UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute

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UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute

Defeating cancer takes a team. Learn more about our teams at the Cancer Center & Research Institute.

03/23/2026

🌟 Meet the Team Monday 🌟 Today we’re proud to introduce Katie Bass, LMSW, an oncology social worker who has been serving patients and families at the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute for 11 years.
Katie supports patients through every step of their cancer journey — helping them navigate the health care system, connecting them with community resources, arranging lodging and transportation, and offering vital emotional support to both patients and caregivers. As she says, “Making sure everyone is feeling supported is a great way of ensuring a better outcome for the patient.”
Katie’s passion for social work began during her studies at Delta State University and Jackson State University, and her commitment to compassionate care continues to make a profound impact on the lives of Mississippians facing cancer.
Help us celebrate Katie and the incredible work she does every day.
https://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=862129&p=24&view=issueViewer

03/20/2026

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Mississippi. That reality underscores why the work happening every day at the Cancer Center and Research Institute at UMMC is so critical.
From advancing lifesaving research to delivering expert, compassionate care close to home, our teams are focused on improving outcomes for patients across the state.
Together with our partners, supporters, and communities, we are working to change the cancer story for Mississippians — today and for generations to come.
umc.edu/ccri

03/20/2026

Rena Pafford, operations director of Crossroads Ministries in Canton, encourages women to take part in See, Test and Treat, the free cancer screening program from the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute. When Rena took her own advice in 2025, she received an early diagnosis of breast cancer through her mammogram — a finding that changed her life.

See, Test and Treat offers free screenings for uninsured and underinsured men and women — including breast, cervical, oral and lung cancer screening — with results and support for follow-up care.

Early detection can give you options. It can give you hope. It can save your life. 💪

Learn more and find out how to apply: https://umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2026/02/See-Test-Treat.html

03/19/2026

When Kent Oliver was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at 34, he and his wife, Candace, faced some of life’s hardest moments. Out of that journey came a mission to bring hope to others.

Now, the Olivers have committed $500,000 to support the new Cancer Center and Research Institute at UMMC through the It’s About Time campaign.

You may know them as the founders of Laughs 4 Life — the annual comedy show that has raised more than $1.2 million for cancer causes across Mississippi. This year, CCRI will join the list of beneficiaries.

“If we can carry even a small piece of that joy into these spaces, it can make a real difference for patients and families,” Kent said.

Their generosity is helping build a future where advanced cancer care, innovative research and hope are closer to home for Mississippians.

Because sometimes, even in the fight against cancer, laughter can help light the way. 💙

https://www.umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2026/03/Olivers.html

03/16/2026

Get screened for colorectal cancer - It just might save your life. CCRI's Dr. Manju George and Dr. Justin Turner and UMMC's Bryce Ramsey shared that vital message during today's Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month news conference at the Mississippi State Capitol today. On hand were key leaders of the Mississippi Colorectal Cancer Roundtable.

03/16/2026

Say hello to Dr. Wade Christopher, who specializes in surgical oncology and endocrinology.
Born in Birmingham, Dr. Christopher earned his undergraduate degree from Auburn University, where he played four years of varsity football and was part of the 2011 BCS National Championship team. He received his medical degree from the University of South Alabama.
After completing his general surgery residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center — where he served as administrative chief resident — he went on to complete a fellowship in Complex General Surgical Oncology at Providence Saint John's Cancer Institute in California.
Dr. Christopher joined the Division of Surgical Oncology in September 2022 and is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered cancer care.
We’re proud to have him as part of our team!

03/13/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Dr. Caroline Compretta, assistant vice chancellor for research at UMMC, for earning the 2026 SEC Faculty Achievement Award — one of the Southeastern Conference’s highest academic honors.
Dr. Compretta is recognized for her visionary leadership, commitment to health equity, and decades of work building strong community partnerships across Mississippi. Her contributions in teaching, research, and service continue to elevate UMMC and improve lives throughout our state.
Please join us in congratulating her on this well‑deserved achievement!
https://umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2026/03/SEC-Faculty.html

03/13/2026

We’re excited to share incredible news for cancer care in Mississippi.
The Bower Foundation has made a record-breaking $10 million gift to It’s About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute. This generous investment helps push the campaign past 70% of its $125 million goal to build a new five‑story Cancer Center and Research Institute at UMMC.
This new facility will bring advanced treatment, research, and patient support together in one place — making care more convenient, more collaborative, and more accessible for families across Mississippi.
The Bower Foundation has supported UMMC for more than 25 years, and this gift continues that legacy of improving the health and well‑being of our state.
We are grateful for their extraordinary commitment and for believing in a future where every Mississippian can receive world‑class cancer care close to home.
https://umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2026/03/Bower-Foundation.html

03/11/2026

State-of-the-art care right here in Mississippi -- congratulations to the UMMC Department of Radiation Oncology on these advancements!

03/09/2026

👩‍⚕️ Meet The Team Monday!

Today we're celebrating Dr. Barbara Craft – an incredible physician making a real difference in the fight against breast cancer!

Dr. Craft wears many hats as a professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, director of our Breast Cancer Treatment and Prevention Program, and clinical member of CCRI. She also leads weekly conferences where doctors come together to collaborate on patient care and advance breakthrough research.

Her dedication, compassion, and innovative approach continue to bring hope to patients throughout Mississippi and beyond. We're honored to have her on our team! 💙

03/06/2026

The UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute — with support from the College of American Pathologists — is hosting See, Test and Treat, offering free cancer screenings to uninsured and underinsured men and women on April 11 at the UMMC Pavilion in Jackson.
This event provides a chance to get screened for:
✔️ Cervical cancer (Pap test) – ages 21–64
✔️ Mammograms – ages 40–64
✔️ Oral cancer – ages 21–64
✔️ Lung cancer (low-dose CT) – ages 50–80 (current or former smokers)
Screenings include prompt results and on-site support for follow-up care — truly lifesaving!
👉 Call 601-815-3572 to check eligibility or apply online.
Don’t miss this opportunity — early detection matters. 💙
https://www.umc.edu/cancerinstitute/patient-support/See-Test-Treat-Form.html

03/04/2026

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month — a reminder that screening saves lives.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers when found early, yet many people delay screening. If you’re age 45 or older, talk with your health care provider about when to get screened.
Early detection can make all the difference. 💙

Address

2500 N State St
Jackson, MS
39216

Website

http://www.umc.edu/cancer

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