For a group of Millsaps College alumni, the bonds formed through shared classes, campus life and Greek organizations in Jackson, Mississippi, have extended far beyond graduation, shaping their careers and the healthcare landscape of Acadiana.
The new state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center in Lafayette, Louisiana.
At the heart of this story is Louisiana Orthopaedic Specialists, one of Louisiana’s fastest-growing medical practices. This honor speaks to the organization’s rapid growth and innovation, as well as the strength of the relationships built at Millsaps decades ago. Namely, the practice’s new, state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center in Lafayette offers advanced outpatient orthopedic, spine and joint procedures delivered by fellowship-trained surgeons and physicians.
LOS’s success and rapid growth also speak to the power of the Millsaps alumni network. Through business partnerships and community connections, Millsaps Majors are deeply rooted in the Lafayette community. Together, this group of alumni displays how a liberal arts education can have a lasting impact on both individuals and the relationships they develop at Millsaps.
Dr. Matthew Dimmick Williams ’95 and Melissa Massey Williams ‘95 — Leading with Precision and Passion
Acting president of LOS, Dr. Matthew D. Williams, is a nationally recognized shoulder and elbow specialist, trained in the U.S. and France under pioneers in the specialty. A former Mel Post Research Award recipient, Dr. Williams helps train the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons while also caring for athletes as a team physician for the University of Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.
Dr. Matthew Williams has a few words of advice to current students and recent Millsaps graduates. “The Millsaps alumni network is an asset for all areas of life. The relationships that you form at Millsaps will last for years to come, whether it’s your own professional network growth or connecting your children to alumni for mentorships in their field or simply establishing a community in a new city. Millsaps alumni are there for every season of your alumni experience.”
Dr. Matthew Williams and his wife Melissa Williams.
Dr. Matthew Williams also added that the faculty at Millsaps provides a robust foundation that prepares each student for their professional career. The Millsaps curriculum and learning environment offers individualized experiences that make each student feel supported.
Dr. Matthew Williams’ wife and fellow Millsaps graduate, Melissa Massey Williams ‘95, earned her Bachelor of Science in biology at Millsaps before continuing her education in physical therapy at the University of Mississippi’s School of Health-Related Professions.
The Millsaps connection runs deep and is a testament to the educational opportunities and lifelong friendships forged through her time at the college. Her advice is that making time to text or call a friend or classmate from school is always worth it.
“I have hesitated in the past to connect with a college friend I haven’t seen or talked to in years out of concern I might be interrupting his or her routine,” Dr. Melissa Williams explained. “Yet every time I have made an effort to connect, even if for nothing more than a request for their favorite restaurant in a city I’m visiting, our friendship has been rekindled. It’s good for the soul to honor those friendships and the shared memories at Millsaps run deep and true.”
Dr. Todd Edward Fountain ’95 — Nationally Recognized Neurosurgeon Comes Home
Dr. Williams and Dr. Fountain at the new Louisiana Orthopaedic Specialists Surgery Center.
Dr. Todd Fountain, a board-certified neurosurgeon, joined LOS in 2024, bringing with him over 15 years of experience at the Semmes Murphey Clinic in Memphis, Tenn., a leading destination for neurosurgical care in the United States.
He completed his medical school training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and his neurosurgery residency at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. before serving as a Professor of Neurosurgery and Director of the Neurosurgical Fellowship through the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he is a professor emeritus of University of TN Medical School.
Dr. Fountain, now collaborates with LOS’s team of spine specialists to deliver world-class care for conditions ranging from herniated discs to spinal tumors. “LOS is accomplishing something special,” said Dr. Fountain. “It was immediately apparent when meeting the dedicated physicians and healthcare staff. I knew I had found a new home and family.”
Dr. Fountain also has advice for current students and recent Millsaps graduates. “My advice to anyone seeking a vocation in medicine or any chosen profession is to invoke trust. Trusting in yourself – being strong, capable and willing to follow your heart. Trust in the dedication and determination of your will to succeed both in academics and in service to others. Trust that the process and those guiding you will provide tools and resources to assist in accomplishing your set goals. Although no one’s journey has been promised to be easy, trust that the destination is worth it.”
Millsaps is a truly transformative place. Fountain explained that his time at Millsaps provided him with the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with inspiring individuals. They not only provided him with support and companionship but also the necessary drive to push himself to be a better student and ultimately a better person.
