St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Science and Medicine

10/27/2025

As Halloween approaches, the clinics at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are abuzz with anticipation—not just from the patients, but from the nurses who spend weeks preparing to transform their spaces. For these nurses, decorating the halls and doors has become a cherished tradition that sparks creativity, teamwork and friendly competition.

From Bluey to Under the Sea, the themes run the gamut, as nurses have decorated posters to cover their doors and planned costumes to match. This year, the pre-clinic team decided on a Paw Patrol theme and each of the 20 doors will be decorated with a different character from the show. Each nurse will also dress up as the character associated with their door.

On top of their normal responsibilities, nurses worked together to sketch designs and construct their decorations, pouring their hearts into making the clinic festive and welcoming. The tradition not only brightens the space for patients but also builds camaraderie and excitement among the staff.

“We’ve been talking about it for weeks,” Sturdivant said. “I can’t wait to see the kids and their reactions.”

10/25/2025

At the International Society of Paediatric Oncology - SIOP 2025 meeting in Amsterdam, Julie Laveglia, EdD, MA, assistant dean for the Global Child Health MS Program, is connecting with students, Global Scholars and prospective applicants to discuss the experiences and impact of the St. Jude Global Scholars.

Events such as SIOP create unique opportunities to foster global collaboration, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise from across continents. Within this international community of experts, the Global Child Health MS Program and Global Scholars Projects at St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences empower clinicians and administrators to address the complex challenges of childhood cancers and catastrophic illnesses. Through advanced research training and experiential learning, participants develop the skills to generate evidence, implement effective programs and lead change in child health systems worldwide.

By forming meaningful partnerships and exchanging knowledge, Global Scholars at SIOP are contributing to progress in research, treatment and advocacy. This work highlights the importance of collective innovation and knowledge exchange in reducing health inequities and improving outcomes for children everywhere.

Learn more about the Global Child Health MS Program and the Global Scholars Projects at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences: https://ow.ly/nQsg50XhOcb

10/23/2025

The ARIA Guide represents a significant advancement in global childhood cancer care. Developed through collaboration between St. Jude Global, SIOP and several leading organizations, ARIA provides resource-stratified, evidence-based guidelines to support healthcare professionals in diagnosing, treating and managing childhood cancer in a wide range of care settings.

Speaking at the SIOP Annual Congress in Amsterdam this week, Nickhill Bhakta, MD, emphasized the importance of adapting treatment recommendations to local resources, particularly in regions where internet connectivity and infrastructure may be limited. The ARIA Guide is accessible on virtually any device and retains its clinical data even if internet access is interrupted, ensuring that teams can rely on up-to-date information at the point of care.

The partnership between St. Jude and SIOP has brought together nearly 700 healthcare providers from over 80 countries, fostering a collaborative approach to guideline development and dissemination. This effort helps bridge gaps in survival rates in low- and middle-income countries by making best practices available to all clinicians, regardless of location.

“If we did this only as St. Jude, we may reach 50% of the world. The moment we live in requires everybody to be on board,” said Bhakta. “SIOP is the key partner to create the legitimacy and to disseminate those guidelines. Coming together, that is how we can make sure we reach every healthcare provider who needs access to treatment, regardless of where they are working.”

The ARIA Guide includes recommendations for supportive, palliative and survivorship care, helping healthcare teams address the full spectrum of patient needs. By expanding access to evidence-based resources, ARIA supports the mission to improve outcomes for children with cancer worldwide.

Learn more about the ARIA Guide and additional resources on our global page: https://ow.ly/Uk8z50XhcbB

10/22/2025

Construction continues on two new 15-story clinical buildings at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Ellis Neufeld, MD, PhD, EVP, clinical director and physician-in-chief, highlights the innovative floor design that will bring together the Acute Care Clinic, Infusion Center, Apheresis and pharmacy. Infusion rooms will be organized into six-room neighborhoods, a layout that enhances patient safety and care team efficiency while minimizing noise and distractions. Each room will provide space for caregivers and families, and the floor will include a family lounge as well as direct access to other campus buildings.

The 700,000-square-foot Clinical Center will accompany a 587,000-square-foot Clinical Office building, as part of the 2022-27 strategic plan and the largest expansion in the institution’s history.

