Director's message

Resilience, determination and celebration define February 

February has been a month defined not only by achievement and celebration, but also by resilience in response to a massive cyberattack. Through the month, whether we were moving to the UMMC Pavilion, announcing philanthropic gifts toward construction of a new home for CCRI or finding ways to work while systems were down, there was one constant – providing the best care possible to our patients.  

In the face of disruption starting the morning of Feb. 19, our teams remained focused and creative, developing new workflows, coordinating through a command center and ensuring patients could receive care safety.  

The month began with C Spire announcing a $5 million gift to the It’s About Time campaign, helping fund construction of a new five-story home for CCRI care, research and education. That same week, our care teams began seeing patients in the UMMC Pavilion — an important milestone in our transition. Shortly after, registration opened for See, Test and Treat, a cornerstone of CCRI’s community outreach efforts. 

C Spire Support 

This extraordinary level of philanthropy from C Spire demonstrates the power of partnership. When business leaders join us in the fight against cancer, the impact extends far beyond dollars — accelerating discovery, expanding access to care and, ultimately, saving lives. 

Care in the Pavilion 

Patients are now receiving care in a welcoming space designed to offer a smoother check-in experience and improved navigation services. This successful move is a testament to the teamwork across CCRI that made it possible. That same collaborative spirit drives our patient care, research and education efforts every day. 

This transition represents more than a change in location — it reflects our continued commitment to putting patients first and marks meaningful progress toward our future five-story home for CCRI. Our next move will be there. 

I also want to acknowledge the resilience and dedication our teams demonstrated during the recent cyberattack that disrupted clinical systems. By quickly establishing a CCRI command center in the Hardy Clinical Sciences Building, physicians, nurses and staff worked together to review patient needs, coordinate schedules and safely work in as many patients as possible. Even under challenging circumstances, your focus never wavered from ensuring patients receive the care they needed. 

Thank you for your flexibility, professionalism and shared commitment to excellence throughout this transition and beyond. Because of your efforts, we are well positioned to continue advancing cancer care, expanding access to innovative treatments and building a stronger future for cancer research and education in Mississippi. 

See, Test and Treat 

Hosted by the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute in partnership with the College of American Pathologists, See, Test and Treat will provide free cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured men and women on April 11 at the UMMC Pavilion. 

Eligible Mississippians can apply online or call 601-815-3572 to determine eligibility. Callers will be prompted to leave a voicemail, and after reviewing the information, UMMC representatives will notify applicants if they qualify for free screenings. 

This program would not be possible without the multidisciplinary team that works year-round to make this life-saving care available. 

All these developments — and more — reflect CCRI’s momentum, determination, potential and, most importantly, our people. I am proud to be your partner in this journey.