Dr. Youmans was Professor, Chair and Training Director of Neurological Surgery between 1967 and 1982. During that time, he was able to build the department and develop an accreditated residency training program. A well-known safety advocate, Dr. Youmans, Chair of the Committee on Trauma for the American College of Surgeons, was instrumental in legislating the use of automobile seatbelts, which was first signed into law in 1966 in Mississippi during his appointment at the University of Mississippi. He also was an early supporter of driver education programs. Later, he supported the legislation requiring the use of helmets for motorcycle riders in 1988. Dr. Youmans retired from clinical practice in the late 1980s, but remained active with the third and subsequent fourth edition of the Neurological Surgery textbooks. As Professor Emeritus, Dr. Youmans still attends departmental functions and occasionally speaks at resident graduations and other appropriate events.