Director's message

As we close out the year, I’m proud to reflect on a few key accomplishments that have made a tremendous impact and set the stage for even greater progress ahead. The Cancer Center and Research Institute expanded its navigation services through training slots awarded by the American Cancer Society Lions Grant, improving patient experiences by reducing disparities in care and streamlining access to treatment. At the same time, we’ve strengthened faculty recruitment, building a world-class hub for cancer research where our experts are gaining national recognition.

Our research efforts also received a significant boost, with state lawmakers approving a $4 million funding increase—raising our annual appropriation to $9 million. This critical support enhances our ability to recruit and retain top experts in cancer research and moves us closer to achieving NCI designation. Together, these achievements demonstrate the transformative impact of our work and the bright future we’re building.