The University of Mississippi Medical Center will receive a significant amount of funding to construct a new facility to advance its patient care and research.
John and Sandy Black, a well-known couple in Ole Miss spheres, have committed $25 million to help the UMMC Career Cancer Center and Research Institute further its footprint across the Magnolia State. The pledge marks the largest gift commitment in the medical center’s history.
With Mississippi having one of the highest cancer mortality rates in the nation, officials at UMMC are looking to tackle the urgent cancer needs of residents and lower the number of deaths from carcinogenic ailments.
Sandy Black, whose name is etched along with her husband’s on the Ole Miss basketball court, is hopeful that the funds will leave a lasting impact on the city of Jackson, the state of Mississippi, and beyond.
“We’re so proud to be part of this. I believe it will bloom and blossom, especially knowing that it’s not just a cancer clinic, but also a center for research and development,” Sandy Black said. “With UMMC being the only academic medical center in our state, we’re very proud to support that.”
According to a press release, a major step in UMMC’s plan is a major investment in infrastructure. A new, five-story, 250,000-square-foot building will hold modernized facilities designed to deliver cutting-edge care and foster groundbreaking research, including clinical trials.
The new facility is designed to provide a welcoming, interdisciplinary space that enhances patient and family care, improves access, and offers a seamless healthcare experience. UMMC has initiated a $125 million capital campaign to help fund the new facility. In addition to the Black family’s gift, the couple will also act as honorary chairs of the campaign committee.
A joint commitment between UMMC and the Black family to address cancer care disparities in the Magnolia State will be aided by the medical school achieving a National Cancer Institute designation. This is anticipated to enhance the center’s cancer research capabilities, lead to more breakthroughs, and expand treatment options for patients.
“Achieving NCI-designated status for this cancer center will greatly enhance the services needed and shape the future of Mississippi,” John Black said. “People with certain cancer diagnoses have had to travel great distances to NCI-designated facilities to receive diagnostic treatment and care. It’s time that Mississippi had its own facility.”
As is the unfortunate case in Mississippi, oftentimes, residents not living in the Jackson metro area are forced to visit hospitals and clinics out of state for cancer treatment. UMMC is hoping that its current campaign will create a future in which patients can remain in Mississippi when receiving care. The plan to expand the Career Cancer Center and Research Institute aligns with that goal.
“We greatly appreciate this extraordinary gift from John and Sandy Black. We have a bold vision for transforming cancer care in Mississippi, and this investment in that vision will benefit the caregivers, scientists, and patients here for years to come,” Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC’s vice chancellor for health affairs, said.
“When I say we are working toward a healthier Mississippi, I mean we are bringing every resource to bear to change health outcomes in our state. I thank the Blacks for this history-making donation as we develop a facility to enhance cancer care and research.”
In 2015, the Blacks made an $11 million donation to UMMC, marking the largest private gift ever received by the Medical Center at that time in a single year. More on the current expansion project can be found here.
