Director's message

Welcome to the first edition of the Director’s Cut. The monthly newsletter will serve as a point of reflection, as well as a conduit for vital updates regarding all things cancer at UMMC. It will also incorporate our triune mission of clinical, research, and educational endeavors.

It is hard to believe that I have already spent a little over a year at UMMC. Like any new journey, it takes time to learn how to navigate a new healthcare system and take the proper steps towards progress. Each decision must be made through the lens of what an NCI-designated center should look like. Subsequently, in the past 12 months, we have hired or appointed a leadership team that sets our institute up for success. We have hired 11 of our planned 30 Ph.D. researchers. We are also establishing clinical programs that will focus on efficiencies and patient satisfaction. Additionally, we have created renderings of a new CCRI building that will house clinical and research duties, and we have laid the groundwork for fundraising from both donors and legislators to accomplish our lofty goals.

The center core of our vision, mission, and driving principle will always be to improve the lives of the cancer patients of our state. These patients deserve our best efforts to create #AHealthierMississippi. I greatly appreciate being a part of this wonderful team to fulfill this crucial mission.