These features reflect best practices in patient-centered care and support ongoing initiatives to enhance the clinical environment, delivering high-quality care to our patients, and a supportive workplace for our staff.

10/21/2025

During National Pharmacy Week, we recognize the essential contributions of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at St. Jude. Jennifer Robertson, PharmD, director of Medication Outcomes and Safety, leads a team dedicated to advancing medication safety, policy development and collaboration across disciplines.

Pharmacists at St. Jude play a broad role in patient care. In addition to overseeing medication dispensing, they provide drug therapy consultations, educate clinical staff and support implementation of new technologies. Robertson’s team investigates medication errors through root cause analyses (RCAs) and anticipates potential risks using failure mode effects analyses (FMEAs) when introducing new systems.

Medication policy is another key responsibility. Robertson and her colleagues manage the drug formulary and develop guidelines to ensure medications are used safely, effectively and with careful consideration of clinical value and cost.

Collaboration is central to the pharmacy team’s work. By involving clinicians and pharmacy staff in evaluating new systems and processes, they foster a culture of shared learning and continuous improvement. “I love the process of making things as safe as possible for our patients and easier for the clinicians who are taking care of them,” Robertson says.

We thank our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians for their expertise and leadership. Their work is foundational to the safe and effective use of medications at St. Jude.

10/17/2025

The inaugural St. Jude Fashion Month and Runway Show brought together patients, siblings and caregivers for a celebration of creativity and resilience. The event was inspired by Gracie, a patient who wanted to help others experience the pride she felt when making her own clothes. Her vision was to give patients a new kind of spotlight focused on their talents and imagination.

With support from Child Life and Patient Experience teams and volunteers from across the institution, Gracie’s idea became reality. Patients designed T-shirts, sweatshirts and hand-sewn pieces, each one reflecting their unique personalities. The runway was filled with energy as each participant took their turn, cheered on by more than 200 attendees.

“All of us patients, we are creative, we are colorful,” Gracie said, describing the quilt-themed shirts that represented unity through diversity. The designs were more than just garments—they were symbols of hope and connection.

For many patients, the show was a chance to control something meaningful in their lives. “It was so cool to see these kids have something they can control and something they can have pride in,” Gracie reflected. The applause and encouragement from the crowd gave each participant a chance to shine.

Moments like these help patients reclaim joy and build confidence, even during challenging times. The fashion show was not just about clothing, it was about celebrating each patient’s spirit and bringing the community together.

10/16/2025

October marks Health Literacy Month, an important time to highlight how medical information is delivered and understood. At St. Jude, making healthcare information accessible to patients and families to keep them better informed and improve outcomes is central to our mission.

Through initiatives such as the Together by St. Jude™ online resource, we strive to provide patients and families with clear, understandable content in plain language. Together is available in 12 languages, and our translation process includes cultural review to ensure information is relevant and meaningful for families in their home countries.

“Our role is to help get information to patients and families in a way that they can understand it and digest it, to make health care more accessible to everyone,” said Teresa Shurley, senior patient educator and co-chair of the International Cancer Education Conference (ICEC) planning committee.

The ICEC, recently hosted at St. Jude, brought together cancer educators from across the globe. With 175 attendees representing five countries, the conference provided a platform for sharing research, experiences and innovative approaches to patient education. The event highlighted advancements in artificial intelligence, such as using AI to enhance low-resolution medical images, making early diagnosis more affordable and accessible.

Sessions also explored the use of 3D modeling and virtual reality to help families better understand tumor locations, offering new perspectives for patient and parent engagement. These technologies demonstrate the evolving methods available for communicating complex medical information.

By sharing our approach to health literacy and learning from colleagues, St. Jude continues to advance best practices in patient education for the global community. Visit together.stjude.org to learn more.

10/08/2025

Jordan Bondrowski’s interest in cancer research began with an unexpected moment at a baseball game. At age 11, she chose to donate a reward for returning a home run ball to breast cancer research, inspired by awareness efforts at her school.

A few years later, cancer affected her family directly when her aunt was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. The experience of losing her motivated Bondrowski to learn more about how cancer develops and to seek ways to help other families.

