Director's Cut

Director's message

We are on a long‑term path — improving cancer outcomes in Mississippi through a new center for cancer care and research and achieving National Cancer Institute designation — and the work ahead will extend well into the next decade. Even so, the progress we’ve made is extraordinary.

You’re invited: CCRI groundbreaking is Oct. 22

The ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 22 at the green space beside the American Cancer Society Gertrude C. Ford Hope Lodge.

Dr. Tate Thigpen named a Giant of Cancer Care

CCRI's Dr. James "Tate" Thigpen Ground Rounds are named in honor of Thigpen, who was instrumental in oncology care and research at UMMC.

Dr. Carter Milner honored as Master Clinician

The UMMC School of Medicine alumna received the honor from the UMMC Department of Medicine.

Dr. Clayton Yates featured as Hallmarks of Cancer speaker

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine professor's presentation was titled, "Reassessing Tumor Biology Through the Lens of African American Ancestry and Equity."

Dr. Kelly Wilkinson speaks at ASCO meeting

At the Best of ASCO in Memphis, Wilkinson presented "Best of ASCO: Ovarian Cancer." The meeting highlighted important research from the ASCO Annual Meeting.

White coats presented to CCRI students

Receiving white coats were Tanvi Thakur, Sushma Bhavani Pulipati and Todd Goudeau. They have joined second-year students Rhea Kishore and Landon Wiggins.

Dr. Manju George, assistant professor of population health science, encourages roundtable members to sign pledges noting how they will work to increase colorectal cancer screenings by 2030.

80 by 2030 Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative targets cancer detection, prevention

Too many Mississippians are dying from late-stage colorectal cancer because too few are getting screened for the disease.

Ebony Gaston, nurse manager with UMMC's ambulatory radiation oncology clinic, celebrates her 25-year career at UMMC.

Front and Center: Ebony Gaston

Watching a commercial for the University of Mississippi Medical Center was all it took for Ebony Gaston to know she wanted to work at UMMC. Now a nurse manager for the ambulatory radiation oncology clinic, Gaston recently reached her 25^th anniversary at the Medical Center.

September focuses on awareness of multiple cancers

September is dedicated to awareness for childhood cancer, gynecologic cancers, leukemia and lymphoma. These cancers affect thousands of children and adults each year. Early diagnosis and access to specialized care are critical.

September 2026