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New CCRI Exterior Rendering.
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Cancer Center and Research Institute

The Cancer Center and Research Institute unites physicians, nurses and researchers from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the University of Mississippi in the quest to stop cancer through:

  • Interdisciplinary world class cancer prevention, detection and treatment.
  • Research to better prevent, detect and treat cancer.
  • Education for Mississippi residents and the medical caregivers who one day will provide their cancer care.

Adult and pediatric physicians see more than 2,000 new patients annually and follow more than 5,800 survivors. Cancer teams see many people with rare or complex care needs.

Keep up with Cancer Center and Research Institute news by connecting with us through social media. CCRI is active on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

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Featured News

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

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

Monday, March 16, 2026

Laughter changed their lives — now it’s changing cancer care in Mississippi. Kent and Candace Oliver, the force behind Laughs 4 Life, are turning their own cancer journey into a $500,000 investment in hope, innovation and better outcomes at UMMC’s Cancer Center and Research Institute. Read More

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

Monday, March 9, 2026

The Bower Foundation made the largest gift in its history to It’s About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute, a $125 million drive to help fund construction of a cancer center. Read More

Latest News

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
Doctor prepares syringes and vials as patient sitting on exam table looks on.

Treatment

Interdisciplinary teams meet regularly to review each new patient’s case and recommend the best treatment for each individual. Doctors here see many unusual and complex cases.

Health Care
Two smiling doctors review printed lab results.

Education

The Cancer Center and Research Institute offers the state’s only residency and fellowship programs for professionals seeking a career in cancer care.

Students and Trainees
Researcher extracting samples from container.

Research

Researchers and physicians at UMMC and at the University of Mississippi are working together to seek new and better ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer.

Research Overview