UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute

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UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute

Defeating cancer takes a team. Learn more about our teams at the Cancer Center & Research Institute.

06/02/2026

When CCRI patient Chantal Taylor talks about resilience, she speaks from experience. Diagnosed as a teen with rare desmoid tumors — a condition affecting fewer than four people per million — she endured repeated surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy and years of pain.
During treatment at UMMC’s Cancer Center and Research Institute, she also faced depression, domestic violence, homelessness and the loss of her grandmother to COVID-19. Still, she pressed forward.
In 2025, she earned her associate degree in business with a 4.0 GPA, becoming the first in her family to complete a degree. Today, she is growing multiple creative ventures, including Legacy MS Magazine, digital novels, a podcast and small businesses.
Her care at CCRI included:
• Orthopaedics
• Surgical, radiation and medical care
• Pain management
• Long-term follow-up and supportive care https://umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2026/06/Chantal-Taylor.html

06/01/2026

Some of the most meaningful work at CCRI happens long before a transplant ever begins. Today for Meet the Team Monday, we’re celebrating Jennifer Rouse, Sonia Parker and Christy Luckett, the pre-transplant coordinators who guide patients and families through every step of the bone marrow transplant process. Their calm presence, clear communication and deep compassion make an overwhelming time feel a little more manageable. Get to know the team behind this life‑changing work.

05/30/2026

We are deeply grateful to the Magnolia Charitable Foundation for their generous gift to the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute, made possible through the proceeds of their annual Golf Tournament and Gala.

This kind of community investment advances research, expands access to care and brings us closer to the day when a new cancer and research center will bring world-class care closer to home.

To every golfer, sponsor, donor and volunteer who made the tournament and gala a success, thank you. 💙

05/28/2026

For Thank a Researcher Thursday, we’re shining a light on Dr. Aswin Natarajan, who comes to UMMC from New York University Langone Health, where he was an instructor in the Department of Pathology and Perlmutter Cancer Center. His research in T‑cell biology and cancer immunology is laying the groundwork for new treatments that could improve outcomes for patients.: https://bit.ly/4dPeCgq

05/26/2026

Skin cancer — including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma — is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in the United States. In Mississippi, sun exposure and outdoor work increase risk, making early detection especially important.
At UMMC’s Cancer Center and Research Institute (CCRI), our melanoma and skin cancer services include:
• Comprehensive skin exams and dermatoscopy
• Biopsy and diagnostic imaging • Surgical removal and Mohs micrographic surgery
• Immunotherapy and targeted therapy
• Access to clinical trials
• Supportive oncology and survivorship care
If you notice a changing mole or new skin lesion, don’t wait. Early evaluation can save lives.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4eZce9o

05/25/2026

Meet the Team Monday 👩‍⚕️

Today we’re introducing you to Dr. Clark Henegan!

Dr. Henegan’s path to medicine began at the University of Mississippi, where he studied chemical engineering. After working as a tutor and with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, he earned his medical degree at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

He completed a dual residency in medical genetics and internal medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before returning to UMMC for a Hematology/Oncology fellowship. In 2016, he joined the faculty, where he continues to care for patients and mentor the next generation of physicians.

We’re proud to have Dr. Henegan on our team!

05/23/2026

Behind every step forward in cancer care is a team working together with purpose. CCRI leaders met for a strategy retreat to map out the next phase of our NCI journey and what it means for Mississippi patients.

05/22/2026

For this week’s Thank a Researcher Thursday, we’re proud to spotlight Dr. Amod Sharma, research instructor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and an associate member of the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute, who has been honored with the Young Investigator Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (AAISCCR).
This national recognition follows a rigorous, blinded review of applications and abstracts by the AAISCCR YIA Committee, a clear reflection of the strength and potential of Dr. Sharma’s research.
He received the award at the AAISCCR Annual Meeting on April 20 in San Diego.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Sharma on this outstanding achievement and in thanking him for his dedication to advancing cancer research at UMMC. https://www.umc.edu/cancerinstitute/directors-cut-newsletter/2026/April-2026/Articles/Sharma-Accolade.html

05/21/2026

Clinical trials give patients access to promising new options and help researchers learn what works. This week, CCRI is honoring the people behind that progress. On Wednesday, employees and visitors learned about UMMC’s 200+ active trials and $110 million in research funding.

05/20/2026

Thank you to Trustmark for its strong support of It’s About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute.
This investment helps us build a new state-of-the-art home for CCRI — a place designed to bring advanced cancer treatment, groundbreaking research, and compassionate support together under one roof.
We are deeply grateful for Trustmark’s commitment to improving the health and well being of communities across Mississippi. Their generosity moves us closer to transforming cancer care for generations to come. 💙

Address

2500 N State St
Jackson, MS
39216

Website

http://www.umc.edu/cancer

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