Fountain added, “With the help of the dedicated professors and structured curriculum, I was able to build the foundation at Millsaps to further my studies beyond college into professional school, residency and my career.”
Michael Edwards Prejean ’97 — From Oil and Gas to Healthcare Visionary
Michael Prejean
Michael Prejean, CEO of LOS, brought a unique vision to the organization after starting his career in the oil and gas industry. Leveraging the business acumen he developed at the Else School of Management, Prejean helped launch one of the region’s first walk-in orthopedic clinics, a model that prioritizes access and efficiency.
Michael Prejean’s Boboshela Photo.
With a focus on being “Acadiana’s Leader in Orthopaedics Spine and Sports Medicine,” LOS has grown to over 300 employees, reshaping how patients receive care for acute orthopedic injuries — no referral or long wait required.
Michael Prejean (1st row, fourth from the left) and the Millsaps Baseball team.
Michael’s advice to current students and recent graduates is simple: connect with and learn from the Millsaps alumni family. “Millsaps offers an extensive network of professionals and mentors. With such a close community, students and alumni have a wealth of support that is available in every season of life. Use those connections to continue to build your network both professionally and personally.”
Millsaps teaches critical thinking and listening skills that create space for you to recognize dynamic market potential. These skills transfer into the LOS strategy to provide the best community access for acute injuries and care. Skills like these are learned through the varied and stimulating experiences offered by a Millsaps education, from classroom seminars led by brilliant faculty to masterclasses in leadership from mentors like baseball coach Jim Page.
Dr. Thomas Wood and Caitlin J. Wood ’10 — A New Chapter in a Familiar Network
When Caitlin J. Wood ’10 left Millsaps, she took with her not just a degree but a powerful alumni network. Years later, that very network helped connect her husband, Dr. Thomas Wood, to fellow Millsaps alumni at Louisiana Orthopaedic Specialists—a connection that ultimately brought him to the practice. Dr. Wood notes, “LOS is a group of exceptional surgeons that practice what they are subspecialty trained in. They are also good individuals who care about their families and the community.”
Dr. Thomas Wood, his wife Catie and their children.
Thomas Wood, MD, acknowledges that the quality of education and training truly makes a difference in treatment outcomes. Joining Louisiana Orthopaedic Specialists – the only comprehensive group of fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists in the area – and working alongside Dr. Chris Hebert, Acadiana’s most experienced orthopedic foot & ankle specialist, was the perfect next step for Dr. Wood’s career. Today, he specializes in a variety of surgical procedures that include ankle replacement, foot and ankle reconstruction, cavus foot correction, minimally invasive bunion surgery, ankle fusion and more.
As for Caitlin, she imparts the following wisdom to current Millsaps students and recent graduates: “Your Millsaps network is bigger than you think. I have made so many connections with Millsaps alumni, current Millsaps parents and parents of alumni that have been invaluable. Even when living in Texas and Maryland, Millsaps meant something. Those professional and personal connections can take you far and connect you where you want to be.”
Together, the Woods found their professional and personal match in Lafayette — a place that shares their values and offers the perfect environment for raising their two sons.
A Millsaps Legacy of Leadership and Connection
The success of Louisiana Orthopaedic Specialists stands as a testament to the long-lasting impact of a Millsaps education. These alumni built connections on campus through Greek life, athletics and a liberal arts academic experience, and through the alumni community, bonds that evolved into a powerful professional network.
It begins with our foundational Compass Curriculum, which develops core skill sets, and continues with our Pathways program, which encourages a four-year exploration of academic interests, professional curiosity and practical application.
Eighty-eight percent of Millsaps students who apply to medical school are accepted, nearly double the national average. Ninety percent of Millsaps’ graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
Named one of 44 “Colleges That Change Lives,” this vibrant, tight-knit community sets the foundation for lifelong friendships and mentorships. Millsaps students develop professional and interpersonal skills throughout their academic careers to solve real-world problems in a rapidly changing economic, professional and social landscape.
Whether in leadership, surgery, patient care or network building, the team at Louisiana Orthopaedic Specialists proves that the Millsaps community doesn’t end at graduation – it builds careers, shapes industries and strengthens communities.