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UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute News Articles

Alice Chaney Herndon is fighting cancer while serving as director of adult nursing services, a job she loves.

Front and Center: Alice Chaney Herndon

Monday, June 29, 2026

After more than two decades of serving patients at UMMC, Alice Chaney Herndon, director of adult nursing services, was confronted with her own diagnosis: a brain tumor. Read More

Jean Adams is pictured with Fred Adams on a trip to Prague.

CCRI receives $10M gift from philanthropist Jean Morris Adams in honor of late son and best friend

Monday, June 22, 2026

Inspired by profound personal loss, Jean Morris Adams is investing in CCRI’s mission to ensure Mississippians can access exceptional cancer care close to home. Read More

Research is an essential part of studies for Cancer Biology and Therapeutics students Rhea Kishore and Landon Wiggins.

New cancer biology and therapeutics PhD program approved at UMMC

At a time when Mississippi faces some of the country’s toughest cancer challenges, a new generation of researchers is beginning its training at the state’s only academic medical center.

Published on Monday, June 15, 2026

 Rare desmoid tumors haven't stopped CCRI patient Chantal Taylor from achieving her goals.

Tumors don't stop CCRI patient from earning degree, launching ventures

Chantal Taylor of Jackson has continued her creativity and studies while fighting rare tumors with the help of her UMMC care team.

Published on Monday, June 1, 2026

 Celebrating Trustmark's $2 million gift to the CCRI campaign are, from left, Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs; Dr. Rod Rocconi, Ergon Chair for Cancer Research and director of the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute; Art Stevens, president of retail banking at Trustmark; and Melanie Morgan, executive vice president and director of corporate communications and marketing at Trustmark.

Trustmark gives $2M gift to campaign for UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute

Trustmark’s donation will help UMMC build a new home for cancer care and research, supporting the Medical Center’s work to expand treatment options for patients across Mississippi.

Published on Tuesday, May 26, 2026

 Marlene Rios is among the first people patients meet at the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Front and Center: Marlene Rios

Before patients meet their care team or hear a treatment plan, they meet someone who instantly puts them at ease. For CCRI, that reassuring presence is often Marlene Rios.

Published on Monday, May 11, 2026

 The new five-story Cancer Center and Research Institute will offer advanced care, groundbreaking research and a welcoming space to enhance patient care and access.

McRae Foundation’s generosity continues with significant gift to UMMC cancer center campaign

Published on Monday, May 4, 2026

 Patrick McCarthy of Jackson, among the first Mississippians to use the Ethos system at UMMC, is prepared for Ethos radiotherapy.

New state-of-the-art radiation oncology systems offer advanced cancer care at UMMC

Published on Monday, April 20, 2026

 Dr. Carter Milner checks patient Diann Jackson during a clinic visit at the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute.

BiTE immunotherapy offers new hope for patients with aggressive cancers

Published on Monday, April 6, 2026

 Smiling with a $10 million gift from the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation are, from left, Dr. Rod Rocconi, Ergon Chair for Cancer Research and CCRI director; Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs; Stephen Sims, president of the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation; Mary Catherine Blackwell, secretary of the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation; John Lewis, treasurer of the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation; and Dr. Alan Jones, associate vice chancellor for health affairs.

UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute announces public phase of $125M campaign

Published on Monday, March 30, 2026

 The Oliver family includes, from left, Annie, Candace, Kent and Charlotte.

Transforming care through laughter: Olivers make $500K gift to CCRI

Published on Monday, March 16, 2026

 Anne Travis, right, president and CEO of the Bower Foundation, presents Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs, with a $10 million check for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Bower Foundation makes $10M gift to campaign for UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute

Published on Monday, March 9, 2026

 The long-term commitment of Dr. Caroline Compretta, assistant vice chancellor for research, to health equity, community partnerships and research has landed her in the top echelon of academic achievers.

Compretta earns 2026 SEC Faculty Achievement Award

Published on Monday, March 9, 2026

 Cytotechnologist Mirna Vargas analyzes test results in this photo from See, Test and Treat in 2024.

See, Test and Treat offers free cancer screenings for uninsured, underinsured

Published on Monday, February 9, 2026

 Displaying C Spire's $5 million gift to the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute are, from left, Dr. Rod Rocconi, Ergon Chair for Cancer Research and CCRI director; Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs; and Dr. Holt Crews, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and a member of the C Spire board of directors.

C Spire donates $5M for new UMMC cancer center

Published on Monday, February 9, 2026

 Regular cervical cancer screening is essential for early detection and prevention, health experts say, and HPV vaccination can protect against the virus that causes most cervical cancers.

UMMC research leads to updated HPV clinical guidelines

Published on Monday, January 12, 2026

 Dr. Stanley Smith, right, credits surgeon Dr. Chad Huckabay and CCRI care for successful treatment of his prostate cancer.

Cancer journey extends UMMC professor’s lessons beyond classroom

Published on Monday, December 29, 2025

 The ACT Center team poses for a photo, from left, [front row] Dr. Jonathan Hontzas, director; Sharon Terry, tobacco treatment specialist; Kelli Grant, manager of research operations; Brittany Tichenor, tobacco treatment specialist; Erica Cameron, lung cancer screening coordinator; Latoya Scott, scheduler; Stacy Wilson, medical office assistant; Leslie Musshafen, associate director of administration for the Cancer Center & Research Institute; [back row] Langston Moore, project manager for the Cancer Center & Research Institute; Kathy Banks, administrative assistant; and Jay Thompson, project manager.

ACT Center holds pinning ceremony honoring tobacco treatment graduates

Published on Monday, December 15, 2025

 Research by Dr. Keli Xu into the origins of a type of pancreatic cancer could lead to better biomarkers and treatments.

CCRI research seeking to unlock mysteries of pancreatic cancer with $1.8M NCI grant

Published on Monday, December 8, 2025

 Discussing a care plan with are cancer care team members, from left, Rebecca Turner, registered dietitian, Tommy Berg, exercise physiologist, and Melissa Wood family nurse practitioner.

Cancer care questions met with answers from UMMC experts

Published on Monday, November 3, 2025

 Dr. Devika Das, director of the Division of Hematology and Oncology

Front and Center: Dr. Devika Das

Published on Monday, November 3, 2025

 Meaghan Odum hasn't let breast cancer slow her down from her studies, work, volunteering and a busy family life.

‘Too much more to offer’: CCRI breast cancer patient’s journey underscores early detection

Published on Monday, October 13, 2025

 Johnny McRight, of Greenville, and James E. Poole Jr., of Jackson, were honored by the Ole Miss Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame at the Sept. 13 Ole Miss vs. Arkansas football game. McRight was presented the Contribution to Amateur Football Award and Poole with the Distinguished American Award. Pictured here are, from left, Poole; Richard Noble of Indianola, president of the Ole Miss chapter; Keith Carter, vice chancellor of intercollegiate athletics; and the McRight family — grandson Joseph Nipper, McRight and wife Renee, grandson Christian Britt, daughter Meriwalker Nipper and grandsons Collins and Hall Nipper.

Delta cancer rates move McRights to make significant gift to CCRI campaign at UMMC

Published on Monday, October 6, 2025

 Lloyd Gray of The Hardin Foundation

Hardin Foundation pledges $2.5M for “once-in-a-generation” UMMC cancer center expansion

Published on Tuesday, September 2, 2025

 Cytotechnician Camrell Williams processes cervical cytology specimens in the Cytology Laboratory at UMMC.

UMMC’s See, Test and Treat promotes preventative health care with free cancer screenings

Published on Monday, March 31, 2025