UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute

04/06/2026

Meet the Team Monday! Today we’re proud to highlight Dr. Muhammad Hassan, assistant professor of pathology, who joined UMMC in 2021 after completing specialized breast pathology training at Washington University in St. Louis. He is a valued team member of the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute.
Dr. Hassan provides expert interpretation of breast pathology specimens for patients across Mississippi. His work ensures accurate, timely diagnoses that guide treatment decisions for thousands of patients each year.
He is an active member of the multidisciplinary breast tumor board, collaborating weekly with radiologists, surgeons, and oncologists to develop personalized treatment plans for complex cancer cases.
Alongside his clinical work, Dr. Hassan is dedicated to medical education, teaching pathology residents and medical students and helping shape the next generation of physicians.
We’re grateful for Dr. Hassan’s expertise, precision, and commitment to advancing breast cancer care in Mississippi.

04/03/2026

UMMC employees are rallying behind It’s About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute, a $125 million philanthropic effort to build a new five‑story home for cancer care and research.
Their support reflects a shared belief: Mississippi deserves the very best in cancer treatment, innovation and hope.
Together, we’re building a stronger future for patients and families across our state.
abouttime.ms

04/02/2026

It’s Thank a Researcher Thursday, and today CCRI is celebrating Amol Janorkar, PhD, professor and chair of biomedical materials science in the School of Dentistry.
Dr. Janorkar leads innovative research in biomaterials and tissue engineering, creating advanced 3D tissue models that improve how we study liver, adipose and bone biology. His work has earned support from the NIH, NSF and USDA, and his lab’s discoveries continue to push the field forward.
He is also a remarkable educator and mentor — guiding more than 95 students and trainees, directing the School of Dentistry’s summer research program for 15 years and earning UMMC’s highest honors for teaching and research excellence.
Thank you, Dr. Janorkar, for your leadership, innovation and commitment to improving health through science. We’re proud to have you at UMMC and as a CCRI member!

04/02/2026

We loved seeing Dr. Varsha Manucha and Jimmie Wells on WJTV’s Live at 9 this morning sharing how See, Test and Treat is expanding access to lifesaving cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured Mississippians.
If you missed it, watch the interview below to learn how this free program provides breast, cervical, oral and lung cancer screenings — all in one visit, all at no cost to those who qualify.
Early detection saves lives, and See, Test & Treat is helping more Mississippians get the care they deserve. 💙

Apply online to find out if you qualify: https://www.umc.edu/cancerinstitute/patient-support/See-Test-Treat-Form.html
Watch the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwDAbpIjbS8

Live at 9

04/01/2026

A new state-of-the-art cancer center built for care, collaboration, clinical trials and groundbreaking research will bring better outcomes to Mississippians facing cancer. It's about time.

04/01/2026

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month may be ending, but prevention doesn’t stop here. To close out CRCAM, Dr. George hosted a colorectal cancer screening awareness event, bringing attention to the importance of early detection and lifesaving screenings.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, but only if it’s caught early. The good news? There’s still plenty of time this year to take action.

✔️ Talk to your provider
✔️ Know your risk
✔️ Schedule your screening

Your health can’t wait.

03/30/2026

Today marks a major milestone for Mississippi’s future. UMMC has officially launched It’s About Time: The Campaign for the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute, a $125 million effort to build a new home for CCRI — a place where compassionate care and scientific discovery will come together for patients across our state.
We are proud to share that the campaign has already reached $100 million, thanks in part to a generous $10 million gift from the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation.
This new cancer center will expand access to advanced treatments, clinical trials, and research that saves lives. Together, we can change the cancer story in Mississippi.
https://umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2026/03/About-Time.html

03/26/2026

It’s Thank a Researcher Thursday, and today CCRI is recognizing Pier Paolo Claudio, MD, PhD, professor of pharmacology and toxicology at UMMC.

Dr. Claudio is an internationally respected cancer researcher whose work includes ultrasound‑guided gene delivery, targeted therapeutics, and the ChemoID drug vulnerability assay, which recently received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for glioblastoma. He has secured more than $21 million in research funding and published nearly 200 scientific papers, helping advance treatments for some of the most challenging cancers.

He also serves on key UMMC committees and teaches cancer biology, radiobiology for radiation oncologists and translational medicine, strengthening the pipeline of future scientists and clinicians.
Thank you, Dr. Claudio, for your dedication to discovery and your commitment to improving cancer outcomes in Mississippi.

03/26/2026

At just 34 years old, Bryce was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. What started as symptoms she thought were minor turned into surgery, chemotherapy and a life-changing journey.

Today, she’s more than six years cancer free.

As Mrs. Mississippi Plus 2024, Bryce used her platform to raise awareness about colorectal cancer — encouraging Mississippians to know their family history and get screened.

After her diagnosis, Bryce learned she has Lynch Syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases the risk for colorectal and other cancers. That knowledge helped protect her family, too.

Her message:
✔️ Don’t ignore symptoms
✔️ Know your risk
✔️ Get screened starting at 45 — earlier if you have risk factors

Colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults. Early detection can make all the difference.
https://umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2026/03/Bryce-Ramsey.html

03/23/2026

🌟 Meet the Team Monday 🌟 Today we’re proud to introduce Katie Bass, LMSW, an oncology social worker who has been serving patients and families at the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute for 11 years.
Katie supports patients through every step of their cancer journey — helping them navigate the health care system, connecting them with community resources, arranging lodging and transportation, and offering vital emotional support to both patients and caregivers. As she says, “Making sure everyone is feeling supported is a great way of ensuring a better outcome for the patient.”
Katie’s passion for social work began during her studies at Delta State University and Jackson State University, and her commitment to compassionate care continues to make a profound impact on the lives of Mississippians facing cancer.
Help us celebrate Katie and the incredible work she does every day.
https://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=862129&p=24&view=issueViewer

03/20/2026

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Mississippi. That reality underscores why the work happening every day at the Cancer Center and Research Institute at UMMC is so critical.
From advancing lifesaving research to delivering expert, compassionate care close to home, our teams are focused on improving outcomes for patients across the state.
Together with our partners, supporters, and communities, we are working to change the cancer story for Mississippians — today and for generations to come.
umc.edu/ccri

03/20/2026

Rena Pafford, operations director of Crossroads Ministries in Canton, encourages women to take part in See, Test and Treat, the free cancer screening program from the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute. When Rena took her own advice in 2025, she received an early diagnosis of breast cancer through her mammogram — a finding that changed her life.

See, Test and Treat offers free screenings for uninsured and underinsured men and women — including breast, cervical, oral and lung cancer screening — with results and support for follow-up care.

Early detection can give you options. It can give you hope. It can save your life. 💪

Learn more and find out how to apply: https://umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2026/02/See-Test-Treat.html