Dr. James T. “Tate” Thigpen has helped UMMC's cancer programs grow from a seedling in 1973 to an orchard in 2016, the year he chose for retirement.

But John Blessing calls the Picayune native's retirement as professor and director of the Division of Hematology/Oncology a misnomer.

“He is more in demand as a speaker than anybody I know,” said Blessing, executive director of the NRG Oncology Statistical and Data Center at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York

“I doubt that will go away.”

Neither will his legacy: Throughout his 43-year career, Thigpen has improved the lives of cancer patients across Mississippi.

Much of the Picayune native's work has been fueled on two cups per day of Starbucks coffee, always cinnamon dolce latte. Bonita Herring, supervisor of business operations for the division, who also announced her retirement, admits she brings him one most mornings on her way to work.

Just before noon on Sunday, August 14, Mississippi's dental community suffered a great loss. Six University of Mississippi alumni were killed in a plane crash in Alabama. Four were graduates from the School of Dentistry. They were making their way home from a dentistry continuing education event held in Florida.

On board were Drs. Jason and Lea Farese; Dr. Austin and Angie Poole; and Dr. Michael and Kim Perry. Together they leave behind multiple practices, hundreds of patients, colleagues, friends and family. Most heartbreaking is the loss suffered by their combined 11 children.

The dental community has rallied together in an attempt to fill the void left by these special lives. Fellow alumni have stepped in to keep practices open and staff employed, and a fund has been started to provide for the children's care and education.

The Medical Center is proud to acknowledge those employees who will celebrate service anniversaries this week.

Several interesting events are scheduled for the upcoming week at the Medical Center.