A $250 million cancer center, which its general contractor calls one of the most significant health care projects in state history, is officially underway in Jackson.
Officials broke ground Thursday on the University of Mississippi Medical Center's new $250 million Cancer Center and Research Institute, SuperTalk Mississippi reported. UMMC, the state's largest hospital system, plans a five-story, 250,000-square-foot building aimed at addressing cancer care disparities and earning National Cancer Institute designation.
Congressional officials, state leaders, local legislators and UMMC representatives gathered for the ceremony.
"We have a real problem here in Mississippi with cancer outcomes," said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, UMMC's vice chancellor for health affairs. "Mississippians need the highest level of cancer care and access to the latest clinical trials right here at home."
What's going in the building
According to UMMC's announcement, the new center will bring patient care, clinical trials, research laboratories, supportive services and specialized training under one roof. The medical center said the design will support expanded clinical services and leave room for program growth in the years ahead.
Codaray Construction, which has offices in Hattiesburg and Ridgeland, says on its website that it was selected as general contractor. The company lists WBA and Cannon as the architect. Michael Boerner, principal of Wier Boerner Allin Architecture, was among those who turned dirt at the ceremony, according to UMMC.
Who's paying
The building was talked about for years, and donors and the Legislature turned the idea into a funded project, SuperTalk reported.
Jackson philanthropists Sandy and John Black pledged $25 million to start the effort. Other major gifts came from:
- Gertrude C. Ford Foundation: $10 million
- Bower Foundation: $10 million
- C Spire: $5 million
- Trustmark Bank: $2 million
The Legislature approved $100 million during its most recent session, according to SuperTalk.
UMMC said construction is funded in part through "It's About Time," a $125 million philanthropic campaign that has raised more than 80% of its goal.
"Here in our state, our world-class people deserve world-class cancer care, and they deserve to receive it right here at home," Gov. Tate Reeves said, according to SuperTalk. "When someone is fighting cancer, they should be able to focus on getting better, not on traveling hours and hours for treatment."
The bigger goal
The project supports UMMC's long-term goal of earning National Cancer Institute designation, which would be a first for Mississippi. SuperTalk reported that if UMMC earns it, Mississippi would get there before neighboring Arkansas and Louisiana.
The state has a lot of ground to make up. Citing the state health department, SuperTalk reported that Mississippi's age-adjusted cancer death rate from 2018 to 2022 was 179.8 per 100,000, 23% above the national average. About 16,000 new cancer cases are reported in the state each year.
"We haven't gotten it yet, but we are setting the stage," U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said, according to UMMC.
No timeline yet
Officials did not say when the building is expected to be finished, SuperTalk reported.
Why it matters for contractors
A $250 million, 250,000-square-foot medical and research building is a big job by any measure. Buildings that combine clinical space, research labs and treatment areas usually call for heavy mechanical, electrical, plumbing and specialty systems work, along with a long list of interior trades.
With Codaray listed as general contractor, subcontractors and suppliers who want a piece of the work should be talking to Codaray about bid packages. Because the project uses state money, public bidding and reporting rules may also apply, so it's worth checking with UMMC on how packages will be handled.
No finish date has been announced, and that matters for anyone planning crews. Contractors should keep an eye on UMMC and Codaray for schedule updates as the job moves out of the ground.