Parkers’ $250,000 gift advancing cancer care at UMMC
Dr. Paul Parker spent his career caring for young gastroenterology patients at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. A $250,000 donation to the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute from Parker and his wife, Kerry, is aimed at bringing state-of-the-art cancer care close to home for Mississippians.
“Mississippi deserves a first-class facility to care for our patients with cancer,” he said. “We have a wonderful Medical Center. It is unfortunate that so many adults in Mississippi leave the state to receive certain cancer treatments.”
The gift toward It’s About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute will help fund the construction of a new five-story home for CCRI, one that will combine advanced collaborative cancer care with convenience and comfort for patients. The campaign has raised more than $88 million toward its $125 million goal.
The Parkers, of Jackson, are especially passionate about adult cancer care as both were treated at CCRI for cancer. Kerry is a 25-year stage 3 ovarian cancer survivor, and Paul’s pancreatic cancer was treated at CCRI in 2025.
“We both have received excellent care at UMMC,” Kerry said. “As patients, we experienced firsthand the compassion, expertise and commitment that define the Medical Center. Supporting CCRI is our way of giving back to the place that cared for us and helped us move forward.”
Dr. Rod Rocconi, Ergon Chair for Cancer Research and CCRI director, said gifts such as this are helping transform cancer care in the state.
“The Parkers’ generosity helps ensure that patients will receive advanced, multidisciplinary cancer care close to home,” he said. “Their gift reflects a lifelong dedication to Mississippi and a shared belief that high-quality health care should be accessible to every patient in the state.”
During the Campaign for Children’s of Mississippi, the Parkers donated $250,000 to help fund construction of the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children’s of Mississippi.
“We have proudly supported the children’s hospital and are just as grateful to support CCRI,” Kerry said. “This facility will be a first-rate center, bringing advanced cancer care, education and research under one roof for all Mississippians.”
The Parkers, both natives of Meridian, returned to Mississippi and UMMC after Paul completed a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Vanderbilt. He started the Medical Center’s pediatric gastroenterology program in 1981 and served as the only pediatric gastroenterologist in the state for 17 years. His practice included patients from throughout the south.
The Paul H. Parker Chair of Pediatric Gastroenterology was named in his honor in 2014. Dr. Phyllis Bishop, chief of pediatric gastroenterology, currently holds the chair.
The Medical Center’s missions of education, care and research are essential for Mississippians, he said.
“A strong Medical Center not only provides treatment for patients but also strengthens our city and state,” he said.
A graduate of the University of Mississippi and UMMC School of Medicine, Paul Parker completed his pediatric residency at UMMC and served as chief resident. Kerry attended Tulane as an undergraduate and began her master’s degree in early childhood education there. In Jackson, she taught kindergarten at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School.
The Parkers, who wed in 1975, welcomed their sons after returning to Jackson. The family has been involved in many organizations across Jackson including Parents for Public Schools, the Mississippi Museum of Art, Ballet Mississippi, the Junior League of Jackson and Chimneyville Craftsmen’s Guild.
“We both felt it was important for the boys to recognize the significance of giving back to the community,” Kerry said.