|
||||
|
||||
       |
1701 North State Street Jackson, MS 39210-0001 (800)352-1050 (601)974-1000
|
||||
|
||||
|
Medical Director of Jaquith Nursing Home
Major: B.S. Biology, 1988
Hometown: Brandon, Mississippi
Millsaps College has always emphasized the importance of travel (if not to say adventure) in the formation of a well-rounded life, and Dr. Stephen Shoop, B.S. 1988, has certainly taken that to heart.
After graduating from Millsaps, Shoop taught high school biology and chemistry and worked at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in the research department while applying for medical school.
"My father is from Ohio, and his family remains tight in that state, so I applied to medical schools in Ohio," Shoop said. "I was accepted at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and spent four years obtaining my degree. During my clinicals I did a rotation in Miami and loved it. I then matched with a teaching hospital in Miami and did my internship there."
Shoop matched again for residency in family medicine and met Dr. Edward Hill, who was starting a residency program in Tupelo. "He and I hit it off. I spent two years in Tupelo as their first resident. I enjoyed it there, but I felt compelled to move closer to home. I hooked up with a group in Brandon and then was hired by the Mississippi State Hospital."
Shoop has been with the State Hospital for nine years and currently serves as the medical director of Jaquith Nursing Home, which is the largest nursing home in Mississippi with 474 beds. "As their primary care providers we become a part of their treatment team, and in fact become a part of their everyday lives. It is a fulfilling experience, as well challenging."
Bob Nevins, professor of biology at Millsaps said, "One of the most striking impressions of Stephen Shoop is his contagious enthusiasm. Another is that he's a general physician at Whitfield, compassionately dealing with probably the most difficult patient population imaginable. He is always eager to help with our pre-med program, an excellent mentor for the students in our medical mentoring program, and has frequently spoken to the Alpha Epsilon Delta chapter about medicine in the armed services and about training as an osteopathic physician."
While in medical school, an anatomy lab partner serving in the Army National Guard convinced Shoop to join the Guard. He was originally assigned to the 145th M.A.S.H. in Port Clinton, Ohio, and transferred to Mississippi National Guard during his residency. He has served in the Guard for 18 years, and has achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel with the 185th Aviation group. He serves as the group's flight surgeon, as well as the state flight surgeon.
"I have been deployed to the Middle East twice, with a third deployment on the horizon," Shoop said. "My first time was in 2003 and I helped staff a clinic in Qatar with the Third Army, Patton's own. Central Command was located there, and it was very intense.
"I did not see any action until my second deployment in Iraq, when I served as a flight doctor with a unit out of Virginia (29th Infantry) and the base was a very active Marine air field. I had the opportunity to serve on multiple missions, during the night and day. The night missions were the most hair-raising."
Shoop and his brother recently tackled Mount Kilimanjaro and traveled to the Philippines on a family mission. Shoop's future plans include retiring from the Guard and possibly from his job at the State Hospital, setting up a part-time primary care clinic and "just enjoying life and travel."
|
|
