“Love this clinic! I went here as a kid and now my kids go here. Dr. Vig is the best.” – Percyanna Henderson
“My son and I both absolutely love Dr. Vig and her staff. Dr. Vig always makes time to listen to every concern and find a solution.” – Kolton Davis
“Dr. Vig has been my kids’ doctor for 13 years. I always value her opinions and plan to keep coming to her to meet my children’s medical needs.” – Wyatt R. Slater
“All three of my kids have been going to this clinic since birth and their ages now are 20, 17 and 13. Dr. Vig and her staff are awesome.” – Dejurrua Nelson
These are the kinds of comments Dr. Vibha Vig is afraid new doctors will never hear — heartfelt sentiments formed over years, decades even, as the relationship between physician and patient deepens to something more familial and trusted.
Young doctors, increasingly, are choosing cities over communities, sacrificing relationship building for higher salaries. To help incentivize new physicians to consider small-town medicine, Dr. Vig has made a $50,000 gift to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). The funds will be used to support a scholarship for third-year residents interested in pursuing a career in community pediatrics.
“I just feel that by setting up this scholarship, the pediatric residents will learn just how rewarding the community pediatric practice is,” said Dr. Vig, whose pediatric practice in the Mississippi cities of Canton, Carthage and Yazoo City, has seen some 60,000 patients since it opened 30 years ago.
“Community practice is where these young doctors can make a change; that’s where they can have a niche,” she continued. “They can create their legacy, establish their name and make a difference. It is very rewarding, and I feel that they are lacking in that experience. So maybe that scholarship will really help to open an avenue for them to consider.”
Dr. Mary Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair and professor of pediatrics and CEO of Children’s of Mississippi, expressed gratitude for Dr. Vig’s vision.
“Community medicine plays a vital role in pediatrics by focusing on pediatric health at the population level — something that’s becoming increasingly rare, yet crucial, in our state,” Dr. Taylor said. “As Dr. Vig knows, the benefits a family pediatrician can provide are prevention of disease, early intervention, easy access to care, consistent management of chronic conditions and more. Her vision to inspire young doctors to choose community medicine is admirable and we greatly appreciate her gift.”
Dr. Vig completed her initial medical degree in her home country, India, and practiced general medicine in the rural communities there for about a year before starting six-month rotations in pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology. Meanwhile, UMMC hired her husband, and the couple moved to Jackson, Mississippi.
The pediatrician is married to Dr. Parminder Vig, who retired recently as professor and director of neurology research at UMMC, promoted the research of movement disorders and other brain dysfunctions for many years and continues to serve as professor emeritus.
In 1993, Dr. Vig completed her pediatric residency training at Batson Children’s hospital. She then began practicing in Meridian, Mississippi, where she treated underserved children for two years before starting her Canton practice in 1995. In 2002, she launched a satellite pediatric clinic in Carthage, Mississippi, and a third location in Yazoo City, Mississippi, in 2010.
The couple’s son, Dr. Khushdeep Vig, is an orthopedic-trauma surgeon in Des Moines, Iowa, and their daughter, Dr. Simmy Vig, is a second-year pediatric resident at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas.
In addition to sponsoring the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Dyslexia Foundation, serving on the Board of Trustees at the Madison Merit River Oaks Hospital (now UMMC) and conducting health education seminars at local schools, Dr. Vig continues to provide care for hundreds of children each year, supported by her passion to relieve their pain and suffering close to home.
“The longevity of the practice and trying to grow with the families has been very rewarding. And now, all the children I took care of have become parents and they bring their children to me. It is a really good feeling to become the ‘Grand Pediatrician,’” she said. “I can catch up on their careers and see where they’ve been in life. This practice has been like a chapter book of experiences!”
This scholarship has been established by the Drs. Vig Endowment, which is expected to additional contributions to UMMC in different fields of research and academics.
To support the University of Mississippi Medical Center, visit http://www.umc.edu/givenow/ or contact Meredith Aldridge, executive director of development, at 601-815-7469 or mmaldridge@umc.edu.
By Bill Dabney/UM Foundation