during the Great Depression and his service as a sergeant in World War II as his motivation to spread empathy, compassion, and education. After declining a commission in the U.S. Army after the war, Dr. Wiser earned his baccalaureate degree from Middle Tennessee University and his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at UMMC, where he returned to serve as an assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology. He went on to become an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and then a professor and deputy chairman of the department at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Former colleagues credit him with pushing for and succeeding in efforts to approve the establishment of a comprehensive hospital for women and infants, establishing a leading residency program, and collaborating with physicians across Mississippi to develop a regional system of perinatal care that has become a model for the rest of the country.

Dr. Wiser was also a passionate and dedicated educator, training 120 obstetrician–gynecologists during his time as the chair of the UMMC department of obstetrics and gynecology. A number of his former residents established a continuing medical education organization, the Wiser Society, in his honor. Former residents also funded UMMC’s Winfred L. Wiser chair of gynecologic surgery in remembrance of his legacy.

Dr. Wiser’s service to ACOG included time as a member of the ACOG Standards Committee in addition to his fellowship. He also served as a diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, member of the board of directors of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and member of the Accreditation Committee for the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Southern Medical Association, and the International College of Surgeons. He was also a founding member of the Society for Gynecologic Surgeons and the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.

Helen B. Barnes, MD
Mississippi Section Legend 2014

Helen B. Barnes, MD, is a retired obstetrician–gynecologist. Dr. Barnes earned her bachelor’s degree from Hunter College and her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine before returning to Mississippi, where she spent three years as a generalist family physician before returning to New York to complete her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at King’s County Hospital. Upon returning to Mississippi, she became the first Black faculty member at the UMMC, accepting a position as an assistant professor of medicine. She was critical to the creation of UMMC’s primary clinic at the Jackson Medical Mall and later became its director.

Dr. Barnes was responsible for establishing a family planning clinic in an underfunded neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, that offered “drop-in” education and information, social services, nutrition, lab work, and medical services to patients in need. When word spread about her work, she was recruited to establish a maternal–child health program one of the first federally funded community health centers in the United States in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. She expanded upon her dedication to helping underserved and underresourced patients by joining UMMC, where she developed family planning clinics throughout Mississippi. She became a prominent consultant to regional and national planning centers. In 2011, ACOG awarded her the ACOG Community Service Award for her work at the 2011 Annual Clinical Meeting.

Dr. Barnes is regarded as an active force for women, social justice, and racial harmony. Many residents of Jackson, Mississippi, count her as a member of their family.

Richard S. “Pete” Hollis, MD, FACOG, FACS
Mississippi Section Legend 2013

Richard S. “Pete” Hollis, MD, FACOG, FACS, was born and raised in Amory, Mississippi. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and his medical degree from Tulane. He completed his internship and obstetrics and gynecology residency at Charity Hospital on the Tulane Service.

During the 38 years that Dr. Hollis practiced in Alabama and Mississippi, he established a reputation as a highly skilled and compassionate physician who also cared greatly about his local community. This caring would grow into national proportions when he became chair of ACOG District VII and president of the College from 1993 to 1994. He helped grow Gilmore Memorial Hospital in Amory into a significant medical entity and was tirelessly active in efforts to encourage and advocate for high-quality health care for all women in Mississippi, especially the underserved. He also established the Physicians and Surgeons Clinic alongside W.H. Stockton, MD.

Dr. Hollis was a passionate educator: he oversaw the obstetrics and gynecology rotation for residents from the University of Mississippi with his partners for 15 years and contributed greatly to the surgical and clinical education of 44 fortunate future obstetrics and gynecology resident physicians between 1978 and 1993. In association with this work, Dr. Hollis became a contributor and coauthor to approximately one dozen scientific publications between 1993 and 2000.

Dr. Hollis earned numerous awards over the course of his career, including the 1982 Wyeth Award, the Outstanding Clinical Professor Award from District VII, and the 1991 District VII Service Award. He also established the President’s Community Service Award. In 1996, alongside his wife Weesie, he created the Educational Endowment Fund for District VII to support expanded and sustained funding of educational endeavors for District VII. Dr. Hollis was instrumental in creating an ACOG task force on collaborative practice.

Dr. Hollis passed in 2021. He is remembered as a legendary example of servant leadership who was admired for his love of his patients, his partners, and those around him.