A Few Updates

Good morning. 

Today, I’d like to give you brief updates on a few topics that I think are good for your awareness. 

First, I’m pleased to share that Jen Douglas, previously administrative director of category management and procurement, has assumed the role of chief of supply chain. Rick McFee, who has been in this role for several years, is retiring and will move into a senior advisor position and assist Jen with this transition. 

Supply Chain is a vital unit for the entire Medical Center to operate but especially in the clinical areas, where quick access to needed medical supplies is crucial to patient care and can sometimes be lifesaving.  

Let’s support Jen and the Supply Chain team through this transition and the many operational and procedural improvements they’ve made recently. Additional changes are in the works or in the planning stages. 

I want to update you on the status of the clinic reshuffling in the UMMC Medical Pavilion.

With the recent opening of Colony Park South and the upcoming opening of Colony Park North, we are rearranging some clinics to improve patient access, increase efficiency and place higher‑acuity services closer to the hospital.

Some services will remain in the Pavilion: neurosurgery, interventional radiology (clinic), endocrinology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, rheumatology, nephrology, infectious diseases, transplant, burn care, radiology and lab services. The transition of new clinics moving into the Pavilion started last fall with OB-GYN. We are expanding our radiology capabilities in the Pavilion with a PET-CT and breast imaging. A pain clinic will open in early April.

The most noticeable transition into the Pavilion will be our cancer clinics, most of which are relocating from the Medical Mall. Cancer services – including medical, surgical and radiation oncology, hematology and pharmacy services for infusion – will all be co-located within the Pavilion, creating a more integrated and patient-centered cancer-care environment. For many of these clinics, the first patient day will be February 4. 

Alongside these clinic moves, we’re improving Pavilion signage and wayfinding and launching a new kiosk-based check‑in process like Sanderson Tower’s.  

When all moves are complete, the Pavilion will house some of our busiest services. A smoother process for patients from the moment they walk in the door will significantly improve their experience. 

Overall, these transitions represent an exciting period of growth and alignment for our ambulatory enterprise.

Two of my most important meetings happen this time of year. Each January during the Mississippi legislative session, I present to the House and Senate Appropriations committees. These groups recommend how much funding we receive in the state budget through annual institutional support and special projects allocations, such as money to build a new nursing school, expand the dental school and open the state’s largest and most advanced burn unit. 

During these hearings, I share with the members of each committee some Medical Center status updates, recent and upcoming challenges and opportunities. I cover topics like enrollment growth and new academic programs, our growing statewide clinical presence and some of our cutting-edge discovery advancements. I remind them that our students and our patients come from all 82 counties in Mississippi. 

I always make it a point to express how grateful we are for their continued support. We simply can’t do what we do for Mississippians without their backing. One example is our goal to gain National Cancer Institute designation and build a new, state-of-the-art home for our Cancer Center and Research Institute. We need their help on these endeavors which, once realized, will have an enormous impact on Mississippians’ lives for generations. 

We appreciate the support of our legislators and statewide elected officials and enjoy working with them on our initiatives that have real impact on their constituents’ lives. 

As you read in yesterday’s memo, we are tracking the potential for severe weather predicted to start as early as tonight. Pay attention to your email and other communication channels in the extreme case there are any changes to any Medical Center operations.  

And, as always, thank you for all you do. It is making a difference. Through the many successes we have experienced in recent months and years, we are closer to A Healthier Mississippi.