About the ACT Center Our Team Education & Training Research Activities Studies Open for Enrollment Links to Other Resources

Vision:

To improve the health of Mississippians by reducing tobacco use.

Mission:

Employ state-of-the-art treatment, educational, and research methods

Goal:

Enable Mississippi to become a national leader in the prevention and treatment of tobacco dependence.
 

History of

The ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education and Research

A Program of

The University of Mississippi Medical Center

School of Dentistry and Medicine

 

The ACT Center opened its doors in 1999.   To date, we have been supported by grants and funding from the Mississippi State Legislature, National Institutes of Health, Mississippi State Department of Health and The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. We have also received both investigator initiated grants and clinical trial contracts from pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline). 

Karen M. Crews, DMD, Director, and Thomas J. Payne, PhD, Associate Director and Director of Research, developed the plan and structure for Center operations. Our staff includes faculty, postdoctoral fellows, Tobacco Treatment Specialists, health educators, education specialists and administrative staff. Students enrolled in a variety of programs elect rotations to attain experience related to tobacco dependence treatment and research.

Awards

The Prevention of Cancer in Mississippi Award was presented to The ACT Center in 2006 from The Mississippi Partnership for Comprehensive Cancer Control.

The Program Delivery Award was presented to The ACT Center in 2004 from the National Chronic Disease Directors.

 

Core Components

ACT Center activities emphasize three core components

education
treatment
research

 

Mission

Improve the health of Mississippi youth and their families by reducing tobacco use through research, education, prevention and treatment.

 

Vision

Mississippi will lead the nation in the prevention and treatment of tobacco use.

 

Goal

The ACT Center will serve as a research, education, prevention and treatment resource to benefit Mississippi youth and their families.

 

Directions

The ACT Center
UMC Cancer Institute, Suite ME-102

Jackson Medical Mall

350 West Woodrow Wilson Drive

Jackson, MS  39213

Telephone: 601.815.1180

The ACT Center is located approximately 1 mile west of the University of Mississippi Medical Center on Woodrow Wilson Drive.

We are located on the Bailey Avenue side of the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center, in the UMHC Cancer Institute, across from the Jackson Heart Study offices. Transportation is available from the parking lot by Medical Mall security, if needed. Please request assistance at any security booth located at all parking lot entrances.

Free parking is available

University of Mississippi Medical Center clinics and programs located at the Jackson Medical Mall include:

  • Jackson Heart Study
  • UMHC Cancer Institute
  • Radiologic services
  • Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation center
  • Diabetes education center
  • Artificial kidney unit

 

Other organizations at the Jackson Medical Mall include:

  • Jackson State University - Health Sciences Program
  • Hinds County Health Department clinic
  • A Women, Infants and Children (WIC) office
  • City of Jackson Social Services