In high school, science classes offered a path forward, leading her to undergraduate research and eventually to the Pediatric Oncology Education program at St. Jude. Today, Jordan is a second-year PhD student in the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, using imaging techniques to study CAR T cell therapies for childhood solid tumors.

Reflecting on her journey, Bondrowski shares, “Every day I walk through the halls of St. Jude, and I see children and families holding onto the possibility of better outcomes. That hope is what drives me.”

10/07/2025

10/07/2025

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has once again been recognized as one of the top 10 pediatric cancer hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. This marks the 18th consecutive year that St. Jude has earned this distinction, underscoring its role as a leader in pediatric oncology since the rankings began in 2008.​

The U.S. News ranking evaluates nearly 100 hospitals with pediatric oncology programs, considering factors such as bone marrow transplantation services, brain tumor and sarcoma programs, FACT accreditation and clinical outcomes including mortality and infection rates. Our consistent performance reflects a focus on both quality care and innovative research.​

“Eighteen years of recognition reflects the relentless drive of our clinical teams to improve the lives of children with cancer,” said Ellis Neufeld, MD, PhD, EVP and clinical director. “Their compassion, innovation and pursuit of excellence continue to set the standard for pediatric care."​

St. Jude is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center dedicated exclusively to children, receiving an “exceptional” rating in its last three NCI reviews. “By uniting scientists and clinicians, we’re advancing therapies like immunotherapy and precision medicine to improve survival and long-term outcomes for children everywhere,” said Charles Roberts, MD, PhD, EVP and Cancer Center director.​

"To be named among the top children’s cancer hospitals every year since the rankings began is a reflection of our people—their brilliance, their heart and their unwavering commitment to our mission,” said James R. Downing, MD, president and CEO. “In the past year, we’ve made bold strides in science, care and global impact, and we remain focused on finding cures and saving children worldwide.”

Learn more: https://ow.ly/ycHM50X7PeE

10/06/2025

As we recognize National Physical Therapy Month, we honor professionals such as Terry Wilson who dedicate their careers to helping patients pursue their goals. At St. Jude, physical therapy is an essential part of providing hope and support to children and families facing catastrophic illnesses.

Wilson and the rest of his team provides rehabilitation and support for children facing serious illnesses, guiding them through challenges and celebrating every milestone in their recovery. As part of the Rehabilitation Services department at St. Jude, they help children do physical activities better and more easily by using exercise, movement, active play and other means so they can recover and be as independent as possible.

One patient story stands out from Wilson’s career. He worked with a patient who was diagnosed with leukemia as a teenager and later developed transverse myelitis, which left him unable to walk. Through determination and rehabilitation, he eventually was able to walk down the aisle at his wedding. “At St. Jude, I have the privilege of working with our patients to help them become more mobile and stronger, so they can reach for the stars and chase their dreams,” Wilson said.

Thank you to the physical therapists at St. Jude who are committed to improving the lives of children beyond their recovery.

10/03/2025

We’re honored to be ranked second on Forbes’ inaugural list of America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals. At St. Jude, we’re committed to supporting our extraordinary team in every way we can. When we invest in employees, we’re not only nurturing their professional growth, but also strengthening our ability to deliver innovative care and groundbreaking research for children and families worldwide. By empowering our staff, we enable them to make a meaningful, lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.

Recent initiatives such as our new childcare center demonstrate our commitment to meeting the real needs of our employees. Conveniently located just a mile from campus, the center offers a safe, nurturing environment for employees’ children, giving parents peace of mind and greater flexibility in balancing work and family responsibilities. As Maria Megdal, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, shares: “The center was near full subscription not long after opening.”

From comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities to wellness programs and an environment that values listening, St. Jude is dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We actively seek employee feedback through regular surveys, open forums and direct conversations and use it to shape our policies and programs. This ensures our staff’s voices are heard and their ideas drive positive change throughout the institution.

Thank you to our remarkable staff for making St. Jude an exceptional place to work and for bringing hope, healing and lifesaving care to children facing cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Every member of our team plays a vital role in advancing research, supporting families and delivering compassionate care.

Read the full list here: https://ow.ly/TzxP50X6mnG